I had a less than gentle reminder of the vagaries of hill-running as regards just how long it can take. Or perhaps just how hard it can be to judge timings; either way, a useful lesson for the upcoming venture along the Wicklow Way. This was last weekend, when a number of family members met … More A scattering
Gary and I have just stepped off the road. It’s good to be away from the tar and traffic and back on the trails. We are retracing our steps, so we know there is a steep climb up out of the valley. We both stop, literally, in our tracks. Just up ahead, to our left, … More Misty Mountain Hop
We stop at the junction of the Dublin Way and the Wicklow Way. Jarlath points up towards a little cairn of rocks. He lets me know this is Fairy Castle, and beyond, Three Rock. Here might be an option for me to deviate from the Way this June. The narrow path follows a low stone … More Imagine, if you will, a game of two halves…
Most of you won’t have heard of IMRA. It stands for the Irish Mountain Running Association. You can find them online here. I joined up recently, and last week, I had my first race, and yesterday was my second. It’s a great organisation. Membership is ten quid a year (yes, ten quid*), and each race … More Welcome to IMRA
My running rehab continues. Yesterday, Mark dragged me out of bed (albeit by text message, suggesting we go for a run), and we managed about 4 miles in the local park. Neither of us were feeling particularly feisty, but it’s always good to get out. No hot chocolate, alas, to bookend the activity, as I … More Mountains between us
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
unironedman 