Thermals and No Thermals – 2K

Had a great run this morning. I definitely like the early morning runs the best, but need a great big push out the door.
Thought it might be warm…but I was very wrong. The wind really picks up the damp from the canal! While I could have used some sleeves today, I had The Termals — possibly the best band to run to. Even when I was shattered, I couldn’t help bouncing along.  I love all the three-minute post-punk-pop-whatever tunes on No Cultural Icons (especially Everything Thermals). Incidentally, The Thermals have a new album out and will be in Dublin on 19 June at the Academy.
Anyhow…I had the best run ever today! I went the longest distance without stopping  I’ve ever gone in my entire life (take that Ms. Offield, elementry school gym teacher!).  So with 36 days to go, I’m feeling slightly more confident about the 10K. How bout sponsoring that run now? Don’t forget all this is really for the great work being done in Kenya by One Homes Many Hopes…so make a donation, OK?

1.5K Short and Sweet

So it was a short run today, but it was a first of several milestones

• I ran all by myself! Chris stayed home and made curry while I enjoyed the beautiful sunshine.
• I went 24hrs without cold medicine! Yay! Maybe this cold is finally over.

Still having trouble coughing and sneezing, especially with all the spring flowers in bloom. But a quick dash around the park aint that bad. It was, I dare say, slightly fun.

Good tunes to perk up the run

• Spanish Bombs, The Clash
• Rebellion (Lies), Arcade Fire
• Virginia Plain, Roxy Music

The later really got me moving, I ran at least 20% faster thanks to Mr. Bryan Ferry.

Motivational Motivation

It’s amazing how a good upbeat song can helps me get motivated. I’ve compiled the best playlist (for me) on my iPod chock full o’ good tunes from Shins, Modest Mouse, Belle and Sebastian, Jurassic 5, Run DMC, et al. It seems to know just when I’m about to get tired and picks a song I just can’t help moving to. A little motivation definitely goes a long way.

Guess it’s the same with worthy causes. All it takes is a little momentum and energy to see good ideas really take off. OHMH is such a cool example of how talented and passionate people can come together to do amazing work. Everything starts with a spark, a good idea that leads to changes for the better.

Thomas came home from a vacation in Kenya inspired to round up his friends to help raise money for a man he met on his journey. Anthony decided to open his home to young orphaned girls, leaving behind a successful journalism career, after meeting a child alone in the streets of Mombasa.

From these two ideas, OHMH as born. Over 30 girls have a chance at a better life in a loving family and countless people around the globe get to share in their joy. Everyone involved in the organisation is a volunteer, giving their own time and good ideas to help give a group of young girls a better life.

From house parties to art sales, newsletters and Facebook groups to personal appeals, OHMH is a little organisation doing a lot of big work. Last November, they raised over $40K in just a month! Outstanding!
So, along with my rockin’ soundtrack I should keep remember that I’m trying to do my part to raise money for the girls. That should put a little extra spring in my step!

3.5K and No Sleeves!

Well, I have been running, just not blogging for a while because we were out of town and then I got sick. Today was a great day, I finally feel moderately normal and the sun is shining! I did 3.5K around the neighborhood–a mix of run, walk, stop to blow my nose. It is a lovely warm, dry day and I was actually outside in short sleeves today. I think that’s the first time in about 4 months!

Things I’m learning:

• Stretching is important, but I get very bored doing it
• Wearing heels and walking at least 5K around London is a bad idea, you get massive blisters and sore feet (but hey, it is worth every blister to explore a new city…even in the rain
• A big breakfast tastes much better after a good run!

2.7 K

Today we planned a trip to Phoenix Park for a 2K run and then some Badminton with our new Tesco Value Badminton Set. However, the park was mostly closed for the Great Run Ireland. The adult race hadn’t started yet, but we got a glance at the junior 2.5K. The kids were adorable–and pretty good runners.

Not to be outdone by a bunch of children, we headed back home to do a pretty typical run around the ‘hood. Luckily we live next to the canal, so it’s a very nice place to run (even if it is usually colder and windier than anywhere elese in Dublin).  The first 2.7K in my new shoes went well. Running in shoes designed for it really makes a difference, who knew?!

And my reward for the run, freshly baked homemade brown bread!

More Shoe News

Good news from www.onehomemanyhopes.org…

Laced with Joy

Clarks shoes will this month supply each child with a new pair of shoes for school. Simple black with laces, but a luxury for our ladies. Our volunteer group from Boston and New York will take the footwear to Mudzini Kwetu when they visit April 30th – May 12th. Anthony Mulongo, our founder once summed up the family spirit so important to us at Mudzini when he said “When we have shoes, we all have shoes. When we have no shoes, we have no shoes together.” Well this month, we all have shoes.

Lace Up

Running this 10K is a totally new proposition for me, so I’ve approached it as I do everything…by asking the essential question: What will I wear?

I took a look at my old runners bought from Dunnes Stores for €10 when I joined a gym 5 years ago and decided they just wouldn’t cut it. Out of concern for my desperately achy knees and wanting to do this the smart way, I headed to into town to get some proper running shoes.

This little adventure proved to me much more stressful than I thought. I can spot a killer pair of heels a mile off and know exactly what I want when it comes to fashionable footwear, but when it comes to performance sneakers I’m at a loss. Luckily Chris was there to help out.

My new runners!

I ended up with a pair heftily discounted of Asics from Elverys and new duds from Champion Sports (If you’re in Dublin and need running gear, now is the time to scoop it up some great deals).

These shoes are amazing! I can definitely feel the difference a good pair of shoes make. My feet feel cushioned when I run and Chris says my form is much better. Now it’s time to hit the road to test ‘em.

57 Days

Well, here it is my declaration to do what once seemed unthinkable. I’m going to run…for 10 kilometers (that’s over 6 miles for you non-metric people).

For some, this may not seem like much of a feat, but for me it is huge. I’m slightly less than graceful and have only run for the odd bus or train. (And lets be honest, even then I’d  rather just wait for the next one). In primary school I went to great lengths to cheat at running the mile in gym class and my illustrious middle school track career lasted all of 3 days.

So when I lace up my sneakers on 1 June for the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin, history will be made.

Why am I doing it? Well, I like to keep challenging myself and in a moment of impulse signed myself up. The Mini Marathon is the biggest all women’s event of it’s kind. It brings thousands of women of all ages and abilities out on the streets of Dublin. It’s serious business for some (like Sonia O’Sullivan, winner in 2000) but for most it’s good for a laugh and a chance to raise the profile of your favourite charity.

I thought I’d use the opportunity to not just do myself some good by working off the Christmas pudding, but to do some good for other women in far off places. That’s why I’m asking friends and family to sponsor my run to benefit a fantastic organisation, One Home Many Hopes, a home for orphaned girls in Kenya. I worked alongside the founder of OHMH in Boston and have seen firsthand the passion and enthusiasm that drives the project to create a loving family for 35 young girls.

Stay tuned on this blog to read more about my adventures training for the Mini Mathon and to learn more about OHMH. Please donate a little or a lot!