By Mick O’Keeffe

Director, Pembroke Communications

 

I WAS never a big fan of running and always found it quite a lonely pursuit. My physique (shortish and stocky) is more suited to shorter runs than the long distance lark.

Moreover, as an active GAA and soccer player, team sports were always my thing and, for me, running was a necessary evil to get fit to kick a ball around.

However, in my latter years, I have developed a new love for running and find it extremely relaxing. I would not be a man for a casual 10k run, but would regularly go for a 3k or even 5k run – if me Paul McGrath knees permit it!

A recent purchase of an iPod has meant I no longer listen to the radio and I find music a brilliant way to relax when running.

I am extremely lucky to live in a beautiful part of Dublin in Raheny, which has the lovely long beach of Dollymount on Bull Island and the manicured St Anne’s Park which has several running tracks. There really is no excuse for not going for a run if you live in Dublin 5.

In addition, my client Under Armour has supplied me with new running shoes and state-of-the-art training gear so at least I look the part!

My music tastes are wide and varied, with my genre of preference probably Indie. I love the Stone Roses and recently purchased a remix version of their songs where well know DJs speeded up several of their better known songs such as Waterfall, Fools Gold and I am the Resurrection.

I also like MGMT, Happy Mondays, Radiohead and a bit of Oasis and Blur. I admire the Rolling Stones, Kinks and of course The Beatles but it isn’t really jogging music!

I have a mixed Indie album called Cigarettes and Alcohol, and this is a favourite of mine. I also like the Tom Dunne Best of Irish but again this is a wee bit slow for the fast-paced jog.

Dance and House music are better for running but my taste is quite 1990s and I like Orbital, Underworld, Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx, Prodigy, Daft Punk and Massive Attack. I also really like 2 Many DJs and would have that album playing while out for a jog.

 

 

* Mick O’Keeffe is a former Dublin inter-county senior footballer. He is one of the leading figures on the Irish PR scene. He works as Director of Pembroke Communications in Dublin.