The race was long and HOT and packed with 40,000 other ladies. I didn’t quite run the entire thing (I couldn’t have for the first 3K even if I wanted to because it was so crowded). But I did run very fast through the last 2K and across the finish line (to the tune of The Kinks, Victoria).

Highlights: Water station (finally) at 7K, getting hosed down by the Dublin fire brigade, and a mint chocolate Corinetto to celebrate!

I love the can of tuna. Amazing! I also got a pretty handy recipe book from Yakult. I’m honestly not the biggest fan of the Yak, but the recipes (surprisingly Yakult free) are really great. All my goodies came from the Women’s World Show, a nice little woman-centric trade show featuring everything from make-up and wellness to cheese and Ann Summers. Interesting. Chris was thrilled I brought him along. Luckily there was plenty of free grilled cheese samples from the kind folks at Dubliner.

I also played with Wii Fit. Despite looking like an absolute idiot as I tried to catch imaginary hula hoops or keep a cartoon penguin balanced on a melting glacier, I am hooked and totally want it! Victory prize perhaps?

It’s all very exciting! In less than 24 hours, I’ll be done and will have conquered something I never thought I could, let alone would do.

Today I had a great run around the ‘hood. I think I could have run a bit further by there were tacos waiting and my coach was tired. I am a bit nervous as we get closer to the race, but I’m looking forward to being out on the road with so many thousands of other women. And I must tell myself, there’s no shame in walking!

Now, don’t forget…I’m doing all this hard work (running the best part of 10K) to raise money for a wonderful organisation, One Home Many Hopes. So if you haven’t already made a contribution, please make sure you do.

One Homes Many Hopes supports an orphanage in Kenya that is doing amazing work for 30 young girls, giving them a loving family, an education and the care they need to make their futures a little brighter. A small contribution of $10-$50 will go a long way to helping the girls and will make you part of the global family.

All you have to do is go to One Home Many Hopes to make a donation. Then send me an email or note to let me know you’re supporting my run, and I promise to go a little bit faster…just for you!

In the same way, it’s important for the girls of OHMH to have a positive family environment. The home provides them with the support they need to grow and thrive…and in the risk of being to punny, go the extra mile.

So what have I learned from Chris?

• Wait 2 hours after eating before running
• Porridge (or Oatmeal) makes a great pre-running meal
• Even if there’s gale force winds, you still have to run…but if you run in a loop, the winds might be at your back and you’ll go faster!
• It can actually be fun to test your limits

Thanks coach!

We are really lucky to live so close to Phoenix Park. There’s so much to see and a nice mix of paved and unpaved paths to explore. It was also filled with ridiculously adorable children and dogs (and cows, horses and donkeys at Farmleigh). We also saw a HUGE herd of deer (are groups of deer called herds?) hanging out minding their own business when a not so adorable group of children started chasing after them. Awesome kids, run through a 50+thick group of wild animals and see what happens.

Post run, we checked out the goods at Farmleigh, taking advantage of the generous samples and loading up on goodies for lunch and dinner. Highlights of the food market included freshly made springrolls, grilled salmon rolls, lots of fresh squeezed juices, potato pancakes served by a surly German man, pistachio pesto, super hot curry sauce and fresh made cheese. I highly recomend the monthly Farmleigh market, especially after a good run.
I was definitely able to keep going after the run, so I’ll have to turn it up a notch for the next run.

The Mini Marathon is less than a month away–10K, here I come!

• 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.

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!

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!