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

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

Dromcollogher 4 Mile Road Race

Hi Everyone!

If you don't know already, I live in Dromcollogher in West Limerick and at the moment the town is hosting its annual festival. Every night of the week there has been a different event. Mondays event was the annual 4 Mile Road Race and of course I couldn't not take part.

The Dromcollogher Carnival has been in existence since the 1940's. Traditionally the race has taken place on a Monday night. It has a long history and dates back to the late 70's at which time there had been a running boom.

The course is relatively flat except for approx 1 mile (Between the 2.5 and 3.5 mile mark) where there is a slow steady incline. That was the toughest part of the course, that and the fact that the race was marked miles and not in kilometres. I always find it mentally easier to run in a kilometre race than a mile market race!

(Image Curtsey of munsterrunning.BlogSpot.com)

I registered for the race on my way home from work, just so that I wouldn't be panicking before the race. The race was due to start at 8 so I made sure that I was there for 7.30. It was probably one of the first times that I spent more time talking before the race than warming up, probably because it was my local race.

I have found, with this race, that the starting pace is so fast. I hate getting caught with the faster runners because after the first mile I'm ready to drop so I ensured that I started in the middle of the group and set out at my own pace. Another think that I notice about the Dromcollogher 4 Mile Race is that all the clubs from the area take part. There were members from Newcastlewest AS, Kilmallock AC, Mallow and lots more.

(Image Curtsey of munsterrunning.BlogSpot.com)

The race start was delayed by 15 mins due to the entry demand! As we waited the rain poured and luckily it stopped just before we set off and held off until we finished. I put my head phones in and happily set out on my way. I was hoping to run the 4 miles in 40 mins but I didn't quite manage it. I ran it in 42 mins and I'm happy enough with that. Once I got past the 1 mile stage my calf muscles began to feel tired and I knew that my lack of a warm up was to blame so I cant really be annoyed because its my own fault.

After that I started to get a little negative and I battled with myself until the 3 mile mark. I decided that I wasn't going to let my negativity win, instead I would battle on. I'm glad I did because I managed to catch and pass a number of runners that had past me quite early on. I don't know where I got the energy from but I was able to pick up the pace as I approached the square in Dromcollogher and it felt great. There was a huge crowd cheering us on all the way up the street past the finish line. it was amazing and so motivating.

I came home after the race and I felt great, like I had so much energy and like I could have ran the course again! I love that feeling and that is the reason that I enjoy running so much. I may not have ran the fastest race and I may not be the fittest runner but I ran the best that I could run and it felt great!

For once I didn't take any photos at the race. I probably spent too much time talking to everyone that I met! I will be running tomorrow night in Bunratty for the final Exclusive Run 5K Series. I hope to see you there!

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

Liebster Award Nomination

Hi everyone!

 

 

Wow wow wow this is my 5th Liebster Award Nomination and to say I'm flattered is an understatement! It's a great feeling to know that other bloggers recognise me and my little blog so for that I thank you!

 

Now before I begin I have to say a huge SORRY to two lovely ladies Eimear from Chirps From A Little Red Hen and Rachael from Rachs Boutique. Eimear actually nominated me back in March and Rachel nominated me in May and I've been very bold in not posting anything so Eimear and Rachel I'm sorry and thank you for the nomination!

 

Within the past few weeks I was nominated twice! I was firstly nominated by Marie from The Beaut Mum and then by Nicola from The Simply Homemade Mum. Thank you ladies.  

 

I have combined all 4 nominations and so here they are (here is the link to my first nomination):

 

Nomination From: Nicola from The Simply Homemade Mum
 

1. What is your favourite time of year and why?

 

I love Autumn time. Possibly half the reason is because my birthday is in late September and I have always found that the weather is still nice. The colouring of the trees and nature in general is just beautiful at Autumn time.

 

2.What do you enjoy most about blogging?
 

I love the freedom of blogging. I love that I can blog about something that I am interested in and I am not confined to certain topics. I also find that blogging, for me anyway, is a great opportunity to get some much needed "Me-Time", which I don't get all too often. The blogging community is so welcoming also so that's a huge comfort to a relatively new blogger like myself.

 

3. Where is your favourite place to be?

I love Sydney in Australia because it has such fond memories for me. Its where I spend 2 years of my life and met m husband. Its one of the loveliest cities and I always get nostalgic seeing photos or TV programmes where it has been featured. Nowadays though home is the best place in the world, spend with my son and husband. We live in the country and have a huge garden with the River Deel flowing at the back of the house. Its just fab to be out in the garden enjoying life.

 

4. Who or what inspires you the most?

What inspires me the most isn't any one thing or person. I love to read stories of people reaching their goals, maybe a weight loss goal, a running goal or a lifestyle goal. I always find it so inspiring reading about people who have faced unbelievable tragedies, hardships or accidents in their lives but have managed to stay positive and strong and reach out to help others.

 

5. Who would you choose to play you in a movie of your life?

I don't have a favourite actress and so this question has really stuck me! Maybe Reese Witherspoon or Jennifer Anniston. I think they are both such versatile actresses.

 

6. What character trait do you admire most in a person?

I like realness in a person. I hate when someone is fake and is nice to your face but you know that the second you walk away that they are already talking about you. Someone who is real and honest is the type of person that I admire and look up to.

 

 

7.What advice would you give your 16 year old self?
 

Think about the consequences of your decisions but also not to let a bad decision hang like a weight on your shoulders. I would also tell my 16 year old self to travel, enjoy life, never stop educating yourself and don't live with any regrets.

 

8. How did you come up with your blog name?
 

A lot of brainstorming! I wanted to use my name is some way so that's where the Dee came from in Dee-Termined. I originally started the blog as a form of motivation so that's where the Glam and Glow came from because that is a goal, to be glowing with health which ultimately leads to being glam! Its probably cheesy but it works for me!

 

9. What is your guilty pleasure?
 

Reality TV, plain and simple. I love nothing more than sitting down with a glass of wine and watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills or a similar type show. I don't have to concentrate too hard when watching these shows so I tend to unwind, which is always a help.

 

10. What is your favourite social media platform and why?
 

Probably Facebook and that's only because I use it the most. I have gotten into Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram lately but at the moment Facebook is my number 1.

 

11. What song triggers a happy memory for you?
 

It has to be Boys of Summer by Don Henley. I always go off into a trance when I hear that song because it reminds me of my time travelling the coast in Australia. Its just such a feel good song!

 

 

Nomination From: Marie from The Beaut Mum

 

1. If you could spend a week on a desert island with one celebrity who would it be and why? 

 

Now this is a hard question! I would say James Corden, the comedian, because he is jut so witty and hilarious. I'd say he's just have a laugh all day long.

 

2. Name one thing you have always wanted to do but never did?

 

I have always wanted to see South America to see Machu Picchu and climb the Inca Trail. to see the statue of Jesus Christ The Redeemer overlooking Rio de Janeiro. I know that I'm not too old to do it yet but financially I know its not possible at the moment. Maybe when I win the Euromillions I'll be able to travel the world.

 

3. What’s your favourite flower? 

 

I don't have one but I love the smell of lavender. I had bouquets of dried lavender for my bridesmaids when I got married. We tied them with a simple white ribbon and they looked fab. I still have 2 of them, 2 years on and they smell as good as the day that we bought them.

 

4. Name your favourite love song?

 

My wedding song of course: You Couldn't Have Come at A Better Time by Luka Bloom. Its not a typical love song but I just love it! I also adore Your Still The One by Orleans

 

5. If your home went on fire and you could only grab one thing what would it be and why?

 

Knowing that my son and husband I would grab my lip balm because I am addicted to it and couldn't survive without it!

 

6. What is the best book you have ever read? I love the Ross O'Carroll Kelly books so any one of his is a recommendation from me. The are the funniest reads ever. I took one of the books on honeymoon with me, to read by the pool, and my husband kept telling everyone that there was 3 of us on honeymoon!

 

7. Would you age gracefully or get Botox, fillers etc.

 

Honestly I'd be too worried that I'd look like a freak with botox or fillers so I think I'll age gracefully.

 

8. What do you do to relax?

 

 I like to curl up in front of the TV with a nice cup of tea or glass of wine and watch a good film or documentary.

 

9. What was your favourite holiday to date and why?

 

My honeymoon! We went to Cancun in Mexico and it was total luxury. We totally splashed out for out honeymoon and loved every second of it. I'd love to go back again because its so beautiful.

 

10. Did you enjoy school and who was your favourite teacher?

 

Not really. School for me was something that I had to do. I was quite bright in school but I found that because I wasn't the loudest or the teachers pet that I'd often get forgotten by teachers so I cant say that I had a favourite teacher. Its only since I reached adulthood that I really enjoy learning and educating myself. If I could get paid to learn then that would be my ideal job!

 

11. If you could only ever wear jeans or dresses for the rest of time which would you choose?

 

Dresses probably because I love to wear dresses!

Nomination From: Rachael from Rachs Beautique

 

1. Tell us something we don't already know about you?

When I was 2 I fell into the fire. Luckily I didn't get burned but I can still remember it to this day.

 

2. What is your biggest fear?

Lately I keep having dreams that I've left my son in the car and forgotten about him so I suppose that is a huge fear.

 

3. What’s your favourite hobby (aside from blogging!) 
 

  I love to get outdoors for a walk or run and also within the last year I have started to hill climb/walk and I just love it. It's such a great feeling afterwards. It's great for the mind.

 

4.  Where would you like to be in 5 years time?
 

Ideally I'd love for my blog to be successful and to be able to concentrate more of my time on it. In 5 years time I definitely want to have another baby or two! I'd also love for the extension to be fully completed in our house. I suppose one obvious thing is that in 5 years I'd love if we were financially comfortable enough to be able to take proper holidays and enjoy life as much as possible.

5. What are your favourite sweets?

No question about it - Tesco Midget Gems. They are a bargain at 79c!

6. Top three television programmes?

Home and Away
Orange Is The New Black
Wentworth Prison

7. Who is your inspiration?
 

I can't say that any one person is my inspiration. My granny is someone who is love to be like. She's 87 and is so sharp. Her knowledge and wisdom is admirable.

8. What was your favorite place that you have visited?
 

I know I talk about Australia a lot and as much as I love it, my favourite place is probably the coast of Co Clare. I just love driving along the Atlantic Coast and walking the endless beaches or sitting in the grass on the Cliffs of Moher over looking the Atlantic

9. Have you been somewhere that turned out to be completely different to what you imagined?
 

When I went to Australia initially I expected beautiful sunny days 24/7 but that wasn't the case because I soon found out that they had a winter too, with rain and wind! I wouldn't say though, that it disappointed me because I lived my time in Australia.

10. What's the most delicious meal you have ever eaten? And where were you?
 

Now this is a hard one to decide on! I will always remember Mulligans Restaurant in Sydney. Their boxty pancakes were to die for! Unfortunately it is now closed as the owners retired. My mothers Christmas dinners are always worth a mention too! Yummy!

11. What do you want to do with your blog?
 

I love having my blog as something for me. It's mine and I'm my own boss with it so I'd like for it to stay that way but I would love for it to be a success in some way. That could be through inspiring one person or thousands of people. I think I would also like to work with a health or fitness brand and really drive on the healthy lifestyle side of my blog!

 

 

 

Nomination From: Eimear from Chirps from a Little Red Hen

 

1. What inspired you to blog?

 

I initially started my blog as a form of motivation to lead a healthy lifestyle and lose weight. I then found that I enjoyed it so much that I started writing more and more and about various topics.

2. What do you enjoy about blogging?
 

I love the freedom of blogging, I can write what I want and when I want.  I'm not really the type of person who can handle confrontation, I tend to get flustered when I'm put on the spot so blogging lets me express what I want to, in my own time! Blogging allows me to get some "Me-Time"  and its something that I do for me.

3. What's a recent post you've read that's stood out to you?
 

It was by I Believe In Romeo - who Can "You Talk To | I'm Not Ok" she has suffered tremendously with mental health and is not afraid to speak about it. I love reading her posts but this in particular has stuck in my head.

4. If you could rule a country, which one would it be and why?
 

Dreamland because I'm fretting really weird, freaky dreams lately! As a rule I'd make sure that dreams didn't freak people out!

5. What is your guilt free go to treat?

I don't really have one in particular but I do like Humus with carrot sticks and also I make homemade granola with natural yoghurt.

6. If you were an animal what would you be and why?
 

A horse because they are such beautiful, elegant and strong animals.

7. Have you any funny / quirky traits?

I hate saying this in public but anyone that know me knows that I pull at my hair constantly, especially when I'm anxious or nervous. I'd often be sitting down and realise that I'd pulled strands of hair with out even realising. Apparently I'm not alone in this and that its fairly common!
 

8. What's your morning fix to start your day?

A cup of tea with only a teeny tiny drop of milk and some wheatbix. Yummy!
 

9. Whats your favorite season? And why?

I love Autumn time. Possibly half the reason is because my birthday is in late September and I have always found that the weather is still nice. The colouring of the trees and nature in general is just beautiful at Autumn time.
 

10. How do you think they put the figs into the fig rolls?

That's what Santa's elves do during their off season isn't it? I'm sure that they would never divulge their secret as to how its actually done though!

 

 

 

Now my turn to nominate some blogs! My nominees are:

Rachael from Rachs Beautique
Annie from Make My Day

Tara from Tara Ryan's Persinal Blog

And Any other Blogger who has not already been nominated. (Its hard to name 11 blogs!!)

 

 

 

The rules of the Liebster Award are as follows:

 

• Thank the person who nominated you, and post a link to their blog on your blog.
• Display the award on your blog — by including it in your post and/or displaying it using a “widget” or a “gadget”. (Note that the best way to do this is to save the image to your own computer and then upload it to your blog post.)
• Answer 11 questions about yourself, which will be provided to you by the person who nominated you.
• Nominate 5 – 11 blogs that you feel deserve the award, who have less than 200 followers.
• Create a new list of questions for the blogger to answer.
• List these rules in your post. Once you have written and published it, you then have to:
• Inform the people/blogs that you nominated that they have been nominated for the Liebster award and provide a link for them to your post so that they can learn about it (they might not have ever heard of it!)

Here are my Questions:

1. What is your favourite film?
2. What is the first thing that you would do if you won the lotto?
3. Name one person throughout history that you would like to meet and why?
4. What do you like to do to unwind and relax?
5. What's one thing that you are really good at?
6. What is your favourite Beauty Product?
7. What is your favourite quote?
8. If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be and why?
9. Name the worst place that you have ever been and why?
10. What is your favourite item of clothing?
11. What inspires you to write your blog posts?

 

 

Before I finish I have to thank Eimear from Chirps From A Little Red Hen, Rachael from Rachs Beautique, Marie from The Beaut Mum and Nicola from The Simply Homemade Mum. Thank you again ladies for nominating my blog!

 

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow

Instagram: @deeglamglow

Facebook:www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

 

The Clare 10k

Hi everyone!

I haven't ran a longer distance race since the BHGreat Limerick Run Half Marathon, and so after re-evaluating my Long Term Goals, I felt that it was important to start refocusing on my running. With that being said I signed myself us for The Clare 10K, which took place in Ennis last Saturday morning at 10am.

The Route

The run started from the Lees Road Sports Complex, heading back into the town. We ran in a loop, eventually making our way back up the avenue into Lees Road Sports Complex. This was very much an urban run with the route mainly brining us through the town. 

The route in general was fairly flat. There was the odd hill to contend with but nothing that you wouldn't be able to manage. That was not the case for the first and last km however. These 2 kms were ran along the avenue of Lees Road Sports Complex and I'd be lying if I said that it wasn't tough. The hills into and out of the sports complex are very tough. I would be surprised if anyone found, that part of the race, easy.

I have to say well done to the organisers, they had Stewarts and officials at every possible corner, gap and turn.

My 10K

 

As I mentioned above, I had not ran in a longer distance race (Well longer distance for me anyway!) since the Great Limerick Run so I was very nervous during the week leading up to the 10k. It didn’t help that my partener in crime, my lovely sister Orla, was not going to be able to run. I was flying solo for the first time!

 

My little man had been quite sick on Friday and so we were up most of the night but he was much better the following morning so I decided to make the trip to Ennis, with my mother minding Colin, to take part, for my first time, in The Clare 10K. As luck would have it, my two fab friends Mary and Christina pulled into the car park within minutes of our arrival so that immediately gave me some comfort. I warmed up with the girls and got myself ready and was looking forward to running but I was also very nervous and so tired, from being up all night. The race began just after 10am and it was dry and warm but very humid.

 

I always have the same mental battles when I am out running and this was no different. In my mind I kept thinking "Sure I'll run 5K and I'll walk after that". I argued with myself the whole way round as to whether I should walk or not and it was actually quite distracting because before I knew it I was nearing the 7k mark and there was no way I was going to let 3k beat me!

 

I did feel exhausted by the time I reached the 8k and realistically it was at that point that I would have began to walk, had I not heard the loudspeak in the Lee's Road Sports Complex. Once I heard that I realised just how close I was to finishing. Because the course was in a loop it made sense that I could hear the music and all the crowd.

 

My time was 1:11:34 which is my slowest 10k so far. Surprisingly though I'm not overly upset with it though. The first and last kilometre were so tough that I know I lost time there. The hills were like torture, in particular on the way back up the avenue, towards the finish line. In fairness to those luck runners, who had already finished and were on the way home, they cheered us on as we struggled. Those few words of encouragement are so motivating. 

The onlookers all the way around the course were great. They cheered and clapped and some kids even held up banners wishing us well. As great as all of that was, the best part for me was seeing my mother holding Colin at the finish line as I crossed, it was magic! 

 

Next Up?

I have nothing lined up for this week, apart from my regular running training but next week, on Monday 6th July I will be participating in my local race the Dromcollogher 4 mile race. Following on from that, on Wednesday 8th July, I will be running in Race 3 of The Exclusive Run 5K Series in the beautiful surrounds of Bunratty Co Clare. See you all there!

 

RUN CLARE 2016

I am delighted to let you know that the Run Clare Series will be back for 2016! Registration is now open, enter here. If you register for all 4 races before October 31st it will cost €50 and €65 thereafter. Again this year the first 300 people will receive personalised numbers! Throughout the 4 races from 5k to 10 miles participants will be receive gifts including T shirts, medals and mugs!.After successfully completing all 4 races in the Run Clare 2016 Series, you will receive a specially designed finishers gift to commemorate your experience.

 

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

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