Blackrock Athletic Club Award Ceremony

Hi Everyone!

As some of you might know I joined an athletic club in Blackrock, Co. Dublin.  Training is twice a week every week and it takes place in a park close to where I live.  I run with many other women of all ages from 22 to 68.  Every year when the Flora Mini Marathon takes place in Dublin the club holds a race within a race.  This means that when you run in the mini marathon you are also racing again others in your club.  Last night there was an award ceremony honoring all those who placed in the mini marathon for the club.  I did not realize it at the time, but I placed third overall for my division which was the Senior Athletes division.  Last night I was shocked to find out I not only placed, but that I also received an award.  How cool is that?!?!

Isn't the trophy awesome looking?

Paddy and Amanda.  Paddy is one of my coaches.





Galway Women's Mini Marathon



Hiya!
This past weekend I ran in the Galway Women's Mini Marathon in Galway, Ireland.  I finished 159 out of 988 runners that completed the race.  The course was along the Galway Bay and the scenery was absolutely lovely. 

It did not rain, but it was very very windy and the sky was overcast for most of the race.  Overall though, it was a great day!

Andrea and Amanda (After the race)

Love Always,

Amanda

Killiney Hill Hike



Hiya!

This weekend I went on a hike to the top of Killiney Hill with friends.  And can you believe.....it was actually sunny!!  It was a great day for a hike and a picnic!



According to Wikipedia......"Killiney Hill is the southernmost of the two hills which form the southern boundary of Dublin Bay (the other being Dalkey Hill). Crowned by an obelisk, the hill is 153 metres high and offers beautiful views over the surrounding areas : Dublin to the northwest; the Irish Sea and the mountains of Wales (on a clear day) to the east and southeast; and Bray Head and the Wicklow Mountains to the south.

Killiney Hill stands in the former townland of Mount Mapas, or Scalpwilliam, first mentioned under that name in the beginning of the 17th century. Former residents included Captain Edward Maunsell, who served as High Sheriff of the County Dublin in 1755, followed by Colonel the Hon. Henry Loftus, MP for Bannow, County Wexford. Loftus planted the hill and built nearby roads. In 1790 Lord Clonmell lived here and constructed a park which he filled with deer.

Killiney Hill and Dalkey Hill are both part of Killiney Hill Park, a small public park overlooking the villages of Dalkey to the north and Killiney to the west. In 1887 it was dedicated to public use by Prince Albert Victor of Wales, in memory of Queen Victoria's Jubilee, and called Victoria Hill. The park is crossed by various walking tracks, and with its spectacular views in all directions, is a popular destination for walkers and hikers from the surrounding areas."

Love Always,
Amanda



Flora Mini Marathon - 10k

Hello Hello!

Today I ran in the Flora Mini Marathon in Dublin, Ireland.  It is an all women's race and is the largest in the world with over 40,000 women participating yearly.  Men are not allowed to run.....unless....they dress up as women.  Boy did I see some sights today!  :-)  The greatest thing about this race is that it was all for charity.  I lost count of the number of charities represented, there were just so many.  The race is always held on the June Bank holiday, which is today, and the route takes the runners/walkers throughout Dublin's city centre.

My "before" picture!

The race started at 3:00pm in the city centre of Dublin.  There were four categories, elite runners and runners, fast joggers, slow joggers, and walkers.  Since I had participated in a previous 10k race and had a good time, I was able to run in the runner category.  Now, you may not think this is a big deal, but it really is.  Once I arrived in the city centre, I was directed to a certain area.  Every category was kept separate from the other categories.  This was to avoid injury at the starting line.  Runners were at the very front.     :-)  The atmosphere was amazing with music blasting and so many people around.  At every kilometer of the race there was a live band performing and the streets of the city were lined with people cheering you on.  The best part was the 7 km mark.  It was right in front of a fire department and the firemen were spraying the runners with the fire hoses.  Then there were the men dressed as women.  I saw men in dresses, tights, and even wigs.  They were having so much fun too!

My "after" picture!

Sonja, Andrea, and Amanda

Overall, today was a lovely day. It did not rain and was only overcast which is perfect running weather.  Now I am just plain tired and will most likely go to bed early.  I am dreading tomorrow morning when I have to get up out of bed for class.  I know my muscles will be sore.  That's okay though, it was worth it!  Plus I received a medal at the end!


Love Always,
Amanda

My medal!

A Sunny Holiday in Southern France (Nice, France)

Bonjour!!

Comment allez-vous?  I returned from Nice, France a few days ago and oh what a time I had.  Sunshine, chocolate, and bread are only a few things I experienced over a lovely four days of relaxation.

I left Monday morning to visit my sister, Kate, who is studying French in Nice, France.  I flew Aer Lingus (Irish airline) and departed Dublin at 11:00am.  I slept through the first part of the flight because I had been up late the night before packing.  Upon waking there was a flight attendant asking if I would like anything to drink.  I kindly asked for a glass of sprite, and after putting it down on my tray she told me it would be 2euro.  Two euro!! For a can of sprite!  That's $2.80 American dollars!  I had no idea drinks even costs anything on the flight.  It was a huge eye opener and it was not even noon.  Oh happy day!

Once we landed in Nice I had to go through customs.  Now, I guess I do not look terrifying because they waved me on through.  For those of you who know me, you know I am NOT an ordinary traveller.  So I waved right back and then proceeded to politely ask for a stamp in my passport.  The gentleman who had my passport looked up at me and I just smiled (dimples showing of course).  He smiled back, looked at my name on my passport, and then said "Of course you can Amanda" in English with a French accent  Yes!.....another stamp on my passport! Works every time!

Nice Harbour

Yachts in the harbour

Can you guess which yacht is mine?   :-)

Then came the taxi ride, oops, sorry, taxi lift. That is one thing I have learned in Ireland.  Never ask for a ride.  You ask for a lift.  I would explain this statement in more detail but I do not know who is reading this blog and I would not want to offend someone.  Especially if they are of a young age.  All I can say is "Google it."  Anyway, I took a taxi to my hotel, a mere 15 minutes away and the taxi driver charged me 35 euro.  Talk about another eye opener!  I met Kate after her classes had ended for the day and we went sightseeing a bit before going back to the apartment where she is living in Nice.  We decided to cook for her host family and made Jambalaya.  Mmmmmmm......was it good!  Surprisingly enough, the family liked it also.  They had seconds and thirds.  See, nothing beats good Cajun  food!  Her host family is very nice and they speak about as much English as I speak French.  It was great!!  Kate is even finding out what it is like to have a little sister.  The family has three children.  The oldest son does not live with them, but they have a son who is 16 and living at home, and a four year old little girl named Jade who is full of energy and loves life.

The view from Kate's room in the apartment where she is living.
That's the sea in the background.

While Kate was in class everyday, I spent the mornings sightseeing and souvenir shopping.  It was great fun, especially the antique markets.  After her classes each day, we bought lunch and ate chocolate eclairs for dessert while sitting on the steps of a local cathedral .  Let's just say I will be doing lots of running/walking to work off all the chocolate and bread I ate over those four days.  :-)   It was sooooo worth it though!

Nice City Centre

Nice City Centre

A view overlooking the ocean

I am back now from my small holiday and am once again in class and in the study rooms.  Oh, and I almost forgot!  I received my grades from last semester.  I passed!!  I can officially say I am two-thirds the way through my masters degree in finance.  The whole program ends July 29th so I am counting down the days.  54 days left to be exact.

From the cold weather in Ireland to the warm/hot weather in Louisiana, I say "Au revoir!"

Love Always,
Amanda

The library

Notre Dame Cathedral at night.
This was right outside my hotel.