Name: Robyn Dransfield

Member of Eagle AC since: January 2019

How long have you been running and what made you take it up?:

I have run my whole life but never considered myself to be a runner until recently. I never just went out for a run, it was always as a warm up for a sports training rather than the training itself. After having kids I started running because it was a quick and (somewhat) easy way to get in some exercise without going far from home or having to stick to a class timetable at the gym. My first target run was the Amsterdam 8km race in 2013. I loved the atmosphere and the rush of adrenaline at the start line and finishing in the Olympic stadium was pretty cool too. From there I was keen to work towards longer runs and quicker times. I have definitely caught the running bug!

The Eagle AC ’12 Runs of Christmas’ 2020 got off to a great start this week! The first 3 runs of the series were sent to members by email last Sunday and it was brilliant to see the various runs being logged by members throughout the week. Over 50 members have logged their Week 1 runs at this stage.

Each of the 12 runs over the month have a seasonal theme and incorporate a mixture of fun novelty runs and more serious interval/ tempo sessions. On the ‘to do’ list this week ( Monday 23rd November to Sunday 29th November) were ……

1. Lapland Run: It’s 4 weeks until we start Christmas week! Pick a loop & run 4 laps, winding up the Christmas spirit!

2. The 12 Reps of Christmas: Find a hill & pick the pace, (make it ‘tasty’) run up the hill for 12 seconds, recovery jog back to the start & repeat 12 times!

3. A Starry Night Run: Show us the winter skies of Christmas where you live on a run under the stars with a photo

So, lots of photos of loops, hills and stars were forwarded during the week. (Apologies for the lack of cloudless skies which made run #3 a little more difficult!!)

Name: Martin Leahy

Member of Eagle AC since: 2012

How long have you been running – what made you take it up? :
I started running in 2008 – there was a lot of travel in the job I had at the time and I couldn’t make the soccer games in Cork any more. It turned out I could run no matter where I was in the World. I was in New York one day that October and, fairly clueless, I went in to Foot Locker, bought a ridiculous pair of Nike Shox as well as a baggy-assed knicks and ran 3 miles the next morning. Over the next few months, I ended up running in five or six different capital cities – running turned out to be a great way to see the World. My first race was the Ballycotton 10 in 2009 where I just about broke 70 minutes in the Nike Shox and the baggy knicks – I was one of those lads you see running along the road in a football jersey – pace all over the shop!

Favourite thing about running:
There are two joint favourite things about running: The first favourite thing is the “Zen” – it’s a winter’s evening after work – no wind, cold but not freezing, you’re in the middle of an hour-long run in the dark on the Blackrock loop say, going well and your mind gradually goes to a different place – the speed picks up slowly but it’s almost incidental – all you feel is the buzz of the running. There’s nobody else there, just you, the energy and the road before you. To someone who doesn’t run, you can’t explain it – to someone who does run, you don’t have to.
The other favourite thing is the camaraderie – training with your fellow runners, hours spent on the road together preparing for the races and the mutual respect that develops, the blast of going off to races together and the joyous few hours in Doheny and Nesbitt’s after the Dublin marathon.

Eagle AC ’12 Runs of Christmas’

Let’s face it, it’s been a year like no other. In the absence of Turkey trots, Goal Miles, charity 5kms, winter marathons and whatever other seasonal running activities you may take part in, Eagle AC recognise the importance of staying connected through running and supporting each other, albeit from a distance, this festive season!

Therefore, we would like to officially announce the launch of…

The 12 Runs of Christmas!

What is it?

12 runs, from the sublime to the ridiculous, from Mince pie miles to Lapland loops, from ‘Rain’deer runs to Running ‘elfies’. (We can’t promise that’s the last of the puns).How will it work?For four weeks, starting next Sunday night, Nov.22nd, Karen will send out three runs for the week- these, as always, can be done at your own pace on whichever days suit you, adhering of course to the current NPHET restrictions. Each run will have a seasonal theme and will incorporate a mixture of fun novelty runs and more serious interval/ tempo sessions. All we ask you to do is send some evidence of your run (selfie, elevation profile, map etc. ) and send it to Elaine, Mairead, Karen or Ruairi. Please send all three runs of each week together, before Sunday evening each week. This allows you a little flexibility mid-week to fit in the three runs, and we can compile them each week then.

Name: Sandra Manning

Member of Eagle AC since: 2014 (I think!)

How long have you been running? What made you take it up?: Started athletics when I was 7 (have several county, Munster and All Ireland sprint medals) but gave it up again mid teens and took it up again after I had my first baby when I gave up hockey. 

Favourite thing about running: Head space from work, kids, life in general. I always feel better after I’ve been for a run. Usually if I’m running in the morning I’d have my day and work schedule organised in my head by the time I get back. Also love being part of a club; heading out on long runs the miles would fly by as the company is great.

Eagle AC Member Profile

Name: Siobhan Holland

Member of Eagle AC since: May 2019 ( since Derek persuaded me to join the friendliest club in Ireland!!)

How long have you been running? What made you take it up?: I started off running way back in 2001 when I first started working in Novartis and completed the annual 5km there and finished in last position just ahead of the ambulance!

Favourite thing about running: Headspace for me from home life and the friendly banter we have on our weekly runs or training sessions, love the people I meet through the club and the many races I have been to over the last 20 years

It was certainly a Dublin City Marathon weekend like no other this year with members having to complete the annual event virtually.

Congratulations to our many club members who took part over the weekend – there seems to have been plenty of members who took part in the 10k, half and full distances.

One of the stand out performances from the weekend has to have been Mike McGrath’s brilliant 3.23 marathon – Sunday’s run was Mike’s first marathon in 27 years! All of the lockdown training certainly paid off , with Mike pacing the race perfectly and running a huge negative split. Well done and congrats to Mike.

Another very impressive performance came from Robyn Dransfield who broke the 2 hour barrier for the Half marathon for the first time! Pacer Daniel seems to have done his job perfectly with a time of 1.59.44 for Robyn! 🙂 

Eagle AC Member Profile:

Name: Grellan McGrath

Member of Eagle AC since: 2007

How long have you been running what made you take it up: I started on 8^th January 2006 to train for a once in a lifetime marathon and kept going.

Favourite thing about running: The head space.

Favourite race distance to run: Anything that was long enough to require no speedwork and a picnic and short enough that I could tell my wife “see you tomorrow” – typically between 6 and 16 hours. Now I have more sense.

On any other year many of us would right now, be getting ready to toe the line at the Dublin City Marathon 2020. Unfortunately this year was to have other plans for us! However to mark the occasion we have gathered a few memories and photographs from members of their most memorable/enjoyable DCM moments. Thanks to all those who sent photos in. Hopefully normal service will resume in 2021 but for now these will have to do !

Congratulations to both our men’s and ladies teams who represented the club so well at the County Novice XC Championships in Riverstick on Sunday, 4th October.