Swirling Wind.

It's wild out here in the west.  Trees are toppling like dominoes, it's bordering the ridiculous.  I did manage to get out on the road a few days last week in slightly stiller weather.  Nothing too strenuous - a leisurely 6 miler and a stroll of a four miler.  An then a gap while I took the cowards route of staying in curled up by the fire rather than getting out into the wilds. 

My vegetarian diet is still on track - as is the 24 pint plan.  So far I haven't had a pint at all, and I'm aiming to see January well gone before I even think of lifting Arthur's sweet tonic to my lips.  

We've been busy playing... 'drama' that is... Prior to the Christmas break I wrote and directed a comic 'panto' called 'Enda Lofa & Róisín Bán', and God knows we had some craic performing.  We took the play on the road this weekend to Gaoth Dobhair in beautiful Donegal, as our band 'Rís' were performing at the Cabaret.  Bhí an-time go deo againn, mar a bhíonn i gcónaí. 

Back to the 'running blog' side of things:  must do better, must not be a coward!

Going Veggie, Back Running, and Back to 24 Pint Plan!

Big Ron and I take a 'selfie' after the Park Run 5k

2014 has started with a ferocious bang.  Storms have lashed the west coast of Ireland - flooding the dock area in Galway, uprooting concrete promenades along Salthill, Spidéal and further west, and causing untold damage right around the country.  Doooomsday scenario!

Time for a change.

So, I'm going veggie for 2014:  no meat, poultry or fish!   

And, I'm going back to the 24 pint plan... that's right, circle the year on a tiny alcohol allowance of only 24 pints of Guinness!

On top of this I mean to get back running in a meaningful way.  To emphasise the point Big Ron and I left the house at 7.30am on Saturday morning to make the trip north to the beautiful town of Westport, where we participated in our first official race of the year, the Park Run 5k.  Just 5k I hear you ask?  Well, the small ones can be the toughest, especially when you are not, I repeat, NOT, fit.  I started off briskly, running at the low 7 min mile pace, but I died a death at the 3k mark and slowed considerably, coming in at 23.46mins, and nearly vomiting!  Big Ron was miles ahead in the low 20min mark.  Still, I have my barometer for the year and can only get better.

Delicious veggie burger I prepared on Friday night.

As for the veggie diet - why I hear you ask?  Well, I've always wondered about going vegetarian, for all the health and morality reasons, so this year I'm plunging straight in and so far enjoying it.  

Health and happiness to all in 2014.