Getting organized and packing!!!!

Finally started to organize and pack for tomorrow's departure to Murcia, Spain for the Athletics Ireland training camp. Getting very excited!!!! Spent some of the day deciding what to bring with me. I must have put stuff in my bag and taken it out again a hundred times. Did some laundry and a little bit of shopping. Checked in online for my flight and printed my boarding pass, and that was it. Now I am ready to jet off.

Training:
17mins running and drills for a warm up. Then did a 4 mile run in 22:11 (mile splits were 5:34, 5:35, 5:33, 5:28). Finished with 16mins of running cool down. Felt pretty good today and maintained pace throughout. I found that nice comfortable pace and just rolled with it. Solid and happy.

The Paparazzi are after me!!!!!

OR a.k.a Noreen O' Reilly - my mother. While training everyday there she is clicking away on the camera every lap of the track, and every turn of a corner when running. So funny...... she is definitely enjoying all of this ..... proud parent or what!!!!!!

Today I was a sports fan geek. Watched some of the British Open Golf, until the rain delay anyways. Plus watched the athletics diamond league meeting in Paris. And one great thing about watching sports in Ireland, and especially track meets is NO, NONE, ZIP commercials.

Training:
This morning - 15mins core session. My core session is simple and includes - sets of bridge and plank exercises; sit-ups and push-ups; and butt walks. Basically is a core session I do 2-3 times a week to work on my hip/pelvic area which tends to be my weak spot. Very simple to do and takes nothing out of me. All spring and early summer I got in some great core strength by working in my garden. Which, by the way I thoroughly enjoy.
This afternoon I ran at Shanganagh Park for 60mins. The plodding day yesterday was beneficial and I felt bouncy today.

Lots and Lots of Irish Gear

Today I picked up my Athletics Ireland gear and racing kit. I was like a kid on Christmas morning. The bag of gear included racing kit, track suit and warm up gear, as well as tons of casual clothes. I have posted pictures below. I am going to be like a little leprechaun walking and running around Barcelona - all in green.

Training:
Shanganagh Park for 70mins. My body is great at letting me know when I need a recovery running day, and today was definitely one of those days. The heart and lungs felt fine, but the body was quite content to plod along. It was a day that I had to ignore the watch and didn't worry about pace or distance. I actually enjoy these days, and I like that my body can control my head and heart and not let me run myself into the ground.

Track session today

Pretty quiet day today. Anytime I left the house I was taking a gamble with the weather. Lashing rain one minute, and a hot summers day the next....So Ireland. Pretty much chilled out and caught up on some emailing.

Training:
On the track this afternoon for a session. Very stiff wind on the top bend into the home straight which made it that little bit extra hard. Still had a very good effort regardless.
Warm up included 20mins running, drills and strides. Then did 3 by 1 mile repeats with 2-2:30mins recovery. Miles were in 5:06, 5:06 and 5:04. Cooled down for 18mins. Was going at it alone today so pleased enough with the effort.

That's about it for today.

It's raining it's pouring!!!!!!

YES!!!!!! A decent night's sleep........feeling good.

It's a lovely day in Ireland, one you come to expect, 60 degrees, windy and raining. Hey after spending all of June in the New England heat and humidity I will take this. For a little while anyways.....at least until Sunday when I jet off to sunny, hot Spain.

I spent some of the morning making travel arrangements with the Athletics Ireland office for my flights to Murcia, and from Murcia to Barcelona, and Barcelona back to Dublin when it is all over. Things moving along nice and smoothly.

Finally got out for the run today...rain was only getting worse the longer I waited. Felt like an October day in the middle of a collegiate cross country season, rather than the peak of the IAAF outdoor track calendar. It was refreshing nonetheless, and I felt really good running today.

Training today: This morning I did my usual little 15mins core session.
This evening 9 miles in 60mins. Ran at Shanganagh Park - my number one spot to train when I am back in Wicklow. 100% grass, slight rolling hills, and perfect footing. You just can't beat it. I could run all day long there. Felt good to run a little steadier and open the legs up a bit.

European Championships - Here I come!!!!!

I woke up today really tired - I have not slept in 3 days, must be jet lag, anxiety, adrenaline you name it, and sore - my legs are crying after 2 hard races in 3 days. But it was all worth it to find out that I had been selected to the Irish team for the European Track and Field Championships in Barcelona at the end of the month.

I absolutely love track and field, and I love running and this is just a dream come true. To attain a qualifying standard, represent my country and compete at a major international championships is just an unbelievable opportunity, and I cannot wait for it to begin. Sunday I will leave for Murcia, Spain for the AAI training camp, and from there onto Barcelona for the championships.

But between now and then I have some training to do. I will try my best to keep up to date on my blogging. Not only have I entered a new facet of my running life, but I have also entered a new facet of my computer technology life. Bear with me on this one....I have never blogged before.

Below is the link from Athletics Ireland announcing the team.

http://www.athleticsireland.ie/content/?p=14284