Another day of beautiful running weather, this time in Dublin. I arrived this morning and went for a nice run after checking into my hotel. I actually followed in the footsteps of one of the "Runner's World" contributors. Runner's World had recommended to stay at the Best Western Ashling. Hotel right across from the Guiness Brewery and only two blocks from fantastic Phoenix Park. This park is the largest park within a city in Europe lending itself to the perfect training run. I entered the park through its main entrance gate at Parkgate Street. It is absolutely fantastic. The first sight I ran past was the Wellington Testimonial (see picture above), completed in 1861 in honor of Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, and at 62 meters the tallest obelisk in Europe. Along with some very distinct looking ruins throughout the park I also ran past the Papal Cross that stands 116 feet high and is made of steel girders. I managed to rack up 7.5 miles trying to run its outer circumference. I am not sure if I accomplished that. There are so many many trails, roads and parths criss-crossing through it that it is very difficult to know where you are going, if you're not familiar with the area. It was fantastic conditions for a nice run, about 21 degree Celsius and dry. I went for a very slow and easy pace, still trying to heal up. Aside from the many monuments located within the park there were literally herds with hundred or so deer (see pciture below), an amazing sight to see.
While I was able to snap a couple of pictures, I didn't get to take nearly enough to truly capture the magnificance of this park. If I get up early enough, I will head there for another run before my flight leaves for Berlin, Germany tomorrow.
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