IN WHICH WE HAVE WITCHES, WHICH IS TO SAY, ALL PART OF THE FUN OF HALLOWE’EN AT YOUR LOCAL PARKRUN, PLUS WE HAVE VISITORS FROM ABROAD, AND GET BACK TO A LITTLE BIT OF RUNNING…

Last weekend, Saoirse’s niece and her girlfriend came over and as is tradition, we took them up to the Salmon Leap for a few pints. My brother was flying in much later that night, and so he would have to make his own way home. I would normally pick him up, but the flight landed about midnight. Plus, there was a lot more craic to be had in the pub. Sorry, Rob.

The girls were up and away early the next morning, and Rob took over the duties as official visitor. He had very kindly bought tickets for the URC rugby match between Leinster and Munster at the Aviva Stadium, so we hopped on the bus in the afternoon, and had enough time to watch a little of the Arsenal match with Rob’s son, Oren. It was a gusty old day, but the rain was holding off, for the most part, so we walked down to the stadium from the city centre.

It was a good game; a classic game of two halves, as Rob commented. Munster took the game to the home side and headed in at half-time with a decent lead. Leinster obviously got roasted in the changing room, and came out in the second half to give a great performance, and Munster’s brilliant last-minute consolation try was all they managed after the break.

We found a nice pub on Nassau Street (Harty’s Bar; not one I’d been in before), and then Rob treated me to a fab meal in a steak restaurant on Suffolk Street. I’ll have to bring S one day. We met Oren for one last pint in O’Neills and then got the last bus home.

The next morning was an early start as we drove into Chapelizod to watch some of the Dublin Marathon. We were in time to see the lead runners glide past, and then we waited for about an hour, cheering and clapping until the 3.20 pacers had passed. I didn’t see my friend, so we headed home. I gather he did a great time in the end, despite the stiff breeze (about 3.15), and we possibly just walked away as he came around the corner…

On Monday, I got out for the first run since Abingdon; an 8k in the park at a reasonable pace, but then conspired to not run for the rest of the week. On the plus side, I did get back at the gym work, having taken the previous week off. A half-hour in the morning in the spare room before work isn’t much but I can see and feel some improvements since I began, so will keep at it.

And so on to Saturday, with some fine settled weather and all visitors returned to their respective countries of origin, I decided a parkrun was in order. I set off for my local parkrun at Castletown with enough time to make the start line. It’s about 4.5k from my door, so I left about 9am. I met one of my guitar buddies from the Tuesday Lep Sessions before the off. He’s a super short distance runner. I set off handy enough, mid-pack, and at one point was overtaken by a bloke pushing a double-buggy. I don’t feel particularly proud about this, dear reader, but took this slight rather badly and made sure to repay the compliment on the second-lap. Overall, not a bad day, with a 21.36 and a first in my age category (55-59). 10 miles all told, when I returned. I guess part of me is still in Imperial mode…

I did another lap whilst on the lookout for one of the volunteers, Abdul, who I had met several years ago at this same parkrun course. I finally tracked him down and we had a chat, then I headed for home. I stopped to get a selfie with the witch who had been cajoling us near the Batty Langley entrance, and as I whipped out the ‘phone, she said “I guess you don’t recognise me…”

True indeed. It was Jill, an old school friend. Fair play to her for dressing up AND volunteering. Everyone had been given words of encouragement as we turned past her post near the end of each loop, along with a swish of her broom. She was lamenting the loss of her pointy hat, which in fairness probably added at least fifty percent to the overall ‘witchiness’ of her costume. I also met Willow, this divine doggy who I would have cheerfully stolen from her rightful owner and brought home to meet our hounds, but I resisted the temptation and settled instead for getting my face licked.

Next week, I have a 10k in the Wicklow Mountains, and the following week, a tougher proposition when I take on the full 26k distance as part of the Run the Line fundraiser for Dublin Mountain Rescue. I know most of the route, so that should help. And then on to next year. I am looking at the Race to the Stones, which Vince will know all about and can probably give me lots of pointers.

The exposure comic strip is one I can relate to personally, from a previous life in graphics. The Santa one went on to the wider family WhatsApp group, though Rob reckoned it was a bit risqué. I haven’t been booted off, so there’s that! The witch one is, of course, for Risa. The ashes poem is by Irish poet, Kate Dempsey.