My Dad died on 24th January. It’s very raw. I am writing some thoughts down, but it’s really for personal reasons, for now. It was never the purpose of this blog to get too caught up in personal ‘stuff’ anyway. The idea was to have a space for me to riff about running, and other … More Run to the hills
And you, my father, there on the sad height,Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.Do not go gentle into that good night.Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Do not go gentle into that good nightDylan Thomas I write it out in a verse –MacDonagh and MacBrideAnd Connolly and PearseNow and … More The Old Man
IN WHICH WE REACH THE END OF ANOTHER YEAR, HOOK UP WITH OLD FRIENDS FOR A SING-SONG, MAKE ONE FINAL ASSAULT ON THE EVEREST THAT IS THE MARATHON PB, AND NEATLY WRAP UP 2022 WATCHING SOME REAL RUNNERS… You had one job. All you had to do in these final months was do your training … More I’m sorry you doubt me, brother
IN WHICH WE PONDER THE CIRCLE OF LIFE, HAKUNA MATATA, VARIOUS OTHER SILLY PHRASES, AND HOW WE EDGE CLOSER TO THE NEXT FAMILY PROMOTION, OR, AS MY DAD WOULD SAY, GOD NEVER CLOSES A DOOR BUT SLAMS ANOTHER ON YOUR FINGERS… With the decision made to push forward the marathon a few days, I am … More Ah, sure it’s all good. In fact, it’s grand…
The last few weeks have been work and running. Though mostly in the form of running, then work. That’s because trying to do 9 miles in the dark at night is not a whole heap of fun. So the midweek runs have meant early starts and getting the runs out of the way. These are … More Run, actually
No point in making a cheesy joke if you can’t labour the point. And just like buses that arrive in pairs after a long delay, I managed a second parkrun this Saturday after a lengthy absence from this wonderful event. And it’s certainly not for any lack of love for parkrun, which has been a … More More park life!
“It’s got nothing to do with Vorsprung durch Technik, you know?(Parklife)(Parklife) and it’s not about you joggersWho go round and round and round(Parklife)(Parklife)” ParklifeBlur Sharp-eyed marketing types will understand why parklife has a lower-case ‘p’ in the title. The rest of you won’t care one bit. The second lot of people; you’re damn right. I’ve … More parklife
Running since the marathon has been something of a trial. In this particular trial, the prosecution is pushing hard for a ‘guilty for being an eejit’ verdict. And who am I to argue? I think my defence is going to crumble. The evidence is clear. The accused tried to run a marathon dressed as a … More Remembering Kate
I have invented a new term for the running community. It’s called Foamo. It’s a really awful play on words, and describes how just about every runner you’ve ever met will still get a little bit silly about a new pair of running shoes. And in particular, that added niggling neurosis that they are somehow … More FOAMO
IN WHICH, MUCH LIKE GANDALF FIGHTING THE BALROG, WE FORGOT ABOUT THE STING IN THE TAIL AS WE TOOK TO THE STREETS OF DUBLIN ONCE MORE, THIS TIME IN FANCY DRESS – BUT OLD DOGS CAN LEARN NEW TRICKS AFTER ALL, IT SEEMS… THE DUBLIN MARATHON 2022 RACE REPORT… If someone asks you to run … More Jim cracks a smile!
