#Runninghappy

As you all know, we like a bit of bling in our group, so the lure of the Lakes of Killarney marathon medal and tech shirt was too much for a few of us... And so, last weekend Anna, Bernie and Tina ran the marathon relay, the rest of us met up to do a run at a slightly more relaxed pace and personally, I wanted to put in a bit of mileage before Cork.  

Michelle, Karen, Mags (who was back running with us ) and myself  did our run, had coffee and cheered on the girls.. 

Eat my dust..

I'm gonna gotcha!!!

Running with a view....

They were running well, so well they, won it... WOOHOO!!!! 

Finishing strong...

 Obviously, the support and cheering was a factor in the win..hahaha!! How proud were we? Very!

The last few days have been fairly miserable weather wise, on Monday it was just myself and Bernie although it had been wet during the day, the Sun came out for a while. We are totally hardcore!!! There was just one light rain shower and it was fairly warm. I ran a good 5 miles. Of course, Bernie ran a few miles more. Tuesday, I managed to get out for a quick 3 miles but wasn't as lucky weather wise as the rain and the wind did appear. Running into the wind is no fun!!! Heading into the weekend the weather is set to improve which means we'll all be out in the park... 

What did  I do before I started running? What did I do in the evenings and at the weekend? Now I get antsy if a day or two go by without a run. 

And so, each week I run it is all about this hashgtag #Runninghappy

#Feelingsomepressure..

It is easy for habits to form, for routines to become established, over the last few months I have been going to my TRX classes and doing the HIIT with Eric at Belief-fit and I am really feeling the benefits of it. In fact as tough as they are and on some occasions choice words pop in to my head to describe Eric, Josie or Stephen, I love how strong I feel, how my running has improved as result of the weight loss and more importantly for all runners, my core stability.
This really hit home last week, when I reached one of my running goals for the year!! A new 10K PB, which to many would be shockingly slow but not me!! I was beaming as I pressed save on my Garmin..
A lot can change in a week or two, when I last checked in the girls were a week out from the Limerick Marathon. Last Sunday, Susan, John and I headed to Limerick, to cheer on and offer what support we could to the girls.. On the day, the rain came in showers rather than as a constant, it didn't affect my enjoyment although I couldn't answer or all those who had to run in damp clothes. We missed the start but caught up with Anna and Bernie, as we made our way to the 3rd relay point..(The 2nd relay point was too far out for us to reach). We all met up with Tina at Johns Square. We cheered on the runners as they came by as we waited for Anna to take the baton from Michelle.. It wasn't long until the baton was passed. Next stop Bernie's relay point and as we waited a DJ was playing music which added to the festive atmosphere.. As Bernie headed off with Brenda, the girls headed to there next point, they would all finish the final 500m or so together. We headed toward the finish line, to find a good spot where we could see them.
I always find the finish line of a run quiet emotional, it can bring a lump to my throat. It is amazing all the people who cross the line, to think of the time, energy, effort and determination it took each of them to reach that point.
When we saw the girls and Brenda heading up O'Connell Street, it was so exciting, they had done it...Woohooo!!!!

Captured on film..(Beware the shouting!!)

We went up to congratulate them and look at the bling..

Big Smiles..

How in awe of these ladies am I, they have been an inspiration to me for a long time!

To read how Brenda got on during the marathon you can read her account at brendasmercymarathonchallenge.blogspot.ie.

So next is the Cork city marathon on 1st June, the full for Brenda and a leg of the relay for me, between now and then, I will have to put in a few more miles!! In Cork, there will be a few relays #supportingbrenda on her 12 marathon in 8 months challenge. I hope our relay finishes with smiles as wide as the girls...

As I am writing this, the rain is torrential, hopefully the rest of May will not be too wet. It makes it a bit harder to motivate yourself to get out although sometimes a run in the rain is refreshing... But now as I think about it the damp/wet clothes after you finish is one of the most unpleasant feelings, I can feel the chill!!!
To be honest unlike my last post, I am #feelingsomepressure..

#feelingnopressure...

Just checking in.. The weather has been great for getting out for a run. Blue skies, a rainbow of colours and shorts have been common sights so the rain of the past few days has been quite a shock to the system. Although, we have had a rain,  it has been very humid which if your like me just means more washing as I sweat a lot.. #Sweatybetty could be my middle name.
When we decided to do the marathon relays with Brenda, May and June seemed along way off but here we are a week before :- Anna, Bernie, Michelle and Tina do the Limerick Marathon. I get to be photographer and cheerleader for this one..  Thankfully, Bernie has recovered from her illness and is out running once more. Everyone has been taking advantage of the good weather, putting in the mileage.. Trying out new routes and adding miles onto old ones. Over the last few weeks, I have hit a few Pb's along the way which has been exciting and means that I must be doing something right..
Out in the park yesterday, it was very humid. I enjoyed the run as a whole but like all things there are moments when I wasn't too enamoured with it especially around miles 3/4 at I just felt tired. But the thought of the coffee at the end of the run spurred me on..

This day next week the girls will have their bling collected and Brenda will have marathon no.3 done..

And then, next up will be the Cork city marathon relay  #feelingnopressure..hahaha!!!!

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..