#newyearnewme..#newchallenges..

January has been hard! It has been tough to go out running, I could say it was the dark evenings but the evenings were dark in December too and didn't bother me as much. The group meets every Monday evening and for the first time ever I have been tempted to ring and not go, or I'm hoping everyone else feels the same way and we skip that week . But we don't and we head out.. Also, what's annoying me is my legs are heavy they won't lift off the ground and my pace is gone back.. but that's it moan over. I am looking at it as a temporary blip and looking forward to longer brighter evenings..

To counteract these dark evenings,  we have been meeting on Saturday mornings the girls do Cardiac Hill in the Killarney National Park these steps are high, get the heart rate going and the views are breathtaking as you go up and at the top (see below). Also, there is a nice trail run on the way down. 

I have been taking advantage of these mornings by getting a bit of a run in and doing the Torc steps which are tough,  #naturesstairmaster as I fondly refer to them but not as steep or high up in the mountain.. It keeps me sane and I look forward to the coffee and chat afterwards. #Smallpleasures. (2015 is a big hashtag year)..

the girls are somewhere at the top!!

The first run of the year is nearly here,  I am looking forward to doing the  local 10K 'Run for our Angels' on the 8th February, I say looking forward to...what I really mean is I will be doing it while trying not to let the panic of running in a crowd or race consume me. But I know the route well enough so the plan is to smile and enjoy..

For those that have looked at this blog before, you will have read about Brenda Doody an amazing woman who I met in January 2013. During 2014, her family had to deal with a serious illness but in 2015, she has set a goal to run 12 marathons in 8 months throughout Ireland, which just writing it seems incredulous, you can follow her journey while she marathons around Ireland on her blog http://brendasmercymarathonchallenge.blogspot.com.

Truely inspirational.

Bernie will be doing one or two of the marathons with Brenda, one or two of the other girls might do one marathon, (ANNA... nudge, nudge...).  There's also talk of a relay marathon which I maybe a part of, if not I will be cheering, supporting and doing anything I can to help them achieve their goals. #2015Bringiton..

2014 Summed up and looking forward to 2015...

I managed a run on New Years Day, it was good run were I nearly set a new Pb, I finished smiling but to be honest, I haven't been too consistent since. I did manage a 5 mile run which I found tough, my legs were heavy on the ground but I have decided, I am going to use this running route as a test for both my fitness and my running over the next year. It has a bit of everthing on offer straight road, different surfaces and gradients. Funtimes ahead!!

Last year I did a recap of 2013 which I found helpful in showing how far I had come, this year I decided to do the same;

My Running Year 2014

Total Mileage:-            570 miles

Highest Mileage 

Month:-                         May

Lowest Mileage

Month:-                         February

Runs done:-                  145

Pace:-                             Improved

My Races:-                    7

Half Marathon              Run Killarney

10 Mile                           Killarney

10K                                 Rose of Tralee

                                        Killarney Women's Mini marathon

                                        Clonakilty

5K                                   Santa Dash

Adventure                      D'hillbillies Mud Run

Pb's

HM, 10K, 5K, 1K,1M

Looking ahead to 2015 I have so far decided to do the following runs:

8 February  Run 4 our Angels 5K/10K, Kilgarvan

5 April        Maurice Collins Memorial 4m Road Race, Banna

18 July        Run Killarney Half Marathon 

(This will be the year I conquer it but running by best run)

16 Aug        Rose of Tralee 10K

19 Sept        Dawn Women Mini Marathon

26 Sept        Killarney 10 Mile

Some of these runs are now regular fixtures in my calendar and others are new, more will be added and some listed above may not be done.

With four weeks before the first run of the year, I better put on my runners and get out on the road. 

#GAMEON

Finishing on a high...

December was a busy month, last year the Clonakilty 10K was the last run of the year, this year a few more had been added. 

First up was the Santa Run in Killarney, a 5K through the Killarney National Park, this one I was walking as I had my godson with me but Anna, Michelle and Tina were flying the flag for the group. They dressed for the season and looked wonderfully festive. At the finish line, we all received lovely medals and goody bags..

Santa's helpers..

BLING!

At training on Monday, Brenda came to run with us and we had a catch up over coffee afterwards, it was the last training run of 2014. 

These Monday evening runs, are such a part of my weekly routine, I am as I write, looking forward to them starting up again in 2015.

But we weren't finished running yet, the following Sunday, due to our now legendary love of 'bling', Anna, Bernie and I entered the Santa Dash which was held at Inch beach, the girls were running the 10K so I persuaded John to run the 5k with me. It was bitterly cold, this and the strong wind added an extra dimension of fun.. We had to dress in full Santa suits which are made of felt so the less layers inside made for easier body temperature control, I thought this would be the hardest part but in fact the straight route out and back was tough. After the half way turnaround,  heading straight into the wind was work. But we did it, enjoying it and marvelling at how ridiculous we looked.. 

There was a choice of bling, some lit up, some played music.. I know very fancy!

Like most people Christmas was about eating too much and lounging around, but I got new running gear as a pressie so they had to be put to use and wanting to keep what fitness I had, I ran on the 27th.

This was my last run of 2014.

I rejoice in the improvements I have made in 2014 and look forward to what 2015 has in store. I saw the following quote somewhere over the last week or so and it is so apt to our group and to me especially, Its my motto for the year ahead 

" 2013 was practice, 2014 was the warm up,  #2015GAMEON "

Clonakilty 10 K...group trip

Where to begin...
Arriving the night before, we headed to the Quality Hotel HQ for the Clonakilty Marathon, we were here to do the 10K. I had the pleasure of travelling with Bernie and Tina (secretly, I was hoping some of their fast pace would transfer itself to me , maybe by osmosis, I don't know, sometimes I rave). But I digress, we collected our numbers and tech shirts. Our group had decided to go on our first group field trip outside of Kerry, exciting stuff...  We booked into our base for the weekend the Emmet Hotel, soon after Michelle, Anna and Karen arrived. It was time to eat, discuss run tactics (hahaha!!!) and make elaborate plans to run marathons in foreign lands...We also met Kate, Karen's friend who played an integral part in the success of my weekend!
The run was starting at 9am, so alarms were set for 6.30am, for 7am breakfast.

Looking well even in the early a.m...

The amazing thing about breakfast was Kate's ability to eat the cooked brekkie before the run to say we were impressed, doesn't really convey our sense of awe especially as I ate my toast and banana, anything else and I would be sick. As usual before any race I hadn't slept very well and a few bathroom trips were needed, although I don't think I was as panicky as I usually am.
The morning itself was a tad chilly but it was a blue sky day. We walked up to the starting area, all in good spirits and basically looking forward to finishing. I met up with my mum to give her race number which I had collected for her. Karen who came with the intention of doing the 10K, is still injured and feeling a twinge decided not to push it and prolong a full recovery. So, Susan and Karen were the cheer squad, bag and jacket holders for the race and may I say they did a great job. People headed in search of  bathrooms and like every race the world over there were queues. At around 8.45 a.m. we headed toward the start line or so we thought!!!

Startline selfie..

As we waited, I could feel the nerves kick in. It was after 9 before, they told us we had to head to start line which a bit of walk and jog away, so we were nicely warmed up when we crossed the start line. And, we were off... The road had a bit off a pull, which just wiped you straight out. It seemed to make the first mile so long even though in reality it wasn't. I found myself pushing myself up the hills but being bloody wrecked at the top and not pushing forward. (Something to work on!) By the time I hit the straight, heading into the major climb between mile two and three, I was alternating between running bursts, shuffling, walking but falways forward motion. I was also looking at all the runners heading down towards me, first I saw Bernie and then Kate who gave me a high five as we passed each other and my god what a boost. Love it! I had little pep and as I headed up the hill, I bloody well needed it..
At the half way point, we had to go under a timing gate which brought a smile to my face because we had talked about ways of not doing the run and getting a PB  i.e sticking race numbers to Anna, hiding behind a ditch, I know, I know too much time but hey whatever gets you to the start line smiling. As I headed back down into the straight, I was glad I had just worn a t-shirt as the winter sun was adding to the heat I was feeling. As I met the half marathoners and marathoners coming back toward me again, I truly felt sorry for them and so glad for me that I was nearly done. I think heading back was tougher then running out maybe because your legs are tired. I walked up the last tough hill and suddenly, from across the road I heard 'Hi, Majella' it was Siobhan my cousin, she was motoring through the half marathon. The last part was the nearly the worse because you know you are nearly there and you want to stop but you have to still keep going.
As I went through the roundabout heading right, I saw Anna, she was there 'Come on you can do it, you're nearly there', she began to walk with me, then shuffle I tried to do a bit of running, Anna kept saying we won't stop and that's all I could think of doing. As I turned into the Quality Hotel, my legs paused, took a time out, will they ever learn? I had decided I wanted to finish strong and so, I kicked in and headed across the finish line. I then had to take a moment or five to recover as I truly thought I was going to 'throw up'. Having gathered myself , I went in search of my bling which is 'tres importante'

Happeeeee..

Everyone one was glad to have it done. Poor Michelle had a miserable experience arriving back with both feet blistered.
Overall, although the course was tough, It was one of the more enjoyable running experiences I had this year. I also did a good time for me no PB but not too far off it, I can only take the information from my Garmin as my official time has not been found by the timing company.
Race done there was only one thing for us all to do, party. Every good trip needs a theme, a song, an anthem if you will and so ours is....

And so as this anthem sears into the memory of our group, it will always bring a smile to my face as I remember running the Clonakilty 10K and partying with 'the fit, fat and elderly'...

#Bringiton

A few weeks ago, I mentioned consistency was the aim for the month, and I have tried to stick this especially when putting in the mileage.

As usual I look forward to Mondays, when the running group meet, our new route or our 'Winter route' as I like to call it, is Lidl car park to the Gleneagle Hotel and for some further. Needless to say I don't go further but these days I'm not too far behind. I have to say my running has most definitely improved in fact over the last few weeks I have hit a few new PBs. Which does wonders for the confidence!! I even ran a mile which when I looked at the Garmin it had a 9 in front of it, gasp...I know, who knew I could run that fast?  It is of course an aberration, but it felt good. I had spring in my step for the rest of the day!! For some reading this they'll think how slow, but hey people remember the turtle crosses the line as well as the hare!!!

Talking about improvements, Anna believes its all to do with the length of her arms,... this is her explanation for her quickening pace not all the hard work she has put in over the last year or her natural ability.
The weather here has been hit and miss, plenty of wet days but also there have been a few blue sky days, when the crisp air makes you run that bit faster and you end each run smiling. It is slightly harder to motivate myself, when its dark outside, last Tuesday was one of those evenings heading out my legs felt heavy etc... I also had the wrong underwear on (sorry, I know TMI, but warts and all). I had just decided to stop and turn around when who should I see running toward me, Tina. As she bounded pass all cheerful, putting in the effort, I knew I just had to suck it up and run on. Reaching the car later, a bit sore, I was glad I hadn't given in.
There is one good thing about running in the dark though no one can see your wobbly bits, maybe this to has contributed to an increase in pace..just a thought!

Blurry post run...

At the start of September, Michelle, Anna and myself began doing TRX  at Belief Fit in Killarney, I have really noticed the benefits of it. The class is tough, I sweat buckets and my muscles cry leaving it. My core still has a long way to go but even now I feel the benefit as I don't bend as much as I run. I have to say thanks to Siobhan for introducing me to TRX.

Road outside my door..

It is always good to have a goal, to keep running towards. At present our local community are all in training for a run on Sunday 8th February 2015, organised by the running group 'Kilgarvan Ag Rith'. This run is in memory of baby Aodhan Kelleher, funds raised will benefit the national charity Feileacain. They are offering two options a 5K and 10K both are challenging, (both of whose routes pass my front door) starting in Kerry,heading into Cork,and back to Kerry to finish near the Top of Coom Ireland's Highest Pub, where you can celebrate your PB or just that you crossed the line. All details can be found on Facebook at  'Kilgarvan Ag Rith' or Precision Timing.

At present, we are gearing up for Clonakilty, there is a group of us heading down for it. I will be doing the 10K, which I did last year but not very well. As anyone who reads this blog knows I am not good in a race situation, so I am not expecting too much. I plan to relax , enjoy the run (as best I can) and party afterwards.
Motto for the Clonakilty weekend is #Bringiton.

d'Hillbillies Mud Run 2014

Saturday, I woke up to the sound of rain hitting off the window, which continued to fall for the rest day. On the road to Michelstown, I did note that the last time I had done something similar Hell Mountain 2013, the weather was also not great (and that was a tortuous experience at least for me!). I was taking part in a group, which consisted of the following amazing women:- Brenda, Bernie, Nicola, Anna and Susan.
Car parked, bathroom found, Susan and I then met up with the rest of the girls.  Brenda gave our little group the moniker 'the Dirty Divas',  Bernie decided we needed a look to go with our name and so the following is what we looked like as we headed towards the start line. (we still had them when we returned, prizes all round...)

'The Dirty Divas'

And then, we were off..
Running along a cow path which was full of 'muck' in essence it was cow shit, it was very slippery and as I moved I was internally hoping I would not fall.  As we left the path and crossed a road into a lovely green field, there was the first official obstacle (in my opinion the mucky path was the first obstacle.. ughhh), so down on our hands and knees and under a barbed wire bridge.
At a lot of the obstacles there were queues. I know who knew that I would queue to wade in waist high water or to crawl in mud, not me! Next up, was a dip in ice cold water it didn't feel solid under foot and  tyres were bobbing to the surface. Out and then run, across fields over bales which were square, piled high. Passing through fields the gaps were muddy and slippery, the next major obstacle was a fence which I admit I didn't go over, no one wants to see my 'gluteous maximus' hanging off the top of a fence or worse trying to push my 'GM' over the fence... The girls hopped over and then we continued on.. Spirits were high, onto the road way once more, we passed an elderly gentleman said 'hello' but what must he have thought of all these wet, mud covered people! Next into pits of water and out them twice, I think?
As I'm writing I'm not too sure if I have the order of obstacles correct but all mentioned were there.
Then ahead of us were monkey bars three people at a time, they weren't straight across but an angle, tres impossible! Underneath was an inflatable floor which was slippery and a challenge in itself. Next up was to walk across a narrow plank of wood over a pool of water, Bernie, Brenda, Anna crossed the knack was to hold hands which steadied you, so with Nicola to my left and Susan to my right I crossed. The crowd lay ahead, only 7 people could enter the tunnel at same time, I really thought this was the one which would turn me into a wreck. Go ahead the lady said, no going back etc.. I scrambled down the bank slowly into a ditch of water, then the tunnel, crouched or more bent, looking toward the light I moved as fast as I could, trying not to think of what else could be lurking. Out of the tunnel, then into a river of water, it was uneven beneath my feet, not sure how deep it was, also over logs and under I headed, then two gentlemen helped me up into another field. They asked who was getting married, thinking we were on a hen night (seriously, who would do this for a hen night??). The field had a path marked off it was very boggy next up was a slide. A photographer stopped us to take a picture, the other girls had just finished the slide came over and we posed as best we could. Not wanting to know what lay ahead the girls said they wait for us and we continued to the top, I gritted my teeth and went for it. WHATTTTT.. I hit the water under I went came up spluttering the water was a lovely shade of brown, it smelt and dirt even went into my nose. Yuckkkk!! Susan gathered herself at the top after a while and then came down hitting the water awkwardly she had hit her elbow and it threw her.The girls helped us out of the pool and we ploughed on. The slide really too a bit out of me, it took a bit to gather myself heading into the next obstacle I fell flat face down into the mud. Thankfully, they had a water stop next. So we had a bit of a breather and a welcome drink, the lady handing them out was lovely. Running on, the path led us into another river, moving through it, we had to climb over trees and in and out of tyres, Out of the river, we had a brief respite before we were back in to it again. At this time, I had no sense of time or distance. I was in fact enjoying myself, everyone was in great form and there was great sense of camaraderie. Climbing out via a wall of tyres into a field which we had to run around, my legs felt truly heavy, it was the first time I thought to myself 'surely we're near the end'. After, another fence, I heard the screaming as we ran down towards the entrance to a wooded area. As I entered, I soon realised why, there was knee deep mud which we had to go through and holes of cold water, it seemed to go on for a long time
Then in and out of pits before facing a long muddy path downhill.

No Filter, No Vanity...

I know what I was thinking in the picture above 'really do I have to go down there, this is where I really will fall'..
But I didn't. Yeahhh!!  Heading along the path I could see the sheds of the yard just above.. The end was near suddenly I saw Brenda and Bernie, they had come back to see how we were getting on. Pushing on, I tried to finish strong and run across the line.. Yeahhh!!

They provided hot showers, which took away the the chill, some of us had been more affected by the cold than others and having a place to change into our dry clothes was great.
John had driven us up so it was great, he went back to car to bring over towels, change of clothes and most importantly baby wipes.  Karen who unfortunately couldn't do the run as she is still injured, came to cheer us on and it was great to see her at the finish line.

After the run..

Dry, Cleaner, nearly warm...

How to sum up, I have to say I really enjoyed the 'd'Hillbillies Mud Run', there was never any point were I thought I would give up or stop. Thinking about it, I definitely believe I am much fitter than this time last year and this really helped me to enjoy the experience as much as you can enjoy being wet, covered in mud, traipsing through boggy fields and woods.
The d'Hillbillies Mud Run was done to raise money for the Mercy Hospital Cancer Appeal. The organisers did a great job putting this fun, challenging event together.
Would I do again to quote Arnold, "I'll Be Back"..

In search of.....Consistency!

The evenings have really began to close in and with the clocks changing, running in the dark will be the norm for the next few months. Finding good well lit routes without traffic light etc.. obstacles is challenging..  

Meeting in Lidl, and following a quick discussion on where we were heading, we set off. Instead of heading left toward town we went right and headed out to Fossa. A new route which meant new views. The thing about running pass peoples houses is that you get to have a good peek and sometimes see houses you wouldn't even see when driving. Poor Karen, who had given her leg a weeks rest had arrived this evening to run but her injury once again flared half way out, so she had to walk the rest of the way. Just pass Killarney Golf Club, we turned to head back. Then I noticed how quickly evening had turned to night, when driving you would think this road is lit all the way into town but there is a stretch which is not, so we tried not to delay. And were thankful, when we saw the street lights and that we live in an age that electricity is a common utility for us. 

During the week I only put in one more run as I went to Dublin for a few days, of course running wasn't to far from my mind even though I didn't go for one but look what I got..

New runners.. love it..

Monday dawned once again, it was chilly, we were a few short, as I chatted to Anna and Michelle, I noticed two girls heading toward us all kitted out, I thought they must be meeting a group and have mistaken us for them. Turns out it was Maeve and her friend, I never wear my glasses when I run (so if you know me and I pass you, it's probably because I haven't seen you, apologies in advance). Heading out I went up through the town once more and I wasn't long warming up. and with a storm forecast we didn't delay too long at the end of the run. 

This week also marked Johns return to running. We headed out on Thursday for a run and he noticed straight away the improvement in my pace and overall running. In fact, I passed him out on one occasion (yeahh!! it may not happen again but I'll take it as a bonus this week).

Headed into the park and it was a lovely evening. Also, the run took me back to my 'beloved 'STOP' sign. Hahaha!!  At the end of it I was satisfied, good run done!

A bit of root attention needed for the hair..

So, I have felt my running has become more consistent in the last few weeks and today, I went out for a run and hit a new 5K PB. I took nearly a minute off but it could have been more. I am sooo happpppy!! 

I pushed on today but I could have pushed on more in the second half of the run.  Finishing, I was fine and So, I know there is more in the tank.

Next Saturday, we head to Mitchelstown to do the d'Hillbillies Mud Run which is raising money for the Mercy Hospital Cancer appeal. I have heard whispers of costumes... I don't know which terrifies me more the dress up or the mud! But, my aim is to complete it, in good company and have a good laugh while supporting  a great cause.  

My hope for my running heading into a new month is summed up in one word 'consistency'.