10.10.10

Apologies for this being way overdue, I actually wrote it right after 10/10 but forgot to post it... anyways:

So 10/10 rolled around and overnight I got a year older. Ridiculous how that works, but none-the-less it was written and said to be the big 10/10/10 all around the world (here they do day/month/year). Anyways now begins the unfortunate month when Brayden absolutely relishes in being “2 years younger” than me. He will go out of his way to mention our ages as many times as possible before his birthday next month. Anyways this year was quite special being a once in a lifetime birthday. Since 10/10 was on a Sunday I took the liberty of having a “birth-weekend” instead of a “birthday” which is fair really.

Friday night we stayed in and watched that comedy ‘Date Night’ which was pretty funny. Saturday was a beautiful and sunny day and started with my track club workout in the park. Though really tough, a great way to start the day! Afterwards Brayden and Glenn (our new roommate and Bs long lost twin/best friend separated a birth - probly deserved a post but short story he's from western MA, went to Amherst, really nice and awesome etc) made a big brunch for us, it was grand. Then we did some errands, relaxed, they had practice, I watched my favorite new show ‘The X-Factor’ (yes I gladly admit that) and then the celebrating began! Our good Irish friend Tina came over so it was an intimate group of the 4 of us celebrating. This was perfect for me because I really really hate making a big deal over my birthday. We had a lovely night out on the town in Dublin as. (Don't ask why the guys have their shirts off, it has something to do with this Jersey Shore clip, I've accepted this is what I have to live with).



Sunday, the actual 10.10.10 was another beautiful day! And after another great homemade brunch the 4 of us went to this nice fishing village on a cliffy peninsula called Howth, north of Dublin. It was very lovely. We walked around and got some fish. It was grand. Then later Brayden took me out to dinner and we watched the X-Factor results show. Now that’s what I call a grand birthday!

Our Home-Gym & the Donore Harriers

If we haven’t already mentioned it, Ireland is really expensive. Shockingly expensive. For example it is the 2nd most expensive country in the EU for groceries (behind the Danes). One of my first serious awakenings to this sad fact was my attempt to join a gym. Shortly after arriving in August I began looking, surveying, touring and trying all the gyms in our area. To my dismay, the Irish have a different take on fitness, and there was really only one decent gym close enough for me to run to. 100€ joining fee + 79€ per month ($141 + $111/month). At home, I pay $30/month for a gym 3 times as large. I understand that it’s a different culture etc, however I could not live with myself paying that! And if anyone would get their money’s worth at a gym it’d be me. Anyways, this led to the birth of our very own home gym!

Luckily, we have this large area of our apartment that is just awkwardly large with no functionality or purpose... until now! As you can see we have state of the art equipment... hehe. Braydens coach, Dave, donated a weight bench and dumbbells, I got an exercise bike, mat, and ball, and there we go! I think by Irish standards we could probably charge at least 20€ a month entry, but I prefer having it be our ‘private’ gym.

Of course this gym is only a supplement to my running workouts, which are now getting pretty intense with my new club, the Donore Harriers. I was running in the park one day back in August when I clearly saw a track club doing a workout on a big beautiful grass track. I went back the same time the following week and the coach (who is the nicest/funniest little old Irish runner-guy ever) invited me to join. Since then I’ve been doing their track workouts on Tuesday, long run on Thursday, and hill workout on Saturdays. I joined the club to stay in shape and meet people, but go figure this club is serious about racing! Despite my strong desire to not race, I’ve gotten roped in! Two weeks ago we had our 1st race, my 1st XC race of my life... a 3K. I did pretty well, 4th out of 60+ girls and 1st for my club. But, unfortunately this means they want me to keep racing... ug! Apparently there is a lack of exciting news in Dublin and I even made the sports section of the paper! Hehehe.