Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try

Murph_D wrote: »

I heard it's dark over there, but hardly that dark? :pac:

DCU rates - quite good if you're a student or alumnus. But a lot steeper for the general public alright. Think there's a waiting list all the same anyway.

I'd fixed that but you obviously beat me to it!!! Bloody auto-correct

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Runs: Only 1. 3.1 miles in 28.15, avg HR 151. Shanganagh parkrun with Nop98 in between Wicklow Way supporting. Up early to meet Nop in a dodgy car park in South County Dublin ...

Thanks for the fun road-trip, AgyR, despite the dodginess of the carpark! I completely share your p.o.v. about the WW participants, obviously I only saw them in Glendalough but it was very impressive. Really enjoyed it and it was awesome seeing the legend that is Neady powering through.

Nice job in Shanganagh, that's another one of the list!

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Fun indeed! I forgot to tell you about the lack of phone signal afterwards hence the delay in letting you know she'd come and gone - phone finally came to life about half way back on the road to Glendalough It's a long time since I was up around those roads, I'd completely forgotten how stunningly beautiful it is, photos didn't do it justice at all. We will have to organise a boards trail run up there some day soon!!

Great idea!

Neady83 wrote: »

Ha ha I didn't realise my reaction to Jeff telling me the Ironbridge to Dying Cow section was the toughest was so transparent I was thinking that there was no way on earth I was after spending a miserable night on the Wicklow mountains, covering 80+ km and over 3,500m of elevation gain to not make the next cut off. That guy knows how to keep people on their toes
Boardies rock

Well I'm not sure.....most people on hearing that would think 'oh heck it's too hard, I can't do it'. I just know how your brain works 56 people started that race and 18 of them dropped out for various reasons. If anything I think the cut offs were what kept you going, you had a target and you were meeting it come hell or high water (and there was a lot of both!!). Your work ethic and positive attitude are truly inspiring and I can't wait to see see what's in store next. You're a real example of the phrase 'you can do anything once you put your mind to it' . Hope the body is recovering well and the race report is taking shape :pac:.

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Week 12th - 18th June

Bike 123.2 miles. Did two slightly shorter commutes as have been feeling tired this week, the damn wind seems to be particularly bad too! But then had an extra day on the bike on Saturday although this could hardly be counted as exercise given the glorious weather - wore my normal shorts & tshirt instead of usual cycling gear for extra boho feel :pac:. Spent some time in the garden this afternoon working on the bike on my fab new bike stand that was very generously donated to me. Had a puncture on the way home during the week and those of you on facebook will know the guy in the shop in Blanch village came to my rescue. Have now signed up for a bike maintenance course!!

Runs: 8.5 miles
Saturday 3 miles @ 11:01 avg hr 123. Local loop early - had hoped to get to River Valley parkrun but was thrown a curve ball by work who then later cancelled :rolleyes: got a request to babysit goddaughter in town then so still went for the early run, parked the car in Roselawn where I had an acupuncture appointment later on and cycled into the city in the glorious sunshine and back out again later on. Am babysitter extraordinaire as the child ate and slept which apparently her dad can't get her to do :cool:. Went for aforementioned acupuncture and oh my god why haven't I tried this before now??! Went specifically for the Graves Disease and hoping maybe she could help with the opthomally part of the illness - I fell asleep, twice, during the session and one of my eyes the swelling was completely gone afterwards, whoop whoop whooop! felt great too and still feeling it today so obviously will be back..
[Sunday: 4 miles @ 11:22 avg hr 122. I didn't set my alarm this morning but had a loose plan that if I woke early I'd head up and do a few miles in the PP and then hang around and do some sub 20 supporting in the Castleknock 5k. The facebook page said the race was in the grounds of Castleknock College which I discovered is not quite true. Jogged around trying to figure out the best places to demand that people stay with the pacer Eventually settled on the slight hill coming into Knockmarron gate and then leg it up through the trails to Farmleigh gate - almost knocked Adrian252 down on my way back around and a rushed explanation as to why I couldn't stop and chat I take my supporting very seriously!!! Another fab run around the park on a Sunday morning. The best part about these higher meds is that my HR is ridiculously low, RHR the other day was 36..... Will take advantage of that..

Swim: 60 mins - GOLD STAR!
Top of the class for me this week, am an excellent student - he has me sussed - give me instructions and I'll follow them pretty much exactly as instructed. Had been practising my bi-lateral breathing on the couch, in the office and visualising being in the pool. Got in for 30 mins practice before the lesson and it went like a dream. Am absolutely delighted I may finally have gotten the hang of this. Also brought along my snorkel as suggested last week - he was certain I couldn't swim lengths with the snorkel as apparently that's a learned skill - course I could, sure it's EASY, I could do that all day long. He also taught me how to use a pullboy and swim with arms only and use the snorkel to swim with legs only. I need to slow everything right down as my default position for legs is fast & shallow (equates to sprinting in running terms) but should be slower and slightly deeper (AKA easy pace). We have a couple of weeks break as it doesn't suit me next couple of weekends so I have homework to practice. If the weather is this good next weekend I might try a sea swim in the 40FT after parkrun on Saturday. Was absolutely buzzing on the way home from the pool today.

Yoga: a few gentle sun salutations and warriers in the garden this afternoon - didn't follow a lesson, just did my own thing.

All in all a great week, can't ask for more than that.

"Bilateral breathing on the couch"....

I knew a girl many moons ago that was into that sorta thing

TbL

Annie get your Run wrote: »

I was going to elaborate on that but' then decided I'd land myself in hot water... I see I've managed that anyway!!

Whatever floats your boat sailor, no need for explanations

TbL

OOnegative wrote: »

Read the bit about the swimming, all I took from it was you came top of the class for pulling some lads snorkel after he said "pullboy". Think I got that right, nice weeks training.

I think that says more about you than me!!! What's the dutch for F off

19th - 25th June

Bike: 87.1 miles. Lower mileage this week due to no cycle on Monday and a much shorter commute on Friday as was feeling v. tired. Cycled up to Dunshaughlin yesterday evening to do some race supporting and collect the parkrun laptop from marthastew. Good to see all the PB's from everyone around these parts and to see Sergiu Ciobanu cruise to a massive victory (move over the Claw, there's a new man in my life ) Wasn't feeling great after a mocha I'd had earlier gave me an upset stomach so was glad to meet a clubmate who drives a van and took a lift home from him. Should have driven up in the car but I"m a stubborn beatch stupid idiot.

Running: 15.8 miles!
19 Jun 2017 4.15 miles 46:01 Time 11:06 min/mi Avg Pace 131 bpm Avg HR Was working from home today so no cycle. Himmed and hawwed during the day about taking a rest day - didn't happen, went out in the evening for local loop.
21 Jun 2017 St Catherine's 5k trail run 3.09 mi Distance 29:15 Time 9:28 min/mi Avg Pace, 151 bpm Avg HR
Love this park so decided I'd register for this and just jog around easy enough and enjoy it. The first KM was a lap of the GAA pitches so not very scenic but then into the park proper and down the woodland trails along by the Liffey and up a very steep hill to the top trail, Roasting evening and the bit of rain that fell was very welcome. Really enjoyed this, great spread afterwards although resisted temptation to have any cake as the purpose of the run was to work off some of the lbs that have crept back on with the increased meds.
Saturday 24th June: 3 miles @ 9:29 avg HR 144. Was the 30 min pacer in Cabinteely parkrun this morning, we had the Scots over who were doing the parkathon so a great atmosphere, thoroughly enjoyed this even if the only person I got in under the time was a fellow RD who was keeping me company :rolleyes: tried to rally a few folks on the second lap but they couldn't stay with us.
Sunday 25th June: 5.5 miles @ 11:12 avg hr 124.
Had notions of doing a sea swim after cabo yesterday but I hadn't left myself enough time to do that and then get to my 2pm acupuncture appointment (enjoyed this again, feel asleep again). Then thought I might get up early this morning and head south side and do a run and then sea swim but decided a lie in was a better call and when I woke I just headed up to the PP and ran along the trails, lovely cool morning for a run in the park, not a huge amount of people out. Headed for a swim in the pool then.

Swim:
10*25m with snorkel, 4*25m BS, 4*25m FC, 4 *25m FC
Went to my usual pool on the cabra road, got in with the snorkel first expecting to just fly along like I had in DCU last week but not quite... was taking in water through my nose (which instructor had been expecting me to last week). Took a few lengths to get the hang of it again, the water is warmer in CR and the pool gets deeper as it goes along unlike DCU, it was also packed today with a million kids so the was nearly as wavy as the sea!! Was very happy with the number of lengths I did and my watch confirmed a new record, longest swim . Delighted to get 8 lengths done using bi-lateral breathing without any hiccups. Rubbish compared to most in here but a big improvement for me. Was looking forward to a nice relaxing sauna but it was jammers so only stayed 5 mins.

Yoga: 1hr 15 mins
The local class I had gone to a few times was finishing up for the summer so decided I'd make the effort to get to the last class, now I can realax on a Thursday eve without feeling guilty for not going . First part was horrible core work and not very yogai with push ups and sit ups!! Was regretting going but luckily turned into much nicer class with some sun salutation / warrior routines in the last half hour. Fell asleep for the relaxation part and got a fright when the scented eye bag she had put on my eyes shifted on my face and woke me up

Another good week, I'm kind of torn. I am feeling a bit tired but I'm much better able to run (HR is v low). Haven't been sleeping great this week though. Will continue to monitor the tiredness levels.

Far from old ya are, get off that couch!!! Unless your doing that heavy breathing stuff you like.......

Annie get your Run wrote: »

I know I"m not old :rolleyes: the meds are making me tired, I was just wondering if that's what is like when one gets old - I know there's a few folks on here that could probably answer that

Hpw's the packing going? Any chance of an aul run on the canal before you leave?!! Preferably on one of your rest days so you won't care about the pace

Cool that can of course be sorted, in Holland for the week from tomorrow sourcing accommodation and getting himself sorted in school.

3rd - 9th July

Bike: 82:6 miles: only 4 days commuting and one of them was a shorter distance. Did a beginners bike maintenance course on Wednesday so hopefully now will be able to keep the bike in tip top condition myself.

Swim x 2
Saturday 8th: Open water swim.... well, sort of but not really! Wanted to tri(!) the new wet suit so after my run director stint in Cabinteely I headed down to Sandycove. This was my mistake I think, I should have headed for Killiney beach or similar. Quick change into the wet suit and into the water (everyone else was in togs...). Water was cold although I could have tolerated that but it was also very very choppy. No one else in the water was really doing any swimming, they were just sort of there treading water. I managed to get myself out beyond the rocks a bit but the sea was so rough I didn't want to chance any further so turned to come back in - OMG the current!!!! Had forgotten to start the watch too so strava has recorded 0 yards :rolleyes:. Managed to get back to the steps and just decided to get out and try again another time & another place. The wet suit did it's job and am happy enough with it. Had dragged a friend along for moral support so finished off with an ice cream and lunch which was definitely more enjoyable than the swim. I was knackered after this though, a combination of parkrun RD stress, bad sleep and tough job swimming against the strong current.
Sunday 9th: Pool swim, 1066yard or 40 lengths. Had planned just a nice easy swim after a super canal run this morning but was feeling more energetic than I though when I got into the pool so ended up with 10 x 25m BS, 10 x 25m FC, 10 x 25m FC with snorkel and 10 x 25m BS to finish off. Enjoyed this, could have stayed in longer but took sensible approach and left it at that.
Am planning to attend the inaugural parkrun in Fairview (or Clontarf if you believe the website ) next Saturday, might bring the the swimming gear and see about a dip in Dublin Bay while out that side - is Dollymount still a blue flag beach??

Runs: 1

'Last tango in Paris" except not in Paris, the canal in Kildare Where's the crying emoji!!!

5 miles @ 10:36 avg hr 134. Had arranged for one last run with tang1 / 00negative before he leaves our lovely Island for bigger and better things. Early suited both so he collected me at the crack of dawn when the rest of the world was having a Sunday lie in :P. Headed for Leixlip, parked at the graveyard to head for the canal and that's when I saw them, tang's runners - are you sure you bought them in the men's department dude??!! Very pretty covered in blue flowers :D took a few minutes to compose myself & stop laughing and we headed off. Can't believe FBOT never passed any comment in Trim!!!
We faced a bit of an obstacle in that the gates of the GAA club were closed which meant either braving the road or getting over the wall... :P Yer man's only a young fella and managed it in one go, the less said about my ungraceful attempt the better but managed it eventually!!! Really enjoyed this run, sun was shinning, the canal was gorgeous and so peaceful and quite and the chat & laughter was flowing. Have to say probably the best run I've had in a long time, never felt the distance at all, could have gone on another few miles. Thanks for the company B, will miss you man but you're going to have a brilliant adventure over the next few years, just don't forget us all!

Spent the afternoon with family & friends, kids & dogs enjoying the gorgeous sunny afternoon - I see the rain (and wind) is on it's way back now just in time for my Monday commute... :rolleyes::rolleyes:

SOOOOO Prettty.............

That Tang lad was always trying to throw his leg over things, tried it on with me too, once down by the canal

At least his taste in running dates is better than his taste in running shoes!

Nice work with the swimming.

TbL

ThebitterLemon wrote: »

That Tang lad was always trying to throw his leg over things, tried it on with me too, once down by the canal

At least his taste in running dates is better than his taste in running shoes!

Nice work with the swimming.

TbL

Ah lads, it's too late when you have to be prompted :D Did the surgeon remove your quick wit too?!!!

I'll just say though, I got no flowers, or chocolates like you always did, I'm a poor replacement for the real deal :pac:

Think there is some issue with Dollymount at the moment alright they did get blue flag status but issue is only in recent weeks. Not sure of the up to date status.