Dublin City Marathon Training Four hours to Four and a Half

Have you an entry to this year's Dublin City Marathon? Perhaps you are preparing for the Race Series half marathon in September - Or you may just be trying to build up your long runs with no specific race or target in mind. Are you fed up doing those long runs on your own and would love some company to make them a little easier?

The aim of this group is to enjoy a good sociable run in the company of likeminded people and we finish each run with tea and cake in the visitor centre where we meet up with other Dublin Runners doing different distances. This gives us the opportunity to tell each other how great we are.

This group is for those who are targeting a 4 to 4 1/2 hour marathon on Oct 27th. Our pace will be 6 20 - 6 30 mins/km. If you are nervous that you might not last the full distance, don't worry as we normally pick a route that allows you to peel off a bit early. However, if currently, your pace is below 6 30/km for 10 miles (16 km) this group may not be for you. Likewise, if your pace is faster then you might be better suited to run with one of the other Dublin Runners marathon training groups. You will have a good idea after a week or two.

This week's run is 12 miles (19.3 km). We will increase our distance weekly throughout July, August and September, culminating with 2 20 mile runs at the end of Sept/ beginning of Oct prior to tapering for the marathon. We will have drop down weeks including one for the Dublin Half marathon in September. Most of the runs will be within the Phoenix Park where we will try to run a lot on grass.

Water stops will be organised each week. This will be shared by the group. If possible please RSVP early in the week so we know how many bottles of water to leave out and if you cannot make it please sign out. Please arrive at the car park a few mins early as we start punctually.

Any queries, contact Sarah or Harry