New Beginnings

Well, I'm back into the swing of things, and life is all about New Beginnings.

From a running perspective, my vacation was a BIG break. I had good intentions when I left Ireland for those shores of Americay, but like all good intentions they fell by the wayside, as the wedding and the partying took over. So it was off to the gym yesterday and a session to loosen out muscles that had been granted two weeks rest, and a run on the treadmill to see how bad things were.

The Dublin Marathon is on October 30th, less than 9 weeks away, and any thoughts I might have had of running anywhere near 3:35 can safely be put away. I will be very happy to get around the course in one piece after the "relaxed" summer I have had. I am somewhat mad at myself for allowing the good work of the early part of the year to go to seed, but I guess that at my advancing years (surely not?), I can allow myself to enjoy running and enjoy living as well, so maybe not all bad.

Anyway, the gym session was far tougher than I had thought. Two weeks off, and 5lbs on, it is going to take a week to get back to a quarter repectability. Well, I finished off the session with a 3K run on the treadmill, not exactly Marathon preparation, and I ran a hard 14:49. When I say hard, I mean it was hard to run that pace (7:57 p/mile). In May I was running sub 7 pace for this kind of distance as a speed session, yesterday it was hard work to maintain the pace period!

Still, hard work can see me back on that road, and hard work will be needed as my other New Beginning is about to take place.

Many months ago I was interviewed for a new job. At present I work in the Public Sector, for a local authority, I guess the American equivalent would be the State. Well, finaly I have been appointed to work for the National Government (The Federal Authorities in US parlance), and I will be leaving my present post at the end of September. It's a mixed feeling. I actually really enjoy the job I am presently doing, and whilst the new job will pay significantly more, my role is not yet clearly defined. Still, the opportunities in my present job to go forward are severely limited, so I cannot afford to hang around and hope.

So New Beginnings with work, and the same with my running. Lets hope they are both successful.

Tagged about my Reading Habits

OK, whilst away I was tagged by Sister Smile with regard to reading. My reading material over the years has varied from trashy novels, through a lot of educational material, and these days I am studying Law and reading far too much -


The book that changed my life: One day in the life of Ivan Denysovich, by Solzhenitsyn. A harrowing account of the Russian Gulags, that I read as a 15 year old, and made me re-think and shape my political ideals.

A book I've read more than once: Lord of the Rings by Tolkein. Well before the films were made (which I still have not seen), I read the three volume tome, and then every few years after, I picked it up and did it again. Think I read it four times overall, although the last time was more than 20 years ago.

A book I'd want with me on a desert island: Some form of Sports Almanac so I could relive all the great sporting moments in my mind as I slowly went mad (assuming I was alone)

A book that made me laugh: Around Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks. Quite simply the funniest thing I have ever read (And I read this more than once as well).

A book that made me cry: Genuinely can't recall one

A book I wish I had written: The Da Vinci Code (Think of the royalties)

A book I wish had never been written: The Da Vinci Code (Then I wouldn't have had to read it).

A book I am currently reading: You can Get Arrested for that, by Rich Smith. Two studenty types head to America to break 25 of the dumbest laws still in existance. Like, did you know it is illegal in Alabama to wear a fake moustache in a church!

A book that I am meaning to read: There are so many. I am a compulsive book buyer. Our book shops always have a Buy 3, pay for 2 offer, so whenever I buy a book I want, I end up buying two more. I last counted that my bookshelves has 60 books that are awaiting my attention! I should open a library....

Just bought three books whilst in the US, that I can add to the "Intend to read" category. Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes, Friday Night Lights by Bissinger, and a historical book "1776" about the obvious.

Back from Vacation

Did you miss me?

Well, I missed you, and have probably lost touch with some people in the last month, what with my PC Crash, and my two week vacation. Well, the PC isn't fixed yet, but I seem to have regained access at work, so for the moment I can get here and let you know what my vacation was like.

I have to confess to little running whilst away. I had planned to do more, but an irish-italian wedding in Rhode Island is not synominous with running, so I have a lot of work to do to get back in shape in time for Dublin in two months time.

The wedding was only part of the trip, and we had a great time, visiting Block Island, fishing in the ocean, out on my friends boat, lunching at the Skippers Dock in Stonington Harbour, and relaxing. Then it was a week in Boston, meeting up with some Cool Runners one night, visiting Fenway Park, doing a Duck Tour, walking the Freedom Trail, and generally having a great time.

We rounded off the trip by driving down from Boston to Newark, and managed to get bumped off our flight on Friday night (for $500 each! ;)) and had a day in New York on Saturday, sadly no time to let anyone know, but a few hours in Macy's and a few beers saw us home safely. Our bags had an even better holiday, as they spent another day in the US before arriving home this morning - At least it saved us having to carry them around the airport when we got home :).

I have loads of pictures from my trip, and when I get the Home Pc fixed, I will post a few shots, and bore you all to death.

Tonight I start running again - Wish me luck .......

Communication Breakdown

Well, here we are, and almost two weeks without a post. I have had the doctor out to the PC and, sadly, the motherboard has gone. Hopefully, it won't cost too much to repair, and my clockwork PC (It's old) will be back running in a relatively short time.

In the meantime, I am heading Stateside for my summer vacation. On Sunday, at some unearthly hour, I will be on a flight to Newark, and two weeks away from PC's, work, and all those silly pressures we put ourselves under in the daily grind. Week one will be in Rhode Island, and a family wedding, that's on Wednesday next, and then, hopefully after visiting Block Island and the beaches of RI, it's up to Boston, or to be precise, Cambridge, as that's where our hotel is, and the delights of my favourite Marathon City.

Running has been less frequent than I would have liked in recent weeks as I have had some health problems, which hopefully will be sorted out when I get home. Although I am probably over-using that in my excuse list. I did managed a nice little run of around 40 minutes last night in the Park with Kieran and Jo, and we had a good chat about Jo's recent Ironman in Germany, and the imminent arrival of Kieran's first child (fingers crossed Barbara). The lack of decent running will mean that the 3:36 goal for Dublin in 11 weeks is unlikely, but I will endeavour to train whilst away, and once home, and my PC is fixed, I'll be assessing where I am in my Train to Boston 08 plan.

For now, I'm away, and to all who read my little missive, I'm missing you, and hopefully normal service will be resumed by early September.