Today we get to hear from another of DSD’s most successful athletes, Dave Taylor.
Dave’s mile PB of 3.54 is in the top 10 fastest times ever run by an Irish man.
We are delighted to have Dave back as part of the club over the last few years along with his daughter, Abbie.
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When and why did you join DSD AC?
I joined Dundrum (DFRC) as it was know in 1977.
How & why ? Well like most I was literally head hunted by Eddie. He saw me in a school race (which I didn’t win) asked me was I in a club and what was my address . Eddie proceeded to call to my house on a regular based. I eventually surrendered to him, gave up my beloved football and started training September 1977.
What was your best event and what event did you like best
Probably the 1500m but I didn’t label myself as a 1500m runner as I believed that the training I did allowed me to enjoy success from 800m to 12000m Cross Country.
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What is your favourite training workout?
Doing 20x400m at sub 60 sec with a 60 second recovery, I knew I was in shape
And your least favourite?
I hadn’t got one. I kept variety in my training so it stayed interesting
What is your most cherished or proudest moment in your athletics career?
I had many .. making the Irish Junior Team for the World Cross Country in Glasgow 1978 (finished 21st) only running for 6 months… breaking 4 mins for the mile for the first time (3min :59sec) … my first senior Irish vest winning 1500m at the Europa Cup … winning the IAC Cross Country in London
What is your most loved athletics sporting moment of all time ?
Anytime an Irish Athlete wins a medal at a major global Championship but Sonia O’Sullivan winning silver in Sydney tops them all.
What was your favourite race / athletics meet to take part in?
My favourite race was when I finished 3rd in the Morton Mile (3mins:56sec) at the age of 21 in 1981 behind Steve Scott beating Eamon Coughlin , Ray Flynn and a host of international milers .
Why? Firstly it gave me the belief and confidence that I could compete at this level and secondly the atmosphere of a packed Morton Stadium was incredible
What was your worst injury – and how did you get over it?
I was lucky that I never had a serious injury
What did you eat before a race and how long before did you eat?
Usually four hours before I race something light like toast and scrambled eggs
If you could have dinner with 3 sporting personalities past or present who would you pick ?
Alex Ferguson , Ronaldo, Henry Rono
What piece of advice would you give an aspiring athlete?
Believe in your training program but most important believe in yourself
Do you have any memorable or funny story from DSD that you could share?
I travelled to London with Eddie for the British AAA Junior 3000m in 1979. I finished 4th missing the silver and bronze by tenths of a second running 8min 07 which was a Irish junior record.
On the way to the airport on the train Eddie was consoling me as I believed I should have won .. “Dave you don’t realise these are the best Juniors in the UK … yes Eddie but I have spent a year in the USA so should be better then them”
1st Steve Cram 2nd Steve Binns (a week later he broke the junior 5000m world record 13min :27 sec) 3rd Colm Reitz (won Olympic Bronze in 3000m Steeple Chase) … yet again Eddie was right.
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Can you share an old picture from your running days
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