Yes! I can..

I really have to get back into writing this blog more regularly as I feel I am forgetting stories, little anecdotes that  I could be sharing.

In my last post I said I had found my groove and it seems to have continued, I can genuinely say at the moment, I really enjoy when I run. I love feeling my muscles moving.. Muscles, yes I have found one or two and I am beginning to find more and most importantly, I am using them. In fact, so content was I one day when out for a run, I ran into a large bush/small tree. Clumsy could be my middle name...

The weather has generally been quite good there have been a few wet days but I choose not to dwell on those. The good weather has added to the pleasure of being out in the National Park .

#runningviews 

Blue sky running days are the best..

The longer evenings have been great, it means there are so many more routes available to run, you're not limited to running around the town under light..
Our group has been a bit depleted this month due to injury, illness and travel.. But whoever is around runs, sometimes this month our group has just been a pair. But when you run with someone they urge and push you forwards when that voice says 'No, no I'm done'.. When you are on your own it's easy to give up..
And then sometimes it's good to run alone, sadly my dog died this month he was old but it was sad to have to say goodbye, that evening I went for a run in the park  it was a run not about pace or mileage, it was about clearing my head..

This past weekend was Easter. The weather was beautiful. On Easter Sunday, I headed to Banna which is in North Kerry, to run in the Maurice Collins Memorial 4 mile run which was raising money for Kerry/Cork link bus,  and was organised by Bernie. The day was a real #blueskyday..
As we pulled into the car park, Tina was pulling up beside us, as we got out of the car you could feel there was a bit of a nip in the air but it was early morning and we were beside the coast. Over cross the field we all went to register, Bernie was there, telling me there was Nooo hills, having heard her say this on more than one occasion, I was slightly dubious.. Of course we then headed to the bathrooms for what can only be described as the 'nervous pee'. As we waited Brenda arrived, she was looking well especially as she is facing in to her second of twelve marathons this weekend  in Connemara, to follow her marathons-brendsasmercymarathonchallenge.blogspot.com

Waiting to start...Courtesy of Angela Stack Photography

We headed to start line, did a few stretches and then Bernie gave us a quick pep talk and then we were off... I tried to run a nice steady pace, Bernie gave a shout out as I passed. On to the main road, it was a nice straight stretch, there were two girls in front of me I tried to keep pace with them. The morning was just lovely, it wasn't humid and there was a bit of a breeze, I had as usual worn a t-shirt, so there would be no overheating for me. Some of the girls had long sleeve tops on and it was just too warm for that.. As we turned left, the route slightly inclined but it also stretched out in front of you, so I could see the road ahead which can be daunting,, I decided to concentrate on the runners in front of me, playing that game were you pass the same runner a few times because as you slow they pass and then you speed up and pass them. I could see it ahead of me, I would call it a hill, no matter what others say.. Deep breath one foot in front of the other, slow down, walk, keep moving, run.. Hill done! Woohoo!!  The view was just stunning you could see out across the ocean, I wish I had taken a photo but I didn't, next time..
I had passed my two runners which I must confess gave me a bit of a buzz. But there had to be some drama, as I headed into the last mile, I got a stitch on my right side, I stretched slowed down, walked, kept running, stretched AHHHHHHH!!! Frustrating, deep breath, suck it up, run on.. I could now hear the finish I kept moving, I saw my dad, Brenda and Tina but more importantly I saw Bernie at the finish line, I was done! I was given a welcome Capri-sun and my medal, more Bling #loveit..

Blinged up... Brenda, Me, My mum, Tina and Susan

Bernie on duty

I also achieved a 4 mile PB! After taking our photos, we headed for a welcome coffee. I really can't wait to go back next year, it was a lovely route, well organised (not biased!!),amazing running views and a worthy cause. I finished my trip to Banna by putting my feet in to the icy salt waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Heavenly..

Banna Strand..

So already this month a PB, plan for the rest of month is to be enjoy each run and the company I run with. The girls are running their marathon relay next bank holiday in Limerick so there will be plenty of running to do in between and I will make a bigger effort to share more of these running tales...

In January I made a concerted effort to reduce my body mass as it was reaching epic proportions, I also needed to improve my core stability which all combined would improve my running, big thanks go to Belief-fit, Killarney and the R.I.O.T. girls. Below is a picture which shows how the effort is going...

So yes, it's tough, in fact it's bloody hard work, but you know what ???
yes! I can do it and yes I will..

Finding my groove..

Doesn't time fly, it's a month since the Valentine 10 miler, the intervening month has been busy.

I may have mentioned in previous posts a need to strengthen my core and shape up, so a couple of times a week I head to Belief Fit to do TRX, also Kettle bells which leaves me in pools of sweat, as a result I have also been busy with more sweaty washing... But this has led to an improvement in the way I run and more vainly, in the size of my hips, which thankfully are starting to reduce in size, but it's a slow process. I am inspired in no small part by my first cousin Mags in Wales, who through determination, hard work and sheer strength of personality has totally transformed herself #TeamMags.

In my last post I mentioned my dithering about an event, dithering over, I have committed to running a relay leg of the 2015 Cork city marathon this June bank holiday. I will make up one fifth of a team which will include Karen, Nicola, Susan and Bernie, we will run in support of Brenda's Mercy Challenge #runningforpat which is raising funds for oesophagus cancer research study.  With this in mind I have knuckled down to getting my leg done and not to let the team down... A month before  in May, Michelle, Anna, Tina and Bernie will run the Limerick marathon as a relay...

Cork Relay Team - 2015

Limerick Relay Team - May 2015

The evenings are getting longer and we are now back in the park which I am loving, new surroundings to go with our new focus. 

Brenda's marathon challenge began with the Tralee marathon, watching her head to the finish line I must admit made me a bit teary... To have the strength to do one marathon is amazing to face into twelve is beyond any words I have..

To read about Brenda's marathon head to brendasmercymarathonchallenge.blogspot.ie

Bernie was supposed to run the Tralee Half Marathon but had to pull out as she is recovering from 'the Shingles', which is so disappointing for her as she had put so much work into being ready for it. But it will all stand to her as she prepares to train for her first full marathon in July..

So tomorrow is Monday and another week begins, so I get to run with spectacular views and great company..

Runs with a view...

A 5K, a 10 miler and some bling..

Over half way through the second month of 2015 and 2 runs done, neither were the greatest I've done or hope to do, but both were enjoyable and memorable  in their own unique ways.

The week of my local run, I could feel my head getting stuffy I tried to get on top off it but the morning of the race I was still bunged up and still unsure whether to do the 10K/5K or to run at all. The morning was chilly and the remains of the previous weeks snow showers were in evidence, but they only enhanced the scenic quality of the route. (Although for many as they powered around it they may not have noticed..)

The girls where heading up and so I headed up to the Highest Pub in Ireland, the Top of Coom where the number collection was and the run was to start (I should say that my brother-in-law and his family own and run the pub). I had prepared the girls for the route which had quiet a pull in it but it is manageable. We collected our numbers put them on etc.. we did some stretches, try to keep warm and generally chatted away, I conceded that I would do the 5K.
At the start line they counted down and we were off.. At a fork in the road I went left on the 5K route, the girls went straight down the hill. I know the road well, so motored on, there was a lot of people of ages and abilities doing the 5K, so I was able to people watch for a lot of it.  The day was just amazing it was a real blue sky day. As,we neared the turn around I was enjoying it. From this point on it was going to get tougher. Onwards we all went, many members of our family were doing the 5K so it was great to meet them as I huffed and puffed. It really is not the best look but a cheery word from someone is great encouragement!! As I headed into the last 2K, I was wrecked so my run became a  walk. As I headed to the finish I gave a bit of a sprint, run done!
It wasn't the fastest I had ever done but then in all honesty it wasn't the slowest either, although I did another PB mile, yeahh!! I walked over a bit to see the girls arrive in from their 10K which they did accordingly, they had found it tough but not too tough that they wouldn't do it again.

On offer - Cake, sandwiches and much needed coffee..

It was a lovely day for a worthwhile charity, looking forward to the next run organised by Kilgarvan ag rith.

I missed training on Monday but headed on Tuesday for a run. Last December, when we were in Clonakilty we were talking about the runs we might do in 2015, there was one or two definites and others that were maybes, the Tralee Valentine 10 Mile being one such. The 10K was suppose to be the long run before this in theory...

 So on Sunday 15th, with no 10K done,  I lined up for the Tralee 10 mile run, Anna and Bernie were also doing it.
And we're off... I was very stop and start, Anna stayed beside me (even though I did tell her to run on), which was quiet a novelty for me as I usually forge ahead on my own, I think the last time someone ran beside me was John in the Rose of Tralee 10K.  The sun shone high and it was really warm in parts of the run. I saw parts of Tralee which I haven't been before. Heading to the half way mark we got welcome water break. The route was quiet hilly, we ran and walked up them mostly walked,as did those around us. As, we looked around and chatted the time really flew. As, we hit mile 8,  heading into the infamous canal stretch in Tralee, we headed straight into the wind. I thought out loud, I might not finish as the backs of my thighs were on fire, but we went onwards.

At the mile 9 mark, we said we put the head down and get going but moving my legs of the ground proving some what difficult. Up ahead, Bernie and Brenda were there, a few photos and a bit of chat later. We moved on, two more corners, I paused and tried to dig deep and push forwards toward the finish line.

What is it about the final sprint, when you see the finish line,  that allows you to really go mind over matter and just kick towards that line. As we finished I couldn't speak as I was dry heaving but a lovely doctor enquired after my welfare and John came with hot coffee.
Bernie had run a great run, she was among the top twenty women to finish. Anna of course would have finished well before if she had been on her own, even though I was slow I still finished 6 minutes better than my last 10 mile run..

That 6 minutes is not much when I am a slow runner but it is a sign of my continuing improvement and search for fitness. As we know I am not fastest I probably never will be but I will always aim to cross the line. It is easy to be negative or knock how far I've come especially as I am the one doing the knocking but something Karen reminded me of recently, when I was dithering about an upcoming run (details to follow in a later post), of something I said in an earlier post, #Bringiton, I said it so now is the time to do it!

Following the run in Tralee, I have added to my medal and tech top collection which is growing. In fact if truth be told the bling was a large part of me doing the run. I have had bling envy.. I look at the many runs around the world by the bling issued, sad I know..

Therefore I must confess to all, I am an 'all about the bling' (AAB) runner. So Iam  looking  forward to collecting more in 2015. #Bringiton.
Woohoo!!

#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'...