Exclusive Run 5K Series | Race 2 | Craggaunowen

Hi everyone!

You might be wondering why I've gone straight to Race 2 and haven't uploaded a post detailing Race 1 from the Exclusive Run 5K Series. Well quite simply I didn't participate in Race 1. Unfortunately for me work and distance just wouldn't allow it but I was delighted to take part in Race 2 from the series in the beautiful setting of Craggaunowen Co Clare.

My lovely sister and I, along with 200 others, headed to Craggaunowen for the 5K that began at 7.30. Like the Run Clare Series you could register for all 3 races at the start. Precision Timing, once again, provided the chipped number bibs.

5K Route

The evening was very hot, humid and sticky. It wasn't ideal for running but we still got out and ran!


We started in the car park of Craggaunowen, running back up to the entrance and on to the road. We then ran along the road for 2k then taking a left and running for a further 1/2k before turning and going back the same way.


The route was quite hilly. There was nothing that wasn't manageable though. The steepest was probably while running out of the car park and back on to the road.


Precision Timing had set up the finish line at the foot of the castle within the grounds of Craggaunowen, where we were provided with refreshments afterwards.

 


My 5K

 
Anyone that knows me would be aware that I am from Co Clare but live in West Limerick so I love any excuse to go up home. When the opportunity, to take part in the Exclusive Run 5K Series, came up I  jumped at the chance. It meant, however, finishing work at 6pm, in Newcastlewest, and trying to get up to Craggaunowen by 7pm to register for the 7.30pm start time. 

It was after 7pm by the time I managed to get up but the event organisers had no problem in letting myself, and some other late arrivals, to register.

The race began promptly at 7.30 and as usual Orla and I said goodbye at the finish line. We both ran at our own pace and ran for ourselves. It's taken me a long time to accept that I might be slower and more unfit than a lot of other runners but I'm running for myself an no one else. Hitting a personal best is my aim and I'm happy with that.


I won't say that I found the race easy. It was tough mainly because it was hit and humid and the hill were a pain at times. I wouldn't allow myself to give up, even when I found my breathing being affected. I just slowed myself down until I could get my breathing under control.


The hardest part of the race was the face that we had to double back on the route. This is fine for the front runners but for me I found this hard. The first runners passed me on the road just after I passed the 2k mark. At that stage they were nearing the 4k mark. As hard as that was it was also a push to keep going and try to make up time and pace.


So how did I actually do? Well last week at the Shannon Airport Night Runway 5K Run I ran a personal best of 32.46. I am delighted to say that my training is working because as you can see from the below photo, I have now set a new PB of 32.13! I'm so happy with my performance considering the humidity and all the hills! Hitting a new PB is such an amazing motivator. I can't wait until my next 5k attempt, to see if I can improve even further and possibly run 5k in under 30 mins!

Race 3 of the Exclusive Run 5k Series is in Bunratty on the 8th of July at 7.30pm. Maybe I'll reach a new PB then! Tomorrow is the Clare 10K in Lee's Road so if anyone is going I will see you there!!!

Images courtesy of Martin Molloy Photography and DJD Photography

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow
Instagram: @deeglamglow
Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

Shannon Airport Runway Night Run 5K

Hi Everyone!

(Departure Hall before the race)

On Friday night/Saturday morning we took part in a wonderful event, the Shannon Airport Runway Night Run 5K. YES we actually ran on the runway! The event is in its second year and to say that they have received great support is an understatement. Last year 1200 participants ran the runway and this year over 2000 places were allocate and within days all places were taken. The tickets were like golddust. Luckily I had kept an eye on the facebook page and was able to register straightaway. I have since met a number of people who were too late to get a place and had to put their names on the waiting list but because of the demand they were unable to get a place in the run. The event, sponsored by Bank of Ireland and raised funds for 2 charities: TLC4CF (Tipperary Limerick Clare for Cystic Fibrosis) and Milford Care Centre.

(Updating Facebook before the race!!!!)

The race check-in took place from 9pmand closed at 11.30pm. We arrived to the airport at 10.30pm and the only way that I can describe the atmosphere is "Electric". Mr Motivator Richie Clifford's voice could be heard motivating everyone over the PA system as he started the warm up at 10.30pm. The place was hopping, you could feel the excitement in the air. It felt strange to be at the airport to run and not to be heading off on a plane to somewhere exotic!

 (On the Runway before the off)

At 11.45pm the Shannon Airport CEO gave a brief speech, mentioning to us that we should NOT bring anything loose onto the runway as it expecting a flight to land at 3.30am that morning so the runway needed to be clean from any type of debris. He also asked that everyone give 1 minute silence in rememberance of the tragic students who lost their lives in Berkley earlier in the week. At 11.55 we were led onto the Runway by security staff and volunteers. We then lined up and waited for the flair to be lit at 12.00 and away we went, down the longest runway in Europe.

(A view of Shannon Aerospace from the Runway)

It took a minute or so for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. Even though we were all wearing bright yellow tshirts and the runway was lit with flood lights, it was still very dark so care was needed. Some people had even brought torches to wear on their heads! It was a bit strange for the first 1K because the runway is so wide and there was just a sea of yellow tshirts. Once we rounded the first corner, on to the long straight past Shannon Aerospace, it began to level out and I settled into the run.

The night was quite humid and slightly cool but not uncomfortable. It felt so strange to be running on the runway. You tend to see it all so differently when you are sitting in a plane. It all seemed so much bigger, even in the darknessThe  Airport Fire Brigades were out with flood lighting attached to their trucks. At ever few yards there was a stewart so we were never in doubt of the route to be taken. As I was half way around I could see the front runners reaching the finish line. If I was to pull a negative from the race this would be one. The runway is so long and flat that you can see everything so it can be difficult to see everyone else reaching the finish line before you, but I tried to get rid of any negative thoughts and just enjoy the run.

(The flood lit fire brigades)

As we rounded the second last corner, at the 4k marker, it started to lightly drizzle as we ran into the wind. This was the perfect way to finish the race, well for me anyway. It was so refreshing. Richie Clifford was cheering us all on at the finish line and I couldn’t help but smile because I felt that I had done well and as it turned out I did! I said at the start that I wanted to finish the race in under 35 mins and I did. My official time was 32.46 mins so I am delighted! My training hasn’t been the best lately and I had gotten lazy, mainly because I had not signed up for any more runs and had not pushed myself to train. I felt like I had lost my motivation but running in the 5K down the runway really gave me the lift that I needed. I felt great afterwards and that’s the feeling that I had missed by letting my running slip. I'm delighted with my performance and I cant wait for Wednesday, for the Exclusive Run 5K series Race 2 in Craggaunowen. I hope to see some of you there!

(All smiles before the race)

I have to say a big thank you and well done to all involved in such a great event. From the minute we reached the airport until we left there was stewarts and volunteers clearly visible, directing traffic, answering questions and just generally helping anyone that needed it. It was a very well organised event and was thoroughly enjoyable. I also need to make special mention to my mother and sister who walked the 5K. Well done ladies (and thanks for taking so many photos for me!).

Friday night/Saturday morning

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

My Bedtime Tunezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hi Everyone

Since moving our little man into his own room we've been blessed with a couple more hours sleep each night. With both of us working full time it has been hugely welcomed. Going into work sleep deprived is not the nicest feeling and it's also not very productive.

I've always been a light sleeper and find it very difficult to relax or "switch off" before bed. As a result I often find it difficult to drift off to sleep and having a baby ment that it became even harder. Any little noise is enough to send my mind racing and keep me awake for hours.

Having a comfy bed is key to a good night sleep. We have a memory foam mattress, like Casper, and it's so comfy. It does help when I listen to certain songs before bed to help me relax. I'm a sucker for a good rock ballad. Here is my top ten rock ballads to relax to:

Long Long Way To Go - Def Leopard

Romeo & Juliet - Dire Straits

Jealous Guy - Roxy Music

For Your Love - Jessica Simpson

Love Bites - Def Leopard

Heaven - Bryan Adams

Always - Bon Jovi

Brothers In Arms - Dire Straits

I Want It All - Queen

Listen To Your Heart - Roxette

For Aiden songs don't work as well as sounds! Here are his top 10 sleep sounds:

Thunderstorm

Lightening Storm

Howling Wind

Heavy Rain

Portable Fan

Hairdryer

Vacuum

Dripping water

Ocean with Crashing Waves

Beach Noise

What are your favourite songs or sounds to help you to relax before bed?

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

Long Term Goal Check-In

Hi Everyone!

Can you believe it's June already? Now that we're half way through the year I thought it was only right that I review my Long Term Goals. I originally posted them in January, link here, so I want to re-evaluate them and possibly set some new challenges for myself.

My 2015 goals are as follows:

• Run 10 miles by April
• Lose 2 stone by my sisters wedding in September
• Do 8 hill walks/mountain climbs

Running

 

 

 

Up until now I have been very good with the running. The reason for this is that I had set myself goals and signed up for different events so I knew that I had no choice but to train. The details of the runs that I have participated in, to date, are below:

• 31^st Jan 5K Lees Road Ennis (Run Clare Series)
• 1^st March 5 mile Quilty (Run Clare Series)
• 21^st March 10K Newmarket on Fergus
• 12^th April 10K Ennis (Run Clare Series)
• 4^th April 10K Quin
• 12^th April 10 Mile Kilnaboy (Run Clare Series)
• 3^rd May Half Marathon Great Limerick Run

 

Its only when I look at the above I realise that I have not ran in a competitive race for over a month! I'm extremely disappointed in myself. I didn't quite get to run the full 10 miles, due to illness, but I still completed the race running 1-2 miles and walking 1/2 mile. The only way to push myself now is to sign up for some more runs. So the below is what I have now lined up:

1.  19thJune - Runway Night Run Shannon Airport
2. 27th June - Clare People 10K Ennis  
3. 24th June - Craggaunowen (Exclusive Run 5 K Series)
4. 8th July - Bunratty (Exclusive Run 5 K Series
5. 18th July - Run Killarney 10K
6. 26th July - Broadford 8k
7. 2nd August - Milford 4 mile
8. Dromcollogher 4 mile TBC
9. 25th October - Limerick Mini Marathon

That's enough to get me back on track, I hope! I really enjoy the buzz that I get from running and I hate when I slack off so now I'm going to pull up my socks and get back to where I need to be!

Hill Walks/Mountain Climbs

 

 

 

As I have mentioned before I have been bitten by the climbing bug so this year I am aiming to complete 8 walks/climbs. The below is what we had planned for the year:

• Croagh Patrick 
• Galteemore
• Moylussa Co Clare
• Mullaghmore in The Burren
• Gortnacluhy Loop Broadford/Ashford Co Limerick
• An Gleann Beag Loop Broadford/Ashford Co Limerick
• Carrauntoohill Co Kerry

 

 

Below is the list of what I have completed:

·         Croagh patrick

·         Mullaghmore in The Burren

·         An Gleann Beag Loop Broadford/Ashford Co Limerick (4 times)

So having looked at what I have completed I'm not too upset but again I really do need to pull up my socks and get out walking. Climbing/walking is a great form of exercise. Its so great to be out in the fresh air, in particular when the weather is so nice. I love getting out in the evenings after work or early on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Its even better to walk with a group or even just a few people.

 

Weight

 

 Now this is my real bug bearer! I have recently started a new job so I am working slightly longer hours so its been difficult to get back into my routine. I will admit that my eating habits have been shocking. It was Colin's first birthday party last weekend and I ate enough cake and crappy foods to last me a lifetime.  I haven't lost any more weight. I'm still weighing around 12 stone (I don't really go on the scales much because I'm partly afraid to!). Ideally I'd like to get down to 10 stone 9lbs. That's my target weight and I have until Friday 11th of September to do it. That's the day that I will be a bridesmaid for my lovely sisters wedding so I want to look well.  New Long Term Goals So my new goals are: 

• Get my weight down to 10 stone 9lbs by 11th of September 2015
• Complete all 8 runs listed above and at least another 2
• Complete the 4 hill climbs/walks listed above, that I have not yet completed and complete a further 2
• Complete a Mud Run (I've heard so much about these and I'd love to try a 5K one to see how I do!)

That's it! I have a lot of work to do but I've gotten my MoJo back and I have made a promise to myself to complete all of my Long Term Goals. I will do a regularly check in to keep you all updated. I'd love to hear all about our goals and aims and hopefully you can join me on a run or walk/climb.


 

 

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

 

Someone Left The Tap On........

Hi everyone

It's 11 at night and everything has been done for the following morning. Lunches are made, showers have been taken, dinners have been eaten, cups of tea have been drank, baby has been bathed, fed and is comfortably down for the night. Off to bed we go and all is well.

Since moving Colin to his own room we've been getting much more sleep albeit instead of waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning, he's now waking up any time from 5.30 onwards. This is fine because at least it's a couple more hours of precious sleepy and we're not constantly jumping up in the middle of the night to see if he's ok. The monitor is switched on and he is there by my side if I need to check on him.

5.20am Colin wakes, he's wide awake, crying and he's hungry. My lovely husband decides to go and give Colin his bottle before settling him back again until 7.30am. So naturally Aiden has to go into the kitchen to get the bottle and that's when I hear the shouting. It's not exactly the wake up call that I was hoping for.

The shouting continues and through semi sleep I can hear "The kitchen is soaked". I half wondered if I was dreaming but then he kept saying it so naturally I had to get up to investigate. I go downstairs only to see the most horrible sight to be greeted by at 5.30am. The kitchen is FLOODED beyond belief - Yes flooded Aghhhhhhhhhhhhh.

It turns out that somebody (not naming any names but it wasn't me and it wasn't Colin so I wonder who that leaves!!!!!!!!) left the tap partly on, with the stopper still in the sink. It was horrific. We live in a small cottage and we don't have a dishwasher so the dishes are all washed in the sink, so naturally we use the sink quite a lot but this has never happened before.

There was 2 inches of water that all needed to be cleaned at 5.30am.  Eventually Colin finished his bottle and started whinging so I went in to change him and in the process I decided to go back up to bed, once I had Colin settled again, and leave himself cleaning the disaster area (although he did tell me to go back to bed and he would keep cleaning). Half an hour later Aiden arrives back up saying that it was all done.

We then sat there giving out about the laminate floor that is in the kitchen. I've never liked it but it was in the house when we bought it and the plan was that we would eventually extend out little cottage so we couldn't justify spending money on a new floor before then, for vanity purposes. That's the long term plan anyway, however our "lovely" laminate is even more horrible than before. The corners hav all lifted and it looks even worse than before. We're now stuck with the decision of whether to pull it up or just leave it until next year, when we start the extension.

Anyway some time after 6 we went back to sleep, knowing that we'd have to get up again at 7.30, it almost wasn't worth going back to sleep! All is now somewhat well again. My husband heads off to work at 8 and I go have my shower and get Colin up and then the drama starts AGAIN!

I go into the cupboard to get a cup for my tea and a bowl for my cereal when I'm faced with the sight of bowls, cups and plates filled to the brim with water. Not only that but the cutlery drawer was as bad and of course the cupboard under the sink! Every single thing was waterlogged and swimming in water! My head was ready to explode at that stage as I began to unload everything on to the floor.

So here am I cleaning out all of the presses only to realise that if I didn't abandon everything thst I would be late for work. I still had to get myself and Colin ready. I had to rush out the door leaving the HUGE mess behind me. Why did I have to go into work today! It killed me knowing that all of the mess was waiting for me when I got home. What a day!

I got home after work and that ugly laminate floor looked disgusting, corners lifted and the sides had warped. It just looked so dirty even though ironically, it was covered in water all night so it should be clean but no it's horrible. The house looked like a bomb had just landed. It took me 3 hours to get it all back to some shape of normality.

All day long I just kept thinking that while I was sleeping soundly last night, that stupid tap was dripping dripping dripping all night long, turning our house into a disaster zone. 

I suppose it could be worse and I am actually laughing at it now but it's just the nuisance of it all! Oh please let me win the lotto so that we can finally get the house looking exactly as we want.

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

From a Baby to a Little Boy | My Baby is turning 1

Hi Everyone!

Time really does fly doesn’t it? When I was pregnant everyone would say to me that the time would fly and it wont be long until the baby grows up. I honestly got so sick of hearing it that I used to switched off when people would say it to me. Seriously though every single person was right and every so often I have to stop and appreciate the present. Working full time makes this hard because I feel like we are constantly trying to prepare ourselves for the following day/week/month. I find that we are so preoccupied with what stage Colin is at and wondering when will he reach the next milestone that we often don't fully appreciate the stage that he is currently in. We often hear ourselves saying I wonder when he will smile or crawl or walk etc. I'm sure I am not the first person to say so though!

I have been getting a small bit nostalgic (And emotional, if I'm honest!) in recent weeks because my precious baby is turning 1 in two weeks time. He's not my baby anymore, he's my little boy. He is such a busy little man and wants to be stuck into everything and to be watching everything that’s going on. I cant take my eyes off him for a second but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Its amazing how fast they develop their personality and traits. Colin is such a happy little boy and it makes me smile whenever anyone says it to me. He really only ever gives out when there is something wrong so I know that I am blessed.

(Courtesy of Zazzle)

In the past year its hard to believe that I have given birth to this wonderful child, that we have fed, clothed and reared him. It all feels like its happening a bit too fast. I often think that I would love to go back to when he was a little baby, only a few weeks old, and appreciate when he was at that age a little more but of course I don’t have a time machine!

(Courtesy of Esty) 

I'm feeling a little strange and I don’t know why exactly. This time last year I was eagerly awaiting the birth of my baby. The anticipation and nerves, for what lay ahead, were so real and scary. I remember being afraid to go anywhere too far just in case I went into labor. I packed and unpacked my hospital bag daily, for fear of forgetting something. I had the baby room all ready for the baby's arrival. I remember feeling, all through my pregnancy, that I was having a boy and so many others felt that I was having a girl. We didn’t want to find out the gender as we wanted the surprise. It must have been the motherly instinct in me that I was right about the gender because I'm definitely not psychic!

We've watched him learn to smile, laugh, crawl, take his first few steps, eat solids, feed himself and so many other things. He's learned how to do so much in such a short space of time and its a joy to watch. I love when he makes a new sound or discovers that he can do something new, like climb the furniture! He gets so excited and it really makes my heart melt. 

1 year on and I'm sitting at a computer desk thinking about what Colin is doing in creche at the moment. Its strange to think that the first year of his life has passed, pretty smoothly, and we will soon be entering into his second year of his life. Time really does fly. I'm sure most mothers have this feeling when their child reaches a new milestone birthday and that I'm no different. I just feel that I'm going to blink and my little boy will be 18 and heading off travelling or bringing a partner home for the first time or learning how to drive. I have a sense of happiness, at the thought of him growing into such a healthy happy boy, but I also feel overwhelmed because he is growing so fast and I feel that I have taken some of the past year for granted. I know these feelings are only natural and I will get over them

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow
Instagram: @deeglamglow
Facebook: www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

I know I'm home when.... | #IrishBlogCollab

Hi everyone!

This post is bittersweet because it is the last in the #IrishBlogCollab. It's been a busy but great 9 weeks. It's hard to believe that it has been so long, the time has just flown by!

This weeks post is "I know I'm home when.....". I spent 2 years in Australia and although I loved it , I missed home quite a lot. It’s the little things from home that matter! I've put together a list of things that let me know I was home from my travels:

Rain - When we flew into Shannon it was raining, typical, but at the same time it felt normal and it felt like it should be when you arrive home from a hotter country.

Family - That feeling of walking through the arrivals door and seeing my family and Aiden's family (Who I had never met before, so it was a little intimidating !) for the first time in well over a year. Its hard to describe but the feeling or warmth and love was just amazing.

Home Comforts - When we initially got back home to Ireland we both had to move back in with our parents until we got jobs etc but it was lovely because we were both so well looked after. I remember arriving home and my mother told me to go upstairs and get ready for dinner, which I did. When I arrived into my room Mam had a Kinder Easter Egg waiting for me on my bed (we got home in May and it was a late Easter that year so she bought and kept me the Egg for me arrival home!!!). Not only that but she had little presents for me like perfume and creams. More of the home comforts include: Having my own wardrobe back and not living out of my suitcase, being only a short distance away from friends and family, a good shower (This might seem like a strange one but my parents have a power shower that feels like a massage on your back and I missed it so much!!!)

Food - Regardless of what country you visit, the food is never the same as at home. Everyday my mother would have the most amazing dinner ready and I know that I often took it for granted but it was so good of her! The food at home is familiar and its something that I missed so much.

Irishisms - You often forget the saying that we Irish say on a daily basis and its often only when we go away that we appreciate it. Some of these include "Sure it'll be grand", "Lovely weather we're having, lets hope it lasts", "Wheres our summer gone" or "Whats the craic?".

Silage - This might seem like a strange one but I really knew that I was home when I would see tractor after tractor passing up and down the road from morning to night drawing their silage. It’s a real sign that its summer in Ireland and that I was no longer in Australia!

Friendliness - One thing that the Irish are great for is saying "Hello" to everyone regardless of whether you know them or not. It was nice to walk down the street and have random strangers saying hello!

Tea and Chocolate - There is no where else in the world with Barry's tea and Cadburys chocolate like those found in Ireland. My family would often send packages of tea and chocolate over to us in Australia and it was the best so coming home to an endless supply of tea and chocolate was great. I'm a bit of a teaaholic (If that's even a word!!!)

Before I say goodbye I'd like to mention a lovely lady, Catherine Gallagher. Well done on organizing such a great initiative. I'm very new to the blogging world and I felt that this would be good for both me and my blog but at times I was insure if I would be able for it all. I got through it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was delighted to be included so thanks and well done Catherine. 

 

You can follow the other members of the #IrishBlogCollab by checking out their blogs (Listed Below) or by searching the hashtag on Twitter.

Catherine of Breathing Silver Linings
Cat of Mentally Beautiful
Lara of The Love Song of Fashion
Maeve of Thrift O'Clock
Marie of The Beaut mum
Sharon of Behind Green Eyes
Zoe of I Believe In Romeo

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow