Rome
Our friends wedding brought us on a week’s holiday to Italy, taking in three days in Rome and 6 days in Sorrento. I’d never been to Rome before and so was very exciting to see yet again another new country.
We left Dublin Saturday October 2nd in torrential rain and arrived in Ciampino airpot to clear blue skies and temperatures in the high 20′s, a perfect start. It was great when we got to Rome and were checking into our respective hotels to say we’d meet each other at the Trevi fountain. After our first of many pizzas we started our stroll around by throwing coins into the fountain to ensure our return to Rome. The Patheon next up, have to say the dome was most impressive. Next on our own walking tour was the Pizza novona where a protest was taking place. Read the rest of this entry »
The Wedding Fair
So the main thing this year is planning our wedding for next August. To date we have booked the venue, Star of the Sea church in Quilty and on to the Armada Hotel in Spainsh Point. Also booked is the photographer, Mary Brown, the band ,The Guests and they major purches of the wedding dress has been made.
So two weeks two of my brides maids and I attended a wedding fair in City West hotel, the Wedding Journal fair. I’ve been to a wedding fair before so I was prepared for the cake testing and fashion shows etc. The two girls, Clodagh and Sharon, however were boucning with excitment wth the site of all the classic cars, wedding dress, cakes go lor and endless amounts of diamound rings to gaze at.
We had a great time walking around commenting on everything we liked and didn’t like and tasting every cake we could get our hand on. Bonus of the day was sorting out the grooms and groomsmen suits with a nice discount, happy days.
Next step, sort out the dresses for the girls.
Graduation from New to Tri
Date: Friday May 13th
Weather: Über windy, hailstones that could take an eye out and rain to add to the mix
Plan for the day: Work, couch. Yep managed that one ok
Mood: A little nervous, but more chilled out than anything as this was an evening off to ‘prep’ for the big day
Date: Saturday May 14th
Weather: Little less wind, no hailstones, but raining
Plan for the day: Sleep, trip to Homebase, pack tri bag, registry for Fingal, check tri bag, rugby match, Eurovision, re-check tri bag, bed
Mood: Morning started fine, as I slept for most of it!!!! 
Afternoon ok-ish as we registered in NAC, checked out the pool and the bike
route. Wasn’t the happiest with the wind and four roundabouts (note to self, bring Garda escort on next bike session).
Evening…….Munster match to remind me how unfit I am…Eurovision to distract myself and everyone from the fact I couldn’t eat a thing. In fairness, I love wearing the aul lipstick, and the Jedward dudes did distract for the sum total of 2 minutes. Read the rest of this entry »
New to Tri week 8
So after a great Easter week of cycling and running and no work it was back to reality this week as I started a new job. The nerves were at me way too much to be planning midweek sessions. ButTadhg and Elena had arranged a session in Phoenix Park for us newbies. This session was all about transitions. Well, to say I looked like some state is an understatement.
In preparation, Tadhg had sent us a listof items to bring, some things are now on my shopping list as I still don’t have them and others needed explaining, e.g. talcum powder. Read the rest of this entry »
New to Tri week 7
Last weekend, after some hen party celebrations, I made my way to Limerick to check out the European Duathlon. I missed watching the open race on the Sunday but managed to see all of the Elite men’s race. It was great seeing these world class athletes in action in my home town. I had my camera at the ready to try and catch the action. But to be honest I wasn’t quite expecting the speeds at which they were running!!! Nearly missed a lot of shots Watching them mount their bikes made my mouth drop as they made it look so easy. Read the rest of this entry »
New to Tri week 6
So week 6 is upon us and in good news, I think I’ve completely fallen in love with my bike. It’s still in the kitchen and I stare at it while eating all meals, which is proving difficult for conversation flow Last Sunday I joined the beginners group leaving from WW for a 2 hour spin. This was to be my longest time and distance on the bike. But sure we have to jump sometime. Before getting started, and about 3 mins out Tadhg had to change two tubes 
We all stood and didn’t even watch him to see what he was doing. Bad I know. So us
girls defo need to do something about that. Read the rest of this entry »
New to Tri week 5
I feel like this week hasn’t been the best. I made plans to cycle before hitting the road last weekend and to swim in Limerick on Sunday morning. The cycle ended up being cut short to 11km as the wind was wiping me out into the middle of the road. I wasn’t feeling very safe and it was really hard work, when you’ve to peddle downhill you know it’s windy. Read the rest of this entry »
New to Tri week 4
Wow so time is flying by and our first triathlon with the beginners group is creeping up fast. We have about seven weeks left and so it was high time I figured out how I was doing on the bike, especially seeing as I haven’t been cycling with the club yet. The club had arranged bike time trials in Phoenix Park on Sunday morning. Although internally I was moaning at how early we were meeting, 7:30, it was a great time as the park was nice and quiet.
New to Tri week 3
So with Paddy’s weekend being a really long weekend, I had the best intentions in making it an active workout weekend. It started
with a cycle on Paddy’s Day, nothing major as I’m still getting used to the bike and never last as long out on my own as I do with someone else. So the morning started well with a 10km cycle under the belt.
Read the rest of this entry »
New to Tri week 2
The following New to Tri series were posted to my triathlon clubs website , Piranha during 2011
Last weekend started out well with a 20km easy cycle with my cousin. It was my first long spin on the bike so Sharon kept the distance we had done quiet until we got back.
On the cycle, I got an introduction to the hand signals used when cycling in groups. My first mistake was thinking that a hand low to the right meant to go to the right; there’s a hole on the left. But I learnt the hard way I had gotten that one backwards as I hit a nice big hole. No
damage done.
Read the rest of this entry »