unironedman

I did say I would report back with an update on the shoe situation, and here at unironedman, we do like to keep our word. And so I present to you the new (to me) Saucony Endorphins, all the way from France. They show very little wear on the soles and the uppers are in great condition. They still have plenty of bounce, which is what kept me coming back to them time and again, even when their mileage would suggest otherwise. Indeed, it was the uppers, really, that gave out first, and then part of the rubber protective slips on the foam soles started to part company with the rest of the shoe.

My (luxury) problem is that I am running out of room to store all this footwear. And I have a poor track record when it comes to parting company with a pair of trusty old runners. But on the plus side, I have some more shoes to help stretch out the lifetime of the new Sauconys, and I have saved a pair of runners from hitting the landfill, and no doubt slowed down my purchase of yet another pair. Not good news for the running stores, I suppose, but slightly better news for the planet. Not that the planet cares for me or my shoes.

Last week we marked the second anniversary of Dad’s passing by trekking up to the spot where we scattered his ashes. My brother Rob was over from Italy, and we were joined by his youngest son, Oren, who is a fine track athlete (he does the 400 and 800 metres; tortuous distances!). So an 8k walk around the hills was not going to bother him, even though he had already cycled down to the track that morning to do his training session.

It was the day after Storm Éowyn had passed over the country, and I was a little concerned that the mountains might be off-limits, but all was busy at Ticknock with hundreds of folk out walking and cycling. I took us around the loop in anti-clockwise fashion, mainly because I missed a turn 🙂

So we hooked up with the Wicklow Way and headed upwards in the direction of Fairy Castle. The sky was blue and the wind had dropped to a gentle breeze. Quite the contrast from yesterday. There seemed to be very little storm damage from what I could see. There had been a decent frost overnight, and the track was quite tricky in places, with plenty of ice, and some deep spots that would trick the unwary walker.

We climbed the largest of the three tors that make up Three Rock and paid our respects, then adjourned to the Blue Light pub for lunch. Hard to believe it’s two years already…

Above are a few pics from last week. I went out with Gary on Sunday for the Aqueduct Jaunt (which is a 20k out and back along the canal). We dodged a bullet with the weather which was getting ugly a few kilometres from home. But otherwise a decent enough run with a negative split. Also in there is Bonnie, who seems unimpressed with the new (secondhand) couch that was an absolute bastard to collect and drag into the house. Huge thanks to Dallan for not giving in and setting it on fire in the garden (which was one option). The tree down has been cleared and some of it is in my yard 🙂

The plastering in my neighbour’s garden is all part of the new shed project, and I was using Dad’s tools, which was a little emotional, knowing that they haven’t been near mortar for several years.

And some random humour to finish (YMMV)… one of them is mine, and there is no caption or punchline, so you’ll have to work it out yourselves. There may be prizes! *

*there won’t be prizes…