Moving and Cleaning

How on earth did I accumulate so much stuff over a one year period?  This past week I packed up my room in Proby House in preparation for my move back to America.  The final result?  Four suitcases and a rucksack filled with lots of stuff and weighing the maximum amount the airline quoted on their website.  I also sent many packages by post (my school books) to the amusement of the postman.  Every day last week I was in early in the morning with more packages to send out.  And trust me on this, I could have packed way more stuff.  In the end though I gave quite a bit to different charities.  I am still trying to figure out how I actually fit everything into my tiny room.  It is truly a mystery!

As I started packing, my room became very eerie with different sounds echoing because the walls and cupboards were bare and the sound was bouncing off everything instead of being absorbed.  My housemates and I cleaned the house from top to bottom, and when we checked out of Proby they said we had the cleanest house in the whole building.  Yea!  Through all the groaning and sweating of packing and cleaning last week I really cannot complain because it was a great workout with all the going up and down stairs, carrying bags of trash to the dumpster, and cleaning this and that.  All in all it was a great week!

Now I am in Curracloe visiting Kate and Kieran who are letting me stay at their house until my parents come next week to visit.  I am so excited about that!  Three more days!!  

Love Always,
Amanda

P.S. How is the weather by you?  I am totally loving this 50-60 degree weather Ireland is having.  Apparently this is the coolest summer Ireland has had in many years. 

Dun Laoghaire Bay 10k

Hi Ya'll!

Another day, another mile, and another medal!  I ran another race a few days ago in Dun Laoghaire along the Dublin Bay and had a fabulous time.  I have to admit though, this was probably one of my hardest races to date.  There were oh so many hills, it was raining, the sun was shining, and the humidity was 100 per cent.  I honestly have no idea how I will survive the heat when I return to the United States.  I am so use to the nice cool, beautiful weather Ireland has to offer I do know if I want heat and humidity ever again.  Oh well, who knows what the future holds.  Anyway, here are a couple photos from my race.

"Before" Photo

Sonja and Amanda "After" Photo

Powerscourt Estate Fun Run

Hi Everyone!

On July 16, 2011, I ran in a race at Powerscout Estate in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow.  Before the race, my friends and I visited the estate in order to familiarize ourselves with the course layout.  We took tons of pictures and had an absolutely lovely time, even if it did rain towards the end of the day.

Love Always,

Amanda



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!