I had a good run today. I decided to start out going approximately the same route as my previous run then as I neared the end of the Promenade, I went up a little road and through the side streets of Salthill. I got a bit mixed up, as one often does in Galway since the streets are a labyrinth, but it was fun to mix things up a bit and see parts of Galway I’ve never been to before. I ran past Pearse Stadium where the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) holds Gaelic football and hurling matches. I have yet to see either of these sports in person, but hopefully that will change this summer.

I then found my way again by spotting Cooke’s Corner Shop, a landmark for all Galwegians. I turned down a side street and up one of the canals surrounding Nun’s Island. Finally, I made my way to NUI Galway campus and landed at Crunch Fitness, the privately owned gym at school. There I used the machines to work on my upper body since my legs had enough of a workout already and now I’m feeling the burn in my shoulders and abs. No pain, no gain…right? It’s important to work on your upper body, as I have learned in past few years of marathon training. If your upper body is strong, you will be able to hold yourself up longer and will not tire as easily on long runs. After about 20-30 minutes of weight training, I headed back home by way of the Salmon Weir bridge over the River Corrib, which is next to the Cathedral. I turned down Upper Abbeygate Street and quickly munched down some cashews and water at home and hit the shower.

Here are my stats and playlist:

5.67 miles (9.12 km) 52 minutes
A few small hills, gentle breeze, some light rain, 45˚F, Blues Traveler and Red Hot Chili Peppers rocked it out…

I ran the same route yesterday that I did last week which was about 5.5 miles. I feel much better today than I did after last week’s run. I am going to get on a run schedule and post my results, routes, and iPod playlists here mostly for a personal record but also for a way to share my progress as I train for the 2007 Dublin Marathon. If I can inspire just one person to get off the couch like I did almost 3 years ago and aim for something big, then this will all be worth it. I know that sounds cheesy but training for my first marathon changed my life and health for the better. So sign up for the Dublin Marathon today. I’ll be running around Galway, so join if you see me in my black North Face hat, blue shirt and black shorts.

1. Hook, Blues Traveler
2. (I’m) Gonna Kick You Out, The Caesers
3. So What’cha Want, Beastie Boys
4. Benny And The Jets, Beastie Boys
5. Where It’s At, Beck
6. Battle of Who Could Care Less, Ben Folds Five
7. Just a Friend, Biz Markie
8. Let’s Get It Started (Spike Mix), Black Eyed Peas
9. Takin’ It to the Streets, The Doobie Brothers
10. Flathead, The Fratellis
11. For The Girl, The Fratellis
12. Push It, Garbage
13. Superfreak (Roca Sound Remix), Rick James

244 days to go…

I’m officially registered for the 2007 adidas Dublin Marathon, as I mentioned earlier. The marathon, 26.2 miles, is set for 29 October 2007 which is the public bank holiday. The race is truly international with half of the 12,000 participants hailing from outside Ireland.

I decided to register in order to kickstart my training and I may have to re-read Dean Karnazes’ book for a little inspiration. I’ve already run in Phoenix and St. Louis so this will be my third. I shaved 20 minutes off my time from Phoenix to St. Louis and this time I am aiming for 10 minute miles which puts the finish time at 04:42. As I said before, anyone interested in training with me in the Galway area, leave your comments below and we’ll plan a run.

Today has been a busy day for blogging, in case you haven’t read the other post yet. It must be my blood pumping after my first run in a while. Yesterday I ran about 5.5 miles along Galway Bay from the city centre to Salthill. I mapped it here using MapMyRun.com. Switch it to satellite or hybrid view to get a great view of the bay that was to my left on the way out. Cool site, eh? It was a gorgeous psuedo-spring day and Galway is going to be a great place to train. Which brings me to my next point…

I’ve run two marathons already, one in Phoenix and the other in St. Louis and and I’m ready to start training for my third. I have decided to run the adidas Dublin Marathon on 29th October where, I understand, instead of water and PowerBar stations you can grab a pint o’ Guinness. So if you’re in the Galway area and you are as crazy as me, please no Dean Karnazes wannabes, then post a reply and we’ll find out how to start a drinking, er, training program. So get off your arse and let’s run!

Today my family and I are headed to Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. We will take a bus to the ferry which leaves from Ros a’ Mhíl (Rossaveal) in County Galway. The Aran Islands are a Gaeltacht, or Gaelic-speaking region situated at the mouth of Galway Bay in the West of Ireland. We are staying at Ard Einne guesthouse in Kilronan and plan to tour Dún Aengus, an Iron Age fort, and cycle and/or hike around the island. I’ll post a few pictures on Sunday when we return, just in time for Ireland v. France in the 6 Nations Rugby tournament. Erin Go Bragh!

Photo: A Galway Bay Hooker, originally uploaded by NoirinP.

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April 9, 2006
Bib: 1247
Event: Spirit of St Louis Marathon
Finishers: Total - 1694, Males - 1126, Females - 568
Male Winner: 2:25:09 | Female Winner: 3:05:28

Bib: 1247
First name: James
Last name: Britton
City: Clayton
State: MO
Overall: 1319
Finish time: 4:56:35
Chip time: 4:54:08
City: Clayton
State: MO
Overall: 1319
Finish time: 4:56:35
Chip time(actual): 4:54:08

Yesterday we had the first major snow of the season; approximately 4 inches. I noticed as I walked around campus how much good cheer snowfall brings to people. Maybe it is the time of year when people are feeling cheerful. Perhaps it is the fact that most of the students are excited to go home for the break. But I believe that it conjures childhood memories of snowball fights, sledding and (attempting) to ride your bike in the snow with neighborhood friends. There is nothing that beats a good romp in the white stuff then after, to go back inside and warm up to a nice cup of hot cocoa.

Let it snow!

riders at the Moonlight Ramble-Forest Park, St. Louis August 20-21 2005

I “rode the night” this past weekend for the benefit of Hostelling International. ‘Ramble’ is apparently the first night ride of it’s kind, tracing back to the 1960s. In fact my buddy Jim, took part in a similar race in Denver the same evening. He took a nasty spill but is going to be fine thanks to his helmet. The course was about 21 miles from Forest Park in St. Louis, West through Clayton (my city) then back thru the park and east to downtown St. Louis, then back again to the park. It was my first organized long distance ride and it was much easier and fun than I had anticpated. I’m considering purchasing a road bike. There is a great bike shop in University City, MO called Big Shark. I made it through the course safely, although I wasn’t so sure at the beginning. There were approximately 15,000 participants which made for an interesting ride for the first 5 miles. I was amazed at the scope of people there; kids on BMX bikes, toddlers in carriers, old men and women, not to mention all of the recumbent bikes, tandems, and home brew bikes. It was a great group of people with which to spend a cool evening in the park. As I came back west from downtown, it was amazing to feel how much the temperature dropped as we approached the park. This ride through St. Louis gave me a greater appreciation for the city, and certainly a greater appreciation of cycling. I think I’m hooked!

These are about a year late, but my buddy Jim inspired me to post these for a camping theme. (click on each picture to zoom in for a larger view)

Going up Vail Mountain in the gondola.

Dad and Aidan coming down the mountain in the fog.

Mom on the trail…

Out of the fog and rain at last!

The aspens are like a painting in the mountain autumn (but Aidan completes the perfect scene)

Let’s take a break from that backpack!

King of the Mountain!

At last, we make it to the bottom!

Click Balanced Beings to read more about what makes this guy run.