Finding the right stride

This morning, I got out of bed, determined finally to do a run before midday, and not any old run, a meaningful run. The morning was cold and frosty, with a white rime of last nights frost still on the ground. I assumed that the conditions were perfect for a morning run, well, the appeared that way. I made my breakfast of Flavahan’s porridge oatlets. It was promptly devoured and I made my preparations for the run ahead.

I made sure I was wrapped up, cap and all. Surely it was going to be a chilly run. I set off at just 11:10am. Initially, it felt good. The sun was beating down, a cold breeze was blowing across my face, and my iPhone was choosing the best songs on random. All was well.

After the first kilometer, I felt my breathing pattern hadn’t settled. This was frustrating. It became exponentially more frustrating when I was trying to settle myself into a stride and routine. The occasional car passing distracted me, I turned my attention to the white crust of frost which covered the road.

After about two kilometers, I came to a blind turnpike. The road was slippy, it was clearly not traveled much since the nights frost. This was the highlight of the opening part of my run. As I was running along the quiet road, becoming acquainted with my surroundings, I couldn’t help but feel the route was lifeless. The road was the old N8, the main road from Dublin to Cork. Since the opening of the new motorway, the traffic load had reduced to no more than a forgotten piece of tar.

I struggled on, my breathing was labored, but thoughts of the life of the road began to enter my mind. This being the main road between the main two cities on our fair Emerald Isle, surely it must have some tales to tell, surely it bore witness to some great occasions, surely, people had fond memories associated with this lifeless piece of tar and stone. If it had been loved once, the love affair was now well and truly over.

My train of thoughts continued to ramble on. “Half way there” interrupted the “miCoach” application on my phone. 30 minutes were gone out of my hour workout. Time to turn around and make for home. I began to find a rhythm. As I did, I regretted not chosing the country road that I did the day before. There was nothing that interested me. I continued.

The steps added up, the task grew shorter. I got home. I was by no means pleased with the time, but I completed it. Each completed run brings me one step closer to finishing a marathon in sub 3:15.

12.6km in 1:00:44

A semi-productive day

I know I should have gone for a run today, and will have to make up for it tomorrow with two runs, but that will be done!! I did quiet a bit of walking today, which I wish I could count towards my Janathon effort, ah well!!

On the upside, I am registered for the Vienna City Marathon (Nr. 5577), a duathalon in Castlebar, Co.Mayo, the Great Ireland Run, and have been looking up other races in the Irish Runner Magazine, so at least now I have some testing goals!!

Strangely, while on the Vienna City Marathon page today, I found an image for a t-shirt (website is predictably down so can’t post link), which I simply have to get!! It is a t-shirt that has a volcano on the front and Eyjafjallajokull written underneath!! On the back is a slogan I loved; “Vienna City Marathon 2011, not even a volcano can stop me”. I have to have it, especially after last year and my “trip home”!!

Anyhow, to bed now and rest for tomorrow morning, for what can only be described as a torturous run!!

My year in UCD Students’ Union

I must say, the last year has been an epic rollercoaster ride, bringing with it magnificent highs and unprecedented lows. It was a year when you would find out who you’re true friends are, and also that “There’s daggers in men’s smiles”. After all is said and done, I will hold no grudges.

The roller-coaster began in a kitchen in Roebuck Hall, over a cup of tea with Lisa Henry. It was the last day of nominations and I still was not 100% sure about whether or not I wanted to run. Being the hero that she is, she made it clear, that I should not have any regrets and to go for it, and from there the election campaign began. Both Treasa Coleman and Sharon Tomas were fantastic at organising one of the worlds most disorganised people and ran my campaign. Fellow RA’s such as Mick Doyle, Cathal Doyle, etc, were amazing when it came to support and advice and helping out. The Belgrove crew were also fantastic, from their customized election posters to pure enthusiasm. I received massive support from Engineers and Ag’s, and with that support behind me, I pushed on, and I was elected Campaigns & Communications Vice-President of UCD Students’ Union.

I’ve had great fun working in the Students’ Union, and I would do it all again. I was especially fortunate to have the constant support and backing from the previous sabbatical team, especially Aodhán and Dan, who were always there for advice and support when it was needed. I loved working with all the class reps, the SU exec and students around campus. I also enjoyed working with the other SU officers, especially Mike Pat. Gary was a great president and lead by example, which ensured that we too, would have to follow suit. I had great fun with Ger Gallagher in working with the IPA. Martin Lawless, the Mature Students Officer, proved to be one of the biggest SU hero’s, bringing maturity to exec when it was needed most. My goal was to get as many people involved in UCD Students’ Union as possible. Not everything I tried worked, but I will make sure, my successor, Pat de Brun, does not make the same mistakes, and as a result, the union will be stronger for it.

Another one of the undisputable highlights, was getting a cameo role in the UCD Community Musical. It was one of the most fun things I have done in UCD to date. The cast we fantastic and extremely welcoming. Most people in UCD could go their whole time in UCD blissfully unaware of the productions their fellow students are putting on, and fair play to Jason Masterson for getting the show off the ground.

Another fun part of the year was my Euro trip back from the Vienna City Marathon. Little did I know on departing Dublin, of the epic journey which lay before me. I had the whole trip planned to perfect precession, almost so much so, the Germans would have been proud of it, yet it was the Germans who let me down on the way back, thanks to the train from Munich to Köln being delayed!! The marathon was epic fun, as was the 52 hour journey back from it. This was possibly one of the most stressful journeys of my life, but in hindsight, one I thoroughly enjoyed!!

This was one of the most fun years of my life and I wouldn’t change it for anything!! Thanks to all of you who helped me, in whatever little way. It all meant a lot and I shall not forget it!! I wish Pat the best of luck, and I know, he will be an epic Vice-President!!

Paddy

Kick Ass

On Sunday evening, we sat down to watch the new Kick Ass movie, which to be honest, was, well, kick ass (except for the crazy homicidal little girl who killed all before her…just a little unsettling…). At the end of the film, my housemates and I came to a unified conclusion, we must set up our own superhero crime fighting squad. Membership would be exclusive, our identities would be (not at all) secret from the general public. Only one question remained, what would our crime fighting teams name be, oh and one more question, what would our super hero names be (small dig at Scott Ahearn there with his infite “oh and one more thing…).

We sat down at our round table, which happened to be actually round, making discussions much easier. Firstly we had to think of alter ego’s for each member of our crime fighting team that everyone in group agreed with.

Our names were:
Noel Doyle – Fogell Doyle
Ger Mulally – Turbo Cider
Sean Byrne – Princess Queenie
Nabila Al-Wahabi – Abu Apu
Tessa Morrissey – Red Mist
Paddy Ryan – C.Montgomery Burns
Jimmy Greevy – I R Ag
Domhnall Carbery – The Tumor
Richie Casey – Waylon Smithers
Barry Forde – Gay 32

We then had to come up with our crime fighting team name, and what better to call ourselves than the Turds!!

So if you’re ever in trouble, just flush, and we’ll come to your rescue!!

Note: Superpowers yet to be decided

Fucking Iceland

Right so, here I sit in Vienna, before a computer, to which I’ve contributed enough money to feed an African family for a month. Tomorrow morning, I will be running the Vienna City Marathon, however, while doing so, my mind will be overrun with thoughts of, “how the f**k do I get home”

Once in trouble abroad, the first port of call has to be bahn.de. It has shown me a path on many occasions in the past, and this time it was no different.

On checking my emails today, I was astonished to see headlines reading “Flights likely to be grounded until the end of next week”. Wanting to get home, I instantly consulted the mighty bahn.de. After going through the numerous combinations and permutations which I could use to find my way home, I knew it would involve getting ferries. This was frustrating. I had prided myself in not only sticking to budget for my trip, but coming in under budget. Well, so much for that.

When I started searching for various trains I could get home, I had no idea, the mammoth task which lay before me. To get to Holyhead, where I still had no way of getting home, would take me over 27 hours of continuous travel.

The trip, thus far:

Monday 19th April 2010

Wien Westbahnhof (8:40) to Würzburg Hauptbahnhof (14:25)
Würzburg Hauptbahnhof (14:56) to Köln Hauptbahnhof (17:32)
Köln Hauptbahnhof (17:44) to Bruxelles Midi (19:32)
Bruxelles Midi (19:53) to Bruxelles Midi Eurostar (20:17)
Bruxelles Midi Eurostar (20:17) to Lille Eurostar (20:50)
Lille Euro Star (20:50) to Lille Flanders (21:10)
Lille Flanders (22:08) to Dunkerque (23:11)
Dunkerque (23:58) to Dover (03:00)
Dover (04:37) to Ashford (05:08)
Ashford (05:13) to London (05:51)

There are even more