As Cute As A Button

Hi Everyone!

 

Recently I was faced with a dilemma when my brother in law, and his wife to be, moved into their new home. I racked my brains and spent endless evenings trawling the internet and I just couldn’t come up with anything that I really liked. When I give a present I like to give something that I would like myself, I hope I am not the only one who thinks like that?! I love to give personalised gifts to family and friends, in particular when it is to mark a special occasion, like a wedding or milestone birthday or even for a housewarming. I sometimes find it difficult to find nice personalised gifts that don’t cost a fortune Facebook was my saviour by introducing me to “As Cute As A Button”.

 

About “As Cute As A Button”

 

Siobhan Maguire is the owner of As Cute As A Button and the company is based in Nurney in co Kildare. Siobhan hand makes personalised framed prints for every possible occasion including father day (Which I was disappointed about because it would have been a fab present for my husband, if I’d have found it in time!!), weddings, christenings, births, birthdays and so on. Siobhan’s own background is in New Product Development, Sales and Buying. She initially made a frame for her niece and soon after, was inundated with orders from friends and family. The business grew from there!

 

My “As Cute As A Button” Experience

 

A little while back I had liked the As Cute As A Button Facebook page and, as if by fate, they suddenly appeared in my newsfeed so naturally I clicked into their page. There were various different images uploaded to their page and I spent ages just looking at all of them. There was literally a frame for every possible occasion. I didn’t actually see one that was specific to a new home so I decided to email them and see if they could make something for me.

 

Siobhan emailed me back in less than 24 hours to let me know that she would make anything that I requested and to send on the details that I wanted included on the frame. I was hugely impressed with this because very often even though something is personalised, it is from a generic template. This was not the case with As Cute As A Button.

 

I put together all of the details that I wanted on the frame and sent it back to Siobhan, who said that she would email me a draft for proofing. I wasn’t waiting very long because the following day I received a copy of the draft. Once I had approved the frame details I was then informed of the delivery day and sent images of the completed frames! The delivery was made by courier 5 working days from the date of my draft approval.

 

For me the turnaround was brilliant. I was shocked at how fast the service was because this is a handmade personalised product. I have to say I have been recommending Siobhan and her company to everybody that I meet. It’s lovely to receive fantastic service, a fantastic product and to deal with a lovely person who is clearly passionate about what she does. Looking at the quality of the work it’s obvious that Siobhan puts her whole heart and soul into her job and her business.

 

Needless to say I will be purchasing from As Cute As A Button again! I ordered my frames via facebook private mail, however there is also a website. All of the contact details are below.

 

Contact Name: Siobhan Maguire

Phone Number: +353 86 793 3352

Website: http://ascuteasabutton.ie/

Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/ascuteasabuttonframedprints

 

 

Happy Shopping!

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

Run Killarney 10K

Hi Everyone!

 

 

“The Most Beautiful Road Race in the World” took place on Saturday 18^th of July in Killarney, Co Kerry. Orla and I both participated in the Run Killarney 10K. Originally we wanted to aim for the half marathon but we were not fully there yet with our training and were happy to participate in the 10K.

 

The Route

(Image thanks to Run Killarney)

 

The race started at 10.30am 100 yards from The Gleneagle Hotel.  Initially the 10K runners were asked to meet and wait in the small car park of the hotel, and we were then directed to walk the 100 yards to the start line together as a group. We ran out the Muckross Road, towards the Killarney National Park. We ran along this road for 3km before turning right into the National park. The ground at this stage of the race was uneven in parts but it was nothing that we couldn’t handle. The organisers made sure to warn all participants of the road condition within the National Park. Orla and I spoke afterwards about it and we both felt that it wasn’t as bad as we had though, which was a good thing!

 

The views in around the National Park were stunning. We ran at the foot of the mountains and the edges of the lakes and at the 6K mark we pass the absolutely stunning Muckross house. The Jaunting Cars were the only obstacle to contend with but we had been warned by the race organisers that they were to get right of way on the roads and that we were to run around them. I can’t say that I had any problem with them.

 

Once we exited the National Park we ran the last 2.5km to the finish where we had a huge welcome from the organisers and supporters. The finish line was located directly across the road from the Gleneagle Hotel. Once finished we were given a medal, t-shirt and hot meal voucher. There was also an opportunity to use a hot tub or get a massage.
 

 

My 10K

 

I started out the day thinking that the race start time was 10am so we ended up getting to Killarney in loads of time. We arrived as the first of the half and full marathon runners were finishing. They had started running at 8am that morning. I have nothing but the utmost admiration for these athletes. It’s such a massive achievement to finish any race but a race to the distance of 13 or 26 miles is just amazing and they should all be very proud of themselves.

 

As normal Orla and I said goodbye and good luck to each other at the start line and we set out at our own pace. I was aiming to finish in 1 hour and 5 mins. I didn’t feel as nervous as I normally do so initially I felt good! The weather was quite changeable on the day. It was wet and cold one minute and warm and sunny the next. There was a good breeze too, which helped as we neared the end of the race. Orla and I couldn’t decide whether to wear sleeveless tops or to cover up more to keep ourselves dry from the rain. I decided to wear a t-shirt and Orla wore a long sleeve running top. We were both wrong in our choice because the rain stayed away as we ran and it actually became quite warm.

 

I ran at my normal slow and steady pace, taking in the beautiful scenery. I won’t lie I ran for the first 5K, until the first water station, and then I walked for a little bit. I walked and ran off and on for the next 3K and I decided that I would run the final 2K. It's probably one of the first times that I can say that I’m not disappointed that I ended up walking. I really enjoyed the race and I’m delighted that I was able to participate. A fellow blogger and runner, John from  “19 St to 10K” once said to me that it doesn’t matter whether I walked, ran or crawled, the fact that I went out and finished the race is an achievement. My time was 1:10:10 and considering that I walked some of the race, I'm fairly happy.

 

It was probably the first race where I felt that my knees were tired, I never normally have that problem. We did a good warm up, running around the car park and stretching, beforehand, so I know that it wasn’t because of this. I also felt that my feet were tired ¾ of the way around the route. I know I sound like I am full of excuses but everyone has good days and bad days and even though I’m happy with how the race went, ultimately it wasn’t the best that I have done. I have loads of room for improvement now!
 

 

What's Up Next
 

 

If any of you follow my Facebook or Twitter pages (Links below) you will know that I have just started a new 6 week Running Conditioning Programme with Crème Dela Crème Fitness in Newcastlewest. I will be going to this class every Monday night for the next 6 weeks and I’m hoping that it will help to improve my overall fitness and stamina.

 

Race-wise my next scheduled run was due to be this coming Sunday, the 26^th of July. It’s a 10K in Broadford Co Limerick and unfortunately I cannot make it as it’s my sisters hen party in Cork so I won’t be back on time! The next race after that is the Milford 4 Mile Race in aid of the Shane Fitzgibbon Rehabilitation Fund, link here,on the 2^nd of August. This is for such a great cause and it’s local to me so I couldn’t not attend. It’s going to be a great way of seeing how my running is progressing.

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

 

 

Maureen Lavery Pink Angel Ball 2015

Hi everyone!

Hot on the heels of running the Shannon Airport Runway 5K (link here) we attended the 4th annual Maureen Lavery Pink Angel Ball.

The ball is in it's 4th year and I think I can speak for all those involved when I say that no one expected it to be as big a success as it had been.

Background

I thought it only right to ask for my sisters input here as Maureen was her best friend. Orla was also one of the main event organisers throughout the years although she did take a step back last year and more so this year.

I asked Orla to write something on the background of the ball and to give me some information on the charities that have benefited from the ball. Here is what she wrote:

"A group of friends got together to run an event called the Pink Angel Ball to remember the wonderful Maureen Lavery.  Maureen Lavery from Ennis passed away from cancer at the age of 27 in January 2012.  Maureen bravely battled cancer for 13 months before she passed away.  At all stages of her illness she carried herself with a strength and dignity of character.  She never let her illness get on top of her and always tried to look out for how it was affecting everyone else rather than how it was affecting herself.  Her strength knew no bounds.

Maureen was very spiritual and had a strong belief in angels.  While she was sick she felt that there was a Pink Angel watching over her and guiding her.  We hoped that by running the Pink Angel Ball we can honour her memory and also support the valuable work of our local cancer support services.  We started the Ball as a way of remembering our friend but as the 4th Pink Angel Ball has just finished we can see that it grew into so much more.  It was a way for anyone who has been touched by cancer to remember their loved ones and help raise funds for our local cancer support charities who do amazing untold work.

Maureen was a beautiful glamorous fun loving person and that is why we chose to remember her by running a glamorous event in her memory.  It is like a double edged sword for us all though as it is a fabulous event and it raises great funds but then it is also the type of event we would love to have shared with Maureen.  But we know that she is with us at the ball every year in spirit. It's about 3 and a half years on since her death now and it still doesn't get any easier but the task of organising the Ball helps to distract us for much of the year as the planning usually starts in January and we run numerous smaller events in the lead up to the main ball such as, a table quiz, a tea party, a coffee morning, bake sales, a soccer match, flag days, a pitch and putt event and many more.

This years 4th Pink Angel Ball was held in the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon.  The event was in aid of the vital cancer support services in our area provided by Cahercalla Hospice and Clare Cancer Centre, Slainte an Chlair in Kilnamona.  Since its inception the Pink Angel Fundraisers have raised approximately €43,000."

Thank you so much Orla for your input. It's clear to see why the ball means so much and why everyone has put in so much hard work and effort. Well done to all involved.

The Night Itself

My husband and I don't get out much, oh the joys of parenthood, so knowing that the ball was approaching was a great excuse for a night out. We couldn't make it last year as our son was only a week old and I was in bits, following his birth (that's another story that's way way to long and scary to tell!).

We got ourselves ready, left our beautiful man in the hands of his grandparents in Newmarket on Fergus and headed to meet the bus in The Temple Gate Hitel in Ennis. The bus was €10 return per person, bargain!!! There was a gang of us, including my sister Orla and her fiancé Darren. 

We arrived at The Falls Hotel, in Ennistymon, to a champagne reception. The guests mingled among the gardens, overlooking the falls. Shortly after arriving The Harley Boys made a grand entrance and entertained the crowd. This was followed by the release of balloons to remember those who have left this world.

The meal was a buffet style and was delicious. We had the choice of Turkey and ham and fish pie, including lots of salads and side dishes. Dessert was a medlay of strawberry cheesecake, strawberry meringue and strawberry ice cream (all pink, are you noticing the trend?!!!). Orla and I shared ours because the portions were huge!

We danced the night away to Cold Feet. We don't get out too much and we really enjoyed ourselves. As well as having a great night, we supported such worthy charities.

For us it was a great night and for the benefit of charities and yes for me, having known Maureen it was bittersweet but I can't imagine how her friends and family felt. I'm sure that it's a hugely positive but emotional night and I know that they, and Maureen too, are delighted with the amazing support that they receive each year.

Special Mentions

It goes without saying that everyone involved deserves a special mention because planning, orgnising and running an event of this size is no easy task. The task, of organising the ball this year, fell into the very capable hands of Michelle Barrett. Michelle worked so hard to bring the night together and she did a fantastic job. Well done Michelle, you should be very proud!

(Michelle with Maureen's mother Mairead)

Finally to the Lavery family as much as it breaks my heart to think of your beautiful daughter, sister, aunt and cousin, I know that she is so proud of you all and to see how much, in the last 3 1/2 years, you have all grown and done, she would be so proud. The fact that you wouldn't let her death be in vain is enough said. I can only speak for myself, but I'm sure others will agree, that she will never ever be forgotten and I have no doubt that you will not allow that either.

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

Mama Love

Being a mother is a new experience for me, there are a lot of firsts, new experiences and questions on an hourly basis! As hard and as tiring as it can be I am loving it and I feel that I have adapted to this change quite well, as has my husband, Aiden.

A short number of weeks after we got married I found out I was pregnant. To say I was shocked, in a good way, was an understatement. The excitement was unbelievable! I remember the night that I found out, the first thing I did was to go look up baby stuff on the internet! If we had planned on getting pregnant I don't think it would have happend so easily, luckily for us it worked out well having a "honeymoon baby"!

When I was pregnant people would always offer advice and the most common phrases that I heard, and got sick of hearing, were:
 "it'll be such a massive change"
"you're never be prepared for it"
"The time flies"
"They grow up so fast"
"Are you ready for 18 years of sleepless nights"

"Sleep when the baby sleeps"
I got so tired of hearing the same things over and over again but weirdly I now find myself saying those exact things to any pregnant women's that I meet. I'm a walking contradiction really!

It's true though, as much as I thought I was ready for the lack of sleep, I wasn't. All those trips to the bathroom, during the night, in no way prepared me for being up at stupid o'clock and only getting an hour of sleep here and there. I was very naive to think that I was ready for such a huge change in my life. And that old saying, "sleep when the baby sleeps", is great in theory but in practice it doesn't work, well for me it didn't!

Its so true that every pregnancy is different, as is every birthing experience. I had a very easy pregnancy but I cannot say the same for birthing experience! Most people would not have known I was pregnant until I was 6 months. I had little or no bump but once I hit the 6 months the bump just "popped"! Just before I gave birth I ended up looking like I was having twins! I hated when people would say "oh my god you are HUGE", needless to say I was very hormonal and got irritated at the littlest things!

Colin was a big baby, 9lbs 10oz and I had him by vacuum. I went I to the hospital early on a Friday morning but didn't give birth until Sunday morning, it also happened to be Fathers Day! There's no need to go into the details but lets just say that it was horrendous! I was in labour for 53 hours, enough said!

Thank god for pain relief! Looking back now I often smile a different things that happened in the hospital. One such example was: the midwives would constantly ask "on a scale on 1-10 how would you rate your pain"? Of course I would always say it was somewhere between 8-10 but how did I really know? I had never given birth, I had never even broken a bone or had stitches, so I had nothing to compare the pain against! To me that was always a silly question to a first time mom but I'm wiser to all that now and at the end of the day I know that the midwives were only doing their job.

I know a lot of mothers seem to breeze through the birth and recovery period afterward but for me it took 8 weeks before I could comfortably sit down without my C-shaped cushion! I had no interest in going out either, I was happy and content having a glass of wine at home. It sometimes felt to me that it was a competition between women as to who got back out the fastest. Taking my time suited me just fine, especially since I breastfed, which was exhausting.

It's funny because growing up I had at least 2 friends, we all know someone like them, who just wanted to get married and have children. Theyeven had their baby names picked out, I never felt like that. I felt that, when the time was right I would be ready. Yes it was an amazing shock when it finally did happen but I was ready!

With all that being said, I wouldn't change it for the world. Colin is a great little baby and brings so much joy on a daily basis. His smile is infectious. It's amazing how, without even knowing, one small tiny baby can bring a smile on even the dullest of days! Love is waking up knowing that his kisses and cuddles are waiting and the best part is that they are unlimited!

It's such a fantastic time for everyone involved and I wouldn't change any of it, even the horrible birthing experience! I'm off work today because my little man is sick and even so he is the best,most smiley, happy baby! He is a joy and I know and hope that all mothers feel the overwhelming feeling of love for their children that I feel for Colin!

My advise to any first time mothers is this:

- only do what you feel is right for you and your baby

- never listen to other peoples birthing story horrors

- don't worry about the labour and birth itself you will do it and you will be surrounded by professionals

- don't be a martyr, if you feel that you want pain relief then take it

- don't feel pressurized to breastfeed, if it's not right for you that's OK

- if breastfeeding doesn't work for you that's OK too, it works for some but not others

- rest up as much as possible before the birth, you will need all of your strength and energy

- don't be afraid to ask for help

- have a cry every so often, don't always try to be the rock, you are human too

- be proud of what you have done and what you are doing, never let anyone make you feel that you have do e something wrong

- take some "me time", even a relaxing bath will work wonders

- don't put too much pressure on yourself

- don't go crazy buying every gimmick, a baby only needs love, food, sleep and nappy changes, they don't know how expensive your equipment was

- go for walks before and after giving birth

- enjoy being a new mom, it's amazing!

Happy mothering!

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Run Clare Series 5K

Yesterday was the day of the start of the Run Clare Series , organised by the Eamon Moloney 10K. It began with Race 1, a 5K, in Lee's Road Complex Ennis. Ultra runner Keith Whyte was the official race starter (A fellow Clare person who recently won the 100k ultra Marathon in the Antartic).

The turnout was unreal. 700 people, including myself and my sister Orla, who had pre registered, and another 200 approx turned up on the day, although it felt like there was way way more. As a result of us pre registering, we recieved personalised numbers. We must keep these for the next 3 races.

All I can say is that I ran the full 5K NON- STOP!!!!!!! 

Now don't get me wrong I struggled, as I knew I would but i did it and the sense of self satisfaction is great. Since I started running I have had a problem with hitting my "wall" too early, usually around the 2K mark, and I find that I battle, mentally, with myself to keep going. Yesterday I wouldn't allow myself to be beaten and by the 4K marker I was ready to take a rest but I just thought to myself that I won't let the last kilometre beat me and thank god I didn't because I shed a tear when I saw the finish line (more so from relief) but I would have been like a blubbering fool if I'd have allowed myself to walk!

There was a lot of running up hill then back downhill and it continued like this for the first 2 1/2K and on the run up to the 3K marker there was a slow steady incline, which I though would kill me, but after this it was pretty much level ground, with a bit of downhill. Because I'm local to the area I knew the route, but I had never ran it, so I knew the land marks, which was a help in knowing how much farther I had to run.

Once we turned the corner for the last 1/2K I knew I could keep going so I pushed on. It wasn't until I heard an onlooker say "only 100 yards to the finish line.... Push, push, push" that I took off like the hammers of hell! Some poor Stewart had to jump of the footpath to make way for my "attempted" sprint, more like a dinosaur plodding down the street! I nearly collapsed at the finish line but thank god I didnt because how embarrassed would I be then?!

My official time was 34.51 seconds so I did it in just under my target of 35 minutes. I have a lot of improving to do but the fact that I did it in less that my "target" is great! I now need to focus all my energy on Race 2, the 5 mile in Quilty.

  My sister did it faster than I did so fair play to her but it would have been nice to keep pace with her. I have to give her credit though because she left me at the 4K marker and took off at an unreal pace! She has joined an Ennis based running club and they do a lot of interval training, which she feels has improved her stamina, so that's something I'm going to take on board.

I've been stalking Facebook like a crazy woman since last night looking for photos of us in the race! I did manage to fine some of us in the middle of the crowd, below, and some of my sister on her own but I did not come across any clear photos of myself. Now you might think that I'm being very vain but for me this is a huge personal achievement and, considering there were so many different photographers present on the day, I have not seen 1 clear photo of myself. It would be nice to be able to document it photographically.

My only reason for being so disappointed about the lack of photos is because, on a number of occasions, Orla said to me "smile, there is photographer just up ahead" and so, through my torture I smiled, hoping that I wouldn't look like a lunatic smiling through gritted teeth! At one stage, between the 3 and 4K marker we passed a photographer parked outside a house and there was nobody in front of us for about 5-10 yards so I know that he definitely got clear photos of us but as of yet I have been unsuccessful in finding these photographs! 

Overall I was on a high after the race but it's weird because I should have been feeling amazing in general but by the time I got home yesterday evening I was in a crapy mood! Don't ask me why, I think maybe it was such an anti climax after such a great day, maybe if we'd have went out for a couple of drinks it would have helped but with a 7 month old baby it's not as easy!

All in all I feel such a great sense of achievement and I'm even more motivated now to achieving my goal of running the 10 miles by April. In some state of madness we decided to sign up for the Great Limerick Run HALF MARATHON!! Are we crazy? Yes but at least it's a new goal to add to the list!!! Onwards and upwards! 

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Monday Motivation | A New Start to A New Me

Hi Everyone!

 

It's been way too long since I've checked in with my weight goals. Yes I did re-evaluate my Long Term Goals, link here but I didn’t go through my weight and measurements properly. To be honest the reason for this is that I have been too embarrassed! Deep down I know that I have been very bad with my food intake and as much as I've tried to convince myself that I have been doing well, I haven't been.

 

One of my Long Term Goals was to lose 2 stone by my sister's wedding in September and with her hen now only 2 weeks away I got a bit of a shock over the weekend. It didn’t help that as I planned on what clothes I would bring with me, half of them wouldn’t fit properly.  Its time now to really focus and to get my head back into right mind-set.

 

The Secret & My Mind

 

At one stage in my life I hit a huge low, I was in a terrible state, mentally, and even had to take time off work to get my head sorted. It's not something that I talk about often but I do feel that it's worth talking about. I had beat myself up emotionally and felt like I wasn’t entitled to achieve or to be successful. At this stage in my life I was introduced to The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I had never ever heard of the book and its philosophies. Some of you might think that I am mad but at I was at the point where I thought that I'd try anything to become happy again. I won't go into too much detail but the book talks about how positivity is much better than negativity but that a negative thought is twice as powerful as a positive one. It also says that you get back, from the universe, whatever you throw out there. If you feel that you are deserving of something and really believe so, then the universe will give you what you have been visualising.

 

I'll admit that I only managed to read half of the book because I had gotten what I needed from that much. I had made my vision board, which was hung inside my wardrobe so I would see it every morning and evening, and changed my way of thinking. I began to have more good days than bad days and within the space of 6 months my whole life had changed.  Everything and I mean EVERYTHING on my vision board had come to me! I'm not saying that its some revolutionary solution to improving mental health, what I'm saying is that for me it was definitely a help. It changed my mind-set, which for me is the worst obstacle. I can get very negative and feel like I don’t deserve anything or anybody. The book helped me to get rid of my constant negativity and to realise that I am deserving and not to constantly be so hard on myself.

(Todays Daily Teaching from The Secret App)

 

I now feel like I do need to read The Secret again and so I have promised myself that I will make my vision board and that I will project more positive than negative thoughts to the universe. I will now start to allow myself to feel like I deserve more enjoyment from life and not constantly worry that if I go out at the weekend we will be financially ruined (That sounds a bit dramatic but that’s how I've felt at times!). I'm going to try to project more positivity into my life and use the book as my mental motivation. If you think I'm crazy reading so much into this book that’s fine, I just want to share a small (Very small) bit of me and how I have used certain tools to change my thinking.

 

The Secret & My Weight Loss Goal

 

You are probably wondering why The Secret has anything to do with my weight loss? Well it has a lot to do with it and mainly because The Secret helps me to reset my mind and my way of thinking. I am now going to focus more on the mental side of my weight loss. It's quite easy to focus on the physical and I have done that through all of my running and climbing so now I need to focus my mind. I have no problem motivating myself to go for a run so I often wonder why I find it so hard to motivate myself to mentally change my focus from negative to positive. This is the first step for me and I hope that it will be what I need to get to where I want to be and of course to maintain a good balance.

 

Anybody that you speak to will always say that food and diet go hand in hand when trying to get fit and healthy and ultimately will lead to weight loss. I agree but I also think that we need to add our mentally to this. It very easy to go for a walk or a run or go to an exercise class and feel great afterwards, but if you hit a low during the week and reach for the chocolate (Which I do quite a lot!!!), what's going to stop you? Your mentally and will power of course. That’s why I think that the vision board is a great way of keeping you on track because it’s a constant reminder of where you want to be. It doesn’t have to be weight loss focused, as mine is at the moment, it can be anything in life. I'm not going to share my vision board publicly because I feel that it needs to be private to me but I will tell you that I have placed it near my bed so that I see it morning and night and I have also saved an image of it onto my phone, just in case I need the motivation during the day!

 

My Weight

 

This is the part that I hate! Here is my weight

 

Height: 5 ft 7"

Weight 12 stone 7 lbs

BMI: 27.3

 

Just look at that I am back up over half a stone since my last weigh in. I'm not very impressed with myself but I know that deep down I have not been focused so it's time to change all of that. It's very easy to fall back into bad habits and I have just proven that, looking at those measurements.

 

If anyone has read the book "Run Fat Bitch Run" the author , Ruth Field, always says that you should not worry about your diet when beginning to run, until you can comfortable ensure that you will stick to your training. I feel that I am now at that stage. I have no problem going for a walk, run or hike and I actually feel guilty when I don't go (Plus it's some well needed Me-Time), so I know that I am now ready to fully commit to a healthier lifestyle and work on improving my diet.

 

Step 1 (Starting a regular fitness routine): Completed but it will always be an ongoing task

Step 2 (Improving my diet to work with my exercise routine): Work in Progress

Step 3 (Maintaining my hard work): Constant ongoing task

 

I'd love to hear if any of you use different techniques to help with your focus? Please let me know. I'll keep a regular update on the blog and hopefully I'll have achieved my goals by the wedding in 9 weeks!

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

 

Exclusive Run 5K Series | Race 3 | Bunratty

Hi Everyone!

Wednesday night was the last race in the Exclusive Run 5K Series. The final race was in the beautiful surrounds of Bunratty in Co Clare. The race start time was once again 7.30 so I left work at 6pm and managed to get to Bunratty for 6.45. For once the traffic in Adare was fairly good! Orla met me in the car park and we began our usual routine of checking in, going to the toilet and warming up.

(www.bunratty.ie)

The evening itself was ideal. It was cooler than it had been but yet still warm and the humidity seemed to have disappeared, although not completely. These, for me, were ideal running conditions. This race attracted the biggest crowd of all 3 races. I think that is because Bunratty is so easily accessible from the motorway and it was a nice evening weather wise.

The Route

(Our View From The Start Line)

We started just outside the car park of the Bunratty Castle Folk Park, at the Durty Nelly's end. We then ran down past the Folk Park entrance and turned left into the Folk Park. For the next 1K we ran in a ring around the Folk Park, eventually coming back out the same gate and turning left. We ran straight up this road for another 2 km where we then turned around and ran back to the finish. 

The finish line was just across from the start line except we had to take a sharp left in order to run through the line. The organisers unfortunately had to change the route during the day and had not planned on having such a sharp turn at the finish.

My 5K

I had ran my local 4 mile road race in Dromcollogher 2 days before and if I'm honest my legs were a little tired. I felt it during my warm up but I felt like I needed to give the 5K my best shot, and that’s what I did.

Orla and I set out as usual, saying goodbye and good luck at the start line. She usually finishes 5 mins ahead of me so I would only be holding her up if I were to try to keep up with her! I'm generally happier running by myself with my headphones in. I often see people out running having full conversations. I am not that fit yet and find it really difficult to keep talking. My breathing goes all funny and I sound like I am about to fall down so I just find it easier to keep to myself and my headphones.

I found the race itself went well although I really didn’t think that I would beat my time from Craggaunowen but I ran another PB so I am extremely delighted. I ran the 5K in 31 mins 44 sec. Somehow I managed to shave a full minute off my time. Its such a great feeling knowing that I am starting to make progress with my running.

(Orla & I with event organisers Lorraine & Jason)

The race went well however I think the hardest part was possibly the first kilometre, running through the Folk Park. The ground was uneven in places so it's not ideal for running, even though the surrounds were beautiful. My ankles went twice, which doesn't normally happen to me, so I was glad to see the smooth even surface of the road for the other 4km. I don't want to take away from the race and the organisation that went into it because it really was another great road race. 

Unfortunately the route had to be altered that morning so I think the organisers did a fantastic job to still manage to produce a great race. Regardless of all this spirits were high among participants and spectators! 

Orla and I don't normally stay for the prize giving a but we did on Wednesday night. As much as I'd love for our names to be called out to receive a prize, they weren't but that's something for us both to aim for! Well done to all of the winners, event organisers and participants and thank you to the spectators for your support and encouragement, and to the many photographers for catching some great memories and moments!

Whats Up Next

Run Killarney is coming up on the 18th of July. Orla and I had decided to run the half marathon but we have since changed our minds and decided to run the 10K instead. We both just felt that our training wasn’t where it needed to be to run another half marathon. I'm happy to running the 10k and I'm hoping to improve my time. I'd love to run it in under 1:05:00 so that is what I am going to aim for!

 

Also just to let you all know registration has now opened for the Run Clare 2016, sign up fast because demand has already been huge! For more information and to register click here.

(Images thanks to Martin Molloy Photography and JDJ Photography)

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

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