tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19243888066794442072024-03-07T20:06:09.153-05:00Bald Man RunningThoughts on fitness, health, good nutrition ... and running.David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-83581815450917100592023-04-18T10:15:00.194-04:002023-05-03T17:56:50.274-04:00Ireland - Day 9-10<div style="text-align: left;">Full photo album Day 9 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/yRqk7ERx7yktsrtR7">https://photos.app.goo.gl/yRqk7ERx7yktsrtR7</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Full photo album Day 10 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZM6WhDLR5mVj8gMx8">https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZM6WhDLR5mVj8gMx8</a></div><p>Highlights - Brú na Bóinne, Bray Head, Kilruddery, Glasnevin</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgID8oYXOo8TdU6MjnW3GIW8en6rgJR6IecUCE-SIGAy-4YMsBDWp_HqrJsrTGqmthqRp_OS5JgG64CBnuTCM_QtUOsmiAhEmnOvpzyb2lSaVaGZVNKWJdqOfMFiHvtzZYNg_ww0KBUYPmhdnqUbJTzalgCuYg--KBgUEJ0tu5LsvZwkfFsqRA_Eah-mA/s808/map9.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="652" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgID8oYXOo8TdU6MjnW3GIW8en6rgJR6IecUCE-SIGAy-4YMsBDWp_HqrJsrTGqmthqRp_OS5JgG64CBnuTCM_QtUOsmiAhEmnOvpzyb2lSaVaGZVNKWJdqOfMFiHvtzZYNg_ww0KBUYPmhdnqUbJTzalgCuYg--KBgUEJ0tu5LsvZwkfFsqRA_Eah-mA/s320/map9.png" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My last full day started in Ardee (my third morning at the same BnB) and would end in Swords (a suburb of Dublin). I wouldn't have much time on the following day ... so here's my last entry.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First stop? Brú na Bóinne, which is a Stone Age site sometimes called "the Irish Stonehenge" ... it's a popular tourist stop, and I'd not done much of that. As far as museum-like activities where I paid for a tour, this would be only the second time I did that on the whole trip. For the most part, I stuck to outdoor locations and did a lot of walking or hiking to get there.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One reason I opted to skip so many of these types of attractions is that you've got pre-buy tickets online and you're stuck with whatever time slot you get. If this had been a free site, I would likely spent about an hour here ... but this wound taking about four hours of my time. It wasn't that expensive, but it sure was a large investment of time. I probably would have skipped it if I'd known ahead of time how long it would take ...</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still ... it is a beautiful site. The River Boyne and valley are important sites in Ireland ... it's where the Salmon of Knowledge was caught, and it's the site of a famous battle (Battle of the Boyne). It gets it's name from the goddess Boann ... and her stories in the Irish myths are bonkers.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did get to go into the innermost chamber of the Newgrange site. It looks like a mound of dirt, but there's a stone structure in the heart of it and the earth mound covers it up.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They wouldn't let us take pics, but it was pretty cool. On the day of the solstice, the sun illuminates the inner chamber for a few minutes. It's a tunnel that's about 60 feet long and is otherwise pitch blank except for the solstice. It's amazing ... this thing was built over 5000 years ago, and it still works as it was designed. </p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C3%BA_na_B%C3%B3inne">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C3%BA_na_B%C3%B3inne<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Boyne">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Boyne<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boann">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boann</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIL3ZolGh9fnT2dnVAwuhaBZb0iefn6E5YhODhEHauuVx2unJPWtaA_rcIPnpExiOAs8D53uRgziuce6tjK2-UiW9wHxFn8zrVX4I8B7_QXcAIaawKpBG-JHkr1mK9C7mmPpn7R_7vDFYQN_l4A5dJzm0C5lIbo-VE_CfO-5Xnh3l3OHmHehoJBVdmQ/s3840/PXL_20230418_082549912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIL3ZolGh9fnT2dnVAwuhaBZb0iefn6E5YhODhEHauuVx2unJPWtaA_rcIPnpExiOAs8D53uRgziuce6tjK2-UiW9wHxFn8zrVX4I8B7_QXcAIaawKpBG-JHkr1mK9C7mmPpn7R_7vDFYQN_l4A5dJzm0C5lIbo-VE_CfO-5Xnh3l3OHmHehoJBVdmQ/s320/PXL_20230418_082549912.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP_413bUruzgY-42oBt9xn16tg_NI6QcQ1X2J-p8TkckxXHnCKyV7CiYwFFa7GFoJJa1Mmr6wWxs39DNGoUD91pHKdm4IXw8-cmbTNOWRcrWhiZ2FxtejEwnndWaBaDqr7Ub_sEsrWJna3_ZjAec12uCaQ7rnXO71_Cx_1g37lGCPuC32TBuSlan_Mw/s4032/PXL_20230418_110626841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP_413bUruzgY-42oBt9xn16tg_NI6QcQ1X2J-p8TkckxXHnCKyV7CiYwFFa7GFoJJa1Mmr6wWxs39DNGoUD91pHKdm4IXw8-cmbTNOWRcrWhiZ2FxtejEwnndWaBaDqr7Ub_sEsrWJna3_ZjAec12uCaQ7rnXO71_Cx_1g37lGCPuC32TBuSlan_Mw/s320/PXL_20230418_110626841.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2xBOjHtJVN_Y8FD1fgZ0RNHfUDv97FVEY0AV8-lMbLma2WzWPPSbVTOCfjSHXM4k_99av1_FG0aQY30wftv2-vXUxOtvYyTDcpGXZVjN-e0P2pVilxXxjK5GG_e_IuPSzb0WjS5okyGbNo7Wgiw1IV5wRMBJvg0kULeOQJHKkn-PIscYnuVa4DlD3w/s4032/PXL_20230418_112303789.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2xBOjHtJVN_Y8FD1fgZ0RNHfUDv97FVEY0AV8-lMbLma2WzWPPSbVTOCfjSHXM4k_99av1_FG0aQY30wftv2-vXUxOtvYyTDcpGXZVjN-e0P2pVilxXxjK5GG_e_IuPSzb0WjS5okyGbNo7Wgiw1IV5wRMBJvg0kULeOQJHKkn-PIscYnuVa4DlD3w/s320/PXL_20230418_112303789.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From there, I went to Bray, which is in County Wicklow.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over a year ago, Anne Marie and I intended to get married in Ireland and participate in the EcoTrail Wicklow race. We had to cancel that trip, but the race still has a strong allure. It takes place in September. If I hadn't went in April, I would have waited until September to run this race.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, I was hoping to visit several sites in the area because it is where Anne McCaffrey lived. She was the author of the Dragonriders of Pern. Several spots in this area inspired locations on Pern, including the fact that both Wicklow and Pern are home to village/hold named Greystones. She is buried nearby as well.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The plan was to do the gorgeous and notable Bray-Greystones Cliff Walk. Unfortunately, it was closed due to a very recent landslide. There are other trails in the area, so I was still able to find something fun to do.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hiked to the top of Bray Head ... on a clear day, you can see Wales from the top. It was not a clear day. I also made it to Ballynamuddagh, which was a little bit higher.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I was coming down the mountain, I saw signage for Kilruddery House, and that was also on my list. I didn't realize I'd be going right by it ... so I took that in as well. Beautiful gardens and buildings! It's featured in several TV shows and movies, including <i>My Left Foot, Far and Away, Angela's Ashes, Camelot, The Tudors</i>, and <i>Fate: the Winx Saga</i>.</p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://wicklow.ecotrail.com/">https://wicklow.ecotrail.com/</a></div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bray,_County_Wicklow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bray,_County_Wicklow</a><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_McCaffrey">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_McCaffrey</a><br /></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonriders_of_Pern">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonriders_of_Pern</a><br /></div><div><a href="https://visitwicklow.ie/listing/cliff-walk-bray-to-greystones/">https://visitwicklow.ie/listing/cliff-walk-bray-to-greystones/</a><br /></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bray_Head">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bray_Head</a></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killruddery_House">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killruddery_House</a><br /></div><div><br /><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5D7E7IhOBMLyXCKWfWf-xBijTjaOpv5PUh_gNePeoafWBqaNFAaMn_qfCY8-ID7UYlMuDrFGVEtm9ghrbN5pOmSyXBe6LUrOh56S_G6bp8Ad4oZIYY03NJoaxcP1QrhnkYIHpjPvdDFwTruWm7Hf3W-AdbgPbS0qr-oaGnZ9RfoZ-JHscfMYadsKDpg/s4032/PXL_20230418_133223723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5D7E7IhOBMLyXCKWfWf-xBijTjaOpv5PUh_gNePeoafWBqaNFAaMn_qfCY8-ID7UYlMuDrFGVEtm9ghrbN5pOmSyXBe6LUrOh56S_G6bp8Ad4oZIYY03NJoaxcP1QrhnkYIHpjPvdDFwTruWm7Hf3W-AdbgPbS0qr-oaGnZ9RfoZ-JHscfMYadsKDpg/s320/PXL_20230418_133223723.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXb57IsqLxSgfhPx8SVcoCOI7BiMIx_qX85zuE1MJ0sB7tRdUbobg-lx0BIlG22u1ZWTQMqcyNRavls5NjrdVbpGEEymGoSW89xFsuu5bJle0Pdrsmjse_TxC0Pr65ipAeIZ3fQvqOPR0fhde8RW1ZaZGdt7M6P8x2Mey38XxLgJ22a1aA81AZtrB3w/s4032/PXL_20230418_135058080.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXb57IsqLxSgfhPx8SVcoCOI7BiMIx_qX85zuE1MJ0sB7tRdUbobg-lx0BIlG22u1ZWTQMqcyNRavls5NjrdVbpGEEymGoSW89xFsuu5bJle0Pdrsmjse_TxC0Pr65ipAeIZ3fQvqOPR0fhde8RW1ZaZGdt7M6P8x2Mey38XxLgJ22a1aA81AZtrB3w/s320/PXL_20230418_135058080.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUIgSvpD6pwGJ5ogL1OitFlEXQXIut6vEWsdaPPpRNMgItnr8MWuD8EeMwLo3_V0mfzsjT_aAZxgRccVeiNSi6MVJ9Tky7uA8SVOhxvzS3HYg5WEW2cX6gYB-SkqFsyPQUsDywTFMTVK_XG8t12i4ZhZlVQn9T5dIcRP615pc4RMf3KZsaDNygNNfOw/s4032/PXL_20230418_141542326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUIgSvpD6pwGJ5ogL1OitFlEXQXIut6vEWsdaPPpRNMgItnr8MWuD8EeMwLo3_V0mfzsjT_aAZxgRccVeiNSi6MVJ9Tky7uA8SVOhxvzS3HYg5WEW2cX6gYB-SkqFsyPQUsDywTFMTVK_XG8t12i4ZhZlVQn9T5dIcRP615pc4RMf3KZsaDNygNNfOw/s320/PXL_20230418_141542326.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteTWix9N5iV9wHzI2IZgu2gq_9lKrS8yPxJYrT1mLKDpTra5oAN8hpiiHodUdHOLBJOtxl-BC92a1T1LE62m3Z3ItIEfFvfQAPxv6695yn8wyBfVfAqVl8xD0KAzMlrSAri3zkXIJQircpEaTh1IZhnMNKE7fiNSoQO6IHxRUVtjkX0Eg7T1g_iRRYQ/s4032/PXL_20230418_151019348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteTWix9N5iV9wHzI2IZgu2gq_9lKrS8yPxJYrT1mLKDpTra5oAN8hpiiHodUdHOLBJOtxl-BC92a1T1LE62m3Z3ItIEfFvfQAPxv6695yn8wyBfVfAqVl8xD0KAzMlrSAri3zkXIJQircpEaTh1IZhnMNKE7fiNSoQO6IHxRUVtjkX0Eg7T1g_iRRYQ/s320/PXL_20230418_151019348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love trying to get reflection photos, and I really didn't have too much luck over the course of the whole trip. These are probably the best of those attempts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA4P-On558gu5KnULxbmOmKivxr5FlsxxIjOKTC-5UbDWXmL8U8xdMF6FRT-94noBdoYjSdkc_a27p6j0NRTX-bSKvliSWHK1nxGfteUo1bm_LjjVHrWwSv0YslWai5v-6Q18apoku28CW94d2uZb_vlcW42-VBad_4gOush43N--LIngt856LBxAEQ/s4032/PXL_20230418_152132990.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA4P-On558gu5KnULxbmOmKivxr5FlsxxIjOKTC-5UbDWXmL8U8xdMF6FRT-94noBdoYjSdkc_a27p6j0NRTX-bSKvliSWHK1nxGfteUo1bm_LjjVHrWwSv0YslWai5v-6Q18apoku28CW94d2uZb_vlcW42-VBad_4gOush43N--LIngt856LBxAEQ/s320/PXL_20230418_152132990.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLEwgF3pLf0-VG_9oQ1PMHduTnGWHdsfxqAOhL0Ul_8DMZB2K-xUiZvvNGpERxTcxEXBjIw2j4Ad4uizfmppc1cWm-7Wu5a0ggS_45iU11VbVu6ZqpMSrmj67jArPDz9Qok3Lmh38CuroF8nXTDiiQfyPRBS_qWsdHa4PIKswIw59xAfLsIudLFdaUg/s4032/PXL_20230418_153540442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLEwgF3pLf0-VG_9oQ1PMHduTnGWHdsfxqAOhL0Ul_8DMZB2K-xUiZvvNGpERxTcxEXBjIw2j4Ad4uizfmppc1cWm-7Wu5a0ggS_45iU11VbVu6ZqpMSrmj67jArPDz9Qok3Lmh38CuroF8nXTDiiQfyPRBS_qWsdHa4PIKswIw59xAfLsIudLFdaUg/s320/PXL_20230418_153540442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnFz5kPD8wtwJRFJG8-RU4mmpMY_MfThYtclxcu3h7lM3t2lWanVWwKgij80yNee7ptOdcaaKTnjIXWtO5MNSlNurA1ECeczTDQlxw0jnaelU9ir3-8q9ujgMasRZw6uDolSr3IMON0RnPQxQwedecw6CkZyXgidG_s9IREAp78LcyRWvHLgSA4qtqg/s4032/PXL_20230418_153207194.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnFz5kPD8wtwJRFJG8-RU4mmpMY_MfThYtclxcu3h7lM3t2lWanVWwKgij80yNee7ptOdcaaKTnjIXWtO5MNSlNurA1ECeczTDQlxw0jnaelU9ir3-8q9ujgMasRZw6uDolSr3IMON0RnPQxQwedecw6CkZyXgidG_s9IREAp78LcyRWvHLgSA4qtqg/s320/PXL_20230418_153207194.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Noh9pQFYS0JcuqpHC0jK9hyVkcQoYMuDfxX_qwEIDz2ML4fg4mcdmrxSc9MkVELxX_aBd7IhIMFDd_uR165okB7LsGZwQ1uHH_9RFpHt7hHUVAipAlIXoSVvkhl40kMM1gtmoEYUqrZ-hIrlx3cTCifaegWX5NlbS3-_fiDJ_kK2FuHBT-7uFRw5uQ/s4032/PXL_20230418_154549474.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Noh9pQFYS0JcuqpHC0jK9hyVkcQoYMuDfxX_qwEIDz2ML4fg4mcdmrxSc9MkVELxX_aBd7IhIMFDd_uR165okB7LsGZwQ1uHH_9RFpHt7hHUVAipAlIXoSVvkhl40kMM1gtmoEYUqrZ-hIrlx3cTCifaegWX5NlbS3-_fiDJ_kK2FuHBT-7uFRw5uQ/s320/PXL_20230418_154549474.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4Ve6NMrodNPfE1HNa4gANn9gNMGSE8qffAwsoeezp6MYDA2b1Gz1k8AWN4y6DMBCB6vfw8CIqPiSMwVoJOCrb-XqD7cv26mb2ApfHHj1fioyeK7ytQ7oFxcUApe13tC22Mt9oJsAdU1W1Jm6KVuv0QQFa6uRStOaOj384QOw378icrXdfmVu-ib7Fg/s4032/PXL_20230418_154808060.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4Ve6NMrodNPfE1HNa4gANn9gNMGSE8qffAwsoeezp6MYDA2b1Gz1k8AWN4y6DMBCB6vfw8CIqPiSMwVoJOCrb-XqD7cv26mb2ApfHHj1fioyeK7ytQ7oFxcUApe13tC22Mt9oJsAdU1W1Jm6KVuv0QQFa6uRStOaOj384QOw378icrXdfmVu-ib7Fg/s320/PXL_20230418_154808060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It started getting dark, so the plan was to get to Swords and enjoy a late dinner there. It was a full day, but I felt like I spent too long at Brú na Bóinne.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaaH05-qvhnn6ztqqwyHofdLqlmqCSrRj90IhP0RsAHrVehRVx_14eXFftKgfVWCSj9j6wNuQ6V5a5XAJ83HqrHLDYuyN_ofSVKWTsAciiyqe5XjtGt3ShuTIMFQEzQHav3mIVJXVtA31cq5s9ThA7On5q4lI2Y_mtqGLxXfFs-2L-d1r4vHz3mja_w/s4032/PXL_20230418_194126016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaaH05-qvhnn6ztqqwyHofdLqlmqCSrRj90IhP0RsAHrVehRVx_14eXFftKgfVWCSj9j6wNuQ6V5a5XAJ83HqrHLDYuyN_ofSVKWTsAciiyqe5XjtGt3ShuTIMFQEzQHav3mIVJXVtA31cq5s9ThA7On5q4lI2Y_mtqGLxXfFs-2L-d1r4vHz3mja_w/s320/PXL_20230418_194126016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 10</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGMjxscbG8PtiS_Weyol-6cJ6AVHpaoTCPSRH6mnlENKUFbpAdrecjtwF8N3SflK1D35-hISpM4NhhKB4Gl7yNmP5Kgv_FVPo0_UJDsSOmbJQhxATXY6BYfxjPNL4ZHlx0FnoXjewR9HolLlj2icdFC8XqOl-n8sxXgpma18EnlW_7K14WHNUw4Ksxw/s898/map10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="898" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGMjxscbG8PtiS_Weyol-6cJ6AVHpaoTCPSRH6mnlENKUFbpAdrecjtwF8N3SflK1D35-hISpM4NhhKB4Gl7yNmP5Kgv_FVPo0_UJDsSOmbJQhxATXY6BYfxjPNL4ZHlx0FnoXjewR9HolLlj2icdFC8XqOl-n8sxXgpma18EnlW_7K14WHNUw4Ksxw/s320/map10.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had enough time to do one short thing before getting to the airport was visit ... I chose to visit Glasnevin Cemetery.</div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did get one of my better sunrise pictures, but not too many of those.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Glasnevin is a beautiful cemetery and is notable for the many folks buried there. Michael Collins, Kitty Kiernan, Éamon De Valera, Charles Parnell, Constance Markievicz, Grace (Plunkett) Gifford, Luke Kelly and so many others. That list is in no particular order and far from complete.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps the most famous person buried here is Michael Collins. He's roughly the George Washington of Ireland. Visiting his site and the memorial to many of those who died in the Easter Rising (many of whom are not buried here due to the nature of their executions) was sobering.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I was leaving, I saw a group of four people entering. They were carrying flowers with them and it was obvious they were going to visit a gravesite. It did not look like there had been a recent funeral. I very timidly asked if they would share the name of the person they were there to remember, and they told me it was their sister/cousin named Delores. They told me a little about her and I was thankful for that opportunity to hear a little of their story.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After I wished them well and turned to leave, one of the ladies asked if I would share a loved one's name and story with them in return for the opportunity they had to talk of Delores. I told them a little bit about my daughter, and they said her name. It was a very touching and meaningful exchange, and I'm glad that we had the opportunity to talk about those we love and miss.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasnevin_Cemetery">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasnevin_Cemetery</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGNW6_UyIWa847nw2EEHJU6DdKFxUj_jWLsxRHedQkIhn2kR4M9h_jMqwG0-mrImksMjrkAYsezHkM5su_LaT0GExGoyLZlPClB9CklGgIWo20mVLXAAH764v3TjytZpAp_ga4GcyWUObtoAzSgV-X7C4-p6ZZXX5oWmdcgU3Tjqt9Or-GRr6kN2BxA/s4032/PXL_20230419_053754206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGNW6_UyIWa847nw2EEHJU6DdKFxUj_jWLsxRHedQkIhn2kR4M9h_jMqwG0-mrImksMjrkAYsezHkM5su_LaT0GExGoyLZlPClB9CklGgIWo20mVLXAAH764v3TjytZpAp_ga4GcyWUObtoAzSgV-X7C4-p6ZZXX5oWmdcgU3Tjqt9Or-GRr6kN2BxA/s320/PXL_20230419_053754206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PUYSRp-XuqROgQ14cHUga6xY_--_bNbBGkTxVT4qxxqJTWlOilQpjQY1gles9xNVCY7VljUaDHplQ1eoTO1FIgpgXA0ExR3opYrSbJQnAGmFRkjsk8Dwa5jgC4kcB0XVbNkUt8PTEfjdgXr7aGtRiWSlKHceuZmAmBgpyzyT4k1WcFzT1hl4H8aLzg/s4032/PXL_20230419_080043524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PUYSRp-XuqROgQ14cHUga6xY_--_bNbBGkTxVT4qxxqJTWlOilQpjQY1gles9xNVCY7VljUaDHplQ1eoTO1FIgpgXA0ExR3opYrSbJQnAGmFRkjsk8Dwa5jgC4kcB0XVbNkUt8PTEfjdgXr7aGtRiWSlKHceuZmAmBgpyzyT4k1WcFzT1hl4H8aLzg/s320/PXL_20230419_080043524.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD19m6Q7isWf8t5Sy8dnwQ19ncnlgvci-6tsoxjih7aoJUzsd8POff03Q4ocioZmfKoYkK6_e_jLM3izgPs-r2mVwEU01-2kPgwMbIrN-xdQ3-UG9cJL0vRXYgjVs60o1eY4sWl9rltfWedcRb6iBpdhqcGuEdLdXReeVbe4I568xs4z6-wtBWpzFCwA/s4032/PXL_20230419_080643490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's it! That's my trip to Ireland. Despite the fact I rambled on and on for several blog entries, I'm sure I've left a lot of stuff out. I wrote this for my own sake. A few years ago, I took a trip to Spain and it was a wonderful experience ... but I didn't really write too much down, and I'm sure I've forgotten much of what made that trip so special. I took a lot of pictures then, but when I scroll through them, I'm not always sure what I'm looking at ... so this time, I kept a journal ... and when I got home, I took the time to transcribe that written journal into these blog entries. Maybe it's not great prose, and I suspect that someday I'll come back through and clean it up a bit, but for now ... I've got some written text to go along with my pictures. </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I saw Narnia. I ran a race. I hiked the Táin Way. I saw where Cú Chulainn lived, fought and died. The way I figured it, I'd already visited these places many times in my imagination ... this was my chance to visit in real life. </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I went with incredibly high expectations and they were wildly exceeded. The trip of a lifetime! I'm very grateful for the opportunity. I'm thankful my wife encouraged and supported this trip. I am a blessed and fortunate man. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></div></div></div>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-26562033190135597172023-04-17T10:15:00.227-04:002023-05-02T21:07:44.437-04:00Ireland - Day 8<p>Full photo album - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/k5xASHNbPT9gMUdA6">https://photos.app.goo.gl/k5xASHNbPT9gMUdA6</a></p><p>Highlights: Clochafarmore, Dundalk, Cloughmore, Kilbroney, Knockbridge</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbLG3IE15M-zCBYCJr7k5LRILwONAVZqdAddYY4UxL-cuilSeKMT7-lnUxdoucsj1wAxL1dLFOVftBk5q55xBszZf_1Oz8oCP2WCKq8eFcOJk864trlrCLILcULMnogwlgdhEWtvK6WYqLcHWHagCk6EdUdeMOhKjgO5XcbbRSGhvcX5ukvUV5_b-4g/s991/map8.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="983" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbLG3IE15M-zCBYCJr7k5LRILwONAVZqdAddYY4UxL-cuilSeKMT7-lnUxdoucsj1wAxL1dLFOVftBk5q55xBszZf_1Oz8oCP2WCKq8eFcOJk864trlrCLILcULMnogwlgdhEWtvK6WYqLcHWHagCk6EdUdeMOhKjgO5XcbbRSGhvcX5ukvUV5_b-4g/s320/map8.png" width="317" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Today's a big day! It's all about Cú Chulainn and Narnia!</div><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;">Clochafarmore - This was one of my bucket list items ... it's where Cú Chulainn died. He was treacherously attacked by a doo-doo head named Lugaid mac Con Roí. Wounded by a magical spear, he ties himself to this stone with his intestines so that he wouldn't fall over. After he finally died, Lugaid approached his corpse to cut off his head, but his sword hand spasmed and he sliced Lugaid's hand off.</div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">The stone is called a menhir and Clochafarmore literally means "stone of the big man." FWIW, I was able to translate that by myself. I had all those words in my vocabulary. It is in a field known as An Breisleach Mór, which means "Great Carnage."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clochafarmore">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clochafarmore</a></div><div><div><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKNeSwTC2Nhf9mRiyZBOiYRqg_-xjW2BfQ4UGCwTJG_jnlonBfadyiRtcADqO9GPprppcquFMxOKcnJJ_dyuUcvROs3ywmPreb7oXEUMahrEYmjqrY9Whx59gNk5Ntja28EexDU0GEXf9dNcphv125QJ6J-cQQqcOKFHSy-7-zKp3DgM9GvPppd2Lug/s3840/PXL_20230417_080123552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKNeSwTC2Nhf9mRiyZBOiYRqg_-xjW2BfQ4UGCwTJG_jnlonBfadyiRtcADqO9GPprppcquFMxOKcnJJ_dyuUcvROs3ywmPreb7oXEUMahrEYmjqrY9Whx59gNk5Ntja28EexDU0GEXf9dNcphv125QJ6J-cQQqcOKFHSy-7-zKp3DgM9GvPppd2Lug/s320/PXL_20230417_080123552.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXY1exv4i29QMyxhqv1HIXfuKKB08NTLBB826z33uG9UisWFsOlOf4ojnufu_fnQPZzvm6iJbzmGZLPyYk1jnqQhcRkzpcmNaxnbIHWQ-bE8jDN0j5bwD27LsoBHYJE4Pi_tAa73bxlKyk4N3HzOKKhl6xzGoVtRqWuBxVFw_vaxfpvFOIVuKW1HfrBA/s4032/PXL_20230417_080406673.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXY1exv4i29QMyxhqv1HIXfuKKB08NTLBB826z33uG9UisWFsOlOf4ojnufu_fnQPZzvm6iJbzmGZLPyYk1jnqQhcRkzpcmNaxnbIHWQ-bE8jDN0j5bwD27LsoBHYJE4Pi_tAa73bxlKyk4N3HzOKKhl6xzGoVtRqWuBxVFw_vaxfpvFOIVuKW1HfrBA/s320/PXL_20230417_080406673.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next stop: Dundalk. The home city of Cú Chulainn. </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a nice city and a bit larger than I expected. Joe Biden has relatives from the area and he visited shortly before I did.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The site of Cú's home is Dún Dealgan Motte. There's remnants of a castle on the site, but Cú never lived there. That was built much later. But you can see the circular mound of earth that surrounds the site. That's the remains of his home.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Funny thing happened on my way to the castle ... I had parked about 1.5 miles away was planning on walking through town to get there. About halfway there, I got to a heavy construction site ... road graders, jack hammers, etc. I asked if I could walk through, and the foreman said, "yeah sure ... just don't get hit in the head." I walked through that zone without a hard hat (over half a mile long). I can't imagine that sort of thing flying here in the US.</p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundalk">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundalk</a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%BAn_Dealgan_Motte">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%BAn_Dealgan_Motte</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-PwZyB9dbbZxGXuimrt9aAwKQOVTg3Bk9_i5tATz-9lyGC_ytWOKaLeWoTVUbQgVdsc1BSgc56kI5X3zIGb_v2hYKU77ZcZ7QYm-SbXBuFG1rHcNMSswBMfgVnYRIm33v1VvSY1zucp8YcllY2D2pKCPhtDWfOOsJyMuyEZ0KHL_5_Cp9MiWEeyqdQ/s4032/PXL_20230417_085003196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-PwZyB9dbbZxGXuimrt9aAwKQOVTg3Bk9_i5tATz-9lyGC_ytWOKaLeWoTVUbQgVdsc1BSgc56kI5X3zIGb_v2hYKU77ZcZ7QYm-SbXBuFG1rHcNMSswBMfgVnYRIm33v1VvSY1zucp8YcllY2D2pKCPhtDWfOOsJyMuyEZ0KHL_5_Cp9MiWEeyqdQ/s320/PXL_20230417_085003196.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KKw5XgI8VfwXZArL74beCMRFPm3BVpu6UW8Vtr-3NeLb4ZNf4E4nU7x0cL2cXI_Yq7WQYdefgOoGvv_dERK_-HmJ8Jdf7C70GWwsX96qK0-vU0WYST8ITquJ_Dc4VySnlLewA8l4GbULJ3lYkr4H26BGKpD34eZ8-vu3VHIkgCXDMzLEdTaES2wYaw/s4032/PXL_20230417_085515398.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KKw5XgI8VfwXZArL74beCMRFPm3BVpu6UW8Vtr-3NeLb4ZNf4E4nU7x0cL2cXI_Yq7WQYdefgOoGvv_dERK_-HmJ8Jdf7C70GWwsX96qK0-vU0WYST8ITquJ_Dc4VySnlLewA8l4GbULJ3lYkr4H26BGKpD34eZ8-vu3VHIkgCXDMzLEdTaES2wYaw/s320/PXL_20230417_085515398.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbr8tLOO6JXDwuAIZghseNrZvRVlwnfcRjUKlMx5Hl3j93WdI9vfJ7pPXfPviXDW68vsQUkH9-zSeir1LEmmFrilvRmLGQcGTP82Em4diF3IU7n2hqivKNsf1SSb6n-8R_yrq79IhRxQeoGCHqjXyp8gehxm6f6EPHgs3mZjDdH8HjVdoY7W79whj7A/s4032/PXL_20230417_085640821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbr8tLOO6JXDwuAIZghseNrZvRVlwnfcRjUKlMx5Hl3j93WdI9vfJ7pPXfPviXDW68vsQUkH9-zSeir1LEmmFrilvRmLGQcGTP82Em4diF3IU7n2hqivKNsf1SSb6n-8R_yrq79IhRxQeoGCHqjXyp8gehxm6f6EPHgs3mZjDdH8HjVdoY7W79whj7A/s320/PXL_20230417_085640821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Walking around Dundalk, and what do I see? It's sometimes hard to tell ... it's probably a rook, but maybe it's a crow? Morrígan perhaps?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6srK4--JYhkQAoUh8slfDTg5GTaax_OEYr7IKPpxMbGv9nqm34IU5SA0THUcHKIj6obxR_x5b7bEpAfFlOOH2kZb23HYDD5dDHdJS25puQ9dzjw_2KH4kjoD34IZ6goUEF7FsagGtI_RectKtmEBC7zq52Hm4UptIkHvbo-7_aOOiRmFAyPkl8MjuQ/s4032/PXL_20230417_091355429.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6srK4--JYhkQAoUh8slfDTg5GTaax_OEYr7IKPpxMbGv9nqm34IU5SA0THUcHKIj6obxR_x5b7bEpAfFlOOH2kZb23HYDD5dDHdJS25puQ9dzjw_2KH4kjoD34IZ6goUEF7FsagGtI_RectKtmEBC7zq52Hm4UptIkHvbo-7_aOOiRmFAyPkl8MjuQ/s320/PXL_20230417_091355429.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To a lesser extent than Derry, Dundalk is still a city of murals. Here's Cú Chulainn with a camman and a sliotar. For all of his fame as a warrior, he was also quite the hurler. I enjoyed walking around town and exploring a bit. It's a neat town.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMQwputjqiyZ4hYhCfnMVaca5Du1V_3Fj4gVgAGgJYoLFGraZHInENH4831YyUa8jE0510FIa6u_26cisl85qDsMP-oTDs6RQHpVtWhDSMdEt65UWOhT1sPP4P4IrqZ6ku8x83e7s7I3WI7pHAO7F-zDA1-CLqCqftjCBl7NeLIT85ympdQFqqcsuWA/s4032/PXL_20230417_093537676.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMQwputjqiyZ4hYhCfnMVaca5Du1V_3Fj4gVgAGgJYoLFGraZHInENH4831YyUa8jE0510FIa6u_26cisl85qDsMP-oTDs6RQHpVtWhDSMdEt65UWOhT1sPP4P4IrqZ6ku8x83e7s7I3WI7pHAO7F-zDA1-CLqCqftjCBl7NeLIT85ympdQFqqcsuWA/s320/PXL_20230417_093537676.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1HRR10Ph3sLDzdSWkl7t3mhRknoPyeC_83HclNLRqtQSIpCKooNsIxTP5GGO5XPCWfb-G41qLw84kyNJhuioxuKTGeLFL2t-nPygwCJisfCGkOk-4ag7IiWjlCqxMyMpWjB7gWYiUoHVzKCRtJKGxszI17YauATNsWtxjak4Tz_-LtZkXsDcaoOHBA/s4032/PXL_20230417_093611277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1HRR10Ph3sLDzdSWkl7t3mhRknoPyeC_83HclNLRqtQSIpCKooNsIxTP5GGO5XPCWfb-G41qLw84kyNJhuioxuKTGeLFL2t-nPygwCJisfCGkOk-4ag7IiWjlCqxMyMpWjB7gWYiUoHVzKCRtJKGxszI17YauATNsWtxjak4Tz_-LtZkXsDcaoOHBA/s320/PXL_20230417_093611277.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOFxGSurzdrU4yMp7MUo1Pea5ReqeTMf4Sih6S0BX2pPiSyy-6hg_BSMLKwGcCCa0LVN2GgtMdXf2eKHMf20fajrlGBgF-yNm7cnkxRn_sXu9-1B6Uy53V4J_ZXhI2ygem247pRmukf-oa5fBfdBh009w-XPc60XTMyrCHmYjNcvVx0RIpIP7ff0gqw/s4032/PXL_20230417_095524678.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOFxGSurzdrU4yMp7MUo1Pea5ReqeTMf4Sih6S0BX2pPiSyy-6hg_BSMLKwGcCCa0LVN2GgtMdXf2eKHMf20fajrlGBgF-yNm7cnkxRn_sXu9-1B6Uy53V4J_ZXhI2ygem247pRmukf-oa5fBfdBh009w-XPc60XTMyrCHmYjNcvVx0RIpIP7ff0gqw/s320/PXL_20230417_095524678.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kilbroney Park - this place was special in so many ways. C. S. Lewis visited here often as a child and it inspired his descriptions of Narnia. This is about as Narnia as you can get and not actually be there. There are a lot of trails in the area and I spent a few hours exploring. The influence of Lewis is apparent throughout the area.</p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._S._Lewis<br /></a><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilbroney_Park">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilbroney_Park</a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rostrevor">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rostrevor<br /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rostrevor"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujFsoOA16e3sVOvJNHJ50-TG4avUFyYJHtvsYCJcyifv5iMZxXVDX1mNsbg9xko6l0RCavPwQzkL5pL8I1mFcnQGAN8XpumUxMfIAbkKllF8mvu5M_z28zTruXJYFrAKtFAe8Vzcm1WLSkEsp823FGWFMLhLZe47WTpn3ofBHgv4L_Jq5FIUBVk5vGg/s4032/PXL_20230417_112714808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujFsoOA16e3sVOvJNHJ50-TG4avUFyYJHtvsYCJcyifv5iMZxXVDX1mNsbg9xko6l0RCavPwQzkL5pL8I1mFcnQGAN8XpumUxMfIAbkKllF8mvu5M_z28zTruXJYFrAKtFAe8Vzcm1WLSkEsp823FGWFMLhLZe47WTpn3ofBHgv4L_Jq5FIUBVk5vGg/s320/PXL_20230417_112714808.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz6c1UGJKfBC3dDnEY7PxD_tu70TvDOGEK_1_sG-iiNSYKT4vxePbY2L3hqu3vJkHPiNIXVYeb3-MrighM-zalfnPuWpjKR5UjaOfiY-cqFoBigAT5mAbW-_HrWIYppR5g2FJUmSAyBB-wTtfuBCUeOh9QwTEyVa8Od6sMdGmF7wplGDeQCAVCwGcXw/s4032/PXL_20230417_113603584.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz6c1UGJKfBC3dDnEY7PxD_tu70TvDOGEK_1_sG-iiNSYKT4vxePbY2L3hqu3vJkHPiNIXVYeb3-MrighM-zalfnPuWpjKR5UjaOfiY-cqFoBigAT5mAbW-_HrWIYppR5g2FJUmSAyBB-wTtfuBCUeOh9QwTEyVa8Od6sMdGmF7wplGDeQCAVCwGcXw/s320/PXL_20230417_113603584.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjjtXXfBwXs7NHrsK0214cqJqmPXWY7UN8nfkYALGhAXXGvGgIah--SyhM3cXWH7ctIfFonVNLXUHDjc78cDxlTDXzsYz6cE6WCnAvuZtfax7-SmS0sGoYHmSQpowj55q5rAuFTSMhQTJVakYiIT_ZH3y2SJ3lO6b6U68spbu3QTw5MBOhsTrtMtneg/s4032/PXL_20230417_121352055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjjtXXfBwXs7NHrsK0214cqJqmPXWY7UN8nfkYALGhAXXGvGgIah--SyhM3cXWH7ctIfFonVNLXUHDjc78cDxlTDXzsYz6cE6WCnAvuZtfax7-SmS0sGoYHmSQpowj55q5rAuFTSMhQTJVakYiIT_ZH3y2SJ3lO6b6U68spbu3QTw5MBOhsTrtMtneg/s320/PXL_20230417_121352055.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPv4ZeKzE-DK2kWbFhqWlTIYIR_iQNpQiWpLKyMj9AcCRX1VZ6JWXIqo94ItdQmebUAFGeaYbJoPTH_mX-s0GbOsN2NVNynFTqDAJEA0d5OGn4b_p0fQ6Dy9jMW3Df0XWa8rH1j7RmmUn_Qp7VY5rW0hIKAgxVWFORReG-mA7owOfXuj92h8waJMDvA/s4032/PXL_20230417_121410448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPv4ZeKzE-DK2kWbFhqWlTIYIR_iQNpQiWpLKyMj9AcCRX1VZ6JWXIqo94ItdQmebUAFGeaYbJoPTH_mX-s0GbOsN2NVNynFTqDAJEA0d5OGn4b_p0fQ6Dy9jMW3Df0XWa8rH1j7RmmUn_Qp7VY5rW0hIKAgxVWFORReG-mA7owOfXuj92h8waJMDvA/s320/PXL_20230417_121410448.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLQ4w7F9o0UNO21aZjcnMrnkpgJBc_lwcQsOrc-Jlf83dDpIT5KpASD6sG4rPAwlWtuuqSVBzoaO9ye9UKVqlHjWjS9Tzp5FhFKXF9s5r1H46JjzooULNAErPdrTsEfp_HfsFN0lcRRaCqmaWhKqv6EQ8lXPet0hrWqStQA-uaIvFDfdnFcYpkleF7w/s4032/PXL_20230417_121420289.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLQ4w7F9o0UNO21aZjcnMrnkpgJBc_lwcQsOrc-Jlf83dDpIT5KpASD6sG4rPAwlWtuuqSVBzoaO9ye9UKVqlHjWjS9Tzp5FhFKXF9s5r1H46JjzooULNAErPdrTsEfp_HfsFN0lcRRaCqmaWhKqv6EQ8lXPet0hrWqStQA-uaIvFDfdnFcYpkleF7w/s320/PXL_20230417_121420289.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHa20pswLOzKG8ReLdg6taZlnojueEp2u2-AVC59ZdIQ08mbxpoE2ltRWfhU2GXt6Z2V_i_hNNBwzBi66EiEdHMZPYFC2fcorV7jbZbvOIduZff36gl7V_DQDkYSLJv0MmQVa8qfP8Ne5Y-K0HbOJvUkitJzi_636c6g5R71CHYLwjXHKBnqwLlh4qw/s4032/PXL_20230417_121431939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHa20pswLOzKG8ReLdg6taZlnojueEp2u2-AVC59ZdIQ08mbxpoE2ltRWfhU2GXt6Z2V_i_hNNBwzBi66EiEdHMZPYFC2fcorV7jbZbvOIduZff36gl7V_DQDkYSLJv0MmQVa8qfP8Ne5Y-K0HbOJvUkitJzi_636c6g5R71CHYLwjXHKBnqwLlh4qw/s320/PXL_20230417_121431939.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The story goes that Fionn threw a huge rock from the mountain (a tip of which is barely visible in the fog) from across the bay onto this mountain. Clochmore means "big rock" and that's it below.</p><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloughmore">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloughmore</a></div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fionn_mac_Cumhaill">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fionn_mac_Cumhaill</a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t77gsZmTkLOTvE4G1bhQxRZPL13dFEgu47KczmsIFbKVGVlrZKyEDA890iN_NqRkQvV_R4wK0nO_NjmTQYw4ttWuCGL7cloA7fRlEK3N5gtu_9zzH1GNwcn5Rw_QLTZw1R3N2RY3xo56DPZ1tT6ioNy2sa-fN-aGwGz4EsjQnhjKBJ9L1rO-zpRlXA/s4032/PXL_20230417_121455867.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t77gsZmTkLOTvE4G1bhQxRZPL13dFEgu47KczmsIFbKVGVlrZKyEDA890iN_NqRkQvV_R4wK0nO_NjmTQYw4ttWuCGL7cloA7fRlEK3N5gtu_9zzH1GNwcn5Rw_QLTZw1R3N2RY3xo56DPZ1tT6ioNy2sa-fN-aGwGz4EsjQnhjKBJ9L1rO-zpRlXA/s320/PXL_20230417_121455867.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg2qkydGEaAcCbnm9V2x3Nq7N0jjKoR05PU7v-Q62f9EtddqwS_uWY_cxBCiMk5gW6kGBudgGGKhVNWe0v0I2FwZ_HS4-w7N-kjr1vSmj-BB_mqY4wzGAsP0HLMk00JPsH3R94WYpZDaEgE9-nLIMdxWl-URQMYnfZYnK_3c2TSYIm8ThDLXNRbhFLQ/s4032/PXL_20230417_122456601.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg2qkydGEaAcCbnm9V2x3Nq7N0jjKoR05PU7v-Q62f9EtddqwS_uWY_cxBCiMk5gW6kGBudgGGKhVNWe0v0I2FwZ_HS4-w7N-kjr1vSmj-BB_mqY4wzGAsP0HLMk00JPsH3R94WYpZDaEgE9-nLIMdxWl-URQMYnfZYnK_3c2TSYIm8ThDLXNRbhFLQ/s320/PXL_20230417_122456601.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Narnia Trail - the folks at Kilbroney have developed a short trail that features a number of Narnia landmarks. I'm not gonna exaggerate here ... this might have been my A1 place on the "must see" list. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/things-to-do/the-narnia-trail-p722461">https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/things-to-do/the-narnia-trail-p722461</a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6oJLaAHKp4F3VLoE06HxEU-NB7gWZbY11Evj4C8fseuGe5Na7jJdwaxPWSVFteVHHfLloD9gfiEz8n6Vv_PcxrOYVI9cgtVw6J9TvQS6YfjbBU9HyAPX_1ZcbBma6XBzEHKKgGiU6Qfdh5w0nTDTOYUPMkDiUu0RF3ptARGqY1hnQ-SbDorXDlV8Wg/s3840/PXL_20230417_133027690.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6oJLaAHKp4F3VLoE06HxEU-NB7gWZbY11Evj4C8fseuGe5Na7jJdwaxPWSVFteVHHfLloD9gfiEz8n6Vv_PcxrOYVI9cgtVw6J9TvQS6YfjbBU9HyAPX_1ZcbBma6XBzEHKKgGiU6Qfdh5w0nTDTOYUPMkDiUu0RF3ptARGqY1hnQ-SbDorXDlV8Wg/s320/PXL_20230417_133027690.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Entering Narnia right through the front door ... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W9t51A7tKj-HujYEL2Q6gx5COsyPqG0-WjO8leqwN015wxndBte24iLQTUNmv_2RzvYHz1jox1YgW4W55k0wCTh0hki7wamtuk9UiZ4RDNvzgw1C4-wRvn8m2SsBIx4PYiOcsy6Pw3g6NoUr_P-BINAR2I9PIaOMo458JUE-_3UFs_gSuVucLZcu6Q/s3840/PXL_20230417_133720884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W9t51A7tKj-HujYEL2Q6gx5COsyPqG0-WjO8leqwN015wxndBte24iLQTUNmv_2RzvYHz1jox1YgW4W55k0wCTh0hki7wamtuk9UiZ4RDNvzgw1C4-wRvn8m2SsBIx4PYiOcsy6Pw3g6NoUr_P-BINAR2I9PIaOMo458JUE-_3UFs_gSuVucLZcu6Q/s320/PXL_20230417_133720884.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both;">... and what do I see? A lamp post? Yes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjyY17f0izOaaCmJd-6ITFebtCgMDJyQlDl2roykMSu0DE5BDRP9jBDSzVn1gOs8nfdJD3859gJB9QPnKl-_haFgI8oUzhVUx7TQCXoDSlo-1d6tFUBMqmtzF3wZG3K6zuMbHCtWWptGI4LhtQMClm_zB-koCewKjnBOcdZPuZ0YP7YqDbjkruFRv1g/s3840/PXL_20230417_133840708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjyY17f0izOaaCmJd-6ITFebtCgMDJyQlDl2roykMSu0DE5BDRP9jBDSzVn1gOs8nfdJD3859gJB9QPnKl-_haFgI8oUzhVUx7TQCXoDSlo-1d6tFUBMqmtzF3wZG3K6zuMbHCtWWptGI4LhtQMClm_zB-koCewKjnBOcdZPuZ0YP7YqDbjkruFRv1g/s320/PXL_20230417_133840708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both;">First stop? Let's see if Mr. Tumnus is home ...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSFaMuihKLc86F99k4BeasyPBSgiwAvNRFSFDOB_AdXtHiH3Gglx7vK_Nxs4607VQmzjpK_tlPguLLhuEtb-UWeRbqqc1-RTkgt9uRb6ZtXC9XxEZMYHog86M7_fjdt2AbhWStshCTVCSzeN5rYqNghIAoCbat4-Oi6tN9tNfhoyOvkZXJLYfGaAFtA/s3840/PXL_20230417_134416707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSFaMuihKLc86F99k4BeasyPBSgiwAvNRFSFDOB_AdXtHiH3Gglx7vK_Nxs4607VQmzjpK_tlPguLLhuEtb-UWeRbqqc1-RTkgt9uRb6ZtXC9XxEZMYHog86M7_fjdt2AbhWStshCTVCSzeN5rYqNghIAoCbat4-Oi6tN9tNfhoyOvkZXJLYfGaAFtA/s320/PXL_20230417_134416707.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both;">The wolves were out ... but I showed this one who's boss.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPcWN-ZLe2Ru2Z35hzzRfVfm28mirXAer_phdM680qMVCWH961LB7nflAhodSc0ASAAccp_ei_J4FvjMGkC0-FCQG5SAi5BhggK7G7nvLkNjVod3_OXgYFLkJ_4KErTUqJnWBDdPFiSi707ft3qRqxJYmwXqNB3AJSSfYVrW62tFqx9xWd4birpGb_Q/s3840/PXL_20230417_134900925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPcWN-ZLe2Ru2Z35hzzRfVfm28mirXAer_phdM680qMVCWH961LB7nflAhodSc0ASAAccp_ei_J4FvjMGkC0-FCQG5SAi5BhggK7G7nvLkNjVod3_OXgYFLkJ_4KErTUqJnWBDdPFiSi707ft3qRqxJYmwXqNB3AJSSfYVrW62tFqx9xWd4birpGb_Q/s320/PXL_20230417_134900925.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both;">One of the dryads ... take that, Trumpkin! Here's photographic evidence that they're real!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO-lhTvbw4ozL7VJAB1p2aW1l8HlOBKUWetSqA1RZ_8z3ONO6Ta6HTXpXoVdJ7ygvIuOLnzi3L65a3fnsmvVfYigceIMa6r9LaN-SvKF90546vkv3Y6yLywc0F6341tCHHv6B-fvPssrMpO1us8-iXCeq0k7kC2H0yAq62m_9sn0n04CZTKXApC2qCg/s4032/PXL_20230417_135022981.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO-lhTvbw4ozL7VJAB1p2aW1l8HlOBKUWetSqA1RZ_8z3ONO6Ta6HTXpXoVdJ7ygvIuOLnzi3L65a3fnsmvVfYigceIMa6r9LaN-SvKF90546vkv3Y6yLywc0F6341tCHHv6B-fvPssrMpO1us8-iXCeq0k7kC2H0yAq62m_9sn0n04CZTKXApC2qCg/s320/PXL_20230417_135022981.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both;">I have no idea who this is supposed to be. It wasn't labeled.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDP2yPt8LPiOGJMkbrmj7Mx0a-6FGRmx8b4qirEYe_9kDELmoEo8VBh6aPDDzXlKKAXcs6uJk8iihg13MDGxH9BMCqBv-pTjEj4GMY5G3xrZxTPo-AiwDMTq-cvcR9yPG86vMwS9IzUol9LCNT7GWIEd2x27V8Y5kApBDaFdzl0ctbWQgMVFrtOHXtQ/s3840/PXL_20230417_135211153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDP2yPt8LPiOGJMkbrmj7Mx0a-6FGRmx8b4qirEYe_9kDELmoEo8VBh6aPDDzXlKKAXcs6uJk8iihg13MDGxH9BMCqBv-pTjEj4GMY5G3xrZxTPo-AiwDMTq-cvcR9yPG86vMwS9IzUol9LCNT7GWIEd2x27V8Y5kApBDaFdzl0ctbWQgMVFrtOHXtQ/s320/PXL_20230417_135211153.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both;">The Stone Table ... I'd expected it to be cracked, but it wasn't ... so I'm guessing this is a replica.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YwWQz__4s0B9C-7BP8VgNoLmSSHT7N0Xn4chMjHJx0oIYjDtkfc552-bDoOUmKj4HpC5kurLtve7H6a3TCPQhZlkQOdsq8rMWaZFoF-6NnIcBKr2mHvHLXPBMGmqgxtCZlPqxtOqqi0R_KCArbzAt1vyL54yPDKIR1vgRLUM2nNTpXf4gk5gwkkL2Q/s3840/PXL_20230417_135846906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YwWQz__4s0B9C-7BP8VgNoLmSSHT7N0Xn4chMjHJx0oIYjDtkfc552-bDoOUmKj4HpC5kurLtve7H6a3TCPQhZlkQOdsq8rMWaZFoF-6NnIcBKr2mHvHLXPBMGmqgxtCZlPqxtOqqi0R_KCArbzAt1vyL54yPDKIR1vgRLUM2nNTpXf4gk5gwkkL2Q/s320/PXL_20230417_135846906.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both;">The park was beautiful in April ... I'm assuming it gets prettier in full bloom.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNLMvLX0vtLMJSXoaVIK2w4kHCKx-0LTFVXiH7obGq5llHkCzs_LN6mf28Pk8auDfM457HGm_ARFO_cXP-CgG81gIg6NDoFL_WHHirtwmj1MrVcLjPugiHTIX5Tw-zX8INts8GTqmeSw_rxYfp9Gtz-j9L5wo1mRF309Z7Wwug7-JRgf9B7xWG6Jifw/s4032/PXL_20230417_140112210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNLMvLX0vtLMJSXoaVIK2w4kHCKx-0LTFVXiH7obGq5llHkCzs_LN6mf28Pk8auDfM457HGm_ARFO_cXP-CgG81gIg6NDoFL_WHHirtwmj1MrVcLjPugiHTIX5Tw-zX8INts8GTqmeSw_rxYfp9Gtz-j9L5wo1mRF309Z7Wwug7-JRgf9B7xWG6Jifw/s320/PXL_20230417_140112210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both;">Aslan! Of course, it wasn't safe to give him a hug, but it sure was good!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnpqE2beD_dxnRgZZUzEtHn_CVFkqssx0vHY8qxkD5qmozubW3U6u0A5Svoh6bUCgUgx_RwSKx11AY1aRVkyDzww5VmIxvYCZsHDZTkmxH2Pe5w258h2j_jn06GvurjTUFfprKZfHT0EVNJp0Bc-8aU6ml6q_PRCQ8ORpvSGU9pvdzYG7kKuMAAOqdA/s3840/PXL_20230417_140412415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnpqE2beD_dxnRgZZUzEtHn_CVFkqssx0vHY8qxkD5qmozubW3U6u0A5Svoh6bUCgUgx_RwSKx11AY1aRVkyDzww5VmIxvYCZsHDZTkmxH2Pe5w258h2j_jn06GvurjTUFfprKZfHT0EVNJp0Bc-8aU6ml6q_PRCQ8ORpvSGU9pvdzYG7kKuMAAOqdA/s320/PXL_20230417_140412415.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both;">The castle of the White Witch ... I didn't see Jadis around, so that's a good thing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFuw95WxSdKfA0v3ZwgoTcipTqprWV3Hp5BSLs4bwP55bDvwpQGdnue29ePMmSQZxmv30Lk-RVHZ6H8l8MuWNGXOC0Dw1Hqqdkx69Hvj3LqRyMOtSv3hqe6pgnv3iOrJnw5R4M71VUmx87QkhT13yFgmr4iYnT985HapK7uXABuE_p36tOAUNLr3xag/s3840/PXL_20230417_140640877.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFuw95WxSdKfA0v3ZwgoTcipTqprWV3Hp5BSLs4bwP55bDvwpQGdnue29ePMmSQZxmv30Lk-RVHZ6H8l8MuWNGXOC0Dw1Hqqdkx69Hvj3LqRyMOtSv3hqe6pgnv3iOrJnw5R4M71VUmx87QkhT13yFgmr4iYnT985HapK7uXABuE_p36tOAUNLr3xag/s320/PXL_20230417_140640877.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both;">Sitting in the throne of High King Peter.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLY_cv0clGPGp6q0rXqL7JniCtvkYtudvdtM0WG0WmKHwcBI-Kk792QvuInmZP2FgBTxFIHfRtYV-4at-8hLmLW0kYnEO0xahLf09GqT1fH1z9auVcFl2Y-A5HKfA-iXhge0f9QIz6Z0vx4JVD1ClKtUfDfvZ1CciyUgPnfzUvWDxgGpvak3ttX-V6Q/s3840/PXL_20230417_141711519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLY_cv0clGPGp6q0rXqL7JniCtvkYtudvdtM0WG0WmKHwcBI-Kk792QvuInmZP2FgBTxFIHfRtYV-4at-8hLmLW0kYnEO0xahLf09GqT1fH1z9auVcFl2Y-A5HKfA-iXhge0f9QIz6Z0vx4JVD1ClKtUfDfvZ1CciyUgPnfzUvWDxgGpvak3ttX-V6Q/s320/PXL_20230417_141711519.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><p style="clear: both;">It's a very nice park with a wonderful little bistro. I had a nice lunch in Narnia with a beautiful view.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_JHm_2sdNGw18sXoczDfbl3fp1R1BO0QQs9I-t9BjC_D9EroAZn0QwzAFsBSDg-XycRMfut5jBGodXpHFt0VzWTl5IO76tKrDmJilMH1Cxo0v1ad_6kzGRR0s5ybkVN-vmK2yDvnEwTMlD5hX1iBNJcf-gMTC0xT4JNH0DJN0b8_p8glZTo9vgvg7A/s4032/PXL_20230417_142712130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_JHm_2sdNGw18sXoczDfbl3fp1R1BO0QQs9I-t9BjC_D9EroAZn0QwzAFsBSDg-XycRMfut5jBGodXpHFt0VzWTl5IO76tKrDmJilMH1Cxo0v1ad_6kzGRR0s5ybkVN-vmK2yDvnEwTMlD5hX1iBNJcf-gMTC0xT4JNH0DJN0b8_p8glZTo9vgvg7A/s320/PXL_20230417_142712130.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipi36ZHj14aYoqJnf3iRvJri3JVWqnJemnkJ22ZbJb0r5upFfWp73nZsvatA49esJZS2koSp0h5_HX2Ty5RTT_xgUGswiMqjkAw2KF39opl2uG51WQeJv51mmR1OmOZ6ajFu4f_YYhMO7rHZAhpLar3rkLwh4N3IcLFvFwNVsd9bRD7cRdMNzSMVl7w/s3840/PXL_20230417_143123195.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipi36ZHj14aYoqJnf3iRvJri3JVWqnJemnkJ22ZbJb0r5upFfWp73nZsvatA49esJZS2koSp0h5_HX2Ty5RTT_xgUGswiMqjkAw2KF39opl2uG51WQeJv51mmR1OmOZ6ajFu4f_YYhMO7rHZAhpLar3rkLwh4N3IcLFvFwNVsd9bRD7cRdMNzSMVl7w/s320/PXL_20230417_143123195.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieelraZM5v-jm3vmmMDite6OppCSGupDNJJbtFHyFo9KG3yA0-rjpvp8jhH8isQUENGpESSWlWJ6W5uXHsmfNQRn1rlxUPWKwwxjhvVTvZWMeDGKl_gZYcnAn1sm-Ctr2JD72n2SXeMyH2ueEeNKraenrUlibC5oX0CTm2dRA-bp7QM-0QjBQ10aIPVw/s4032/PXL_20230417_144214557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieelraZM5v-jm3vmmMDite6OppCSGupDNJJbtFHyFo9KG3yA0-rjpvp8jhH8isQUENGpESSWlWJ6W5uXHsmfNQRn1rlxUPWKwwxjhvVTvZWMeDGKl_gZYcnAn1sm-Ctr2JD72n2SXeMyH2ueEeNKraenrUlibC5oX0CTm2dRA-bp7QM-0QjBQ10aIPVw/s320/PXL_20230417_144214557.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Old Homer. It won the 2016 Northern Irish Tree of the Year award, but only came in sixth for the 2017 European Tree of the Year. It's got strong "learning tower" vibes, so they've got to prop it up with a steel structure.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvnX9w6n-zcrGZeW4XlEE2ZFbtqWJqP-2EHh_95tpUE70viCdAh5Lesb3ZWaWrv_aQ10G5yVYqkNGPdCkI6zAftjZS51BAh4B0xONwQfjpOjrycyLp7rk_MiwqYkFwqdVKbGgx7qozP1naGO6MqaQUD0M7IhIx33tMwQy9JVNFmknpK0tdXBYZVF34w/s4032/PXL_20230417_142951014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvnX9w6n-zcrGZeW4XlEE2ZFbtqWJqP-2EHh_95tpUE70viCdAh5Lesb3ZWaWrv_aQ10G5yVYqkNGPdCkI6zAftjZS51BAh4B0xONwQfjpOjrycyLp7rk_MiwqYkFwqdVKbGgx7qozP1naGO6MqaQUD0M7IhIx33tMwQy9JVNFmknpK0tdXBYZVF34w/s320/PXL_20230417_142951014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The nearby town is Rostrevor. I enjoyed walking around here too ... very nice Narnia-themed artwork throughout town. I saw a sign that said "bookmaker" and thought it would be cool to go into a bookmaker's shop on the outskirts of Narnia ... turns out it's an establishment for gambling. My bad.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8b0tgfOPYAqvdWj36FZS58hMlcM3WR3RbqKzOXFEDpYyHFXnH4G-ZgWTNu2FVyeKffxmUNv6-51TQVYGreE2zLtq9yT0lTzJWIwooJof7EjcAnGLrij64CHISIOW1AHzEHzNLfujYzNrnoP7vPDenO9hTd_rg4EtLI2tp01Nau_l-31RdvBW-XuLA8A/s4032/PXL_20230417_143649049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8b0tgfOPYAqvdWj36FZS58hMlcM3WR3RbqKzOXFEDpYyHFXnH4G-ZgWTNu2FVyeKffxmUNv6-51TQVYGreE2zLtq9yT0lTzJWIwooJof7EjcAnGLrij64CHISIOW1AHzEHzNLfujYzNrnoP7vPDenO9hTd_rg4EtLI2tp01Nau_l-31RdvBW-XuLA8A/s320/PXL_20230417_143649049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2zKYlCecgldQNLs9B9vCo8OwgMNogBj0PkIPzgnji57_J6H_jeQQhaQESfrSLHvogztp178nkXwogrhG-b3fC-yOdLTKWy6SCrbeSSxQ3jeQsamo-b5wyHSBX5UR3hj7sRCzF3yeUcYNYf2_kMy_h0EySHzYbpvk08jagq4KJ3XzPlbt8ASkEk79aw/s4032/PXL_20230417_143909200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2zKYlCecgldQNLs9B9vCo8OwgMNogBj0PkIPzgnji57_J6H_jeQQhaQESfrSLHvogztp178nkXwogrhG-b3fC-yOdLTKWy6SCrbeSSxQ3jeQsamo-b5wyHSBX5UR3hj7sRCzF3yeUcYNYf2_kMy_h0EySHzYbpvk08jagq4KJ3XzPlbt8ASkEk79aw/s320/PXL_20230417_143909200.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Visibility was limited, so seeing from the Mourne side of Carlingford Lough I then went to the other side (the Cooley Peninsula) and hoped I'd be able to see things from side. No dice. The cloud cover and fog was just as bad.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I intended to hike to the summit of Slieve Foye, but I got up high enough that I was above the cloud line. Visibility was bad enough that I opted to turn around and head back down. It didn't seem prudent to do so while alone and evening approaching.</p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlingford_Lough">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlingford_Lough</a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slieve_Foy">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slieve_Foy</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDMrkWeX4bNbXxoznHkRWTd-Qr0v9lez_sv9q9_RKsqxvZEvjoB2JE29SEKzW6ww9tiL98Uk7TxTGeZ0AfHA7-YPb8KfktXTBEWyghbuCKK5kOm6dvmTMAsxe2J_syAS4egKiL18_p-J87fJjEdqfZljeqYp463gilMxEFSo1uoXdq3qTTB2-ri9XZA/s4032/PXL_20230417_161639071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDMrkWeX4bNbXxoznHkRWTd-Qr0v9lez_sv9q9_RKsqxvZEvjoB2JE29SEKzW6ww9tiL98Uk7TxTGeZ0AfHA7-YPb8KfktXTBEWyghbuCKK5kOm6dvmTMAsxe2J_syAS4egKiL18_p-J87fJjEdqfZljeqYp463gilMxEFSo1uoXdq3qTTB2-ri9XZA/s320/PXL_20230417_161639071.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I capped off the night watching peil (Gaelic football) and hurling in the city of Knockbridge. The teams playing peil were teenage girls and the hurlers were pre-teen boys, so I didn't take too many pictures.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaelic_football">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaelic_football</a><br /></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did want to watch these games in person, but it was hard to find scheduled games during my visit. I did find these kids games on the schedule on an evening that I was close and free. I contacted the coaching staff and asked if it was okay to visit the pitch, and they were very gracious. The fact that I don't understand the rules that well made it a little more engaging ... </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a way, I think that was more rewarding than watching the big leagues. This is Cú's backyard ... he earned his name with a hurling stick in his hand before he was a teenager. To watch kids of his age playing his game in his homeland was really cool ...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uobhZHbRBmSKW2dKecE4FytWot51iR37VjDKvcXTMw-qn5lXTazV834pkSuUywbHpJx2bAihIetE5R14Crls2rT05EUCRNCXQ6nGYTl_aS5SLWjBl9-ayg99yWlDowsoSBaDCmrZ_Oxcqt_pW3Ua47bzzY4oO5ftBNUbAMv0u16hYND7yUeIZmWC9A/s4032/PXL_20230417_173917806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uobhZHbRBmSKW2dKecE4FytWot51iR37VjDKvcXTMw-qn5lXTazV834pkSuUywbHpJx2bAihIetE5R14Crls2rT05EUCRNCXQ6nGYTl_aS5SLWjBl9-ayg99yWlDowsoSBaDCmrZ_Oxcqt_pW3Ua47bzzY4oO5ftBNUbAMv0u16hYND7yUeIZmWC9A/s320/PXL_20230417_173917806.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-41820953040366610942023-04-16T10:14:00.215-04:002023-04-30T18:30:08.137-04:00Ireland Day 7<p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Full photo album - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/niEvs16kWZR7YdQb9">https://photos.app.goo.gl/niEvs16kWZR7YdQb9</a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Highlights: Hill of Tara, Phoenix Park, downtown Dublin</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifpQpXZ8A36BXB9fikrujMvtvglRh8CtALuXheVaghQAUoD4jOpmoR6G5PXoaWe_jqmFe8fvuMOkg0NHQza9KW9Vqh1HvLNIzKWtyR172DBiNELApj2jcLorJNpctrlXKfCl6G2OSeweG9OWp_pH2NVy_0p3HFwXl1Cmfb_dep3j8sdT0sTJbcCPOPg/s859/map7.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="776" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifpQpXZ8A36BXB9fikrujMvtvglRh8CtALuXheVaghQAUoD4jOpmoR6G5PXoaWe_jqmFe8fvuMOkg0NHQza9KW9Vqh1HvLNIzKWtyR172DBiNELApj2jcLorJNpctrlXKfCl6G2OSeweG9OWp_pH2NVy_0p3HFwXl1Cmfb_dep3j8sdT0sTJbcCPOPg/s320/map7.png" width="289" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGzkcf8RZNNZJUPjtpPt5CNhI6qkVs9AHqOk4wiW29cqfhLfRjWw_Ajvh106yTNmqq_vZmNUvdLmBhFzx65Ter2SL69GtBllDVz_dTJJSw0SX-SgVoATN9lRoHH8n_ZOcxaLcgkcamn8Dujo6PrsBo9CdLIcUBfe5QQkM1vignS0p1TMuYmFXv1G4Dg/s1782/map7b.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1782" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGzkcf8RZNNZJUPjtpPt5CNhI6qkVs9AHqOk4wiW29cqfhLfRjWw_Ajvh106yTNmqq_vZmNUvdLmBhFzx65Ter2SL69GtBllDVz_dTJJSw0SX-SgVoATN9lRoHH8n_ZOcxaLcgkcamn8Dujo6PrsBo9CdLIcUBfe5QQkM1vignS0p1TMuYmFXv1G4Dg/s320/map7b.png" width="320" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Almost every day started off with breakfast like this. I'm not much for big breakfasts, but this allowed me to wait until 2:00+ before having lunch. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4nYhYNvM7aRj7b43geJ4Iyo31psy94egDaIxUuSf_FmUhbNDt-gz7BZ2zYoXfcZNi4YD9Ulv4mHSDtm-D0XgDtu_w8IApjulk5N24Rul9sizX55sZXEJ2L_75VVUlVtCf2Zdy3CPMVhM0ycBbPel9nUzqQjoSkpUUyhOSiPv_rX8Cf_jAuOKyKMEKg/s4032/PXL_20230416_071659196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4nYhYNvM7aRj7b43geJ4Iyo31psy94egDaIxUuSf_FmUhbNDt-gz7BZ2zYoXfcZNi4YD9Ulv4mHSDtm-D0XgDtu_w8IApjulk5N24Rul9sizX55sZXEJ2L_75VVUlVtCf2Zdy3CPMVhM0ycBbPel9nUzqQjoSkpUUyhOSiPv_rX8Cf_jAuOKyKMEKg/s320/PXL_20230416_071659196.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Hill of Tara - This was one of my "must see" locations. This area was at one time the seat of the High King in Ireland and it is home to the Lia Fáil, aka the Stone of Destiny. It's one of the relics brought by the Tuatha Dé Danann from the city of Falias (which might be in Tír na nÓg ???).</div><p style="clear: both;">What really impressed me about the site is that's not really very commercialized. There's a parking lot with a small cafe and gift shop, but the property is wide open and not much has been done to it. While I walked around the property, I was amazed at how many people were running. I talked to a few locals about it, and they said that it was a popular training site for local runners and other athletes. </p><p style="clear: both;">I was floored ... there are people who do hill repeats on the Hill of Tara. That's a real thing. They're running up and down *the* Hill of Tara. </p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_of_Tara">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_of_Tara<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lia_F%C3%A1il">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lia_F%C3%A1il</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5JEd27i432l9wKwoJe1u2gcFCEvCyDe3hbOaSY1kD6BFJOgVX1l4dUbTFpbPHwoPXXWSzRb88CVFPR0oe5UtfRf7vOJM1H_AgS0WNM6tQ23JKdNkpm5zxoQn3NnuBo8a_Wd4xyN04rNU4BJj8ZH3ZKHtFer9YLU3nxH2kVJVI0jKlSjOpGJA8BALsA/s4032/PXL_20230416_083932490.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5JEd27i432l9wKwoJe1u2gcFCEvCyDe3hbOaSY1kD6BFJOgVX1l4dUbTFpbPHwoPXXWSzRb88CVFPR0oe5UtfRf7vOJM1H_AgS0WNM6tQ23JKdNkpm5zxoQn3NnuBo8a_Wd4xyN04rNU4BJj8ZH3ZKHtFer9YLU3nxH2kVJVI0jKlSjOpGJA8BALsA/s320/PXL_20230416_083932490.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1R9u1b1JrQMT9tCB_lE31jQ5RmB1P96m0V-iwTB2ETmxObIBC97mCxPI2lHcd-iUr3gTHkaBzs5E125h6ofOieNjrUFgAqJC9igvqVHNou6VFIH4OocjDI_PKsoM57bZWZWRBXq3_qqnAORWK5IHYaGpVIazSK_Vd5sLirujStWwNpnaG4HnWkzksNQ/s4032/PXL_20230416_084601796.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1R9u1b1JrQMT9tCB_lE31jQ5RmB1P96m0V-iwTB2ETmxObIBC97mCxPI2lHcd-iUr3gTHkaBzs5E125h6ofOieNjrUFgAqJC9igvqVHNou6VFIH4OocjDI_PKsoM57bZWZWRBXq3_qqnAORWK5IHYaGpVIazSK_Vd5sLirujStWwNpnaG4HnWkzksNQ/s320/PXL_20230416_084601796.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SW1HSk1pHPCXyk1zHpelHR4dL8o9anICLblxyLzwV1Jpvc-kqrrey3D06JIqxia_g5kOHCnCPp023uSeJjm8AUz_t2vujD5xAwVI1pvKp56FJp2ApKd1ncVEzFHNeCNLW7QNMD8oaOsdKDkrJh8O5vKIljVottm4iTkQOjFMUimehD8Xl8TgydOQmA/s4032/PXL_20230416_084746933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SW1HSk1pHPCXyk1zHpelHR4dL8o9anICLblxyLzwV1Jpvc-kqrrey3D06JIqxia_g5kOHCnCPp023uSeJjm8AUz_t2vujD5xAwVI1pvKp56FJp2ApKd1ncVEzFHNeCNLW7QNMD8oaOsdKDkrJh8O5vKIljVottm4iTkQOjFMUimehD8Xl8TgydOQmA/s320/PXL_20230416_084746933.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p style="clear: both;">On the grounds is a hawthorn tree called the Wishing Tree. People leave little notes and such attached to it. It's not really a pagan ritual. I'm not sure how to describe it ... perhaps more like a actualization or affirmation kind of thing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjybcC9hT60TssBfFwW8OiNbxThuDKDsGuc9WPg7Vu2DTIZFW0cnInJHIEVUewBZoxKN8MM23AXdL9HHR26rXup2k25kNIHfBd4HoXmTqgh8QKbe9bIe_RtDwWbmgJ1hYfTjQDI22pwJDSXsulkLNExznqsc8hAygJln78ettye_eFtcC4lyGTKCsPLg/s4032/PXL_20230416_085247390.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjybcC9hT60TssBfFwW8OiNbxThuDKDsGuc9WPg7Vu2DTIZFW0cnInJHIEVUewBZoxKN8MM23AXdL9HHR26rXup2k25kNIHfBd4HoXmTqgh8QKbe9bIe_RtDwWbmgJ1hYfTjQDI22pwJDSXsulkLNExznqsc8hAygJln78ettye_eFtcC4lyGTKCsPLg/s320/PXL_20230416_085247390.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb716foMmmRdmroFaM4w0r0LMOmLujdzlJHC40LgDUtp3pJFJ8U-tBcVRXIaXZ5XTN58dmEuMSMkIduacJsObUxAhKjLkOQAnT1DmesHWPGFG4HHn337rk229LdJzGHUFn3pNObCqkVzNl40gEz6pdcq4kOppLVFLkQUAPvXV02OzG1jCZlvwVMIFp0w/s4032/PXL_20230416_085323293.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb716foMmmRdmroFaM4w0r0LMOmLujdzlJHC40LgDUtp3pJFJ8U-tBcVRXIaXZ5XTN58dmEuMSMkIduacJsObUxAhKjLkOQAnT1DmesHWPGFG4HHn337rk229LdJzGHUFn3pNObCqkVzNl40gEz6pdcq4kOppLVFLkQUAPvXV02OzG1jCZlvwVMIFp0w/s320/PXL_20230416_085323293.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I continued talking to a local couple, they said that the real stone was no longer on the hill. It has been vandalized a lot, so they put a replica out instead. Some jerks even chiseled pieces off at one point.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They told me about the last major act of vandalism was someone painting the word "FAKE" on it. I stood there looking first at this young couple and then at the stone and then back at the couple and then back to the stone ... and I said, "but there is that tradition where the real one is returned to it's rightful place for a couple hours in the morning of one day per year, right?"</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The husband chuckled and said, "yessir, and you just happened to come on that day. What you're looking at now is the original ... it's over 5,000 years old. I bet you're glad you came today instead of yesterday!"</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/history/2023/02/07/vandalism-of-hill-of-tara-standing-stone-a-desecration/">https://www.irishtimes.com/history/2023/02/07/vandalism-of-hill-of-tara-standing-stone-a-desecration/</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQO5HlacIQKDU7QAuITNHyki7KyyOAWt2t0WAvDN-_mOSmaRqPeKwlSLDjhgxvD6LwxZNr-gA1tfT59CM-jZlDJmR8mhLdLSRPBm1wQgtzjChJJ1LkC6wgduM7trjWpkfOqUvd44idPqncveUtfCKcTC6bxh6P7Hpl_LwQeS68GNrKNmrPh-SzIGK59A/s4032/PXL_20230416_093152432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQO5HlacIQKDU7QAuITNHyki7KyyOAWt2t0WAvDN-_mOSmaRqPeKwlSLDjhgxvD6LwxZNr-gA1tfT59CM-jZlDJmR8mhLdLSRPBm1wQgtzjChJJ1LkC6wgduM7trjWpkfOqUvd44idPqncveUtfCKcTC6bxh6P7Hpl_LwQeS68GNrKNmrPh-SzIGK59A/s320/PXL_20230416_093152432.jpg" width="180" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr6Rp5EUl3J6FRw3QPc6n7zVGYQzPQHBf3ZDKOoUPV4AX0t5FDkRzaUEa9wyl8j4_mMP4n-y_tdCQZKwazIpKrHgRsUltyOIntiIgilSlhD0tDMi4IDdCsdfK18lZiGAxHQe2DfCz2ua4VLzerBR-thqqL0CWkBj1W5OtHNT0h5SfGPk0kakCSj255A/s4032/PXL_20230416_094010509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr6Rp5EUl3J6FRw3QPc6n7zVGYQzPQHBf3ZDKOoUPV4AX0t5FDkRzaUEa9wyl8j4_mMP4n-y_tdCQZKwazIpKrHgRsUltyOIntiIgilSlhD0tDMi4IDdCsdfK18lZiGAxHQe2DfCz2ua4VLzerBR-thqqL0CWkBj1W5OtHNT0h5SfGPk0kakCSj255A/s320/PXL_20230416_094010509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="clear: both;">For the most part, I was extremely well-prepared for this trip. Each day had a selection of "must see" locations, and I was able to meet (and exceed) my expectations for the day. Spoiler alert: I feel like today was my least satisfying day of the trip ... not because of what I did, but because it was harder to navigate Dublin on foot. </p><p style="clear: both;">My plan was to park on the far-west edge of Phoenix Park (where it was free) and avoid driving around Dublin. It's an easy enough town to walk, but many of the things on my list were further away from each other than I anticipated.</p><p style="clear: both;">Phoenix Park is huge. I knew it was big, but it is huge. I had to walk over three miles to get from the west end of the park to the east end of the park, which would bring into the edge of Dublin's downtown area.</p><p style="clear: both;">As I arrived, they were just wrapping up a 10k that ran through the park. I missed it. Granted, I'd ran a 20 miler the day before, but it would have been fun to run a 10k in Dublin. Maybe next time ...</p><p style="clear: both;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Park">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Park</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4Wa7MZ3ZY87QHqFcG1QWKci2cC1hLkj0oQR2lbjZFHiq-Ua78l0cFZLcfZmjt7-Bbp6tyhx1CQ2v_ZzISDE2nsdEFezp0LZrmCySH7YkA4ozBxofgt08m9ATE_eft8oesMZ1u6Nc4_1NzZqZvoIQYsGKpESqqoZ0zZqS5xd8aWGliRsPiqzeLKB4bQ/s3840/PXL_20230416_111640578.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4Wa7MZ3ZY87QHqFcG1QWKci2cC1hLkj0oQR2lbjZFHiq-Ua78l0cFZLcfZmjt7-Bbp6tyhx1CQ2v_ZzISDE2nsdEFezp0LZrmCySH7YkA4ozBxofgt08m9ATE_eft8oesMZ1u6Nc4_1NzZqZvoIQYsGKpESqqoZ0zZqS5xd8aWGliRsPiqzeLKB4bQ/s320/PXL_20230416_111640578.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDER6Kc07qLKxQjuLxt2DTojGmB8PuQqkFxC3xK0rV6RnvHKdO7rUHSVENYLO7vsXmw2Mkbrw6dD9G6Wn9XSXC8NYEjtkvgl8S6V0yehGLYxu_t5kOnKAI3QP6eoPKBCL6MWROVnxOhHuDByZ9OyKsC6Kqu9ZoqmcwWyfCz5DNId6Lmi4tkRA6sktadg/s4032/PXL_20230416_114711689.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDER6Kc07qLKxQjuLxt2DTojGmB8PuQqkFxC3xK0rV6RnvHKdO7rUHSVENYLO7vsXmw2Mkbrw6dD9G6Wn9XSXC8NYEjtkvgl8S6V0yehGLYxu_t5kOnKAI3QP6eoPKBCL6MWROVnxOhHuDByZ9OyKsC6Kqu9ZoqmcwWyfCz5DNId6Lmi4tkRA6sktadg/s320/PXL_20230416_114711689.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p style="clear: both;">Kilmainham Gaol - This was another one of my bucket list locations. BTW, gaol is not an Irish word, but an old English spelling for jail.</p><p style="clear: both;">One of the reasons this jail is so well-known is because leaders of the Easter Rising were imprisoned here in 1916. 12 of these leaders were executed. At first, many of the people of Ireland weren't too sure about the bid for independence, but these executions turned many folks against the Crown. Imagine if Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, etc. had been executed on July 9, 1776?</p><p style="clear: both;">While the Easter Rising might be considered a failure because independence was not achieved at that time, Ireland wouldn't have won their independence without it. Independence would follow in 1920.</p><p style="clear: both;">Those executed were: Patrick Pearse, Thomas MacDonagh, Thomas Clarke, Joseph Plunkett, William Pearse, Edward Daly, Michael O'Hanrahan, John MacBride, Éamonn Ceannt, Michael Mallin, Seán Heuston, Con Colbert, James Connolly and Seán Mac Diarmada.</p><p style="clear: both;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Rising">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Rising</a><br /></p><p style="clear: both;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilmainham_Gaol">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilmainham_Gaol</a><br /></p><p style="clear: both;">The jail was abandoned and left derelict for several years. It was eventually restored and turned into a museum. Visiting is a chilling experience. I can't say that I enjoyed the visit, but I am thankful for the opporunity.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwf2oW6xjW8dC9bEilSSYb6VFIrPwG9H2zAb13_kZdqEwmmgQMaQPPzHjiAxjqrKN9GSC3Jee_DoD3qTiCLZmGWR164M2slGCUznj6dr0R3AQFP6h-1OdmD0_O2MomtwheIk19d0cUJ4nD7IWrnLP-pgPHOQqN1IvR5CJf8xvvAlUmTvUTRCoo-vUp7A/s4032/PXL_20230416_121427781.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwf2oW6xjW8dC9bEilSSYb6VFIrPwG9H2zAb13_kZdqEwmmgQMaQPPzHjiAxjqrKN9GSC3Jee_DoD3qTiCLZmGWR164M2slGCUznj6dr0R3AQFP6h-1OdmD0_O2MomtwheIk19d0cUJ4nD7IWrnLP-pgPHOQqN1IvR5CJf8xvvAlUmTvUTRCoo-vUp7A/s320/PXL_20230416_121427781.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvgwmH7gx4V-5jbY-mfLnTdc8ilfb2VYpkOcjxNj476dPP37IhdVHeBMM0oggNFq2o9yyZ6kK0B1fYLPDe9BuO2886ImnBhERK5uLQAGMrLDU-rdlHnMs0O43Bye6v3Bw2XOxMErMztvXO-nsBZIVCDq-3ttFcZWyTY83v0EQcMKlzuhUwr2t_8m6AA/s4032/PXL_20230416_125010060.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvgwmH7gx4V-5jbY-mfLnTdc8ilfb2VYpkOcjxNj476dPP37IhdVHeBMM0oggNFq2o9yyZ6kK0B1fYLPDe9BuO2886ImnBhERK5uLQAGMrLDU-rdlHnMs0O43Bye6v3Bw2XOxMErMztvXO-nsBZIVCDq-3ttFcZWyTY83v0EQcMKlzuhUwr2t_8m6AA/s320/PXL_20230416_125010060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIi15Sq_g66E6P8hexh9V7_SFf6Tc7jdHUg-z6bOH15tye9HmbL1AzTREsLOqiao4sK8cy_4_Tg5XX0nPcbbg6t9krpMMdsyALGBchfb7i2_HveWlUxo9oEO5i91NghQhRd4eyk50_8uMBQPtclVntyEkZKGWtBqbOFPuk7pTCpfqsGqaY9_ZXZc3fhg/s4032/PXL_20230416_125359666.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIi15Sq_g66E6P8hexh9V7_SFf6Tc7jdHUg-z6bOH15tye9HmbL1AzTREsLOqiao4sK8cy_4_Tg5XX0nPcbbg6t9krpMMdsyALGBchfb7i2_HveWlUxo9oEO5i91NghQhRd4eyk50_8uMBQPtclVntyEkZKGWtBqbOFPuk7pTCpfqsGqaY9_ZXZc3fhg/s320/PXL_20230416_125359666.MP.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p style="clear: both;">One of the executed revolutionaries was Joseph Plunkett. He was engaged to Grace Gifford at the time of the Rising. He was permitted to marry his bride in the jail's chapel. He was executed shortly thereafter. Grace would later be incarcerated as well. She decorated her cell with paintings, and while I couldn't go into her cell, I did snap a pic through the hole in the door.</p><p style="clear: both;">The Dubliners have a very beautiful song about Joseph and Grace.</p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Plunkett">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Plunkett<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Gifford">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Gifford<br /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5UhRcpyLyc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5UhRcpyLyc</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf6iq964tyVP_bvW6qdwC4SCx0BejbzxKxXHZU8JgZ7CKsdizM6V_8Ur5_0UrOK6cSp8Cc4xTOgdFBOUz_ZjGakdH0LZYrTBleJjDpEKuYFOSMoJ0I9mqnJW4J0aiLTJnf3RaE-oClkAW2Ppi4n5wve_zVmiHaVIVVIUJFY1Bb_Xayzq0c0cVvNqC-A/s4032/PXL_20230416_131113184.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf6iq964tyVP_bvW6qdwC4SCx0BejbzxKxXHZU8JgZ7CKsdizM6V_8Ur5_0UrOK6cSp8Cc4xTOgdFBOUz_ZjGakdH0LZYrTBleJjDpEKuYFOSMoJ0I9mqnJW4J0aiLTJnf3RaE-oClkAW2Ppi4n5wve_zVmiHaVIVVIUJFY1Bb_Xayzq0c0cVvNqC-A/s320/PXL_20230416_131113184.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghreQigYeNGkEV4pqJsaVzoclLTGXq2V9OVvZdrkEB89jYTkUBd8Wk-jrA91LQNV3-FKamhDW6wkS4Vo0Tz8Lp6brLG5I6W_0cOGs46YhykGIg5x4dIVro8_ywhfV3WnuIoHgMd337AHsFu8DIVhMmlq-pkMUl58s_K1khG-GIahgNH0owXMJVo7aKgw/s4032/PXL_20230416_133633689.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghreQigYeNGkEV4pqJsaVzoclLTGXq2V9OVvZdrkEB89jYTkUBd8Wk-jrA91LQNV3-FKamhDW6wkS4Vo0Tz8Lp6brLG5I6W_0cOGs46YhykGIg5x4dIVro8_ywhfV3WnuIoHgMd337AHsFu8DIVhMmlq-pkMUl58s_K1khG-GIahgNH0owXMJVo7aKgw/s320/PXL_20230416_133633689.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxfyKvqiguITnX37rVoSkAGF4ctyi30-tUbURORkqWXektxag4JkjABz61bpsuruljk-c1qcl8nXS_DMwtM8BvxXQTHHUcMrUogzrjOmnuHnD_l4vR0j6dDjQo2nvpqq3DJRG_7mGTL-e0RZeAkE-HZl66LDkWNZUeeRzRsk8RaFfQNAkQC4LZJiSBw/s4032/PXL_20230416_140336050.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxfyKvqiguITnX37rVoSkAGF4ctyi30-tUbURORkqWXektxag4JkjABz61bpsuruljk-c1qcl8nXS_DMwtM8BvxXQTHHUcMrUogzrjOmnuHnD_l4vR0j6dDjQo2nvpqq3DJRG_7mGTL-e0RZeAkE-HZl66LDkWNZUeeRzRsk8RaFfQNAkQC4LZJiSBw/s320/PXL_20230416_140336050.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="clear: both;">Many of the cells have tags that have been affixed to the doorways so you can who was where. It's amazing to think of the things that happened on these grounds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqIu0aY1OPfqPTOGayYJr98E_6KJjFpf6_RrQTBB2XFCVbOo90jPGaNAJ08b3FukSdXIKgFN1FkiQwA0EY0kiUgODbpTEw4NYi5zIUc9tUIIwgFvQ7gSsAGZ8cGwcvVXgUJmtVNypaYyZcfE_ZSV683MQDp7gvh8tq2ydG4A6MHGtr9BQJ3_hKG906g/s4032/PXL_20230416_133233274.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqIu0aY1OPfqPTOGayYJr98E_6KJjFpf6_RrQTBB2XFCVbOo90jPGaNAJ08b3FukSdXIKgFN1FkiQwA0EY0kiUgODbpTEw4NYi5zIUc9tUIIwgFvQ7gSsAGZ8cGwcvVXgUJmtVNypaYyZcfE_ZSV683MQDp7gvh8tq2ydG4A6MHGtr9BQJ3_hKG906g/s320/PXL_20230416_133233274.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpduV52qCeCG7H_V-fKsf_-hoWWfnxTDTghrE9wK_yjHzV2Tcc6RtMVL2z9DfbEYFz-JlKiQIAjbh2soyrhHdVIKgqIavFLZi5z3Mk3vanN-E0JIoTVSii8rYH6Aysxw4EvY452V--ZNgV6qAdi_0knXhGoWMKaJw0nVdHSwjY6Dhg44BE8PulF285wQ/s4032/PXL_20230416_133104729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpduV52qCeCG7H_V-fKsf_-hoWWfnxTDTghrE9wK_yjHzV2Tcc6RtMVL2z9DfbEYFz-JlKiQIAjbh2soyrhHdVIKgqIavFLZi5z3Mk3vanN-E0JIoTVSii8rYH6Aysxw4EvY452V--ZNgV6qAdi_0knXhGoWMKaJw0nVdHSwjY6Dhg44BE8PulF285wQ/s320/PXL_20230416_133104729.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHaXhQlN638BbAospryfzhtCrFZbFU--xVBhvVFU26WQyqOLBItNk0S2PwUggLx_3zP5VNG3QO7c4tjlsj5RWVK7w16bUgVaqJdYdw058eNc5QLtMQCNnyUcA_QvfT5TGmyLO2xVLJYLc7BIsCrsoajXMxS_JwmkBLKGjH6TBkPmGyeqgnzXjj0PaLw/s4032/PXL_20230416_135356566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHaXhQlN638BbAospryfzhtCrFZbFU--xVBhvVFU26WQyqOLBItNk0S2PwUggLx_3zP5VNG3QO7c4tjlsj5RWVK7w16bUgVaqJdYdw058eNc5QLtMQCNnyUcA_QvfT5TGmyLO2xVLJYLc7BIsCrsoajXMxS_JwmkBLKGjH6TBkPmGyeqgnzXjj0PaLw/s320/PXL_20230416_135356566.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both;">I worked my way over to St Stephen's Green, another park in Dublin. Much smaller than Phoenix Park. It's beautiful. </p><p style="clear: both;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Stephen%27s_Green">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Stephen%27s_Green</a><br /></p><p style="clear: both;">If you'd like to know more about an Irish patriot and hero, check out the story of Constance Markievicz.</p><p style="clear: both;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constance_Markievicz">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constance_Markievicz</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6YdkfL0EHDx1FR3TeBWbzNGSPyTlbSY__AHxzKI4IEZwFxXLd90pasBQc2rq72aSD8xNsl7W9WOvA6XkGFz3qMA3eNuzXdxYWRRnj7QJYXbAsCbq9YS_2aRXVrcsn7kkW-GsLwTZoxIlsK54hzaBrW2OJgzy-MgGoW1Ibgd56ybicJlEsvTZUbW_MQ/s4032/PXL_20230416_150223379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6YdkfL0EHDx1FR3TeBWbzNGSPyTlbSY__AHxzKI4IEZwFxXLd90pasBQc2rq72aSD8xNsl7W9WOvA6XkGFz3qMA3eNuzXdxYWRRnj7QJYXbAsCbq9YS_2aRXVrcsn7kkW-GsLwTZoxIlsK54hzaBrW2OJgzy-MgGoW1Ibgd56ybicJlEsvTZUbW_MQ/s320/PXL_20230416_150223379.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnph6DpKQpCikhnjugWep7CZK4Qih56MHHpWGwXzvlrrJBn5PRA4LL57OS4defgzoKWNVnzsVl63T2pF-X4e_dFYgfq2-vnJ0gP-sHZAEzM3lcbxyyZDESjDv3HRf3ehZmJzrmpi_ougSZht8asbe-Cfno2YraRIIItu5T4JLVmTv8Pc9kqrDJNkr-oA/s4032/PXL_20230416_150259052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnph6DpKQpCikhnjugWep7CZK4Qih56MHHpWGwXzvlrrJBn5PRA4LL57OS4defgzoKWNVnzsVl63T2pF-X4e_dFYgfq2-vnJ0gP-sHZAEzM3lcbxyyZDESjDv3HRf3ehZmJzrmpi_ougSZht8asbe-Cfno2YraRIIItu5T4JLVmTv8Pc9kqrDJNkr-oA/s320/PXL_20230416_150259052.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKQ5ZBIUhzQgXHW1jx2kxf3pPFEtJJLKPHTiqnDMm4wtDU6-LTIsbN2a5WfvlYnR2UqPTux9QtGknC-2rRykfGxvXgTqeixsMuXofykKtRijGXVSsOMKSaNDyGd8neqXaS7IGyCShQoWyCl_ra-bcnro_mwuQAYE_wrPcWybSEAQjlEDqts4hDBNOLg/s4032/PXL_20230416_150353001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKQ5ZBIUhzQgXHW1jx2kxf3pPFEtJJLKPHTiqnDMm4wtDU6-LTIsbN2a5WfvlYnR2UqPTux9QtGknC-2rRykfGxvXgTqeixsMuXofykKtRijGXVSsOMKSaNDyGd8neqXaS7IGyCShQoWyCl_ra-bcnro_mwuQAYE_wrPcWybSEAQjlEDqts4hDBNOLg/s320/PXL_20230416_150353001.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfmy-t16_BZf73K5YYXbRrWnM-zGnwpYAfJhZVpprUMVLU1z9kvtxQaeXI2N2Fuio7T6GrqXuhacBC6pLdeHcEYrbB9Rrsr6yneDts1VdSP1ifizrKUJhmVygcLaZSDzr-GUx5_7dEanyP2wtPYmBDgEqbGWZm0iy9reJ9SBneSjj5aPJ2_oe1n4XVw/s4032/PXL_20230416_150535282.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfmy-t16_BZf73K5YYXbRrWnM-zGnwpYAfJhZVpprUMVLU1z9kvtxQaeXI2N2Fuio7T6GrqXuhacBC6pLdeHcEYrbB9Rrsr6yneDts1VdSP1ifizrKUJhmVygcLaZSDzr-GUx5_7dEanyP2wtPYmBDgEqbGWZm0iy9reJ9SBneSjj5aPJ2_oe1n4XVw/s320/PXL_20230416_150535282.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEd4_LRcWWs1ANMJqZxgb4gLIkWwkZKPBBx0-0CE85QqAANEIxMi9TwTz_pC1nL6BFfpwh3YmX0gfTW4DTP5aGZGGOylm2YbsvdI7xSQnvOIEMb3NwpsaUjk2IHPmNsFPzrSdOs9yeh5sUDmDaXscCSfN3MdZ2fmuyyeCcPYTEopXtld9tnuyLIhhnw/s4032/PXL_20230416_151222000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEd4_LRcWWs1ANMJqZxgb4gLIkWwkZKPBBx0-0CE85QqAANEIxMi9TwTz_pC1nL6BFfpwh3YmX0gfTW4DTP5aGZGGOylm2YbsvdI7xSQnvOIEMb3NwpsaUjk2IHPmNsFPzrSdOs9yeh5sUDmDaXscCSfN3MdZ2fmuyyeCcPYTEopXtld9tnuyLIhhnw/s320/PXL_20230416_151222000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="clear: both;">On to Grafton Street, where buskers were in full swing. I have actually watched quite of this performer's YouTube videos ... nice to see Allie Sherlock live and in person!</p><p style="clear: both;">A few other random landmarks included the Spire of Dublin (which I think is sticking out Daniel O'Connell's head in my pic) and Ha'penny Bridge.</p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AllieSherlockMusic">https://www.youtube.com/@AllieSherlockMusic</a> <br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spire_of_Dublin">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spire_of_Dublin<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha%27penny_Bridge">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha%27penny_Bridge</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISZAju6jZh50OIvTAtAAqUuUl3Fo5FSemqWqu80pCWXNknO86ECUYpVQvZkamABcPxu16cUIpmpxtGy2EppDheU-Z17FCRuDa4GDMVNcKEKYo-dyr-rUm53-TJ7ha2HwYEsEpuovQZonn23cFg5UUh2vd7z5JxGaBMS-fKhczGnujJlryIT5yUjkf6Q/s4032/PXL_20230416_152512865.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISZAju6jZh50OIvTAtAAqUuUl3Fo5FSemqWqu80pCWXNknO86ECUYpVQvZkamABcPxu16cUIpmpxtGy2EppDheU-Z17FCRuDa4GDMVNcKEKYo-dyr-rUm53-TJ7ha2HwYEsEpuovQZonn23cFg5UUh2vd7z5JxGaBMS-fKhczGnujJlryIT5yUjkf6Q/s320/PXL_20230416_152512865.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ELGybySg5ovYu0eDlXYHv0o-KfQPgV40PO-O2CyQACYAupU6wWT47HMvMAjiHBeNj8sZCUkgrmYEmOgPhhHf4goagxksh0-KjXnrFieKQ80jJfmsKQcN7cxfXxatIQYpRaWkX4kWC8hM582LXbGAr9C7qwtzs4zoET-hOYyM2W2xfUxjR6cfDYqMMQ/s4032/PXL_20230416_153154959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ELGybySg5ovYu0eDlXYHv0o-KfQPgV40PO-O2CyQACYAupU6wWT47HMvMAjiHBeNj8sZCUkgrmYEmOgPhhHf4goagxksh0-KjXnrFieKQ80jJfmsKQcN7cxfXxatIQYpRaWkX4kWC8hM582LXbGAr9C7qwtzs4zoET-hOYyM2W2xfUxjR6cfDYqMMQ/s320/PXL_20230416_153154959.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNfEexcoojvwhTkfStp2uQ9y1C28AK8x-1wn3bR4WgYVUuPS11g_K5-pBMXghbBVzveU5P_ZCYaR084Vlb78p4tDThvpmzay4hhMXmQDVH8WfzsL3_t3CMLluk-moFfbBYJWtLqUgRupW4B1isRMI-NBSnzSR6oKR4e_Mj_yFVWnKV838EXYEqpnzrg/s4032/PXL_20230416_153632142.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNfEexcoojvwhTkfStp2uQ9y1C28AK8x-1wn3bR4WgYVUuPS11g_K5-pBMXghbBVzveU5P_ZCYaR084Vlb78p4tDThvpmzay4hhMXmQDVH8WfzsL3_t3CMLluk-moFfbBYJWtLqUgRupW4B1isRMI-NBSnzSR6oKR4e_Mj_yFVWnKV838EXYEqpnzrg/s320/PXL_20230416_153632142.MP.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p style="text-align: left;">Overall, I had a wonderful day. The Hill of Tara made me really happy and Kilmainham was sobering. Both were greatly appreciated.</p><p style="text-align: left;">As far as "Dublin in a day" goes, that's not a feasible plan. I knew I couldn't get everything on my list, but the major impediment was my parking plan. I wound up spending walking over six miles through Phoenix park. That was a significant time investment. I should have paid for a parking spot closer to the city center (centre?) and I could have spent more time exploring. I'm not upset with my mistake, but I am mildly disappointed.</p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p></div>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-38186109421968474912023-04-15T17:14:00.380-04:002023-04-28T22:34:28.022-04:00Ireland Day 6 - Race Day!<p style="text-align: left;">Full photo album - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/RYKZ2YDDv4cPDVHg7">https://photos.app.goo.gl/RYKZ2YDDv4cPDVHg7</a></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLlosaIj3XwT8GddpXGvg3F3spMyAU9OohhH_g_gARKviqo6GOamiWHo3NIrMbtq02klEhkKDK1MYPfXYT0s-8dfjsYUROijFC0mmCaoV0EoKm3sxqCTAXaivIMHXOwIfdLGv1ABMpVhaaPWJK8Ap967_TJXa0eznh8qfTT3CrxZR8iriQaSpkJSg-9w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1129" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLlosaIj3XwT8GddpXGvg3F3spMyAU9OohhH_g_gARKviqo6GOamiWHo3NIrMbtq02klEhkKDK1MYPfXYT0s-8dfjsYUROijFC0mmCaoV0EoKm3sxqCTAXaivIMHXOwIfdLGv1ABMpVhaaPWJK8Ap967_TJXa0eznh8qfTT3CrxZR8iriQaSpkJSg-9w" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><!--more--></span><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;">Route of the Giant's Causeway 20 Mile Coastal Trail Run</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.endurancelife.com/giants-causeway">https://www.endurancelife.com/giants-causeway</a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsukaZmmxmbUoE0gtlYd4jxk-Of-xMOu9rp4aaLqq4iX_PVfaBh6S5FdJQNsR1jIKBANZJj78wnx59H_C2bMVFLhn-qSNvbsx_JEoqRnKFUZygw7FaIiLbB7I0J4Kt1RWj91vrjFSVnP8HLlkJX5KBDhs162pN-XS2qeripbWREKe_au20z7GzA-GnaA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1695" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsukaZmmxmbUoE0gtlYd4jxk-Of-xMOu9rp4aaLqq4iX_PVfaBh6S5FdJQNsR1jIKBANZJj78wnx59H_C2bMVFLhn-qSNvbsx_JEoqRnKFUZygw7FaIiLbB7I0J4Kt1RWj91vrjFSVnP8HLlkJX5KBDhs162pN-XS2qeripbWREKe_au20z7GzA-GnaA" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span></span></p><!--more--><p style="text-align: left;">Starting the day in Cushendall -</p><p style="text-align: left;">Prior to this day, I'd been able to sleep in a bit and have a nice breakfast with the BnB hosts. Today, I needed to be out the door a little quicker, so I told the hostess that she wouldn't need to make breakfast for me. She made cinnamon rolls for me and had them with some extra snacks packed in a to-go bag. It was an unexpected and pleasant treat. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I really wanted to get a lot of nice sunrise, sunset and night sky pics throughout my trip, but it was not easy. Often, there was a lot of cloud cover at just the wrong time ... or I was not in a location conducive to those kind of pics (at the bottom of a valley or behind a tall tree line). This was the best sunrise pic I got ... </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zwSxF34sRdfCcIVkAT1OhzX-eTawHpJD5PouXgmO54TTUwMCGLlfoFGDxCWUlIAdef3ukBQex63GvsJWd7gDOboajP-UBwap1t2krEGDcK9gOF0257tloyCAD_K10hD47Ss7XaG1ERhbN1TZvJlqjpriHCasArXeW7uD_5EQ05WZ0nt-A4v667Q95Q/s4032/PXL_20230415_055111066~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zwSxF34sRdfCcIVkAT1OhzX-eTawHpJD5PouXgmO54TTUwMCGLlfoFGDxCWUlIAdef3ukBQex63GvsJWd7gDOboajP-UBwap1t2krEGDcK9gOF0257tloyCAD_K10hD47Ss7XaG1ERhbN1TZvJlqjpriHCasArXeW7uD_5EQ05WZ0nt-A4v667Q95Q/s320/PXL_20230415_055111066~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSC0fSxnG5tUHDWKylMOUkXSMVt6KbmFgt-TsD3dlPRs_FQYWeZz1O81rrFPAGFZJoyIhCWXChzSViUNuI23mwHjcMN0i0SKy4ZFIdP6EwvcS1eoKcuH36sQZ_cuITcpoGFwy9RGAlmS--i1eR5Qnq93oWaXC5F4PRFLYINnpCyBceepCEwOfTRmv5g/s4032/PXL_20230415_061057820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSC0fSxnG5tUHDWKylMOUkXSMVt6KbmFgt-TsD3dlPRs_FQYWeZz1O81rrFPAGFZJoyIhCWXChzSViUNuI23mwHjcMN0i0SKy4ZFIdP6EwvcS1eoKcuH36sQZ_cuITcpoGFwy9RGAlmS--i1eR5Qnq93oWaXC5F4PRFLYINnpCyBceepCEwOfTRmv5g/s320/PXL_20230415_061057820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As a point-to-point race, I had to go to the finish line for packet pickup and then take a shuttle to the start. I made it to Portrush with plenty of time, but it took me a little extra while to find parking. I made it to the shuttle with less than five minutes to spare.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHB81tIqXEuBJ6gFLoGjDnHUUk4DDthqg_R4OGargSIgQmP6amaB8DwjuxspD_t_MZA0e5WarEGPELY5JU8AdXdD7fp9mECHpQso5Blf3Fytie4Y4VGsem0TKbN6romD4weyMUFXkYFMmWNZtIOEp6qSfSCRQSIxRGd1WHYqrprtM94S3j8G2u2SSog/s3840/PXL_20230415_070747268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHB81tIqXEuBJ6gFLoGjDnHUUk4DDthqg_R4OGargSIgQmP6amaB8DwjuxspD_t_MZA0e5WarEGPELY5JU8AdXdD7fp9mECHpQso5Blf3Fytie4Y4VGsem0TKbN6romD4weyMUFXkYFMmWNZtIOEp6qSfSCRQSIxRGd1WHYqrprtM94S3j8G2u2SSog/s320/PXL_20230415_070747268.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I waited at the start line, I met someone named Tina. I told this Tina that I knew someone named else Tina (Mama T from Fort Wayne's Smallest Winner) and we chatted a bit. I love making friends at races. I am convinced that everywhere I go, I find that runners are the coolest and neatest people.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6R8kNSaZE1mvdpxp2Otbq3oGx2zSMguX3zSQoTbOzmnUwnymlqG8F6I-8uLMnQfmM7caoZDUjgVCCw3izYPMAQg_ycpnCafG3-2xKnT8pDqVXgqVWZlO4NF_jqbyxRJ-1lsw1V3eiO1kkhg0WsIdfy-zR8MBHdYYD0A-5GuzYOzqg4ZNznAWxpus1g/s4032/PXL_20230415_080013651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6R8kNSaZE1mvdpxp2Otbq3oGx2zSMguX3zSQoTbOzmnUwnymlqG8F6I-8uLMnQfmM7caoZDUjgVCCw3izYPMAQg_ycpnCafG3-2xKnT8pDqVXgqVWZlO4NF_jqbyxRJ-1lsw1V3eiO1kkhg0WsIdfy-zR8MBHdYYD0A-5GuzYOzqg4ZNznAWxpus1g/s320/PXL_20230415_080013651.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The start area is actually another filming area for Game of Thrones. We started in the parking lot for the Carrick-A-Rede bridge. I'd have loved to walk up that way to get some pics, but there wasn't enough time for the race started.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were 250-ish of us who started the race, and we are all crammed into a small area.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrick-a-Rede_Rope_Bridge">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrick-a-Rede_Rope_Bridge</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19fhpKDkJvfJLUiBUOFf6KB4h7Ghm0Tp4S8LdpQJSImuLKUshe_NUqfDx25VAPDM7zkl0QSJEy5O_qzo558c2aolsmOC8cPcAaeYnEADauUQVJDlmB1tCQF6RpkUokzm0sVrRKK9-eoPDj2VbIHBc6seQg2YaycWuaGYzjpjPs4GSYnvXOpbLT0dxHQ/s4032/PXL_20230415_074726916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19fhpKDkJvfJLUiBUOFf6KB4h7Ghm0Tp4S8LdpQJSImuLKUshe_NUqfDx25VAPDM7zkl0QSJEy5O_qzo558c2aolsmOC8cPcAaeYnEADauUQVJDlmB1tCQF6RpkUokzm0sVrRKK9-eoPDj2VbIHBc6seQg2YaycWuaGYzjpjPs4GSYnvXOpbLT0dxHQ/s320/PXL_20230415_074726916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0wWZL3OkLfXGh0QELktSYKXRFTkYOVNmE_zq6uuQ4KNIpgraYnPfER6tI_WNdzbm7bcN89kgnFnHHuU3xueUBpfGJwPC4My9o3F1uzb6iaDw3iNJ940QaYZ77KngT7xyUwv9VmSC0YVhdj9zoRvLAlwELzmCCdjhZO75rsPvJUcrZUy_opqsRsWMyg/s4032/PXL_20230415_075358008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0wWZL3OkLfXGh0QELktSYKXRFTkYOVNmE_zq6uuQ4KNIpgraYnPfER6tI_WNdzbm7bcN89kgnFnHHuU3xueUBpfGJwPC4My9o3F1uzb6iaDw3iNJ940QaYZ77KngT7xyUwv9VmSC0YVhdj9zoRvLAlwELzmCCdjhZO75rsPvJUcrZUy_opqsRsWMyg/s320/PXL_20230415_075358008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_9z0jjCIpYIYD809_s6oai5lYPgYkjYNp3Jn-_LEZHkTqryPleI2vjvT_UsUxRvwMFYadDuxy7TlThk-NcKCVRwY0qDi3eEzA0BN0BWa_sMoVHI4_biXjPVaPcopwqU5oqNtpPBGZcfrCcHCUwPi3udUeKClDS4lTIhvDHvnoIMai0zKtGNlb5f_Jw/s3840/PXL_20230415_080218795.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_9z0jjCIpYIYD809_s6oai5lYPgYkjYNp3Jn-_LEZHkTqryPleI2vjvT_UsUxRvwMFYadDuxy7TlThk-NcKCVRwY0qDi3eEzA0BN0BWa_sMoVHI4_biXjPVaPcopwqU5oqNtpPBGZcfrCcHCUwPi3udUeKClDS4lTIhvDHvnoIMai0zKtGNlb5f_Jw/s320/PXL_20230415_080218795.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At first, the course was fairly sedate. The first two miles passed quickly. We wound up running for a bit on the beach, and it was nice ...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3p_3EpeyIv_NvulxhLdLdvnJjsG45120z8akbB3Z6KfWYPYa9giB7AWoDf_8KKOt9BZoHWM7Vh4EUR37HbW5VrVXo-aW1YZEN7QiHZj-3HIfX2URudCRLAtRQZ4BC4lOzg0h1fMwVvSx1wKEQWWatFyzT0n3nUjqVvVhmrtXfzSHpk49sXtKKkE62Q/s4032/PXL_20230415_085229346.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3p_3EpeyIv_NvulxhLdLdvnJjsG45120z8akbB3Z6KfWYPYa9giB7AWoDf_8KKOt9BZoHWM7Vh4EUR37HbW5VrVXo-aW1YZEN7QiHZj-3HIfX2URudCRLAtRQZ4BC4lOzg0h1fMwVvSx1wKEQWWatFyzT0n3nUjqVvVhmrtXfzSHpk49sXtKKkE62Q/s320/PXL_20230415_085229346.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then we got to the end of the beach ... there was a lot of kelp to wade through. On some runners, it was mid-calf. I was amused ...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKvd-ZeT37HOsS0EXE5GsVjvawcFmerB3AHoIlgXCQYeN64G3tt40Ra9UNWhGwt8yj29DFXad9jj-t1tUd4q3LyP5rnJ4s_n_OTm4ebI8sj52AiuLab4r71trsZnAfZRgLpiFNBnd_talfQkg8SOoKLbIu4EFkSQxSb6ICzsU99FaC93LCA-3vDETvQ/s4032/PXL_20230415_083450342.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKvd-ZeT37HOsS0EXE5GsVjvawcFmerB3AHoIlgXCQYeN64G3tt40Ra9UNWhGwt8yj29DFXad9jj-t1tUd4q3LyP5rnJ4s_n_OTm4ebI8sj52AiuLab4r71trsZnAfZRgLpiFNBnd_talfQkg8SOoKLbIu4EFkSQxSb6ICzsU99FaC93LCA-3vDETvQ/s320/PXL_20230415_083450342.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXkJSdj0YM1f62cxP_EVbGjCdI0iregyokAsabPmRcOySjkdftO29IiO78WFuni-e9g2Nuktnc0BykpLwYb8ncwH-qcPdtsisml25ULzkixdhsIR0d9NU2lmqZHIwHEu5DmdLTnO2iFF0QSI6C3TM0h-KcpYDlP6Jm9-m8p-j7Ib_lKneBhW37pwydg/s4032/PXL_20230415_083644510.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXkJSdj0YM1f62cxP_EVbGjCdI0iregyokAsabPmRcOySjkdftO29IiO78WFuni-e9g2Nuktnc0BykpLwYb8ncwH-qcPdtsisml25ULzkixdhsIR0d9NU2lmqZHIwHEu5DmdLTnO2iFF0QSI6C3TM0h-KcpYDlP6Jm9-m8p-j7Ib_lKneBhW37pwydg/s320/PXL_20230415_083644510.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then I don't have any pics from the next 2.5 miles. We were along the base of the cliff and it took a lot of concentration to pick my way across large, wet, mossy boulders. I moved very slowly and deliberately. If it had been rainy or windy, I would have probably dropped. It was some of the hardest to traverse terrain I've ever crossed.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The scariest part of this ordeal was having to move from one rock to another and that second rock was just a few inches out of my reach. I'd have to release my weight and trust that I'd picked a safe landing spot. Even a 3-4 inch drop was enough to cause me clinch up my little butt checks and hold my breath. I thank God for a safe traversal!</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At one point, someone came up from behind me and asked how I was doing. I was perplexed at first, but then I realized I was talking to the course sweeper. If he passes you, you're removed from the course. I was so intent moving along the base of the cliff that I had fallen into dead last place.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first checkpoint was near Dunseverick Castle. I had moved so slowly through that part of the course that Google Maps asked me to rate my stay. Seriously. Thanks, Google. </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunseverick_Castle">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunseverick_Castle</a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By mile six, we got past this terrain and I managed to put a little distance between me and the sweeper, but it was still slow going. There was a lot of elevation changes, and often it was not much faster going downhill.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We moved through active farmland, caves, arches, waterfalls, etc. I was able to start taking pictures again. The views were everything I hoped they'd be.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdIZPxU4tXFkmUXOE8ycgFEwDmVzPkrn91SeXiGk6WfOILWS4xK57nDYAuEGKVl2IyAlb7QNK79F3mdaSOmafvoC8qwvtqyDdQpOtlZFMYHTmPwqgDR63XbUh95SR-5bHq_QkeRKLxZBNLCaVdU5dSDMANFQF1cLYiKCSTcfMGIEXtKIaUQskXHH5-Q/s4032/PXL_20230415_092630722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdIZPxU4tXFkmUXOE8ycgFEwDmVzPkrn91SeXiGk6WfOILWS4xK57nDYAuEGKVl2IyAlb7QNK79F3mdaSOmafvoC8qwvtqyDdQpOtlZFMYHTmPwqgDR63XbUh95SR-5bHq_QkeRKLxZBNLCaVdU5dSDMANFQF1cLYiKCSTcfMGIEXtKIaUQskXHH5-Q/s320/PXL_20230415_092630722.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H376EPNlUAlia6sR5NrpCfqZvaU6WdHWVGcB15-M4qHuIT0rKI6JGI4HTbvGtGk_hyVAt1YyD_oFnC-Rd1XemIH3dlRDNWoz5OvhOzgSJw3nWnEmV41LcYLWbjOaCYDmFzfLPVMBgObrvE_rDkEY7i2baC0qs38B88w0gi0YyRXJrzmkk-ob3m64Ug/s3840/PXL_20230415_082523350.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H376EPNlUAlia6sR5NrpCfqZvaU6WdHWVGcB15-M4qHuIT0rKI6JGI4HTbvGtGk_hyVAt1YyD_oFnC-Rd1XemIH3dlRDNWoz5OvhOzgSJw3nWnEmV41LcYLWbjOaCYDmFzfLPVMBgObrvE_rDkEY7i2baC0qs38B88w0gi0YyRXJrzmkk-ob3m64Ug/s320/PXL_20230415_082523350.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyiFa-q7TMyzba7lGHeWmM-0AmgAgzoqo3cEmeyS2SnFUpVsarxbnGjIORqP00RjINiy6oK6Bu_VDZtFaTWXpB0ZDdRUYtJFS9ZGUBw7YigNiNhBWWlpazBUp6IZ3GRo8PAV3XdpJHXFRL3GWJwJH0iu742uavcEzVYFeT3Ji48vUvhAzp4DPrp-0LA/s4032/PXL_20230415_091045662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyiFa-q7TMyzba7lGHeWmM-0AmgAgzoqo3cEmeyS2SnFUpVsarxbnGjIORqP00RjINiy6oK6Bu_VDZtFaTWXpB0ZDdRUYtJFS9ZGUBw7YigNiNhBWWlpazBUp6IZ3GRo8PAV3XdpJHXFRL3GWJwJH0iu742uavcEzVYFeT3Ji48vUvhAzp4DPrp-0LA/s320/PXL_20230415_091045662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasMe2dHROaGKvfT3YBEKNIcJdqmyfTSsBfJSBKCrt9cNkPM0OeTwCBXJ0jDo7vCtOQl2TfUZrQZ_aZTDexkmOx4quDxtosv8bhCBLsO4vqXJ4HPQ0pGrtZ0xAKM8TdjJP2kvzXdVLUogiC6bGhhKh4cc3x_6H3LDDdErD_WSRtHkEvEXm0XA3xs1-NQ/s4032/PXL_20230415_091224997.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasMe2dHROaGKvfT3YBEKNIcJdqmyfTSsBfJSBKCrt9cNkPM0OeTwCBXJ0jDo7vCtOQl2TfUZrQZ_aZTDexkmOx4quDxtosv8bhCBLsO4vqXJ4HPQ0pGrtZ0xAKM8TdjJP2kvzXdVLUogiC6bGhhKh4cc3x_6H3LDDdErD_WSRtHkEvEXm0XA3xs1-NQ/s320/PXL_20230415_091224997.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouqlymYyPmZyKVUSjowHYEz4hEh5V8yt7sz9YrYCFP2ucxu68PHms0eVr6yIfvuTSxs0BKNjbPFrWzh0HeWxL6mcdqippuA85oUgbzEgTp7_hpPgUPYxcBSS6JQzddVK6X2Yt4UBcDVdRHqtFqYrP2FVHAcruR0F6RGGa6mvSkbww9YpPVAOZF44TKA/s4032/PXL_20230415_091527041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouqlymYyPmZyKVUSjowHYEz4hEh5V8yt7sz9YrYCFP2ucxu68PHms0eVr6yIfvuTSxs0BKNjbPFrWzh0HeWxL6mcdqippuA85oUgbzEgTp7_hpPgUPYxcBSS6JQzddVK6X2Yt4UBcDVdRHqtFqYrP2FVHAcruR0F6RGGa6mvSkbww9YpPVAOZF44TKA/s320/PXL_20230415_091527041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_cl0H2and6nnG582maM8cz3O83X0BTMGPXfagbVIXc0pMNAH1OUVhK-sfMZHTQxe1-8nhFU5ziW6KqvPLcYxK0dZsVSy7ov_dp2u99vMVsouFwj9atsNZJnDN-DRI9bl0ge3xqlIny69IRsZvy5fGGCcrY4QCUqOqtgR2_3UgREcfalxjdux4Aa_GQ/s4032/PXL_20230415_094429289.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_cl0H2and6nnG582maM8cz3O83X0BTMGPXfagbVIXc0pMNAH1OUVhK-sfMZHTQxe1-8nhFU5ziW6KqvPLcYxK0dZsVSy7ov_dp2u99vMVsouFwj9atsNZJnDN-DRI9bl0ge3xqlIny69IRsZvy5fGGCcrY4QCUqOqtgR2_3UgREcfalxjdux4Aa_GQ/s320/PXL_20230415_094429289.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was clear enough that you could see Scotland in the distance! You could also see Rathlin Island off in the distance as well. (Scotland = 1st pic below, Rathlin = 2nd pic).</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rathlin_Island">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rathlin_Island</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYdS8uGEs5FnPzMtI7rRkrdRA7vrV6Ny2aY6cH-uVSH01dIl7oaeaWAHdbWvckbQgBLqolM09M-_TIayOoyaVlWBDGOCA8xXaKwfgw0gp3RL1ffRR7wyMYQX0qpLSEezXzCVVSA09rpDZT0FknxRDIaJ03ks8nOiPLuu0O3J-roK01BCGswKfZlL4Yw/s4032/PXL_20230415_095444026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYdS8uGEs5FnPzMtI7rRkrdRA7vrV6Ny2aY6cH-uVSH01dIl7oaeaWAHdbWvckbQgBLqolM09M-_TIayOoyaVlWBDGOCA8xXaKwfgw0gp3RL1ffRR7wyMYQX0qpLSEezXzCVVSA09rpDZT0FknxRDIaJ03ks8nOiPLuu0O3J-roK01BCGswKfZlL4Yw/s320/PXL_20230415_095444026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFsON9lG0DzKz2inxiWuj851aKl-rK64nc2YXHmGtZA3Vw8JjLnQYy7ImY2NJ8Cvj_R23P1no_3sFv8mzHXpJAzV8RFzwKR8wRJ0Ynt84jpZxXPMRVHs9_oYumj3OJzewUPuERFvudGZ2zPmKa9J0FQ70EoKai5acla2licZwE-uFe2oqvHK9qCqYiw/s4032/PXL_20230415_101854721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFsON9lG0DzKz2inxiWuj851aKl-rK64nc2YXHmGtZA3Vw8JjLnQYy7ImY2NJ8Cvj_R23P1no_3sFv8mzHXpJAzV8RFzwKR8wRJ0Ynt84jpZxXPMRVHs9_oYumj3OJzewUPuERFvudGZ2zPmKa9J0FQ70EoKai5acla2licZwE-uFe2oqvHK9qCqYiw/s320/PXL_20230415_101854721.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Look at the house ... that's how high above sea level we were much of the race. At least from checkpoints 1 to 3.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2Xl8dyDaeAS5zerRJkVxRnpSTVhgfu3GQ9JMGYDiEJlcKiFNGnhrb8R7cH5K3-gmRwsLID5XUv1VhSWtft64RsV0UM1E1-VGhDaw4avcvkqE5UOLdkzCNfXFgk9KIGqrVQ-MMIKQ0SvWKQBlHeVsoRlday_2hKlOkmpfQtkv6lPxij1D4dZnWAhjUQ/s4032/PXL_20230415_095533403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2Xl8dyDaeAS5zerRJkVxRnpSTVhgfu3GQ9JMGYDiEJlcKiFNGnhrb8R7cH5K3-gmRwsLID5XUv1VhSWtft64RsV0UM1E1-VGhDaw4avcvkqE5UOLdkzCNfXFgk9KIGqrVQ-MMIKQ0SvWKQBlHeVsoRlday_2hKlOkmpfQtkv6lPxij1D4dZnWAhjUQ/s320/PXL_20230415_095533403.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtE-7u7NVMTnM8Jjf6C8GCO2g4id30w19Uug-CL5HveGnyC2ulC5Tk_RQHu1ceh-Lnlth2DLZswY-k4LdWCNR6qF3ym-5PI6WaqH3EpOaTSI3TnSx6lgYFZC2MZ8xwNdn3egffIoqgfGLdhE7hJ_KU0Fd2sD3V8pUP7zL9rv4tLMAx3gZYRTbz9WDqQ/s4032/PXL_20230415_100011282.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtE-7u7NVMTnM8Jjf6C8GCO2g4id30w19Uug-CL5HveGnyC2ulC5Tk_RQHu1ceh-Lnlth2DLZswY-k4LdWCNR6qF3ym-5PI6WaqH3EpOaTSI3TnSx6lgYFZC2MZ8xwNdn3egffIoqgfGLdhE7hJ_KU0Fd2sD3V8pUP7zL9rv4tLMAx3gZYRTbz9WDqQ/s320/PXL_20230415_100011282.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Why is the path of this side of the fence? I stayed very close to the fence, yet I saw some people very close to the edge and taking pics over the side. I know that if I tried that I'd either faint, throw up or both.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskHZu8KF7ZTsJoW3HIzKSbe9pKsZQLgc1Ud_Au49AofX4SAA72a-asuBWt-JaQXp1jZD0fI5VT1Yrg-KoZLBelK0f0UupRIJjyqcAt4e6aS2OokikNafOBtYbTv_ErmJyg1kIBSCsy6v4kod1OwW1W46Fo2VHMxjIGGwDcF-bcp_DPkUg-G74xQBc0g/s4032/PXL_20230415_101508791.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskHZu8KF7ZTsJoW3HIzKSbe9pKsZQLgc1Ud_Au49AofX4SAA72a-asuBWt-JaQXp1jZD0fI5VT1Yrg-KoZLBelK0f0UupRIJjyqcAt4e6aS2OokikNafOBtYbTv_ErmJyg1kIBSCsy6v4kod1OwW1W46Fo2VHMxjIGGwDcF-bcp_DPkUg-G74xQBc0g/s320/PXL_20230415_101508791.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UEW4Mlng7_ZT8MkCVjJmDRIlZlW8VbzD6dpXGxFmtK311Bu1I3KQPpI-TzUXyDU5BFLCK1tg5CUHc1U4gkn2QjyO9jtfd9jGxSiUhWolN7hzbc97xyCdh3WPZ5QFMlgApf3S2FMIIXqj9aKvqmzSiple6n9ZJpfIqOqebzwmlLQWUcgo-pc6N6UDTA/s4032/PXL_20230415_103522648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UEW4Mlng7_ZT8MkCVjJmDRIlZlW8VbzD6dpXGxFmtK311Bu1I3KQPpI-TzUXyDU5BFLCK1tg5CUHc1U4gkn2QjyO9jtfd9jGxSiUhWolN7hzbc97xyCdh3WPZ5QFMlgApf3S2FMIIXqj9aKvqmzSiple6n9ZJpfIqOqebzwmlLQWUcgo-pc6N6UDTA/s320/PXL_20230415_103522648.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Around mile 10, we approached the Giant's Causeway. This is one of the iconic locations in all of Ireland. It was definitely one of my "A1" sites to visit. </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The causeway is made up of thousands of hex-shaped basalt columns that thrust up from the ground. It's all natural, and some of the columns are a few stories high. It looks like a scene from a sci-fi or fantasy movie.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't get to spend much time on the causeway because I was in the middle of a race ... and I felt like I had a course sweeper breathing down my neck. So ... not much time, but I kind of prefer it that way. After all, I am a runner too, and the time I spent on the causeway was earned. I had ran 10+ miles, several of which were very demanding, and I had conquered the challenge. I did take a little detour to sneak of the course a bit and sit on one of the columns. A very short break, but one that induced a very satisfying chuckle. I was on the causeway!</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant%27s_Causeway">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant%27s_Causeway</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZv7mwf-Ucd_f1APJ8IQbAANFPzyL9HOe3gvGR1Mw1eMxwRrYt1F21lKivOntyj9UYjGqyWmiB5Q32uf3aXb86cJKQqHhorQ_R6VQ1zHHWT7dx9r-jAbf39q13D5jQcfYOPJpdaiO5pvSzcpcFglZmBw0yN7_Ea9OtyOJRR1-lAl8MEJE971MBHKTPg/s4032/PXL_20230415_104603558.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZv7mwf-Ucd_f1APJ8IQbAANFPzyL9HOe3gvGR1Mw1eMxwRrYt1F21lKivOntyj9UYjGqyWmiB5Q32uf3aXb86cJKQqHhorQ_R6VQ1zHHWT7dx9r-jAbf39q13D5jQcfYOPJpdaiO5pvSzcpcFglZmBw0yN7_Ea9OtyOJRR1-lAl8MEJE971MBHKTPg/s320/PXL_20230415_104603558.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzeX6sGfjyLfnLKNy_aL95akw9b2HoAmzuleTugO7mue2Y_os1wLj941JmMkv6TR3ZSWBUNbntx_CpEok0h0GV68K-jTn9qtjbiyr5scalHEKKU5VLVyRol2RC4O-QzLXT3aPlJAeRhxjovJff5NtWT36T2pSBRJWjkRg8ekT0zFWBfrFM6l0pFSI-w/s4032/PXL_20230415_104612824.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzeX6sGfjyLfnLKNy_aL95akw9b2HoAmzuleTugO7mue2Y_os1wLj941JmMkv6TR3ZSWBUNbntx_CpEok0h0GV68K-jTn9qtjbiyr5scalHEKKU5VLVyRol2RC4O-QzLXT3aPlJAeRhxjovJff5NtWT36T2pSBRJWjkRg8ekT0zFWBfrFM6l0pFSI-w/s320/PXL_20230415_104612824.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1bCbJIpeas3t1_he1uWg6mTAiPt2NRQgGC2X6VQtbuaps-6F4BYybSumYRWP7K_Fsfk6jvZYURuyNqZf0AHEVKlfITYc7y2FNGX_SQ1SBvvVrKU5rJYZTkYwO5Gm-jwKCZzTs5cziPSBQlbe4KFdZy4-efbOnfQoyth8EilwqCpfyESh-tRQ2nlOHw/s4032/PXL_20230415_105412728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1bCbJIpeas3t1_he1uWg6mTAiPt2NRQgGC2X6VQtbuaps-6F4BYybSumYRWP7K_Fsfk6jvZYURuyNqZf0AHEVKlfITYc7y2FNGX_SQ1SBvvVrKU5rJYZTkYwO5Gm-jwKCZzTs5cziPSBQlbe4KFdZy4-efbOnfQoyth8EilwqCpfyESh-tRQ2nlOHw/s320/PXL_20230415_105412728.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UVRNhpDO3jBIK_4-MXg2RKI2Tb6AvbqmcYuQcRXhaplcV9UDs4ElCUDdpENWv_ux_MabgVSNb7UZZyyR9q6RtPpY2aMNCFrUZpsWfTCNXiqO46trXGZE5B7vZ4Tx7LAC_Us5y8zzgQAf4RgsjiRSd-I0aWErhH4Eics4v-9UKpk9FVhUFe_cuidong/s4032/PXL_20230415_105904015.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UVRNhpDO3jBIK_4-MXg2RKI2Tb6AvbqmcYuQcRXhaplcV9UDs4ElCUDdpENWv_ux_MabgVSNb7UZZyyR9q6RtPpY2aMNCFrUZpsWfTCNXiqO46trXGZE5B7vZ4Tx7LAC_Us5y8zzgQAf4RgsjiRSd-I0aWErhH4Eics4v-9UKpk9FVhUFe_cuidong/s320/PXL_20230415_105904015.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In this race, what goes down must come up ... so it was back up to the top of the cliffs. The second checkpoint was shortly after the causeway. I had caught to a few other runners at this point, and I was no longer in dead last place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycnDt9igCjhAKFdErLkkORcv5LG5kkZmTpPp6HevF0SSYOUs952HaAtbQ2tKQkBEjPTD8mZLYge67Eqv3HbNe9mX2G4R-7JUmM0nFT57zVf99RraUcs3pgkareD58keBitCcDwu_n3xD70hPSiLiwHjIpmRb0jH-KftUxNDCAyzeMeaMZEiDFQC2kbg/s4032/PXL_20230415_111313741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycnDt9igCjhAKFdErLkkORcv5LG5kkZmTpPp6HevF0SSYOUs952HaAtbQ2tKQkBEjPTD8mZLYge67Eqv3HbNe9mX2G4R-7JUmM0nFT57zVf99RraUcs3pgkareD58keBitCcDwu_n3xD70hPSiLiwHjIpmRb0jH-KftUxNDCAyzeMeaMZEiDFQC2kbg/s320/PXL_20230415_111313741.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDUV2nafer7YDCNf1_Ju0OrpsICqs4Q7OWwX9E5kLwjnJLf2jUu3AiqTyX9PlnTSOiccU7q2iezDopR9RBy6RdkS8ObMgbbk8ZyLgT81MOw80EZzFiZ-In_trMdmn0P0IYhAzhYd1t8xlXTTRIO_BNM_OmkB9RaQB0jfJdQoYmh6ai1lUg1ouaRPrIA/s4032/PXL_20230415_114535804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDUV2nafer7YDCNf1_Ju0OrpsICqs4Q7OWwX9E5kLwjnJLf2jUu3AiqTyX9PlnTSOiccU7q2iezDopR9RBy6RdkS8ObMgbbk8ZyLgT81MOw80EZzFiZ-In_trMdmn0P0IYhAzhYd1t8xlXTTRIO_BNM_OmkB9RaQB0jfJdQoYmh6ai1lUg1ouaRPrIA/s320/PXL_20230415_114535804.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sH6qLc7Mg_D1Fzg-JayZdtUzbUc_RY9Ww5evuukIxa-dE_HG3s6Vg4QCZJd_V_Fs3uAg-TKJmo8PrhJkeuQfkEBMudZJBoQg2c2ytuVD-klLVT532M7-ivdlWJqretIRzKLVFr1DM7SODiONedQqYIQPLKeIUSqSfvEElqc6AlU-Mf-E8es8c8pqnw/s4032/PXL_20230415_122016478.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sH6qLc7Mg_D1Fzg-JayZdtUzbUc_RY9Ww5evuukIxa-dE_HG3s6Vg4QCZJd_V_Fs3uAg-TKJmo8PrhJkeuQfkEBMudZJBoQg2c2ytuVD-klLVT532M7-ivdlWJqretIRzKLVFr1DM7SODiONedQqYIQPLKeIUSqSfvEElqc6AlU-Mf-E8es8c8pqnw/s320/PXL_20230415_122016478.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This pic was not taken with a drone. It's the closest I ever got to the edge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif76OF6bEj6ghx8WWbEm1rDJeF7meQOEacS9SLox0RThalG66xNiqaMx5xnGMOumK1R-GVe74f_PLwSovHN59ib2l0Ur8fmFVpjhaz3TVJ0xvw3E_xsQLzNv-WTOuUVrVW0I5zxhIheOl8fnPHo1aHpkrNEx7D_qVqvk5TGlWD_4PrX2jwv5hHom3AKA/s4032/PXL_20230415_121237751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif76OF6bEj6ghx8WWbEm1rDJeF7meQOEacS9SLox0RThalG66xNiqaMx5xnGMOumK1R-GVe74f_PLwSovHN59ib2l0Ur8fmFVpjhaz3TVJ0xvw3E_xsQLzNv-WTOuUVrVW0I5zxhIheOl8fnPHo1aHpkrNEx7D_qVqvk5TGlWD_4PrX2jwv5hHom3AKA/s320/PXL_20230415_121237751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another bucket list item was Dunluce Castle. I couldn't leave Ireland with visiting this place. </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">C.S. Lewis said that he modeled Cair Paravel on this castle. <i>The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe </i>(note that he did not use an Oxford comma in the title of this book) was the first "real" book I read as a kid. I was in the 2nd grade. In my years as a youth pastor and school teacher, I have taught through this book many times. It is my all-time favorite book ... and I got to run by the preeminent castle of Narnia in a race! It was a moving experience. </p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunluce_Castle">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunluce_Castle<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narnia_(world)">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narnia_(world)</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion,_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion,_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeF4vG5P0GUp0MUiX-8Q3ieTHJGqd4JVDXbTg9s11ikLrcgTIzUrnpGwROTOgrhXDSnNZF8ZJWYH0qMExVRoNLBpk5YRP9OGz_x2_JAE_PWC6HkIjnTC2gEcu6hqfBfyiGcvAppoZB09DVB4XIYnfwbCNNyW5v4EYz8CMHW1PX6Sa5ALcTlF9aAiBdw/s4032/PXL_20230415_121329694.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeF4vG5P0GUp0MUiX-8Q3ieTHJGqd4JVDXbTg9s11ikLrcgTIzUrnpGwROTOgrhXDSnNZF8ZJWYH0qMExVRoNLBpk5YRP9OGz_x2_JAE_PWC6HkIjnTC2gEcu6hqfBfyiGcvAppoZB09DVB4XIYnfwbCNNyW5v4EYz8CMHW1PX6Sa5ALcTlF9aAiBdw/s320/PXL_20230415_121329694.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknxr1gVWMHT2SOeGQWuD7GrFj2lwxE3OsQFVLaTT9dutRMnFkRqQopXkSI62Mjz5PGTJ4Hy3PuaNcENPp3SwWhAMnBe9E1HmODLfFKo3uftkdhZyTF1coauiR-_VamhzoXXKBJzY9mpqOlU8rcqh--BNtDpNh6GnpvAK8PRWou7QEqo5Wl5h55nS-GQ/s4032/PXL_20230415_121534052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknxr1gVWMHT2SOeGQWuD7GrFj2lwxE3OsQFVLaTT9dutRMnFkRqQopXkSI62Mjz5PGTJ4Hy3PuaNcENPp3SwWhAMnBe9E1HmODLfFKo3uftkdhZyTF1coauiR-_VamhzoXXKBJzY9mpqOlU8rcqh--BNtDpNh6GnpvAK8PRWou7QEqo5Wl5h55nS-GQ/s320/PXL_20230415_121534052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The third checkpoint was right after Dunluce ... and I was able to pick up the pace as the terrain became more runnable. I'm glad that my fastest four miles were my last four miles. I'm glad that I finished strong!</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My first week in Ireland was the last week of Easter Break for their school system. Portrush is a resort town (like Coney Island perhaps?) with a big beach, amusement park, etc. The last mile of the race meandered through town, and I had to dodge a fair number of families with kids in strollers.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, it was an excellent event. Everything was top-notch. It was well-organized. The volunteers were wonderful. The terrain was challenging. The views were breath-taking. The weather was perfect. The experience was unparalleled.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Prior to this event, I had completed 272 organized running events (yes, I keep a very detailed journal of my races) over the last ten years (ranging from 1 to 100 miles). Before I even finished this event, I had determined that this was my all-time favorite.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't recall ever starting event with such high expectations ... and I can't recall another event exceeding my expectations to such a high degree. It was truly, genuinely magical!</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoudONgcR6S1BqSy6duA21Zpc6CV8vIxdfvhrD03Herb41f7CJSew67XyPuApwy_YKeSfV6lv174JUnNLlEzI2qFyB0xm1_905ZVjVPq3S4ZjOlqZ06UV3FbxNSvWsrnndjB-Jsn064uN-PbYpAumdULU6f8ZawLsjRl7gQf2idiZYYiYYNtEn1EiQQg/s4032/PXL_20230415_124110534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoudONgcR6S1BqSy6duA21Zpc6CV8vIxdfvhrD03Herb41f7CJSew67XyPuApwy_YKeSfV6lv174JUnNLlEzI2qFyB0xm1_905ZVjVPq3S4ZjOlqZ06UV3FbxNSvWsrnndjB-Jsn064uN-PbYpAumdULU6f8ZawLsjRl7gQf2idiZYYiYYNtEn1EiQQg/s320/PXL_20230415_124110534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZQlqu0FAknzB660gNPTp5nQeeUIKEnzhWHlFn1g5Of4L0-GNnmpRuaLZsfjC9KC0EjFrDkjxFXRhqG3121oRHZ_cGPZmbYMyvhNqzLpN-wuaZ9eGTqfxVeX501RvKKkV4ujsl2FKPKSXDq81KOCFk-Ei7IzhtsjVtTPLl7XsQuex2jUktIk9ugAC_w/s3840/PXL_20230415_132030311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZQlqu0FAknzB660gNPTp5nQeeUIKEnzhWHlFn1g5Of4L0-GNnmpRuaLZsfjC9KC0EjFrDkjxFXRhqG3121oRHZ_cGPZmbYMyvhNqzLpN-wuaZ9eGTqfxVeX501RvKKkV4ujsl2FKPKSXDq81KOCFk-Ei7IzhtsjVtTPLl7XsQuex2jUktIk9ugAC_w/s320/PXL_20230415_132030311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCIqJ3Wo2HdxmSyIXR-UX57zicmlLTSUEuybT9AXh1NeL-kVBi6yBoQYz54gMRrJC-smTQull6MoVNI7CMpyYT0RAS1Cwx9CXD_DKsfxL-LT8CC_qqNxAfmWx_JcdAZgcr2iB76Its92pnixzN2JPPG7_Y9Wcnkp1HW2x8d_KRD6oA2eI401VH1zFog/s4032/PXL_20230415_133128212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCIqJ3Wo2HdxmSyIXR-UX57zicmlLTSUEuybT9AXh1NeL-kVBi6yBoQYz54gMRrJC-smTQull6MoVNI7CMpyYT0RAS1Cwx9CXD_DKsfxL-LT8CC_qqNxAfmWx_JcdAZgcr2iB76Its92pnixzN2JPPG7_Y9Wcnkp1HW2x8d_KRD6oA2eI401VH1zFog/s320/PXL_20230415_133128212.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My goal was to finish within 5 hours. I would up finishing in 5:18:55, and I managed to finish 221 out of 229 finishers.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">According to my Garmin the race was about 20.5 miles with almost 2,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.endurancelife.com/results/giants-causeway/2023">https://www.endurancelife.com/results/giants-causeway/2023</a><br /></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguBWyuSZ08kpFBghvC-QFWnAZcSrpzDpY-n9D5MEnpWZKStZpPNzauv-OuNSiKPXTjPS8ArbMF3Q1_A84npkBldSvWMrLmi6JA_rXPvpqAiTSZ1Db6lK3RuusWzHS8C1XgOP0JzLfwkqMLR21FdIKWyOm1Uo5BE-G1yyrFa7kcpsQmMTk0zT30C7erlQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="383" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguBWyuSZ08kpFBghvC-QFWnAZcSrpzDpY-n9D5MEnpWZKStZpPNzauv-OuNSiKPXTjPS8ArbMF3Q1_A84npkBldSvWMrLmi6JA_rXPvpqAiTSZ1Db6lK3RuusWzHS8C1XgOP0JzLfwkqMLR21FdIKWyOm1Uo5BE-G1yyrFa7kcpsQmMTk0zT30C7erlQ" width="128" /></a></div><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Following the race, I had to drive south to Ardee in County Louth. I would spend the next three days there and use it as a base to explore Counties Down, Meath, Dublin, Wicklow.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was excited to spend time in Ardee, because it was the site of the central battle in the Táin Bó Cúailnge. This is my favorite story of all time. How has this not been into a blockbuster movie?</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The battle between Cú Chulainn and Ferdiad is epic. The two were best friends and forced to fight as champions. Cú Chulainn prevailed after four days of back/forth combat. As his friend died in his arms, he composed the Lay of Ferdiad, which is a beautiful tribute.</p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardee">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardee</a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A1in_B%C3%B3_C%C3%BAailnge">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A1in_B%C3%B3_C%C3%BAailnge</a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%BA_Chulainn">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%BA_Chulainn<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdiad">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdiad<br /></a><a href="https://www.luminarium.org/mythology/ireland/cuchulainnferdiad.htm">https://www.luminarium.org/mythology/ireland/cuchulainnferdiad.htm</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E0HO1XnsujWMQm1WIXYW6psZ0TFhemRyYgtq1XXGdyOseqOFE6SZuEiaD-NVAr_XXVA1zZiFu6DT60d0nYfcKLWoA8WJ5NKTK_pHmxHQpBGYynyP4v0RqDmFsG5b4_pBMP-ik4MjJKa1up4SYKxoIanrp6XLqwnNX_wnMTcdmWb8GYXk5u8pytK5tg/s4032/PXL_20230415_174030977.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E0HO1XnsujWMQm1WIXYW6psZ0TFhemRyYgtq1XXGdyOseqOFE6SZuEiaD-NVAr_XXVA1zZiFu6DT60d0nYfcKLWoA8WJ5NKTK_pHmxHQpBGYynyP4v0RqDmFsG5b4_pBMP-ik4MjJKa1up4SYKxoIanrp6XLqwnNX_wnMTcdmWb8GYXk5u8pytK5tg/s320/PXL_20230415_174030977.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This stone marks where Ferdiad died, and he was buried not far from that same spot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlv548C7CrMvVrKeVxQgoxHQSke0HfHJG7EQEIcwqeOc3hbS-39O0g0Fy4zVwWgg-sKXayzCwAiVEW2CtbfYl78zEjkQ1cClTkhxGFjieBXkMZyNTlKsVp7wymkBRSy806SBxnugi6mWGyJAxSgu-1MYtjo6n5lxEjBE3XWI9nLXapwmt4SVLk2nuYg/s4032/PXL_20230415_173157390.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlv548C7CrMvVrKeVxQgoxHQSke0HfHJG7EQEIcwqeOc3hbS-39O0g0Fy4zVwWgg-sKXayzCwAiVEW2CtbfYl78zEjkQ1cClTkhxGFjieBXkMZyNTlKsVp7wymkBRSy806SBxnugi6mWGyJAxSgu-1MYtjo6n5lxEjBE3XWI9nLXapwmt4SVLk2nuYg/s320/PXL_20230415_173157390.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvCz2XdT3JwCPe0wHEw5y8OCmkq6zC6ALSWYxdwfNjFvrOrvC4oxoi4QA9mXAdw29y9E1fXo0LelL84rweeFywt3ImPxRM-NcGV_Dl95_IKUvZlqC35XAEqCGMo5k6rXI0tntLTRVAZc3nXX0ZJl5hgrf_1TZyfpcDsZchaBk0kohP8wnns7qnhcLcA/s4032/PXL_20230415_173300567.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvCz2XdT3JwCPe0wHEw5y8OCmkq6zC6ALSWYxdwfNjFvrOrvC4oxoi4QA9mXAdw29y9E1fXo0LelL84rweeFywt3ImPxRM-NcGV_Dl95_IKUvZlqC35XAEqCGMo5k6rXI0tntLTRVAZc3nXX0ZJl5hgrf_1TZyfpcDsZchaBk0kohP8wnns7qnhcLcA/s320/PXL_20230415_173300567.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPyTQ-6QadPp_D74GIrh0MU4cJOoJL4Q7Hats6l2np12m3Ac7BvnfuAK13yiCySF5Bn01owjjOeOVaUY0kpEgD_fYJppdnjt0Sc2tis6c5UyrhcYadcBZxwesPEsutUMuYdcDkuBsxhVZSZ9hVQ5atVk6r21FJoLt7XE0UpigpR5Xz_yoxhBJpMPTmyg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="365" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPyTQ-6QadPp_D74GIrh0MU4cJOoJL4Q7Hats6l2np12m3Ac7BvnfuAK13yiCySF5Bn01owjjOeOVaUY0kpEgD_fYJppdnjt0Sc2tis6c5UyrhcYadcBZxwesPEsutUMuYdcDkuBsxhVZSZ9hVQ5atVk6r21FJoLt7XE0UpigpR5Xz_yoxhBJpMPTmyg" width="95" /></a></div></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I explored Ardee bit more beyond the battlefield ... and I found an Aldi's. Turns out the "Aisle of Shame" is an international phenomenon.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqfQyiP3pYsqLycFC72SnDnH2gEkZP34NO7WUx2k9db5A0eVTIhPIdNw9WZJ4LPZ3htZCSdH_C8iMhlICe1zVGB4g4Lx_1upRLfb0Bn08J406zEqeJRWq1s5gP_mwtiA1UUTbkm7APjUNYn5KhOjoUUbQH9fooG-ndBThZhROniK_2v38AaaDiuxdQA/s3840/PXL_20230415_175141600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqfQyiP3pYsqLycFC72SnDnH2gEkZP34NO7WUx2k9db5A0eVTIhPIdNw9WZJ4LPZ3htZCSdH_C8iMhlICe1zVGB4g4Lx_1upRLfb0Bn08J406zEqeJRWq1s5gP_mwtiA1UUTbkm7APjUNYn5KhOjoUUbQH9fooG-ndBThZhROniK_2v38AaaDiuxdQA/s320/PXL_20230415_175141600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">So ... in one day, I got run onto the Giant's Causeway, visit Narnia and stand on the banks of the river where Cú Chulainn battled Ferdiad. I don't know if it's possible to cross too many more things off a bucket list in a single day ... I was exhausted by day's end, but what a magical day it was.</p></div><p></p>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-61623298187318124892023-04-14T17:13:00.432-04:002023-04-27T17:09:25.984-04:00Ireland Day 5<p style="text-align: left;">Full photo album - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/jxHZMPmLp7etkjZDA">https://photos.app.goo.gl/jxHZMPmLp7etkjZDA</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Locations - Derry, Bineveagh, Dark Hedges, Cushendall</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhC7wl-02h99-xnaXwmr7iSQbOMg2qtZb0PRTO1gIdgwpqyeUFOZh0NOreEtnombKbLt0pUYilJuUYg8Hddi8bumaF6dgBcFNJzyZZj900I17926LaeKkCSNXGOmI5vUt744Oe_rKyVJPRLQethFtn69StgWlzB6tk0lhpWyVrok5JST1OL8jvWhH_w/s1547/map14.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1547" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhC7wl-02h99-xnaXwmr7iSQbOMg2qtZb0PRTO1gIdgwpqyeUFOZh0NOreEtnombKbLt0pUYilJuUYg8Hddi8bumaF6dgBcFNJzyZZj900I17926LaeKkCSNXGOmI5vUt744Oe_rKyVJPRLQethFtn69StgWlzB6tk0lhpWyVrok5JST1OL8jvWhH_w/s320/map14.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Derry - I'm told that it's a "... complicated ..." city. I heard this from multiple people across the island as I chatted about my trip. Whenever I mentioned going to Derry, this was the most common word used to describe the city.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's start with the name ... Irish nationalists prefer Derry (which comes from the Irish word Doire), while those with ties to the UK prefer Londonderry. It is the name of the city and the county. There's a joke about the name being unusual in that it starts with six silent letters ... </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This kind of divide existed (and still exists in some forms) throughout Ireland, but it was particularly prominent here in Derry. It's often portrayed as Catholic v Protestant. During the Troubles, Derry experienced more turmoil than most places. There have since been some laudable and notable initiatives focusing on peace.</p><p style="clear: both;">I'm not trying to write a full-blown report on Derry ... it's a fascinating, complicated city. My understanding of it's history is simplistic. If you'd like to know more, it's worth a deeper dive.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The city is old. It was encircled in high stone walls about 400 years ago. Even though the city has grown beyond those original walls, the walls are intact. You can walk the perimeter of what is now "downtown Derry" atop the old city's walls. It's very impressive.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Derry is even known as "The Maiden City" because the walls have never been breached ... </p><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derry">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derr</a>y</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derry/Londonderry_name_dispute">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derry/Londonderry_name_dispute<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogside">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogside</a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Wq5otcpo_e8LueOv_RXnzz6eIai1zEp6-LltoJ4-WF7sT9gmv85krT8V6xXKlNL7Xe-_Qi1o7NZCdg64rUJz9ktiMm1RqwNKUmRSs3NOuKov-AXK8zyYWn-5RLltyJRB2H2lBvE31wmCiTnqQUAS9TaNXvHqtu81a4XxQSZNFoAq-U2F5gYt8nOdBg/s4032/PXL_20230414_073150591.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Wq5otcpo_e8LueOv_RXnzz6eIai1zEp6-LltoJ4-WF7sT9gmv85krT8V6xXKlNL7Xe-_Qi1o7NZCdg64rUJz9ktiMm1RqwNKUmRSs3NOuKov-AXK8zyYWn-5RLltyJRB2H2lBvE31wmCiTnqQUAS9TaNXvHqtu81a4XxQSZNFoAq-U2F5gYt8nOdBg/s320/PXL_20230414_073150591.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One thing I noticed while traveling throughout Ireland is the love of murals. Derry is particularly well-known for this, in particular the murals doting the neighborhood known as "Bogside." Many of these murals depict scenes from the Troubles ... schoolkids getting hit with tear-gas, militarized checkpoints, etc.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It wasn't so long ago either. Many of the murals depict things that current residents experienced firsthand. It happened during my lifetime! The Good Friday Agreement (which ended much of the violence) was signed in 1998! It was a powerful and moving experience to walk through town.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWg4_qRV8iQhl4wqm4y362Gp-ylUihFdTvty91PkuSd_I2S9GlJa_fusDyotPDa_YTK78461_9uqAWQx979lwWgKRvgaBpbKEdbyexos2_vvEIj4L4k7RaBeOxLmBbftvtFiAC5Du1hEXn_5KUOmSbb-_vcfxjdEQ2XkWampW1_7W-4uGx9fksTz2qQ/s4032/PXL_20230414_073513709.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWg4_qRV8iQhl4wqm4y362Gp-ylUihFdTvty91PkuSd_I2S9GlJa_fusDyotPDa_YTK78461_9uqAWQx979lwWgKRvgaBpbKEdbyexos2_vvEIj4L4k7RaBeOxLmBbftvtFiAC5Du1hEXn_5KUOmSbb-_vcfxjdEQ2XkWampW1_7W-4uGx9fksTz2qQ/s320/PXL_20230414_073513709.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEG4BtvOVdeO4DiZmvY0EKf-kpcsP5VzmJdI1zHXn5WZHK9ZIHdObaixIpAzd3woUQfDbNqL-0ubgnYztk8qfVv-X7uMSH89LOO7g4tgF0Qv7wcDh16jY1Bg65AnlIN-PyuTl46HkTS6pqx1t9rTlJzrCxKKEwSEnucvVV0_9kSa5t7SbMK-b75MPbA/s4032/PXL_20230414_073631385.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEG4BtvOVdeO4DiZmvY0EKf-kpcsP5VzmJdI1zHXn5WZHK9ZIHdObaixIpAzd3woUQfDbNqL-0ubgnYztk8qfVv-X7uMSH89LOO7g4tgF0Qv7wcDh16jY1Bg65AnlIN-PyuTl46HkTS6pqx1t9rTlJzrCxKKEwSEnucvVV0_9kSa5t7SbMK-b75MPbA/s320/PXL_20230414_073631385.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaSpVki6Be10pb39Rq0iEdN-jgsv336m7WACvQ4fCfsuXF8yV9mdMeIDIJ7iR6uC-m7e1qH_B76aLUNiFPIZBaz2LkRiIQvoOP6OS6kIA7qoUCTBRWWsai0zx55zMO-LyBAL86gnsOMhH-hauzVD0uMRJeqRVx_u6ZdSB5GIfgd2SdUiejuq9GLvLnA/s4032/PXL_20230414_073812393.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaSpVki6Be10pb39Rq0iEdN-jgsv336m7WACvQ4fCfsuXF8yV9mdMeIDIJ7iR6uC-m7e1qH_B76aLUNiFPIZBaz2LkRiIQvoOP6OS6kIA7qoUCTBRWWsai0zx55zMO-LyBAL86gnsOMhH-hauzVD0uMRJeqRVx_u6ZdSB5GIfgd2SdUiejuq9GLvLnA/s320/PXL_20230414_073812393.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzB6MvT2Jb3_DeBWSwpiHkHVM_Osg6EFJYB2vwRfO-31qcqBk7hgxdICqd_sxfMotZGJSLrGubYuRiPFRpmFmms4vGQhWI_n9BR4b_RYVsaR2Sq-XkZPlKpDnrP4m3cuqbIn_lW9wmuI1LD3sm8BzLzh8eA7Qp6KV_eTQ7M12X3IxNrpaH4Hyfu3eCw/s4032/PXL_20230414_073939078.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzB6MvT2Jb3_DeBWSwpiHkHVM_Osg6EFJYB2vwRfO-31qcqBk7hgxdICqd_sxfMotZGJSLrGubYuRiPFRpmFmms4vGQhWI_n9BR4b_RYVsaR2Sq-XkZPlKpDnrP4m3cuqbIn_lW9wmuI1LD3sm8BzLzh8eA7Qp6KV_eTQ7M12X3IxNrpaH4Hyfu3eCw/s320/PXL_20230414_073939078.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think this is my favorite Bogside mural. You've got the oak leaf (the traditional symbol of County Derry) merged with a dove (a symbol of peace). I find it to be hopeful and pleasing. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUtLRNPkhNhK-xFGzFt0cUL_BnE2-gFcZTXDli7iTeBWDRzTcgZ9ezRv5rLbrelD-kE4Zzjed1Bsr64dDhQlOPepCdNHf7se8xf8wBgSQTszDl1HAi7W2fRbfNGsPWZpTVr6BjG4bJ2_Dv9yF8j_2lq3MdzmfMi9gx4V4mxpgODzEem672A1xFS0LQw/s4032/PXL_20230414_074052729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUtLRNPkhNhK-xFGzFt0cUL_BnE2-gFcZTXDli7iTeBWDRzTcgZ9ezRv5rLbrelD-kE4Zzjed1Bsr64dDhQlOPepCdNHf7se8xf8wBgSQTszDl1HAi7W2fRbfNGsPWZpTVr6BjG4bJ2_Dv9yF8j_2lq3MdzmfMi9gx4V4mxpgODzEem672A1xFS0LQw/s320/PXL_20230414_074052729.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This mural just seemed out of place ... so many of the murals were making a political statement or drawing attention to some injusctice ... and then there's this spaghetti lady.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUR8SUnE3b0IiGygS0XHyXr2qChAhIhE4YMNJ00OCnOjJJRu06FshFotk6LIASxsGShAVn9Yhc5fFMtPnW37dPYKbdwyiYKdwn1wS7zQXyMeuCCYQqI0scOoZYPpPSXTbkyEj4qO4LoVABA8HdpodwdfzzWSKInHNlSSSgZOmmwR5JMS3pxN8vRk8wg/s4032/PXL_20230414_074240861.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUR8SUnE3b0IiGygS0XHyXr2qChAhIhE4YMNJ00OCnOjJJRu06FshFotk6LIASxsGShAVn9Yhc5fFMtPnW37dPYKbdwyiYKdwn1wS7zQXyMeuCCYQqI0scOoZYPpPSXTbkyEj4qO4LoVABA8HdpodwdfzzWSKInHNlSSSgZOmmwR5JMS3pxN8vRk8wg/s320/PXL_20230414_074240861.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4hdFwxgyiCM1EbDEPAfmOs1s81YxIn2Ez1LR9PAM5eQPQ2i8GZKG6BajDPOvvztfo0GRHds2I3vgj0VrBl04AOU0oBmWq5FlUTvYh63zXDTaQYgdyZgAlXNDiQvxEtiGiOTBvWGpbqowTcrWMvZg7owXBYm2b36MMvbHdgYOaHeUzKrp1HWsEhX6Ug/s4032/PXL_20230413_190031873.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4hdFwxgyiCM1EbDEPAfmOs1s81YxIn2Ez1LR9PAM5eQPQ2i8GZKG6BajDPOvvztfo0GRHds2I3vgj0VrBl04AOU0oBmWq5FlUTvYh63zXDTaQYgdyZgAlXNDiQvxEtiGiOTBvWGpbqowTcrWMvZg7owXBYm2b36MMvbHdgYOaHeUzKrp1HWsEhX6Ug/s320/PXL_20230413_190031873.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The "Hands Across the Divide" statue is a well-known monument. It was built shortly after the Good Friday Agreement and represents the hope for peace in the aftermath of The Troubles.</p><p style="text-align: left;">While trying to get the perfect pic of the statue, a bird settled on one of the heads. I'm not sure if it was the Catholic's head or the Protestant's head ... I chuckled.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hands_Across_the_Divide">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hands_Across_the_Divide</a><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnnRKtSQrnD4iJmULOzvRxm2MqY8GK_BMovkyH8FU8EuNtJdbIox2leU4JS2BPDnPqr7nDzqHV7fwvu-i5hBMDWpuA6WxSo7rDSXtO-0pBW2KsNBjBb-VVIT9DoZ0WZmzCBp_Dqel19UqClnRl92RcM6RDBv4OtzQwDXiT8NM18wxOyeX1aooWynjIw/s4032/PXL_20230414_075925201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnnRKtSQrnD4iJmULOzvRxm2MqY8GK_BMovkyH8FU8EuNtJdbIox2leU4JS2BPDnPqr7nDzqHV7fwvu-i5hBMDWpuA6WxSo7rDSXtO-0pBW2KsNBjBb-VVIT9DoZ0WZmzCBp_Dqel19UqClnRl92RcM6RDBv4OtzQwDXiT8NM18wxOyeX1aooWynjIw/s320/PXL_20230414_075925201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3JJJ911MjkhLEIWdHmvNPuOGvH02pt-hrpub-j-MAvWkEgz8BFVwv36DcQxeSuqLRxGb9-CFp8sI5bYJti2PdXE5a4ReTbXRO8oX0xe8r3-1qoRCTht-u7JC13eVzbR51bMSPBERxiZ94gN92qVSgLrhiYT6J2HLqZPCI0JQBw-FRPtMV0eiZbgUqA/s4032/PXL_20230414_080112566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3JJJ911MjkhLEIWdHmvNPuOGvH02pt-hrpub-j-MAvWkEgz8BFVwv36DcQxeSuqLRxGb9-CFp8sI5bYJti2PdXE5a4ReTbXRO8oX0xe8r3-1qoRCTht-u7JC13eVzbR51bMSPBERxiZ94gN92qVSgLrhiYT6J2HLqZPCI0JQBw-FRPtMV0eiZbgUqA/s320/PXL_20230414_080112566.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also of note, <i>Derry Girls </i>is set here. It's a very clever, fun sit-com set in 1990's. You can catch it on Netflix. Highly recommended!</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7120662/">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7120662/</a><br /></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also set in Derry, is the excellent memoir <i>Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?</i> by Séamas O'Reilly. The author was one of 11 children raised by a single father in Derry during the Troubles. Mom died of cancer when he was five years old. It's a beautifully written, easy-to-read book. It'll make you tear up and chuckle on the same page (in good ways).</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Did-Ye-Hear-Mammy-Died-ebook/dp/B07YSN4NB1">https://www.amazon.com/Did-Ye-Hear-Mammy-Died-ebook/dp/B07YSN4NB1</a><br /></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gortmore - Manannán is the Irish god of the sea. Poseidon has nothing on him.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the stories I read as a kid, he's wise, kind and strong ... which reminds of someone I admire greatly, Rick from Fort Wayne's Smallest Winner. I knew the statue was shirtless, so I wanted to put a FWSW shirt on him and take a pic, but the shirt wouldn't fit! Oh well ... at least, he's got something in common with Right Said Fred ... </p><p style="text-align: left;">The statue was stolen a few years ago by vandals. Eventually, it was found and returned.</p><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manann%C3%A1n_mac_Lir">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manann%C3%A1n_mac_Lir</a></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92NIDBiWlrY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92NIDBiWlrY</a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-30919259">https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-30919259</a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlV-W_gMTrBs0s8sll_US2MCwiM86m67nTc8_vijV1IT9z-v2u65hyGaMZI38Xpv_GEer2t2CMG7ZXhf5dhc_r_iXKj0PQime3-kAqAgiO9TtZO2ZdhnOsJ-QPCW8_z4w4pEN1rT21mqhatVCnCVvvAYvgo_D4GnCs7xLkcvX66dR85cnlQ7AeEXylQ/s4032/PXL_20230414_092749013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlV-W_gMTrBs0s8sll_US2MCwiM86m67nTc8_vijV1IT9z-v2u65hyGaMZI38Xpv_GEer2t2CMG7ZXhf5dhc_r_iXKj0PQime3-kAqAgiO9TtZO2ZdhnOsJ-QPCW8_z4w4pEN1rT21mqhatVCnCVvvAYvgo_D4GnCs7xLkcvX66dR85cnlQ7AeEXylQ/s320/PXL_20230414_092749013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihaTgK6U2mOWBS7SmGczuUw3Q1jTbINqg4qHiYMLMWInH1bvkevMmE6ieW-m8Jz9ZwkPLusYui9ObZlwHnsJ_U4J8jmzlEtFe56NroYBo701bD8PvRUxUmfqxM5wpmMnCznH5yEJxPtvWSflt2mQK2Cyb5opTRQQ85hrTJrRyzwCK1qKJU0O2ApcisQ/s4032/PXL_20230414_092856959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihaTgK6U2mOWBS7SmGczuUw3Q1jTbINqg4qHiYMLMWInH1bvkevMmE6ieW-m8Jz9ZwkPLusYui9ObZlwHnsJ_U4J8jmzlEtFe56NroYBo701bD8PvRUxUmfqxM5wpmMnCznH5yEJxPtvWSflt2mQK2Cyb5opTRQQ85hrTJrRyzwCK1qKJU0O2ApcisQ/s320/PXL_20230414_092856959.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This particular statue is located in the Bineveagh Area of Outstanding Beauty (which is a very cool way to refer to a national park). He's looking out over his demesne ... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfHy_diT5rMTd9UaKVJcCMpLnpC1Aqdd3YQRv8HTf5km99kXfDy7JXhXhYvteyKVZx8bTMu_Rdy3b2pBQ6i_zZWTn0NuGzyPnmVnJuQBjo_rQMsgsoQSr-COxADyCpm0lUJBXyptizgHbBTpwSbj3M1zTtJNbEXFnhBH7j-ZS0NM3SvXOE7qW0muj8A/s8422/PXL_20230414_093042759.PANO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1608" data-original-width="8422" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfHy_diT5rMTd9UaKVJcCMpLnpC1Aqdd3YQRv8HTf5km99kXfDy7JXhXhYvteyKVZx8bTMu_Rdy3b2pBQ6i_zZWTn0NuGzyPnmVnJuQBjo_rQMsgsoQSr-COxADyCpm0lUJBXyptizgHbBTpwSbj3M1zTtJNbEXFnhBH7j-ZS0NM3SvXOE7qW0muj8A/s320/PXL_20230414_093042759.PANO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mussenden Temple - There's a large park and garden area surrounding this landmark. I got quite the workout exploring the grounds. It's gorgeous. It was a private household for many years. The idea of living in a space like this ... wow. Sign. Me. Up.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over the course of my trip, I discovered that many places charge admission, but you don't need to pay. For example, the car park nearest the attraction might cost a few euro/pounds, but if you're willing to park a bit further away in a free car park, you can enter the grounds free. This was one such place.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're traveling to Ireland and going to visit places like this, google "free entrance" and the attraction's name ... you should find tips online that can save you some fees.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussenden_Temple">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussenden_Temple</a><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXE7_Wp1_Z5RmvwQJSqt3Qpo4YJcOXFepUuX3nrF3SOtbcxAUnjEbUPFL5xUpyhf1y1Yp0JxNm3B_dN3D_kSSqEr3jMv5L2TKsWdD4b_qzaByuiHTLYUsMmlKsywgV50TiFzjvudqyr1tPalyud1hWwz71lDr5pURWJ-5oG7YELOz3t3gPjoYWq63Eg/s4032/PXL_20230414_103541200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXE7_Wp1_Z5RmvwQJSqt3Qpo4YJcOXFepUuX3nrF3SOtbcxAUnjEbUPFL5xUpyhf1y1Yp0JxNm3B_dN3D_kSSqEr3jMv5L2TKsWdD4b_qzaByuiHTLYUsMmlKsywgV50TiFzjvudqyr1tPalyud1hWwz71lDr5pURWJ-5oG7YELOz3t3gPjoYWq63Eg/s320/PXL_20230414_103541200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID4jGgHmzzM0rWT7QQwu-JXfXefqxBtzZZYSZu6Jf42cFkteyrvCTUNiCA3v-io2org4c2T12W-BHHvTdzYwWl_lDRsAgLm10jcVVuPMvhySi5KKT0HoXOsCMp-s1_d8HKLkWPPNbUog5w8QDI2RQglfXdNsHOGBuczMcTgIk-IJUcFwOXjoZFe3S1w/s4032/PXL_20230414_104427139.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID4jGgHmzzM0rWT7QQwu-JXfXefqxBtzZZYSZu6Jf42cFkteyrvCTUNiCA3v-io2org4c2T12W-BHHvTdzYwWl_lDRsAgLm10jcVVuPMvhySi5KKT0HoXOsCMp-s1_d8HKLkWPPNbUog5w8QDI2RQglfXdNsHOGBuczMcTgIk-IJUcFwOXjoZFe3S1w/s320/PXL_20230414_104427139.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCP-3Mn3mltipHJBJ7qMw2VvBrgScoKKV_V_UGXktC18YcTpTnWiInrURXMc17xmwKa0Qh7WajqdOSRiS3atxIp54mRhTHI2-K7MTIH_cnfqjGobm4NDdRaMwkIBzw4IgMj0dusyPPGbQoZPnUAJkKHqFU41ATXGEtn_W4Xc_8K1ef9rEkt2UMrkWBA/s4032/PXL_20230414_110024678.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCP-3Mn3mltipHJBJ7qMw2VvBrgScoKKV_V_UGXktC18YcTpTnWiInrURXMc17xmwKa0Qh7WajqdOSRiS3atxIp54mRhTHI2-K7MTIH_cnfqjGobm4NDdRaMwkIBzw4IgMj0dusyPPGbQoZPnUAJkKHqFU41ATXGEtn_W4Xc_8K1ef9rEkt2UMrkWBA/s320/PXL_20230414_110024678.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCIT8-UhEkIkrsP-jovNovYrOiaG1-7rDBXyi--LBXGLmQKpZuwfcDI4McNVxCZOSorPIilBey9qoy62NMt7wnd0S3mrsAsky6CvhPcqs-W5zoFsPPhRtGxl8M-kRA3KtpfLi9fpxyXoEHANU96f3n5R50tGl-AtmejNUdxCBKCiRZfU-D5VDUQYKYQ/s4032/PXL_20230414_104119894.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCIT8-UhEkIkrsP-jovNovYrOiaG1-7rDBXyi--LBXGLmQKpZuwfcDI4McNVxCZOSorPIilBey9qoy62NMt7wnd0S3mrsAsky6CvhPcqs-W5zoFsPPhRtGxl8M-kRA3KtpfLi9fpxyXoEHANU96f3n5R50tGl-AtmejNUdxCBKCiRZfU-D5VDUQYKYQ/s320/PXL_20230414_104119894.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">This day is April 14, which can be a difficult day.</p><p style="text-align: left;">It's my daughter's birthday. Ellie was born and died in 1999. Each year since, this day is a roller coaster of emotion. I wasn't too sure how I'd handle being being abroad and alone on this day ... some years are harder to cope than others.</p><p style="text-align: left;">While walking through the gardens, I found some Forget-Me-Nots. It didn't catch me off guard. As soon as I saw them, I thought "absolutely." I will not forget. I sat on the ground nearby and had a good cry. Never forgotten, Ellie. Never. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxERUAAZX1m9qj0_2Hz7M3Nk4VB9f6f9p8QqIQ7iSYFv_0DpiCPyC80IU7CwbfG2fKpmQnt6f72JaBauoGdRpfFr5e9yjk8RVpsu4xVC0oCWZgEdQwhYZhLoVEyV_VfBVGzBgzfmqr_VLGc4EOUp0LIdKG7sUQ-c-uSQn5TmPqxImE7xu38ZiIzcSp4A/s4032/PXL_20230414_113342798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxERUAAZX1m9qj0_2Hz7M3Nk4VB9f6f9p8QqIQ7iSYFv_0DpiCPyC80IU7CwbfG2fKpmQnt6f72JaBauoGdRpfFr5e9yjk8RVpsu4xVC0oCWZgEdQwhYZhLoVEyV_VfBVGzBgzfmqr_VLGc4EOUp0LIdKG7sUQ-c-uSQn5TmPqxImE7xu38ZiIzcSp4A/s320/PXL_20230414_113342798.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dark Hedges - famous site showcased in media (such as one of the a filming locations for <i>Game of Thrones).</i> It was dreary weather, so it didn't have much opportunity to show off, but it's still a gorgeous view.</p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Hedges">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Hedges<br /></a><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jV8PPx9Hu_abiG87HFqNpZQFyWDuLczz7h3E-7IsxAj4Rd5_0DAPLu1ldHV3FQHxw44squ8I8Vct-VYnzSM_misdjnjJ9kD6hQz4rgko2iOnPO4zhld7llOuyMmT3F8jw5pWrDqdwdCi6pxGVrfm9Dh_hRhQvv3koA5uvq48tb1rFkNe9GqA19AKAw/s4032/PXL_20230414_130453704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jV8PPx9Hu_abiG87HFqNpZQFyWDuLczz7h3E-7IsxAj4Rd5_0DAPLu1ldHV3FQHxw44squ8I8Vct-VYnzSM_misdjnjJ9kD6hQz4rgko2iOnPO4zhld7llOuyMmT3F8jw5pWrDqdwdCi6pxGVrfm9Dh_hRhQvv3koA5uvq48tb1rFkNe9GqA19AKAw/s320/PXL_20230414_130453704.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cushendall - This is on the far west/north coast of Ireland. I wanted a location close to the start of my race (which would be early the next morning). It's a point-to-point 20 mile race from the Carrick-A-Rede bridge to Portrush.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What I didn't realize is that I needed to park at the finish line. They provided shuttle service from the finish line to the start. I realized this several weeks earlier, but not before I'd already booked my room. It made for a longer commute in the morning, but it wasn't too bad ... </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am glad I spent some time in Cushendall. It's an adorable little town that is hurling-mad. They <i>love </i>the game. Their GAA pitch is famous for being in such a beautiful location ... and they've got a lot of nice murals on the grounds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeKnHh1Nej0y14ijE3rhBB2vdNDv4jkY-vJZxRAbUVnGnWsdJaOWyVfMZ8Dpu_etHAfvH7qPtNWwG0AzcH759oYp6PbVKvF1_2Py39smuH5UI3vXQeT3k_FXXldLsq9P74pgFvR_r9tV3onXMenWbSGlrkydCcD73tIdjlulldYoJmRyLNIN4RYMhbQ/s4032/PXL_20230414_160006248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeKnHh1Nej0y14ijE3rhBB2vdNDv4jkY-vJZxRAbUVnGnWsdJaOWyVfMZ8Dpu_etHAfvH7qPtNWwG0AzcH759oYp6PbVKvF1_2Py39smuH5UI3vXQeT3k_FXXldLsq9P74pgFvR_r9tV3onXMenWbSGlrkydCcD73tIdjlulldYoJmRyLNIN4RYMhbQ/s320/PXL_20230414_160006248.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite mural was of Cú Chulainn. He was quite the hurler. Just ask Culain's hound. The caption roughly translates to "there is no strength without unity."</p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cushendall">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cushendall<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurling">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurling</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRANeJFDGtLNvJiKhsHhJPqvdVQwGCdXdzbg0LQmPzs5rDD3febqhYQWKhrNPBo2BtCzClCDzJJ-SA79wpcnhTAcg2ZFckOp8AH6Aj6zh06jE2l0UNMoFpJYGsyzToOx2koZ_NmS9Qto4ajwIe0AoS5TvCcqFBgtCtlvH6DaV_I9lBb1svANWhogrFXw/s4032/PXL_20230414_155413244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRANeJFDGtLNvJiKhsHhJPqvdVQwGCdXdzbg0LQmPzs5rDD3febqhYQWKhrNPBo2BtCzClCDzJJ-SA79wpcnhTAcg2ZFckOp8AH6Aj6zh06jE2l0UNMoFpJYGsyzToOx2koZ_NmS9Qto4ajwIe0AoS5TvCcqFBgtCtlvH6DaV_I9lBb1svANWhogrFXw/s320/PXL_20230414_155413244.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got to visit with the groundskeeper for a bit. He was prepping the field for a big game the next day. I also got to watch a few kids practicing. I had bought a sliotar (a hurling ball) earlier and I asked a dad if I could ask his son to sign my sliotar. He thought it was neat idea.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I told the boy (who was eight years old) that I am from America and I collect athlete's signatures (I have about 250 autographs in my collection). He signed it like he's been doing it his whole life. I really appreciated it!</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And if in 15 years Antrim wins the All-Ireland Championship on a late goal by Aidan of Cushendall, I got a ball that'll be worth something. :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SWeAU1lwYFOTtG5e33oGrxKnaMhByUjLfGW2m8Qe1SjPHYgGpzXL6okxhf-Ei72oQHwHm9PYuuXfNoNlAc2aS-zByb0iejqKxMFH6dOcYW157WYdE3-TUueUzEPaEn-yRHZaj3hGVpN_AfK-Svrk4JGzfoq-KKHO0xHC-kcspKayc38dqDc_MjBSBQ/s4032/PXL_20230414_183644586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SWeAU1lwYFOTtG5e33oGrxKnaMhByUjLfGW2m8Qe1SjPHYgGpzXL6okxhf-Ei72oQHwHm9PYuuXfNoNlAc2aS-zByb0iejqKxMFH6dOcYW157WYdE3-TUueUzEPaEn-yRHZaj3hGVpN_AfK-Svrk4JGzfoq-KKHO0xHC-kcspKayc38dqDc_MjBSBQ/s320/PXL_20230414_183644586.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(yes, it got smudged a bit, but enough remains)</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A day well-spent ... lots of mud ... and lots of memories.</p></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OO2dUB5hXZK9gVWwMJlQiAFzjQoOBtpw7P_xiDZxkZ2asfMUdGtWEhQIpQgW91rpDnxgQqlZCbigtUqF4_GrPyxq8uXVryY3wD6NNW_GTaAW-5-QdG-UxffocPL-qLSJlIKNOm0PhQNkwKROKCKqEIH4gwN_I1R5XS7F_Ct0Ap6KB2hngDtvC_aDaw/s4032/PXL_20230414_181020807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OO2dUB5hXZK9gVWwMJlQiAFzjQoOBtpw7P_xiDZxkZ2asfMUdGtWEhQIpQgW91rpDnxgQqlZCbigtUqF4_GrPyxq8uXVryY3wD6NNW_GTaAW-5-QdG-UxffocPL-qLSJlIKNOm0PhQNkwKROKCKqEIH4gwN_I1R5XS7F_Ct0Ap6KB2hngDtvC_aDaw/s320/PXL_20230414_181020807.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-64208880584624506142023-04-13T17:09:00.009-04:002023-04-26T09:35:29.444-04:00Ireland Day 4<p>Photo album - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/BECUC6gKjwJMfDtWA">https://photos.app.goo.gl/BECUC6gKjwJMfDtWA</a></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Started the day in Sligo, went into Fermanagh and ended the day in Derry. </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rpxBqULIBf8qNI1krVbP5JmEnH1dSTKlEUJ45esntITmv3-LXThPEXLqyl5Ht6j9tbkHb5aU0uzWXHdFH7F1uVYKbm4J6e_20weOVcLH4A-xtzOWTsfDTMcDplSmtqoLZM155RdjPIAtK60e82YHSy5b6wkGVMrTHFuHuNuCCfesRPJmgsHA3uBLbA/s910/map13.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="910" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rpxBqULIBf8qNI1krVbP5JmEnH1dSTKlEUJ45esntITmv3-LXThPEXLqyl5Ht6j9tbkHb5aU0uzWXHdFH7F1uVYKbm4J6e_20weOVcLH4A-xtzOWTsfDTMcDplSmtqoLZM155RdjPIAtK60e82YHSy5b6wkGVMrTHFuHuNuCCfesRPJmgsHA3uBLbA/s320/map13.png" width="320" /></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Weather looked like it would be great all day!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLmgcLM-ExrWcZNlQd9HH89WEkon1k7ssnZsMKNL8UuSEg6TmZVdNlRaM2FXKqV_qOjkMiPE4SrLbfnIHuy-Na_wr7bNdlQB8AKR3Q9UAoLRnE-ebjBtf7qtmviVHyCnVIGQP446yLc9kw1d8_hbC1ejw0Lg5z5IvE_3k3duGrHPxUdt1wSqDETLxDw/s4032/PXL_20230413_075711289.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLmgcLM-ExrWcZNlQd9HH89WEkon1k7ssnZsMKNL8UuSEg6TmZVdNlRaM2FXKqV_qOjkMiPE4SrLbfnIHuy-Na_wr7bNdlQB8AKR3Q9UAoLRnE-ebjBtf7qtmviVHyCnVIGQP446yLc9kw1d8_hbC1ejw0Lg5z5IvE_3k3duGrHPxUdt1wSqDETLxDw/s320/PXL_20230413_075711289.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On a morning walk, I saw this ... is it a crow? A raven? I think it's a blackbird, but dang ... it would have been to neat to get a nice pic of great big jet-black crow. I was in a highly significant area to Irish mythology ... it could have been the Morrígan, right?</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Morr%C3%ADgan">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Morr%C3%ADgan</a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tDSz6WphuMMXtHvox4y-nfCdBigQIha5gJo1EhkkPBfELIM7bpGcX_GaM2HiSmGzGSVTzRIdVyqpvi22peXxXhJZNL7ser9SyGXPxIPb-U3XyOgEF4Zv9jO9GJOqs7bxUjpJXPjAEWAghsn0jLqWtt2Zb60zDw6bFJDX_kNBw7XXdo6ip7qALXhn4g/s4032/PXL_20230413_081736799.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tDSz6WphuMMXtHvox4y-nfCdBigQIha5gJo1EhkkPBfELIM7bpGcX_GaM2HiSmGzGSVTzRIdVyqpvi22peXxXhJZNL7ser9SyGXPxIPb-U3XyOgEF4Zv9jO9GJOqs7bxUjpJXPjAEWAghsn0jLqWtt2Zb60zDw6bFJDX_kNBw7XXdo6ip7qALXhn4g/s320/PXL_20230413_081736799.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>One of the places I had on my original list was Knocknarea, the site of Queen Medb's burial cairn. However, I knew that I couldn't do everything on the list. While making plans before going to sleep the previous night, I decided to skip this spot. However, I spent some time chatting with BnB hostess before I left, and she convinced me to go. I am so glad that I did.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocknarea">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocknarea</a></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miosg%C3%A1n_Meadhbha">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miosg%C3%A1n_Meadhbha</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The cairn is on top of a mountain in Sligo, and it's visible from some distance away. There's a trail to the top, and it's about four miles long. Some of it in the woods, but most of it is on the open mountainside. The views are incredible. I could see Ben Bulben quite nicely!</div><p style="text-align: left;">The route is marked with numerous markers telling the story of Medb and her role in the Táin Bó Cúailnge, which is my favorite story of all time! She's the one who lead the invasion of Ulster and was opposed by Cú Chulainn. Despite being the "bad guy" in the story, she's not really portrayed as a bad guy. The Irish continue to hold both Medb and Cú Chulainn in very high regard. Reading the story along the way was really cool.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A1in_B%C3%B3_C%C3%BAailnge">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A1in_B%C3%B3_C%C3%BAailnge</a><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%BA_Chulainn">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%BA_Chulainn</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medb">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medb</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-adj-5qNYHZidfd8LXIFNggCt1j-6bnWVvl-2Ruy3vuML0S_drt7RAI4I1DTn68BgNFxvub1hVWbocH1gJPb8FMb0TLd9ss99aig3PMQo8LKngtFRXTNVOv89JKK3EIffaGI1Da_ZbAosB0NdZXNMSds2NnLl09NS7TUPoiIgqnj5VGeu1uMhpQYCjA/s4032/PXL_20230413_084015083.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-adj-5qNYHZidfd8LXIFNggCt1j-6bnWVvl-2Ruy3vuML0S_drt7RAI4I1DTn68BgNFxvub1hVWbocH1gJPb8FMb0TLd9ss99aig3PMQo8LKngtFRXTNVOv89JKK3EIffaGI1Da_ZbAosB0NdZXNMSds2NnLl09NS7TUPoiIgqnj5VGeu1uMhpQYCjA/s320/PXL_20230413_084015083.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuoUMo2dUpyvDhezpAs9oBmed-WNIpIsypOGX68UBNJ2PgNJiwN7O0jZWSfmvIGqnqR37U5Gm95ovUyKg-lJWKxl9hHo8-IuxHFrmq-BmXb8-RlWRGjp6WUmjVXXyNEJ8PozSGD4WuTOlaHhlUz4jj1QYxjcRfM69nLgPcgiGpsFdfAcJCRi5IS-UNw/s3840/PXL_20230413_091034242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuoUMo2dUpyvDhezpAs9oBmed-WNIpIsypOGX68UBNJ2PgNJiwN7O0jZWSfmvIGqnqR37U5Gm95ovUyKg-lJWKxl9hHo8-IuxHFrmq-BmXb8-RlWRGjp6WUmjVXXyNEJ8PozSGD4WuTOlaHhlUz4jj1QYxjcRfM69nLgPcgiGpsFdfAcJCRi5IS-UNw/s320/PXL_20230413_091034242.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">The first mile or so is along the base of the mountain, but you've got to go up at some point. There's a very long set of stairs that climbs about 700 feet to the top. It was a good old-fashioned party train!</p><p style="text-align: left;">A "party train" is something I learned while a participant in Fort Wayne's Smallest Winner ... it's a lot of stair work. Great cardio! Those FWSW party trains made this party train possible. It's been ten years since I went through FWSW, and I continue to reap the benefits. It was a little extra special wearing my FWSW colors while summiting Knocknarea!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxOpF4Ql4ojaYDZgkRIeTR9m7Rm5M9ik4KXoKzHFgy0xtdizPODbRIBiPq4rTPZhz5P5O3lJCawshpfnHI1hiALcVWM7GA875KBH6QQQx7F4xwNiv4u0-ZAt5vjfrUMi0g_1q10dc6kcZuiZRuUbP2qJwjtHypozkCDu6XKnNRnLtc9LMSkxfSsYEpw/s3840/PXL_20230413_092628808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxOpF4Ql4ojaYDZgkRIeTR9m7Rm5M9ik4KXoKzHFgy0xtdizPODbRIBiPq4rTPZhz5P5O3lJCawshpfnHI1hiALcVWM7GA875KBH6QQQx7F4xwNiv4u0-ZAt5vjfrUMi0g_1q10dc6kcZuiZRuUbP2qJwjtHypozkCDu6XKnNRnLtc9LMSkxfSsYEpw/s320/PXL_20230413_092628808.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div>You're not allowed to climb the cairn. That would be rude.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe-Q9ixRAL_l3ll5ke-wEQPrSAjAccUatPps8JH8i7Xu_Ut3Zsd345l4bq59oT7Q5XsRyd9Ucet3jaYWXU3JuMIf3WUwV1M-yt-PuAPD3sMd9HuLa8RwwhWzpePxMYLne1N53U0vPFGATslHwOykOgFeUNwS3Na-nnoliD6XABYN8Sy4itWlK3tJ_YQ/s4032/PXL_20230413_094403932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe-Q9ixRAL_l3ll5ke-wEQPrSAjAccUatPps8JH8i7Xu_Ut3Zsd345l4bq59oT7Q5XsRyd9Ucet3jaYWXU3JuMIf3WUwV1M-yt-PuAPD3sMd9HuLa8RwwhWzpePxMYLne1N53U0vPFGATslHwOykOgFeUNwS3Na-nnoliD6XABYN8Sy4itWlK3tJ_YQ/s320/PXL_20230413_094403932.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is one of my favorite pics of the trip ... the story is that Medb was buried standing upright with a spear in her hand while facing her enemies in Ulster. I was "looking over her shoulder" when the sun peaked through the cloud cover.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZN9n3yq14cNMtbMCf7FoIh7Jxo3c3W1uSlJbTEeWhVTJlGPF2iq_xlGanOYQD6Hkw_EGklcheijBFishJYYU591Sgx_26-aPoLI6YJqdWhgFQHHgejVu3lLEVvML6o9PlMjOMOoGBmwKQr4qrZpsLNdyprcky3S5BuKgpHWt5jnRf8nmGwy43DO_kA/s4032/PXL_20230413_095131774.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZN9n3yq14cNMtbMCf7FoIh7Jxo3c3W1uSlJbTEeWhVTJlGPF2iq_xlGanOYQD6Hkw_EGklcheijBFishJYYU591Sgx_26-aPoLI6YJqdWhgFQHHgejVu3lLEVvML6o9PlMjOMOoGBmwKQr4qrZpsLNdyprcky3S5BuKgpHWt5jnRf8nmGwy43DO_kA/s320/PXL_20230413_095131774.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">Next stop? Cuilcagh. They've got a "timber walk" that goes to the top of a mountain that's on the border of County Fermanagh and County Cavan. The views are supposed to be extraordinary. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The park is also a nature preserve, and they don't want folks trudging through the delicate terrain, so they built a boardwalk. From where I parked, I had to hike about two miles to get to the start of the boardwalk. There was about a mile of fairly gentle incline, and then over a mile with a much steeper climb. It would be the mother of all party trains!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I would came down the mountain much quicker than I went up! :)</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuilcagh">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuilcagh</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ0nWUXSqsrmy_9-jjfeLaOV1OqM2spqDpup_mPwOFZ5HZ7PdZSu29PY-pBeMjINFug5w7gNA0SK9ZTvosix26YSBruukt5RDHkKIIpIqbw0Bw-f0HIA8qqoto1sFxym_bRNNiHy3T_cJUhMZIKOWGWkxdiJvDex5a0hN0fsdIeUqbHvJtn7UHz2jyQ/s4032/PXL_20230413_123638750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ0nWUXSqsrmy_9-jjfeLaOV1OqM2spqDpup_mPwOFZ5HZ7PdZSu29PY-pBeMjINFug5w7gNA0SK9ZTvosix26YSBruukt5RDHkKIIpIqbw0Bw-f0HIA8qqoto1sFxym_bRNNiHy3T_cJUhMZIKOWGWkxdiJvDex5a0hN0fsdIeUqbHvJtn7UHz2jyQ/s320/PXL_20230413_123638750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmFCiJZ1sz0N1_WK9PXk2qRskt4wj05zhLwBweTJ-zeFJt9ttUyAAClJvvHjWEegpoyOiKqUVse_tJtPD0XGp4lT7xGJAFny1nYKMVJD_Tf9-PchqDud_TssYfHWWfVgyTtu6ek8lhkAqv3otGlQciBC0rJ8Hzs9PCTWtAyrdUSxcpCzVgcjWmQFV7w/s4032/PXL_20230413_125427005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmFCiJZ1sz0N1_WK9PXk2qRskt4wj05zhLwBweTJ-zeFJt9ttUyAAClJvvHjWEegpoyOiKqUVse_tJtPD0XGp4lT7xGJAFny1nYKMVJD_Tf9-PchqDud_TssYfHWWfVgyTtu6ek8lhkAqv3otGlQciBC0rJ8Hzs9PCTWtAyrdUSxcpCzVgcjWmQFV7w/s320/PXL_20230413_125427005.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">While at the summit, I met a family of five (mom, dad, three girls). There were trying to get a selfie and I offered to take their pic. As I held mom's phone, I said, "abair cáis!" (Irish for "say cheese"). They said cheese! I realized later that I probably should have said "abraigí" (which is used when speaking to more than one person while "abair" is for one person) instead, but oh well ...</p><p style="text-align: left;">As I chatted with the parents, we talked a little about the Irish language. I really did very little with the Irish language while I was there. So much of my time was spent outdoors doing solo stuff that I had few folks to carry on a conversation. Most Irish folks speak English, so it was not necessary to conduct business. So ... months and months of lessons and hard work learning Irish really didn't lead to much Irish communication.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I did enjoy reading the signage as I traveled. That was fun and interesting.</p><p style="text-align: left;">And the views from atop Cuilcagh? Yes ... it was worth it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYc1xh-4HLNBiqoZZ46jWmm93prktcltuWGfwP76T1HxyDwVH1JCCyNiydDHX75g1l4tJag0MTN9NHJPB4FN_32_uu3GXIsH4CwurMFew0PPQeTxbd2CSxWm7j5v9eGFawG-CUMvR4LNyd_2JgDinIS8Z5DUd2fqiSJwDSTNGbILLo2R_SGDKlcg3sg/s4032/PXL_20230413_130529314.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYc1xh-4HLNBiqoZZ46jWmm93prktcltuWGfwP76T1HxyDwVH1JCCyNiydDHX75g1l4tJag0MTN9NHJPB4FN_32_uu3GXIsH4CwurMFew0PPQeTxbd2CSxWm7j5v9eGFawG-CUMvR4LNyd_2JgDinIS8Z5DUd2fqiSJwDSTNGbILLo2R_SGDKlcg3sg/s320/PXL_20230413_130529314.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWrsoTqeisclLXFmTIcH3-6f9eWnyVvRBRYU1KOMz_8XaipHh-vu6DjV23Y5ObC2GkEP_75WVLGA_FbRdPEUOJ-62DIZIhyWt7BdY7r6Z3__awnSPKqs2uZScwDY2BZAKCW9jTMqhbBa4hmMdUl5shLpE_MnzaXoLlsSqparfpFzzmwdzxSUSqK6dwA/s4032/PXL_20230413_131416339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWrsoTqeisclLXFmTIcH3-6f9eWnyVvRBRYU1KOMz_8XaipHh-vu6DjV23Y5ObC2GkEP_75WVLGA_FbRdPEUOJ-62DIZIhyWt7BdY7r6Z3__awnSPKqs2uZScwDY2BZAKCW9jTMqhbBa4hmMdUl5shLpE_MnzaXoLlsSqparfpFzzmwdzxSUSqK6dwA/s320/PXL_20230413_131416339.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_nmMf6n4fON5s8-LtxZq72tGSauydbr5NQC3xceFc_65GV1-2q-L0YIFDw_9FuTdJSa7YNUtta-zVUHzLAop7yv1SZr976EIn3nN5pu5Ey7Ua1cAZskoEzfEOnf4voAVpGbUFeoHSMlwuyVPISjUJmkm3iA1W9vWtHF1lrG4GuQlFqW_lcY21cYRhw/s4032/PXL_20230413_140715744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_nmMf6n4fON5s8-LtxZq72tGSauydbr5NQC3xceFc_65GV1-2q-L0YIFDw_9FuTdJSa7YNUtta-zVUHzLAop7yv1SZr976EIn3nN5pu5Ey7Ua1cAZskoEzfEOnf4voAVpGbUFeoHSMlwuyVPISjUJmkm3iA1W9vWtHF1lrG4GuQlFqW_lcY21cYRhw/s320/PXL_20230413_140715744.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Next stop? Enniskillen, a city on an island in Lough Erne. Very picturesque, but I didn't have much time to spend here.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enniskillen">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enniskillen</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGpldTlLMsus2ayIKY2vR3zKwPlH_GKgZQBFvLT08yX8ppuENy3YeeCdmNtP4OZLjdB5wHYOV_bJioZysKbM39Oqi2Tn7ynJ_1_BnPU68bDbWgv7zuq1dD8L5y4X-Fanck4jFvj8GqZsN6uUKhxmRxxW1a0CdJTG6N5Z3T6DcrpeTX7C0XZkIFCdkfA/s4032/PXL_20230413_150153640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGpldTlLMsus2ayIKY2vR3zKwPlH_GKgZQBFvLT08yX8ppuENy3YeeCdmNtP4OZLjdB5wHYOV_bJioZysKbM39Oqi2Tn7ynJ_1_BnPU68bDbWgv7zuq1dD8L5y4X-Fanck4jFvj8GqZsN6uUKhxmRxxW1a0CdJTG6N5Z3T6DcrpeTX7C0XZkIFCdkfA/s320/PXL_20230413_150153640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTN57LsFLa2enb2BkJZPs_-HUdNTNQXFwDNrgS7JLkxEj9gF09MGtaZTnCwP_yfmkRkeSuC8dlAdZNwn5mrkE7Lhi-r0M82umn9PnPEN0K7XR0YpwxsCr4Lg0zeCdkCRX_i2l2T6245d2RMm6c80oUu3s34gissKlPt5GUvL-Z_er6zjHiQPRpUJYig/s4032/PXL_20230413_180017378-EFFECTS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTN57LsFLa2enb2BkJZPs_-HUdNTNQXFwDNrgS7JLkxEj9gF09MGtaZTnCwP_yfmkRkeSuC8dlAdZNwn5mrkE7Lhi-r0M82umn9PnPEN0K7XR0YpwxsCr4Lg0zeCdkCRX_i2l2T6245d2RMm6c80oUu3s34gissKlPt5GUvL-Z_er6zjHiQPRpUJYig/s320/PXL_20230413_180017378-EFFECTS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had to get to Derry, and was running a little late. The BnB hosts ask that you arrive before 6:00 pm, and I wound up being late. I did call ahead and they knew I was running late.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Incidentally, trying to figure out how to make international phone calls is an adventure, particularly in Ireland where some of the numbers are Republic of Ireland and others are United Kingdom. </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had some time to stroll around Derry, but I spent more time doing so the next day ... so I'll talk about that in the next blog entry.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeg0dOVSy6AtR44CS0wfZ2z9Ftd7CR2GZdxFHJtUng5VENES-lLb4qYxiyQGVmMfqAKxBaW-Eys4nt8Rv8VWoD8lY3ulU_liymALMVGK7rWKDr88NyZO2XL-K5FwX2Ynv6l7nFiSzHZ4Ee_UaQBxR1fYyK2m5QLKRyXbMMfkQu_cJUsnEj8uwQN2RxA/s4032/PXL_20230413_182528393.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeg0dOVSy6AtR44CS0wfZ2z9Ftd7CR2GZdxFHJtUng5VENES-lLb4qYxiyQGVmMfqAKxBaW-Eys4nt8Rv8VWoD8lY3ulU_liymALMVGK7rWKDr88NyZO2XL-K5FwX2Ynv6l7nFiSzHZ4Ee_UaQBxR1fYyK2m5QLKRyXbMMfkQu_cJUsnEj8uwQN2RxA/s320/PXL_20230413_182528393.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNDLR7YRN5GJLHJgieTqxm2UtjldDCYQ4ex5nwz9DqbHFjAvUUF6HN9vdpVConJ7K9_mdWRnj_ZCLSJ4pB3PqyCwzfbIOpUnGuy-J3z_cQdDra9kXtkrHr5hD1wjeAh84DSkssyGosdTGjhnxn9oYE8FfZrIZAC5Wj0X819KRFabUNG9KPt9Z9d1V7Q/s4032/PXL_20230413_190930563.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNDLR7YRN5GJLHJgieTqxm2UtjldDCYQ4ex5nwz9DqbHFjAvUUF6HN9vdpVConJ7K9_mdWRnj_ZCLSJ4pB3PqyCwzfbIOpUnGuy-J3z_cQdDra9kXtkrHr5hD1wjeAh84DSkssyGosdTGjhnxn9oYE8FfZrIZAC5Wj0X819KRFabUNG9KPt9Z9d1V7Q/s320/PXL_20230413_190930563.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Don't forget ... there's plenty of pics in the full photo album. These blog entries contain only a few.<br /><p><br /></p></div>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-28633149471079125282023-04-12T08:50:00.246-04:002023-04-25T17:20:07.210-04:00Ireland Day 3<p style="text-align: left;">Full photo album - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/2GuzY98UMVi5QMVs7">https://photos.app.goo.gl/2GuzY98UMVi5QMVs7</a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Cong -> Knock -> Sligo -> Boyle</div></span><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnu2kDEaEa_AiU4COrPNQamJRUH7tLYbcovpNf46TV5sfOBmM8MKdo9MK1XZsLXo7OTd1DBZZ__4tkH5Pw665olMUttIT-mOHUTfpRpOhnTj9hV6nzuE0S-Zm2ZjQJ8XWjBu0ceVYdPaTTxZMMqbBRjk0mSWIfhT3e7Deq36gc8xJzIa-7gdNGMxr1g/s1090/map12.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1090" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnu2kDEaEa_AiU4COrPNQamJRUH7tLYbcovpNf46TV5sfOBmM8MKdo9MK1XZsLXo7OTd1DBZZ__4tkH5Pw665olMUttIT-mOHUTfpRpOhnTj9hV6nzuE0S-Zm2ZjQJ8XWjBu0ceVYdPaTTxZMMqbBRjk0mSWIfhT3e7Deq36gc8xJzIa-7gdNGMxr1g/s320/map12.png" width="320" /></a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before I left, I was thinking that I could have breakfast around 6:30 every morning and be on my way by 7:00 a.m. That never happened. Except for that first hotel, the BnB hosts provided a big breakfast that I would order the night before. The earliest I could get breakfast was 8:00, and usually a bit after that even. The meals were wonderful. I'm not complaining. It allowed me a bit of "decompress" time before beginning the day in earnest.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first BnB was Michaeleen's Manor, which is named for the matchmaker from <i>The Quiet Man</i>. Everything was adorable. I was also able to enjoy some walking around town a bit before breakfast. I had such a good time that I opted to spend a little extra time in Cong before moving on.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.michaeleensmanor.com">www.michaeleensmanor.com</a><br /></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Cong Forest Walk is one of the most beautifully groomed trails I've ever seen. The locals really take care of things in this town. They know it's a tourist destination, and the keep everything really nice.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ashford Castle is nearby, and it's a posh place. The grounds are open for public walks, and I spent a little time there, but mostly I was on the Forest Walk. One of the neat little treats on the path was the Monk's Fishing House. It's the ruins of a tiny little house on a spit of land that juts into Lough Corrib.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's also a very cool tower hidden deep in the forest. It took a little to find it, but it's open and you go all the way to top for a very nice view.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Cong Abbey is undergoing renovations, but it's an active church with very beautiful grounds.</p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cong,_County_Mayo">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cong,_County_Mayo<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashford_Castle">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashford_Castle<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cong_Abbey">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cong_Abbey</a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm3Ynb1Q_0Hmkn3xsNo00B6nzjhvF2h0x2h82tav3gXZ-aL1yBPc1npegJB7y1tpWx8Kg9udV3MQXcNJrqnM8x6YQF7k0dvsFiKcDatN0yo8DJAkXDuDu7_YcPWZ3l3n0zqBUiOvITlt6YA9aEnHhHYpCCpxo5B6tX4py7JbJ3mK4PSbxkQ_YSbFs_A/s4032/PXL_20230412_061443686.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm3Ynb1Q_0Hmkn3xsNo00B6nzjhvF2h0x2h82tav3gXZ-aL1yBPc1npegJB7y1tpWx8Kg9udV3MQXcNJrqnM8x6YQF7k0dvsFiKcDatN0yo8DJAkXDuDu7_YcPWZ3l3n0zqBUiOvITlt6YA9aEnHhHYpCCpxo5B6tX4py7JbJ3mK4PSbxkQ_YSbFs_A/s320/PXL_20230412_061443686.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9mqrj1L1U-O3euJjKqzbODVMSF2CQHojIDTEFSG-8D0Wz47KRuDx8CXHSXMa9edoPWKfjTceQDsd3v5k8GEYbNa62ZdoRlaQkc8HeNDiB7TWx1lM0VoHyj1DiQsotTBZqkmyznvFEfVT6RoiAgPB8spIv4vDcj3mphZlLjx8Ul6MwJamxDNdN55FCw/s4032/PXL_20230412_074416085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9mqrj1L1U-O3euJjKqzbODVMSF2CQHojIDTEFSG-8D0Wz47KRuDx8CXHSXMa9edoPWKfjTceQDsd3v5k8GEYbNa62ZdoRlaQkc8HeNDiB7TWx1lM0VoHyj1DiQsotTBZqkmyznvFEfVT6RoiAgPB8spIv4vDcj3mphZlLjx8Ul6MwJamxDNdN55FCw/s320/PXL_20230412_074416085.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsbKdM1ebbUmtQKwPlhv_jhnrMtyTD34F58emgo06SZD0ByWqsE_k63XZiT8W6EIBf-q5TNqOSusae1mdlzXkSFlLKThvhXLRcOJYYErsx_IEKoFybftelmg2MyPX9UR3Gbj3kKvXMlVMMwrTchSZvSYv8ty2RCF_5Y4IhoQ-pGcvgrh_ubgc5lUQGw/s4032/PXL_20230412_075048592.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsbKdM1ebbUmtQKwPlhv_jhnrMtyTD34F58emgo06SZD0ByWqsE_k63XZiT8W6EIBf-q5TNqOSusae1mdlzXkSFlLKThvhXLRcOJYYErsx_IEKoFybftelmg2MyPX9UR3Gbj3kKvXMlVMMwrTchSZvSYv8ty2RCF_5Y4IhoQ-pGcvgrh_ubgc5lUQGw/s320/PXL_20230412_075048592.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPz46ILhSQEdIrpvtX4D4LVMBp3n-Dex-dX9BgN0Uarzlf83qeWzJusSy0DA-qswnNALnd7LzNPx8UOI9s91Pia1ffLSKf5xWC7p8upkwyp22rRd5nH32b95xxmbTiHH4KJg0fDR2__yKhuixi-qmXIzjE-r5ioBkENxwF39y0jV9j62fyOkjqehc1A/s4032/PXL_20230412_075441985.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPz46ILhSQEdIrpvtX4D4LVMBp3n-Dex-dX9BgN0Uarzlf83qeWzJusSy0DA-qswnNALnd7LzNPx8UOI9s91Pia1ffLSKf5xWC7p8upkwyp22rRd5nH32b95xxmbTiHH4KJg0fDR2__yKhuixi-qmXIzjE-r5ioBkENxwF39y0jV9j62fyOkjqehc1A/s320/PXL_20230412_075441985.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4lBbVGLRIh5wlX8gNnyW2YS5maO8Piul7Km0whIIumUCEk7MiomFznzvE-3hVQFGhLLkUA7BEN9MrBZCLrow7d-7LTIvsEx-MdHeefP9WaHTb_4rdYi44U5HL52oA3_ZglGAGQc_T3penQR1N6N6fZ8U9RbE3ZTZQvwzbUWBxNtJWGqGEs7zLWEEOg/s4032/PXL_20230412_080036309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4lBbVGLRIh5wlX8gNnyW2YS5maO8Piul7Km0whIIumUCEk7MiomFznzvE-3hVQFGhLLkUA7BEN9MrBZCLrow7d-7LTIvsEx-MdHeefP9WaHTb_4rdYi44U5HL52oA3_ZglGAGQc_T3penQR1N6N6fZ8U9RbE3ZTZQvwzbUWBxNtJWGqGEs7zLWEEOg/s320/PXL_20230412_080036309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrz8mWu-kA90y_JIUwB2YUAXKzmJz9o8doxDyHCIoXob2_9u-UIRhuHGM9ju53-fEDJ56outJB9ql5aKZlVy2eNBzzd7EmzPztDXniQrzVe4B2WfVKL2_PZLLOrH5GF9fQqxp5kjpRWi5SaqwGkvc4oumTYcUjUZGA75uHlPkbnJfmvynkcj6TetpmrQ/s4032/PXL_20230412_080919068.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrz8mWu-kA90y_JIUwB2YUAXKzmJz9o8doxDyHCIoXob2_9u-UIRhuHGM9ju53-fEDJ56outJB9ql5aKZlVy2eNBzzd7EmzPztDXniQrzVe4B2WfVKL2_PZLLOrH5GF9fQqxp5kjpRWi5SaqwGkvc4oumTYcUjUZGA75uHlPkbnJfmvynkcj6TetpmrQ/s320/PXL_20230412_080919068.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHReRl-PXDevJi7iXNxoV5ppaCB580D8-v6seaC8p4Puw23kQaABlLh-4ZOYVf-cgJY-RbWTlMVd_2t22R3cER94MssPQgOAd_Cv6dDNBx68dJamvcalcr4ZUBwcLj_fUVF-2j8mCTVXyE8liWio28HF416PnO7pqtZbFMfGzyDbbsnPby9YPtYrV8DA/s4032/PXL_20230412_074532694.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHReRl-PXDevJi7iXNxoV5ppaCB580D8-v6seaC8p4Puw23kQaABlLh-4ZOYVf-cgJY-RbWTlMVd_2t22R3cER94MssPQgOAd_Cv6dDNBx68dJamvcalcr4ZUBwcLj_fUVF-2j8mCTVXyE8liWio28HF416PnO7pqtZbFMfGzyDbbsnPby9YPtYrV8DA/s320/PXL_20230412_074532694.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Upon leaving Cong, I would head north towards Sligo. Along the way, I saw signs for the city of Knock. I figured "why not?" so I took a detour and spent a couple of hours wandering around the city. It was very wet and windy, so it was nice to pop into buildings every once in a while to dry out and warm up.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The city is the site of a famous shrine built where an apparition of Mary (and a few others) was seen in 1879. It's now a pilgrimage destination. There are a lot of shops in the area that sell religious items.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">President Biden happened to be in Ireland at the same time I was. On this particular day, he was on the east coast while I was on the west coast. Eventually, we would switch places. He too made an unplanned stop at Knock during his trip.</p><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock,_County_Mayo">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock,_County_Mayo</a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock_Shrine">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knock_Shrine</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2JU2Pc5RF9HKa5Nk-jh638pGuGRHPMr1199k74INYqcQwosIjbMYjyB61dUtvCOZSQqP8K3c106rXGGXU1GS6tAJkpxnRIV9hPtceZWZgVcDTEqY1ZliZQijfsFYh1VQZkYT5kPFDtU1jojcAlljx2dFqQnUcYjIovC76GW7gpeHrLwP4FKATLOh7Q/s4032/PXL_20230412_101459711.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2JU2Pc5RF9HKa5Nk-jh638pGuGRHPMr1199k74INYqcQwosIjbMYjyB61dUtvCOZSQqP8K3c106rXGGXU1GS6tAJkpxnRIV9hPtceZWZgVcDTEqY1ZliZQijfsFYh1VQZkYT5kPFDtU1jojcAlljx2dFqQnUcYjIovC76GW7gpeHrLwP4FKATLOh7Q/s320/PXL_20230412_101459711.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Po1x2Ra2h7DZpe0qJcz4vn09Q6_WedJsSq9BfNX-tTjaTdni4KcBoqSbhtv1gx-IGrdQHTAUR2v1RwU_5Dcp5vAenFJXFBoB8QNtv9pKQJEYcnpobxQbRkJXNeGX6EL4D9X5ZawgDNb62_FzwgjDeos5-T47mGhmYqFo8BdpbV2EbDI1t1HirV5CJg/s4032/PXL_20230412_102631664.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Po1x2Ra2h7DZpe0qJcz4vn09Q6_WedJsSq9BfNX-tTjaTdni4KcBoqSbhtv1gx-IGrdQHTAUR2v1RwU_5Dcp5vAenFJXFBoB8QNtv9pKQJEYcnpobxQbRkJXNeGX6EL4D9X5ZawgDNb62_FzwgjDeos5-T47mGhmYqFo8BdpbV2EbDI1t1HirV5CJg/s320/PXL_20230412_102631664.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">I got back on the road, and continued north. Next stop? Drumcliffe. This is where the Irish poet, W. B. Yeats, is buried. When he died, he was out of the country. It was several years before his body would be returned to Ireland and buried here according to his wishes. He loved this part of the county, particularly the mountain known as Ben Bulben. Drumcliff is very close to the base of this mountain.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drumcliff">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drumcliff<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._B._Yeats">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._B._Yeats</a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNJHYtYyVdejaVFlEyxxUX2TYT4V8l69VO88DFSUvfNVBpTXGZ56CMbdfoGphXDqXe4o389PKqqqg7prwrIf0OK92z4GB1VPc-iUyfHn2hQyU0Z2R-auP39RbjRFFQl_t9pOXIvWirQA30_Pmn-E8K4J3RA6Q1SK8XSpUf6XNgecF1Md_yfMeey1ipQ/s4032/PXL_20230412_120625492.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNJHYtYyVdejaVFlEyxxUX2TYT4V8l69VO88DFSUvfNVBpTXGZ56CMbdfoGphXDqXe4o389PKqqqg7prwrIf0OK92z4GB1VPc-iUyfHn2hQyU0Z2R-auP39RbjRFFQl_t9pOXIvWirQA30_Pmn-E8K4J3RA6Q1SK8XSpUf6XNgecF1Md_yfMeey1ipQ/s320/PXL_20230412_120625492.jpg" width="180" /></a></p><div>Glencar - It was windy (wind speed was reported to be over 45 MPH) and rainy (it felt like someone shooting you with BBs when a rain drop struck exposed skin). This meant I really couldn't hike to the summit of Ben Bulben. I knew Glencar Lough was nearby, and it had a famous waterfall. Let's go check that out ... probably wouldn't be as bad in the rain and wind. The path around there provided a little shelter from the worst of the elements, but visibility was limited.</div><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glencar_Lough">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glencar_Lough</a><br /></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OwmXpvs9nq27SIy8Rf6h-FaLtNNsF2mIJoePdnAeNPi2XMKRcmBvfKoMNqwxGVGcWmzqEPpmYEWatAF5ZupMSjRgBEYckJrXTFiCdXP9fgWuzBDGpBscx7-ENjsnefnuRYnOFWxoeeNehLT4cMY0azwq46Crqhcd1hS8aqV-JmbLLI7P9KW_fMFHuA/s4032/PXL_20230412_125126958.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OwmXpvs9nq27SIy8Rf6h-FaLtNNsF2mIJoePdnAeNPi2XMKRcmBvfKoMNqwxGVGcWmzqEPpmYEWatAF5ZupMSjRgBEYckJrXTFiCdXP9fgWuzBDGpBscx7-ENjsnefnuRYnOFWxoeeNehLT4cMY0azwq46Crqhcd1hS8aqV-JmbLLI7P9KW_fMFHuA/s320/PXL_20230412_125126958.MP.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Upon leaving Glencar, the weather cleared a little, but not much. Ben Bulben was finally visible, and it does not disappoint. This was the #1 natural feature on my list. I had to see this mountain!</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is a trail to the summit, but I didn't feel that was responsible to attempt alone in the volatile weather. I knew there was also a Forest Hike along the tree line at the base of the mountain, and if I'm going to hike in the shadow of a mountain, there's no better place than here.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of Yeats' last poems is entitled "Under Ben Bulben" ... the last few lines of this poem appear on his tombstone. I enjoyed a beautiful four mile hike under Ben Bulben!</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I actually teared up a little ... it was overwhelmingly, achingly beautiful to finally see it so close and in person. Bucket list item? Checked!</p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benbulbin">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benbulbin</a></div><div><a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43298/under-ben-bulben">https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43298/under-ben-bulben</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxW4PhhcywWfCTGxqsT39cAuOXi5gHAo5mER0l03ew04fwedvkI4g2_OhR3ZKpxhEu2UoOf2ZKyCSnKZCOWxvI4WeBnnVzEM6b1IXurBt61jCDYwM-CExpdy5RmgTxHGhvWy7sC8Yj5987Abf4OhVskzmUg_yiMDf2h9n88ieSBYxLetyea_A5MBhIIg/s4032/PXL_20230412_133858133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxW4PhhcywWfCTGxqsT39cAuOXi5gHAo5mER0l03ew04fwedvkI4g2_OhR3ZKpxhEu2UoOf2ZKyCSnKZCOWxvI4WeBnnVzEM6b1IXurBt61jCDYwM-CExpdy5RmgTxHGhvWy7sC8Yj5987Abf4OhVskzmUg_yiMDf2h9n88ieSBYxLetyea_A5MBhIIg/s320/PXL_20230412_133858133.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kE1XD9zSpIEcstUw3ZJR7Uyso26XVRngUiV8vVa-yKMC7mejyQ4ZAs5Kldfs4UahaMqNs5i2gPhcN3IW_0XYyqZh_VI3Wh5Aa7iRixEf5osVhTYejzAOQiBUcSzbLyVSGhN-28pwN2VdQW5hI7Sh6vQUFTbbWM4-U5sx0f_gbNwhoYMXmEYM9S9HOw/s3840/PXL_20230412_134656277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kE1XD9zSpIEcstUw3ZJR7Uyso26XVRngUiV8vVa-yKMC7mejyQ4ZAs5Kldfs4UahaMqNs5i2gPhcN3IW_0XYyqZh_VI3Wh5Aa7iRixEf5osVhTYejzAOQiBUcSzbLyVSGhN-28pwN2VdQW5hI7Sh6vQUFTbbWM4-U5sx0f_gbNwhoYMXmEYM9S9HOw/s320/PXL_20230412_134656277.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSEotlXP-wm7ibpRY3E9Xv6eOq4dYikbk0vkwnM9b09D7I22wrisCsa5B95O_tTn6m_khWE8-s91GjPxTruGoQRJlX6zs8qCHqT_0Mj44T8107K46mHzeq4N5B-hDouEw50PEeP_qZOoAoY9NGp0En1zYAlGAyUk36-9j1YS_AgCJCk_Rn9I3js8idA/s4032/PXL_20230412_135239119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSEotlXP-wm7ibpRY3E9Xv6eOq4dYikbk0vkwnM9b09D7I22wrisCsa5B95O_tTn6m_khWE8-s91GjPxTruGoQRJlX6zs8qCHqT_0Mj44T8107K46mHzeq4N5B-hDouEw50PEeP_qZOoAoY9NGp0En1zYAlGAyUk36-9j1YS_AgCJCk_Rn9I3js8idA/s320/PXL_20230412_135239119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUArUuoqcyCVmdQQ_hCcBea8_0KTU_Txs4n0WB45CT6OAhmTLdcNndBcxPbha1xdx1YAszRdkfxFBWF9SuL5DpzkqsruSQB4sXOladaKBlDai1M6rwd-yh1AzHr83SC_-RQOd6_LRPQK9R_-PlpHwohYgl_83bwso2Z2fZofEIlWOZfPGS4BiaNbuLQ/s4032/PXL_20230412_134957534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUArUuoqcyCVmdQQ_hCcBea8_0KTU_Txs4n0WB45CT6OAhmTLdcNndBcxPbha1xdx1YAszRdkfxFBWF9SuL5DpzkqsruSQB4sXOladaKBlDai1M6rwd-yh1AzHr83SC_-RQOd6_LRPQK9R_-PlpHwohYgl_83bwso2Z2fZofEIlWOZfPGS4BiaNbuLQ/s320/PXL_20230412_134957534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had to make it back to my BnB before it got too much later. Each day, I pretty much needed to get to my lodging before 6:00 pm. That was just the rules. So, I had to backtrack a little to get to Riverstown and Boyle.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I passed the Gaelic Chieftain, a road-side statue that's pretty cool looking, so I pulled over and snapped a pic or two ...</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/visiting/gaelic-chieftain">https://www.irelandxo.com/ireland-xo/visiting/gaelic-chieftain</a></p></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2VIWSA-cVM3sCtogS2C50I5Jw-6qKlpTH8HMVMDbIlMOoxotm3W9kofHhWpLfUxedsof_wsV4A72PfonM-xASLDScIRv5OoRmGEaEQ9nRq8LW7Bjsuq7Vc9T2RithZLwzy7YleYXwmd84RIpyRlFt9tJGSJbBRVazp_rBqv9Kdo3CohO77hXLHVjJg/s4032/PXL_20230412_160218919.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2VIWSA-cVM3sCtogS2C50I5Jw-6qKlpTH8HMVMDbIlMOoxotm3W9kofHhWpLfUxedsof_wsV4A72PfonM-xASLDScIRv5OoRmGEaEQ9nRq8LW7Bjsuq7Vc9T2RithZLwzy7YleYXwmd84RIpyRlFt9tJGSJbBRVazp_rBqv9Kdo3CohO77hXLHVjJg/s320/PXL_20230412_160218919.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">Boyle is the setting for a sit-com called <i>Moone Boy</i>. It's available on Amazon Prime. It's created by Chris O'Dowd (Roy from <i>IT Crowd</i>). It's mildly autobiographical and very cute. I got to see some of the sites used in filming the show. The show is about a 12 year old boy with an imaginary friend.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyle,_County_Roscommon">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyle,_County_Roscommon</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2319283/">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2319283/</a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The Boyle Abbey is a really neat museum. It's fairly well-preserved. I arrived as it was closing, but the manager of the facility allowed me to walk around a bit any way. After the official closing time, he gave me a personalized tour of the place. That was really cool.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyle_Abbey">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyle_Abbey</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Turns out he's a retired history professor ... after we left the abbey, he offered to show me the sites of Boyle, and we walked and talked. It was magical. I couldn't have asked for a better host or tour guide. This was a really neat experience. We would up over four miles away at the Lough Key Forest Park. I got a few neat pics of McDermott's Castle out in the lough ... and then started to worry because it was getting dark. We wouldn't make it back to the abbey safely, so I hailed a cab.</p></div><div><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDermott%27s_Castle">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDermott%27s_Castle</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqMG8yXBQvzMRzy5BFZDNQOy_VP02G1YdvZZ3HUJs1di_HR335fvyB-DxjE6ahluMHe4MljjdTK2_6DZM-pK3vTyCDJWEK87-fjLAnuzXG09L5hv__Y44aUh0e3v8QrDFJE17wZEQ4QLhZBn4zEuo8IpaSTeXtT_9rPtsfwTjTRTstF201DE4wvF6ZA/s4032/PXL_20230412_161754542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqMG8yXBQvzMRzy5BFZDNQOy_VP02G1YdvZZ3HUJs1di_HR335fvyB-DxjE6ahluMHe4MljjdTK2_6DZM-pK3vTyCDJWEK87-fjLAnuzXG09L5hv__Y44aUh0e3v8QrDFJE17wZEQ4QLhZBn4zEuo8IpaSTeXtT_9rPtsfwTjTRTstF201DE4wvF6ZA/s320/PXL_20230412_161754542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklsjLkpNdJPKhHkw8EMxuOGedaBIuLI0hBPuyWJQIZRRbOZ9ujGKiAn8IbupTQTgn3xBE0_7ZfYoQuZnvMCYsRlgx5I3nLDunwIcfprQS9ndXU-eGg6MR9Gb0qjhDeg6mDNmnG6R6RPpCjz51O30Fc9LNftS2xAw5ckTe0Sj-gOcxOkUCf7CRk1DqcA/s4032/PXL_20230412_171619278.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhklsjLkpNdJPKhHkw8EMxuOGedaBIuLI0hBPuyWJQIZRRbOZ9ujGKiAn8IbupTQTgn3xBE0_7ZfYoQuZnvMCYsRlgx5I3nLDunwIcfprQS9ndXU-eGg6MR9Gb0qjhDeg6mDNmnG6R6RPpCjz51O30Fc9LNftS2xAw5ckTe0Sj-gOcxOkUCf7CRk1DqcA/s320/PXL_20230412_171619278.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvcWFCbIenuLF4G_e_sGVy9uxBHLuMae0C6QfEekMaCMHzUDdCq7Di35cTmiXka3s1xHmQDDmmGMvHywCkiLLrDRcqUf8-FRSXU_gWHeGrMWK0uZn_4oY15H3u23NWArAVAIcuTNnyRtNAUCQVi6p-k8W9UiQiddoZbmirbqFVCVob_LuP8qjyQibRw/s4032/PXL_20230412_181500075.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvcWFCbIenuLF4G_e_sGVy9uxBHLuMae0C6QfEekMaCMHzUDdCq7Di35cTmiXka3s1xHmQDDmmGMvHywCkiLLrDRcqUf8-FRSXU_gWHeGrMWK0uZn_4oY15H3u23NWArAVAIcuTNnyRtNAUCQVi6p-k8W9UiQiddoZbmirbqFVCVob_LuP8qjyQibRw/s320/PXL_20230412_181500075.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTVQMgmAxruvJduRL4Tz3Yu95Mzt6TxZGgOM2lCH_gcuHmMSxa4Ev8xGuFwXO2c4UJFQOfUIixPR3VnSk2oR9Fwjf04Fma4mYmRkxMoFBXjDutuqaCFzUCQVsoZdm9JeYQnMj6JlAEEFRRGi0Affq3wYJYr_ykNFYnKVDiBsiIwPQH711B-47_VaFNA/s4032/PXL_20230412_185528890.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTVQMgmAxruvJduRL4Tz3Yu95Mzt6TxZGgOM2lCH_gcuHmMSxa4Ev8xGuFwXO2c4UJFQOfUIixPR3VnSk2oR9Fwjf04Fma4mYmRkxMoFBXjDutuqaCFzUCQVsoZdm9JeYQnMj6JlAEEFRRGi0Affq3wYJYr_ykNFYnKVDiBsiIwPQH711B-47_VaFNA/s320/PXL_20230412_185528890.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ACcgKPDhLe98IC3W9S_BkNZ9hsQP4JdnQe_a1KdTc3JQSyyFrw1Kry1_d0V4a32b8pttawWEjgCbnpRLR3uoLjbh1zslW_j6SQZwvlbQp5qcXIfeNpjtUNK05OusK_1MfpQ4gUerav4NKCtrwBIthwNER1s__8g6Wanoc-P9GGD7xQ2t65uEbqkW7Q/s4032/PXL_20230412_190325203.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ACcgKPDhLe98IC3W9S_BkNZ9hsQP4JdnQe_a1KdTc3JQSyyFrw1Kry1_d0V4a32b8pttawWEjgCbnpRLR3uoLjbh1zslW_j6SQZwvlbQp5qcXIfeNpjtUNK05OusK_1MfpQ4gUerav4NKCtrwBIthwNER1s__8g6Wanoc-P9GGD7xQ2t65uEbqkW7Q/s320/PXL_20230412_190325203.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Overall? What a beautiful day! I found beautiful trails in the morning, got to experience Ben Bulben in the afternoon and had a fascinating tour of Boyle in the evening.</p></div>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-5803107151465871582023-04-11T20:11:00.002-04:002023-04-25T17:20:00.627-04:00Ireland Day 2<p style="text-align: left;">Full photo album - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/6bn3sNp2XqMJcbk68">https://photos.app.goo.gl/6bn3sNp2XqMJcbk68</a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Stops for today:</p><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZw2a9oUY5X_VFPNHBgZFvnfUQ-ALEUItR2emFX0CfuwX5eZ5obsl4fBEqK67rEwSKrhVnrv2MBtHVe74CO05kYFlQCD1eIP98Zq6GDPTKUpcJviPPhZ8FB29vJb7gR06uUKhYhGNUemlRVsy7R_d9DrlfMsXvoxvKL63F8tlacrAdViIkZP7O5ww4Q/s870/map10.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="870" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZw2a9oUY5X_VFPNHBgZFvnfUQ-ALEUItR2emFX0CfuwX5eZ5obsl4fBEqK67rEwSKrhVnrv2MBtHVe74CO05kYFlQCD1eIP98Zq6GDPTKUpcJviPPhZ8FB29vJb7gR06uUKhYhGNUemlRVsy7R_d9DrlfMsXvoxvKL63F8tlacrAdViIkZP7O5ww4Q/s320/map10.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is my first full day in Ireland ... I started in Ennis at a very posh resort/hotel. It was a buffet-style breakfast, so I helped myself to the items in a full Irish breakfast that didn't churn my stomach. No eggs.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hotel Woodstock, Ennis, County Clare - <a href="https://www.hotelwoodstock.ie/">https://www.hotelwoodstock.ie/</a></p></div><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80E_nU0LtLatgpyg923Qt_b5Sz9Q6tY0EiFWqOCvKEuP_QCDGc3_F8VSe6w6zZTIJ1S2bCYcpNhQOjGEMjBq9q6RBWRE108Cb53Sm4TyZv0zMWxCxkxCckTkQoTZ0n54kbWl90TMHXrYXD6FD1rK5Po4aEtyLryRjMpVaNnfzSwZMFEQtZm-c5yZsyQ/s4032/PXL_20230411_060929193.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80E_nU0LtLatgpyg923Qt_b5Sz9Q6tY0EiFWqOCvKEuP_QCDGc3_F8VSe6w6zZTIJ1S2bCYcpNhQOjGEMjBq9q6RBWRE108Cb53Sm4TyZv0zMWxCxkxCckTkQoTZ0n54kbWl90TMHXrYXD6FD1rK5Po4aEtyLryRjMpVaNnfzSwZMFEQtZm-c5yZsyQ/s320/PXL_20230411_060929193.jpg" width="180" /></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The plan was to go to Doolin and catch the ferry to Inis Mór (Big Island), the largest of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay. I'd spend the day there exploring the island and then take a sea/coastal tour of the Cliffs of Moher.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inishmore">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inishmore<br /></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_of_Moher">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_of_Moher<br /></a><a href="https://doolinferry.com/">https://doolinferry.com/</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">I got to Doolin early enough to walk around a little bit. I found a sign that said "dinghy" on it ...</p><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-fV-dKOKH71teAJI2sBknNx7yf7_lftmLRCdd9eDJUzPaBBydFvwteVHpdbiF4NMBUlmo--xP0L0Z7SurxHnFC7yICTKiEstutwv7S01pj4iuZOB6UTx3KMeNqjJR0pglipUrwzzM-WoRvvdCDR99K_xemiI2ufkQdpvijixv73xhdTfFRu9E37HTQ/s3840/PXL_20230411_080324127.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-fV-dKOKH71teAJI2sBknNx7yf7_lftmLRCdd9eDJUzPaBBydFvwteVHpdbiF4NMBUlmo--xP0L0Z7SurxHnFC7yICTKiEstutwv7S01pj4iuZOB6UTx3KMeNqjJR0pglipUrwzzM-WoRvvdCDR99K_xemiI2ufkQdpvijixv73xhdTfFRu9E37HTQ/s320/PXL_20230411_080324127.MP.jpg" width="180" /></a><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjSUrWl3P75er-y7yPRkK1I4fI6_4ruF_g6F6O_JO-3ZVeF1G3euziwqcLuype9pIkHpX3nQt8aUe73oZZTMlsz6cBDr3ea0MT5lo_A0RPM4Le_JgevWMQJO5-3Wxj4MtJ5IJCcVUSEzOU1jr-339Jfq8Q7fK_SsKcn6yJ614GPO1WChk6tjonqhaJw/s3840/PXL_20230411_074840144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjSUrWl3P75er-y7yPRkK1I4fI6_4ruF_g6F6O_JO-3ZVeF1G3euziwqcLuype9pIkHpX3nQt8aUe73oZZTMlsz6cBDr3ea0MT5lo_A0RPM4Le_JgevWMQJO5-3Wxj4MtJ5IJCcVUSEzOU1jr-339Jfq8Q7fK_SsKcn6yJ614GPO1WChk6tjonqhaJw/s320/PXL_20230411_074840144.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are small cliffs in Doolin. They are not the mighty Cliffs of Moher, but I was still impressed with the turbulence. It would be a harbinger of things to come.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nI7VKhIe_BqaV_zirnDPGJ1UnRsjXzwW6Tms5f3X11Reb_WyfflSpREN_DQ1piG5ujEQttdgNmqbYhSIkSO-Nq3nLc7zzfkhxZ4jX8HfOnXzw93v0-Ru5MjTGHaPF2s1I0RmMhown_yVf5b8MmtmCxEKPau3LcUIijztcJZ1787J_jZK6Nx2mzIQ4g/s4032/PXL_20230411_073553223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nI7VKhIe_BqaV_zirnDPGJ1UnRsjXzwW6Tms5f3X11Reb_WyfflSpREN_DQ1piG5ujEQttdgNmqbYhSIkSO-Nq3nLc7zzfkhxZ4jX8HfOnXzw93v0-Ru5MjTGHaPF2s1I0RmMhown_yVf5b8MmtmCxEKPau3LcUIijztcJZ1787J_jZK6Nx2mzIQ4g/s320/PXL_20230411_073553223.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inisheer">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inisheer</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Plassy">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Plassy</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111958"></a><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111958">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111958</a></div><p></p><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ferry went right by Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands. I was excited to catch a glimpse of the shipwreck of the MV Plassy, which is famously featured in the opening credits of <i>Father Ted, </i>a much-loved sit-com set on "Craggy Island" (which is a fictional location, but inspired by the Arans).</p><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFQmfpbwHtbcQPCSFbmRjQMGn82xjSVTLdzmCguvawDikmh3cu38pRoFL0qct_RbzM-r8J0QGE9OhWGIygUmOlR3OMFTK7R0bonFE-IpDKEn2KYgeEn9mI1zPobuwm72X4kDYtAXhCO785pqKjdbZDX0Vu5J0l-eRT4bdg9XJIINlE7WEjpvr7hC22Q/s4032/PXL_20230411_091847048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFQmfpbwHtbcQPCSFbmRjQMGn82xjSVTLdzmCguvawDikmh3cu38pRoFL0qct_RbzM-r8J0QGE9OhWGIygUmOlR3OMFTK7R0bonFE-IpDKEn2KYgeEn9mI1zPobuwm72X4kDYtAXhCO785pqKjdbZDX0Vu5J0l-eRT4bdg9XJIINlE7WEjpvr7hC22Q/s320/PXL_20230411_091847048.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLF3hv5Yk70r_BVehRAlSAdEYNEnk3vio2hKJ7gDfJCpLFSbN6_SDFrNGCAb5udIXpA80STemnzxviqx8JbvFQnY5w98shRdh4QnLrT8IYSu1ktNuqyHO1Grfjv61pfOvzpHxuEkV53mP0fQHOgiUiRm1GjKrw_WKpudvX7dZDqo9jyLJAT3pqf6Q2OA/s4032/PXL_20230411_091934953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLF3hv5Yk70r_BVehRAlSAdEYNEnk3vio2hKJ7gDfJCpLFSbN6_SDFrNGCAb5udIXpA80STemnzxviqx8JbvFQnY5w98shRdh4QnLrT8IYSu1ktNuqyHO1Grfjv61pfOvzpHxuEkV53mP0fQHOgiUiRm1GjKrw_WKpudvX7dZDqo9jyLJAT3pqf6Q2OA/s320/PXL_20230411_091934953.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once I landed on Inis Mór, the plan was to run/walk my way around the island to explore. There is a famous fort about five miles west of the dock in Kilronan. You can rent bikes or pay for a bus tour. I found out that not a lot of folks opt for the "on foot" approach to touring the island. I had about four hours before the ferry returned to the Doolin, and it rained almost the entire time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53YTTZ6Yzd3amNpbWld8wkH-2fhAcoAwJxwgpCKgzygCsMdR2e3Gcj3SwEJ-xvtPnfA_MI5hAvkFZ8xKXzZ-M5wT60GdhRgPTSgS9dDnzqdmb6hI_jIsnzvYFgjeD3NBfBMu99r9nV9IdaThnTycrv81I-0rDEEPdpSzwBwS7aCcBnlj6Ej1wtFrLCg/s1203/map10a.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1203" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53YTTZ6Yzd3amNpbWld8wkH-2fhAcoAwJxwgpCKgzygCsMdR2e3Gcj3SwEJ-xvtPnfA_MI5hAvkFZ8xKXzZ-M5wT60GdhRgPTSgS9dDnzqdmb6hI_jIsnzvYFgjeD3NBfBMu99r9nV9IdaThnTycrv81I-0rDEEPdpSzwBwS7aCcBnlj6Ej1wtFrLCg/s320/map10a.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No complaints about the rain really. It was still beautiful. There are several sites of interest ... trails, ruins of forts and churches, wild life spots, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR8rmM62Ufdz2Es9dWAKZ2ul6-vHSX1SspQuM2Q0vadxGy-g9or_Dz6qwCbIuMreXxRQ8glflCkJOqsL0uFs1igwRrQCpoCRNcXNVAAwltiUyj1ZbQe8v0KyZ1lLMfG_zQTb6dQwg0XlMBWrcAuZVYRDMK9dskqGz0Y-x5QHd5IATXU12d4zp31Dm2Q/s4032/PXL_20230411_101546624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR8rmM62Ufdz2Es9dWAKZ2ul6-vHSX1SspQuM2Q0vadxGy-g9or_Dz6qwCbIuMreXxRQ8glflCkJOqsL0uFs1igwRrQCpoCRNcXNVAAwltiUyj1ZbQe8v0KyZ1lLMfG_zQTb6dQwg0XlMBWrcAuZVYRDMK9dskqGz0Y-x5QHd5IATXU12d4zp31Dm2Q/s320/PXL_20230411_101546624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUnbfLNHBfI_NH-gZzYfwQ4CeThcSo5SsM9uHix4A5JS1O32IU_iuaz1RtpqCQiL4MFDVbRCyn0O_DVRd0HIwErLcgYuM957yM_Nb2EeeKGv6peReWYvlnwKXGZWamO1EBdRr_NII0QjdZWRnNRzCXzn6lDQnikeC4ioT8g_rZaj7q6I3Q2ab5DytJw/s4032/PXL_20230411_102216690.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUnbfLNHBfI_NH-gZzYfwQ4CeThcSo5SsM9uHix4A5JS1O32IU_iuaz1RtpqCQiL4MFDVbRCyn0O_DVRd0HIwErLcgYuM957yM_Nb2EeeKGv6peReWYvlnwKXGZWamO1EBdRr_NII0QjdZWRnNRzCXzn6lDQnikeC4ioT8g_rZaj7q6I3Q2ab5DytJw/s320/PXL_20230411_102216690.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifObKrK14Lv7Z0Axv93K7lLwC9OtIss-uZZVUF7CxIQITgawwMZ2lu3xICEvF8kkL1ZuE8AJd5--DrTaAqBtW-U3-zANBDQVMHVj1G4cU5V2urFc6NiiEcAvdg_-lP1RXSRkMN_uF1LGObO80n6N3MA619uer99obEbcMuPbETfQSu0bRwxE6BsqUeiQ/s4032/PXL_20230411_103446064.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifObKrK14Lv7Z0Axv93K7lLwC9OtIss-uZZVUF7CxIQITgawwMZ2lu3xICEvF8kkL1ZuE8AJd5--DrTaAqBtW-U3-zANBDQVMHVj1G4cU5V2urFc6NiiEcAvdg_-lP1RXSRkMN_uF1LGObO80n6N3MA619uer99obEbcMuPbETfQSu0bRwxE6BsqUeiQ/s320/PXL_20230411_103446064.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhaeei8t5IxKL5xpIzTYB3VvMKv30_BVBi9dGz3LzW-1j1_f1IeG2jd5M1obxKpQg88gqO31SGCvKZWH7hl-bNBifk2dpZQT6zzz6N1dcBHvpcSc-5G2lJXXjBOs6-DyfaiRtXydj5QCJVp5S6jKR7CT4xZs_CEdJ058TPHYU76OCniUSJHoRtq_5wg/s4032/PXL_20230411_105101867.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhaeei8t5IxKL5xpIzTYB3VvMKv30_BVBi9dGz3LzW-1j1_f1IeG2jd5M1obxKpQg88gqO31SGCvKZWH7hl-bNBifk2dpZQT6zzz6N1dcBHvpcSc-5G2lJXXjBOs6-DyfaiRtXydj5QCJVp5S6jKR7CT4xZs_CEdJ058TPHYU76OCniUSJHoRtq_5wg/s320/PXL_20230411_105101867.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx47omIQOuEmIHmw9KcS-kJVK2Wd23xD4LfkDt5_QqgGs1jxsjBEs1NoF0IwiG1kR_MmnW09AVCFL9i6DcgOlbdYIM07V70tiVTsInqWAXcCTSHV7rzbaMLyBivxRM7OQD4DSKW2XhN4v3juJqNwLD4YbgxSSzufp2-C1haiFTjWucdQvFNrrAZH8qpA/s3840/PXL_20230411_105255166.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx47omIQOuEmIHmw9KcS-kJVK2Wd23xD4LfkDt5_QqgGs1jxsjBEs1NoF0IwiG1kR_MmnW09AVCFL9i6DcgOlbdYIM07V70tiVTsInqWAXcCTSHV7rzbaMLyBivxRM7OQD4DSKW2XhN4v3juJqNwLD4YbgxSSzufp2-C1haiFTjWucdQvFNrrAZH8qpA/s320/PXL_20230411_105255166.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />This is the big fort I mentioned earlier: Dún Aonghasa. It is at the top of 300 foot high cliff, and there's no railing or fence. It's quite impressive.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Portions of <i>Banshees of Inisherin </i>(an Oscar-nominated film of 2022) was filmed here. BTW, I really enjoyed the movie. Inisherin, like Craggy Island, is not a real place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%BAn_Aonghasa">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%BAn_Aonghasa</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11813216/">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11813216/</a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcVCsC8gUT_Iv-sBBnxlrL96kT7-UcvHphKXWTIYeV8cI59P9VVZOXscl-hRLwQZ7O_9OqjVvrVilswYVx4sW8nDAQHOPYnHYvUoOsNZ00ob_1fCWA0O-TvCSCNqCjCie_t9dfvz1viyq14ZYXY3pFqHAe-vFkFZRHTSDfilijiFCQifsu5T2qMkpHg/s4032/PXL_20230411_115449005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcVCsC8gUT_Iv-sBBnxlrL96kT7-UcvHphKXWTIYeV8cI59P9VVZOXscl-hRLwQZ7O_9OqjVvrVilswYVx4sW8nDAQHOPYnHYvUoOsNZ00ob_1fCWA0O-TvCSCNqCjCie_t9dfvz1viyq14ZYXY3pFqHAe-vFkFZRHTSDfilijiFCQifsu5T2qMkpHg/s320/PXL_20230411_115449005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpHMzd--UlwGJ-zrz7vpeqY4MX8fFfEH8yx1Mbv820GH3I_yE0F_rhwv8QGF7wo7sySeG4TS9rzaykoYXU3Jf2mUxbAL-7xuCmC0uHcR5AXdgSjlwWgXcGa1IQsSh-LFDRmPr-oUfr2hBd9HynEpl4Dx4QIsWtCElK7XnkgvyHN3p0Rl_E26cM5xsug/s4032/PXL_20230411_115906685.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpHMzd--UlwGJ-zrz7vpeqY4MX8fFfEH8yx1Mbv820GH3I_yE0F_rhwv8QGF7wo7sySeG4TS9rzaykoYXU3Jf2mUxbAL-7xuCmC0uHcR5AXdgSjlwWgXcGa1IQsSh-LFDRmPr-oUfr2hBd9HynEpl4Dx4QIsWtCElK7XnkgvyHN3p0Rl_E26cM5xsug/s320/PXL_20230411_115906685.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In my adventure around the island, I found these little ones ... I don't know if the one on the right is <i>the</i> Jenny from Banshees ... but I can't be too sure.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_e-HiMySyD6dNqhPPNuOg_jaCr6r1fxwHNWUEdX-cF3on1gX-ZzhqRfWd_lZ27JMRBDj_GPCAbaraJqEPAk3FgOJXJiJ2jxaItUREXhZgxC5Qi3lY58mTJwZo8pXpd3dtCK6AUBsQIoUh-wLO0kqOxDyqVbQ-4vjZZpLvkP34XvCwT_gU1s4giVeX8g/s4032/PXL_20230411_125754516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_e-HiMySyD6dNqhPPNuOg_jaCr6r1fxwHNWUEdX-cF3on1gX-ZzhqRfWd_lZ27JMRBDj_GPCAbaraJqEPAk3FgOJXJiJ2jxaItUREXhZgxC5Qi3lY58mTJwZo8pXpd3dtCK6AUBsQIoUh-wLO0kqOxDyqVbQ-4vjZZpLvkP34XvCwT_gU1s4giVeX8g/s320/PXL_20230411_125754516.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another forts that I wanted to visit was Dún Árann. It was much harder to find ... and when I finally got there, I found it was closed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxlCHMRUGPv9fJx1RrDUkDWvor01t05iLx0vxlnLk2SfKBUxqlMyCLMM9CkVaTb33E1swg7lppfpIcTFeqvVsSGZ6o6_zq16uIaQDh50ftZ43zlciWiCrXBTLgmeAU-EjKM6WGgu6La0sgS3f8DAHA-JGSPVbCQ2wBvNa1-XC-a5J_GNe4rbzy9z1ig/s4032/PXL_20230411_130613532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxlCHMRUGPv9fJx1RrDUkDWvor01t05iLx0vxlnLk2SfKBUxqlMyCLMM9CkVaTb33E1swg7lppfpIcTFeqvVsSGZ6o6_zq16uIaQDh50ftZ43zlciWiCrXBTLgmeAU-EjKM6WGgu6La0sgS3f8DAHA-JGSPVbCQ2wBvNa1-XC-a5J_GNe4rbzy9z1ig/s320/PXL_20230411_130613532.jpg" width="320" /></a>\</div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I told myself early on that if I were to get to spots and things would be closed/cancelled/etc that I wouldn't let it get me down. That's just part of the experience. This mindset would be tested several times over the course of my trip.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made it back to port, and was very wet. While I was running and moving, I wasn't feeling the temperature too much, but now I started to get really cold. I spent about 20 minutes in a bathroom hugging the hand dryer in an attempt to dry out.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The trip to Moher was cancelled due to extreme weather ... so I didn't get to see them.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next stop was Dún Guaire, a castle near Galway. This trip to Ireland had been in the planning stages for a long time. At one point, Anne Marie and I were intending to get married in Ireland, and this place was my first choice. I thought it would be a beautiful sunset setting for a small wedding.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">FWIW - I don't know if I mentioned this yet, but I was solo the whole time. It was a "just me" trip to Ireland.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I got there, the weather broke and I had some beautiful views.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunguaire_Castle">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunguaire_Castle</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGL22FOGK8tjaoqCHxdxO7iNbeC7hdOafazjNJVDBD9Ja3K8qQMTNTB_n1X9V4Td4o9_KIXlNGwz5dWRAyYxzmEuZyAMtYsdlIq-bv3TGpErtKV6uYRgmdyn4YXjteOTVV8s5i9Mx6weLa4G_YfHENPf0NtSdT4Y0koMZeqfHCNyom9MFrCw3gI72xQ/s4032/PXL_20230411_172224795.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGL22FOGK8tjaoqCHxdxO7iNbeC7hdOafazjNJVDBD9Ja3K8qQMTNTB_n1X9V4Td4o9_KIXlNGwz5dWRAyYxzmEuZyAMtYsdlIq-bv3TGpErtKV6uYRgmdyn4YXjteOTVV8s5i9Mx6weLa4G_YfHENPf0NtSdT4Y0koMZeqfHCNyom9MFrCw3gI72xQ/s320/PXL_20230411_172224795.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXC_4ANu4GAodXq9pkAHlJpQrv0k0N1r6yPbop2VHHzxO6IzDUIpKOPqU0KPnczYHcJrjOSXwdCR6VvVEHoxEc1Osh4g0jzrEFLvecCPrcGqW_MqA4x5jSftYaxBKFCbPEjGL7f6hFSlWA4plIKhLtsIqZoVt-WpXOpr4U6Fjo9J-yAc3a1SoTH4hRlg/s4032/PXL_20230411_174022000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXC_4ANu4GAodXq9pkAHlJpQrv0k0N1r6yPbop2VHHzxO6IzDUIpKOPqU0KPnczYHcJrjOSXwdCR6VvVEHoxEc1Osh4g0jzrEFLvecCPrcGqW_MqA4x5jSftYaxBKFCbPEjGL7f6hFSlWA4plIKhLtsIqZoVt-WpXOpr4U6Fjo9J-yAc3a1SoTH4hRlg/s320/PXL_20230411_174022000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4GuG_lNxj5ERJqTbFNx1pR0-bv4c4h6EqhCm7pdR7OlIqmiVk8gxGVHcUM-YSK4AD14qIT7BBmdEYNeCWeEtKolKETGAlMb0x2PBNdHWndptIgKnkk0_EGQhrUvYVlaNtiusd7520deh3nodipD-YXCmBjIRTNQ_qmvJ8iGexxNGOwWsMwRX--ZL9A/s4032/PXL_20230411_174330304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4GuG_lNxj5ERJqTbFNx1pR0-bv4c4h6EqhCm7pdR7OlIqmiVk8gxGVHcUM-YSK4AD14qIT7BBmdEYNeCWeEtKolKETGAlMb0x2PBNdHWndptIgKnkk0_EGQhrUvYVlaNtiusd7520deh3nodipD-YXCmBjIRTNQ_qmvJ8iGexxNGOwWsMwRX--ZL9A/s320/PXL_20230411_174330304.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROxdNeOAnkcCx5xNlHSmzCcpb7BVeDDyz4RcRtkNfhI30Fm9tf-WPWOYi4hocRlIRc4SOsXmRMI_RCASDCIvSVYdKz9uzfNCMPHg_AnxatHQwo3u7fxQHdWgWluKiX6p39axc-Rs5Ll686A6BxfoT9rbKEr0uvXreTvsoliYdRoAz9k8tqqPApR-ssw/s4032/PXL_20230411_174427119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROxdNeOAnkcCx5xNlHSmzCcpb7BVeDDyz4RcRtkNfhI30Fm9tf-WPWOYi4hocRlIRc4SOsXmRMI_RCASDCIvSVYdKz9uzfNCMPHg_AnxatHQwo3u7fxQHdWgWluKiX6p39axc-Rs5Ll686A6BxfoT9rbKEr0uvXreTvsoliYdRoAz9k8tqqPApR-ssw/s320/PXL_20230411_174427119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had to keep driving to Cong (north of Galway) where I would stay the night. On that drive, I learned that I cold use the passenger seat of my rental car as a clothes dryer/warmer. I would spread my wet gloves, hats, shirts, etc on the seat and turn up the seat warmer. I used this trick throughout the whole trip.</div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cong is the setting of the 1952 Oscar-winning movie <i>The Quiet Man </i>with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. The BnB I stayed at really leaned into their Quiet Man vibe. They had the movie on DVD available, so I watched it that night before I went to sleep ...</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Incidentally, the movie is set in a town called Innisfree ... which is no more real than Inisherin or Craggy Island.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045061/">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045061/</a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, I had a day that was impetuous and homeric!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-75283602098540853492023-04-10T09:53:00.002-04:002023-04-25T17:19:49.299-04:00Ireland Day 1<p style="text-align: left;">Full photo album - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/C5HZcDgeYduSGYqT9">https://photos.app.goo.gl/C5HZcDgeYduSGYqT9</a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>I arrived at the Fort Wayne airport on Sunday, 2 pm. I did not leave the Shannon airport in Ireland until Monday, noon. I had layovers in Chicago and London.</p><p>Note: There's a five hour difference between Ireland and US Eastern time.</p><p>I ran into my employer's CEO and a Senior VP while at the Fort Wayne airport. They were on a business trip to Europe and we actually shared the same flights through London.</p><p>On the way to Chicago, I noticed our CEO sitting in the exit row ... and I thought "my safety could be in his hands ... surely, he's paying attention to the attendant's pre-flight briefing." </p><p>I was fortunate that the trans-Atlantic flight was not sold out. I got a full three seat block all to myself.</p><p>I was hoping to have spectacular views of Ireland from the airplane as we crossed over on the way to London. Unfortunately, we were so high and the cloud cover was so thick, that there was nothing to see. I did catch a few glimpses of London as we descended.</p><p></p><p>The same thing was true of the flight to Shannon. I didn't catch much of note until we descended to about 22k.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QZ2Ubdl5u8_AOdj9Hjs8YQLcPjefURhx61DmrwFG5iJ-Zp7JYOEV6eENZjpdwRCW8ozogj8Iy1gNBRqNmtVg0TaH2GKopeYRVNHybDbMDiAvtNS3w6Nk_jUYe-JkV52GmVRlbI2D-vGg2YwSZueJATd8iWrsNXtSoDimawwjVAhqjqCIsxYkz-Y33g/s4032/PXL_20230410_101030290.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QZ2Ubdl5u8_AOdj9Hjs8YQLcPjefURhx61DmrwFG5iJ-Zp7JYOEV6eENZjpdwRCW8ozogj8Iy1gNBRqNmtVg0TaH2GKopeYRVNHybDbMDiAvtNS3w6Nk_jUYe-JkV52GmVRlbI2D-vGg2YwSZueJATd8iWrsNXtSoDimawwjVAhqjqCIsxYkz-Y33g/s320/PXL_20230410_101030290.jpg" width="180" /></a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnSOH_eSnLDpqdEhksElNRD-S4rF17KTzMd8Ff9D567QwpqHnPmQ7MktNUjBkrqsqU27PHJAP2WGRj9pOJHAHzjyx0RJmrRDoW0cgDmu91W-jWrklvjaxhdxsRzkFED-qzcmRA5bGrAihfrbwhKrDcATdOIaNYI7kfczxS5AVUNdw2V4ZVPvnK2TCpg/s4032/PXL_20230410_101541567.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnSOH_eSnLDpqdEhksElNRD-S4rF17KTzMd8Ff9D567QwpqHnPmQ7MktNUjBkrqsqU27PHJAP2WGRj9pOJHAHzjyx0RJmrRDoW0cgDmu91W-jWrklvjaxhdxsRzkFED-qzcmRA5bGrAihfrbwhKrDcATdOIaNYI7kfczxS5AVUNdw2V4ZVPvnK2TCpg/s320/PXL_20230410_101541567.jpg" width="180" /></a></p>Upon landing, I got my rental car ... an Opel Corsa (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Corsa">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Corsa</a>). It was a nice little car. I spent a lot of time in it.</div><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm5DidH_Q10e9FlI9AMTzxNWHUxHd9q5-if5mc1GrbNkIZJuGclg0aPnFDo9FOd0arjusHuJua4tdjkPE-YpuwXeJdA3zPgvbQ-XCzQSmSUGlrnCNk_qymn7y66rRzp0LTzps3Uik66CmBq_TlATt4OtAFvMTSGm6OBFcSN7AuPJQQCL-HGmGCOmwVA/s3840/PXL_20230410_103852785.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm5DidH_Q10e9FlI9AMTzxNWHUxHd9q5-if5mc1GrbNkIZJuGclg0aPnFDo9FOd0arjusHuJua4tdjkPE-YpuwXeJdA3zPgvbQ-XCzQSmSUGlrnCNk_qymn7y66rRzp0LTzps3Uik66CmBq_TlATt4OtAFvMTSGm6OBFcSN7AuPJQQCL-HGmGCOmwVA/s320/PXL_20230410_103852785.jpg" width="180" /></a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWiNOFNsEH1RL-aQomrevcm6zYJRwzeUQMxgw5yqGco8reBgBO70V99qPeN7hdQkmeF0OvNi6K8EkWhS8pPaNpi-_mAGCfhGxtoDZtPLhC_V7-0GEAhvPgd73D9mNwjxckgEU8rN1MP7GSJ1HPzEg-HSDOgouSxKKRgatsMgAQxR0fls_o-dCh7DFEw/s3840/PXL_20230410_110126408.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWiNOFNsEH1RL-aQomrevcm6zYJRwzeUQMxgw5yqGco8reBgBO70V99qPeN7hdQkmeF0OvNi6K8EkWhS8pPaNpi-_mAGCfhGxtoDZtPLhC_V7-0GEAhvPgd73D9mNwjxckgEU8rN1MP7GSJ1HPzEg-HSDOgouSxKKRgatsMgAQxR0fls_o-dCh7DFEw/s320/PXL_20230410_110126408.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I went into this trip with a list of almost 300 points of interest. I knew that I wouldn't be able to visit them all, but I wanted to make sure I knew what was where. I assigned a ranking to each point and tried to hit as many "1" spots as possible. I could pick off other items if they were on the way.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc1iou7-pz6ucBC3OzCG-Pg_cuJGN7DWF53uQ8Q85df7QUMoSL9jhT4o6G5EfNltjs6NNy10DX2HpWGgvUcj0nG2ZtteYCJHl3DMkiDJtxhhLVoCqDqkC1BMvUfChA2fEygNQye5r5HP2xWgf07nGCDsvZ9I0xInXe02etVPi6KWQNPx2Zpa73Z7p8Q/s1071/map1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="885" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc1iou7-pz6ucBC3OzCG-Pg_cuJGN7DWF53uQ8Q85df7QUMoSL9jhT4o6G5EfNltjs6NNy10DX2HpWGgvUcj0nG2ZtteYCJHl3DMkiDJtxhhLVoCqDqkC1BMvUfChA2fEygNQye5r5HP2xWgf07nGCDsvZ9I0xInXe02etVPi6KWQNPx2Zpa73Z7p8Q/s320/map1.png" width="264" /></a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I spent the night in seven different BnB/inns along the way. The "bubbles" in the second map indicate about an hour drive from each BnB location.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqE9N48gROAQS5bXbl08qfDRQdmW7rGi0RCyd4nGszGvZ3tmLD7WCncsimyYkesSOvdce3e1_I9_imLMPREAC46hd53QVo-HNqiQKalx7fH-5QNSUcTFn_6EgCiZQSMwncXvGxKHz8BHcq1BbElASl-vhzqkh7RiyN_yID-ZBjHnNxZ7DFkPW1hwrFA/s869/map2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="791" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqE9N48gROAQS5bXbl08qfDRQdmW7rGi0RCyd4nGszGvZ3tmLD7WCncsimyYkesSOvdce3e1_I9_imLMPREAC46hd53QVo-HNqiQKalx7fH-5QNSUcTFn_6EgCiZQSMwncXvGxKHz8BHcq1BbElASl-vhzqkh7RiyN_yID-ZBjHnNxZ7DFkPW1hwrFA/s320/map2.png" width="291" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The plan was to drive along the coast from Shannon to Dublin in a clockwise fashion. I knew I wouldn't get everything I wanted to see, but I didn't want to get home and realize that I missed something if I had known to take a short detour.</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First stop was Craggaunowen (<a href="https://www.craggaunowen.ie/">https://www.craggaunowen.ie/</a>).</p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a Stone Age village recreation that you do a self-directed walking tour. It wasn't that it was super high on my list, but it was close. I thought it would be a good way to get my feet wet driving on the left side of the road. It had a restored castle, some old-school huts, etc. It was a nice place to walk around.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmPeylNP2Lqvj1fDlKV5hsB-xA1QN4lTXBoY_spxSRLP5Q7pbEmZMUyo3Kt3oksDYIPNsBiR7lWmmAZdm4jYLgJsICerRgfdK6TjDmNebeqkcM6XjhDWRl5YbEl5zOfj02rkUzCCnm6toJTZQCVAdFVL2b1lJsGInWPNw8lac8QkN6_T6hlUAfCWTYw/s4032/PXL_20230410_115721547.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmPeylNP2Lqvj1fDlKV5hsB-xA1QN4lTXBoY_spxSRLP5Q7pbEmZMUyo3Kt3oksDYIPNsBiR7lWmmAZdm4jYLgJsICerRgfdK6TjDmNebeqkcM6XjhDWRl5YbEl5zOfj02rkUzCCnm6toJTZQCVAdFVL2b1lJsGInWPNw8lac8QkN6_T6hlUAfCWTYw/s320/PXL_20230410_115721547.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_BcLItbdrgJL9ES961SuhfCVSGwqkbYjcTNDME62E4A4cqCEb2NqwePGTlz9JmbH7nF6xUpfAXI76i-G_re0t73Er0b7STo9twMC29XvMxm-UK1q75wo9y54dCoGqHBHmYhmcFarW8CPedyo_WDw7fHHa0NDiaa4SKJC-bV1QRunRcYasLxq5ZqXiw/s4032/PXL_20230410_120357073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_BcLItbdrgJL9ES961SuhfCVSGwqkbYjcTNDME62E4A4cqCEb2NqwePGTlz9JmbH7nF6xUpfAXI76i-G_re0t73Er0b7STo9twMC29XvMxm-UK1q75wo9y54dCoGqHBHmYhmcFarW8CPedyo_WDw7fHHa0NDiaa4SKJC-bV1QRunRcYasLxq5ZqXiw/s320/PXL_20230410_120357073.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbZoBy4v-p22Gob8cP34XVEQN45hrl00lTZWTnwoISE9qiHQfLI7TVOO5CTQGI5ep4IemRvJCETGFNLp-_TRXPfeC-8AZnjreGWVxJ6rdGN6JQH0RdtH3NqxBhd682xb5qangD8XWDPT4SSQQYraTXhMrpIYPZt5wlWL_9hEB_DBEe73l0xvoYFHVow/s4032/PXL_20230410_121211403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbZoBy4v-p22Gob8cP34XVEQN45hrl00lTZWTnwoISE9qiHQfLI7TVOO5CTQGI5ep4IemRvJCETGFNLp-_TRXPfeC-8AZnjreGWVxJ6rdGN6JQH0RdtH3NqxBhd682xb5qangD8XWDPT4SSQQYraTXhMrpIYPZt5wlWL_9hEB_DBEe73l0xvoYFHVow/s320/PXL_20230410_121211403.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwANPnDzj71dpG72nCiA7w_6pSyuGN4JAGqqPwa1R3dm3N41wlq8Gho5C-kfzRZukYQjIfX-LsiUM5CI1djz9GgMOpICCtGDwhoAtVfMb627ZGHMLVe2c0Zq8He0drsnxfFGv0FG909DV9Lb5oZIEQ1Kn1F32_v-rbewfHZK7qjQLQtFC2bGeWKKFcjg/s4032/PXL_20230410_121458497.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwANPnDzj71dpG72nCiA7w_6pSyuGN4JAGqqPwa1R3dm3N41wlq8Gho5C-kfzRZukYQjIfX-LsiUM5CI1djz9GgMOpICCtGDwhoAtVfMb627ZGHMLVe2c0Zq8He0drsnxfFGv0FG909DV9Lb5oZIEQ1Kn1F32_v-rbewfHZK7qjQLQtFC2bGeWKKFcjg/s320/PXL_20230410_121458497.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zgy57-NqUHs7_53PgAs_q_FtfmyztOS2HtrEvpvtIaz12rQdiyJ53HkVyjikO5ond6ICO-tk-xFvc1FBZVQ5qHXdXnX-szxD3WCsZmetutmVI9LLHj2P6gQrrfkM0nSN1HKnagdFsHuLVMxVUlCKbnz5L5Af-_1ieLIfgIozQ_oFizOqIbfoswLOug/s4032/PXL_20230410_122800057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zgy57-NqUHs7_53PgAs_q_FtfmyztOS2HtrEvpvtIaz12rQdiyJ53HkVyjikO5ond6ICO-tk-xFvc1FBZVQ5qHXdXnX-szxD3WCsZmetutmVI9LLHj2P6gQrrfkM0nSN1HKnagdFsHuLVMxVUlCKbnz5L5Af-_1ieLIfgIozQ_oFizOqIbfoswLOug/s320/PXL_20230410_122800057.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Along the way, I stopped at a cemetery simply because it piqued my interest. This would be a recurring theme throughout the trip. If I saw something interesting, I rarely had a reason not to give into a whim and take an unplanned stop.<p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDQrOXiMCaMIOhaR6i3be5HL-d4n7abhVjJR_jQ9bagUQvqunwzB37WvlDjftEeDLgZeapbXlHzWB-ayzZE_esi9M_wXU-k35WwdSXEwqJcWnnTnDSn0dZrXXihbGAp7lxhIBkWo_ZzsmaHEWuFg_wo4rOk98jD5fz_GKe0uKhpuiS-YUVwhJ9bqP0w/s4032/PXL_20230410_113347550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDQrOXiMCaMIOhaR6i3be5HL-d4n7abhVjJR_jQ9bagUQvqunwzB37WvlDjftEeDLgZeapbXlHzWB-ayzZE_esi9M_wXU-k35WwdSXEwqJcWnnTnDSn0dZrXXihbGAp7lxhIBkWo_ZzsmaHEWuFg_wo4rOk98jD5fz_GKe0uKhpuiS-YUVwhJ9bqP0w/s320/PXL_20230410_113347550.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJyMU55Tl1uxoYEGfgP2o0ZwRIz-2JTMknDAfABeFShOAMIJrjKD9dAWsEcLjb-zhupF5dUhpEuathiPFhezFdj5ygw-8vJBZaxj2bYpC_n3CVuhJr_C-qje1-IDZn8oJtVV0FtSAwDOWEpiP_nllpR6Y1OIa7bHlMKW-MtHgK2httUQcxGJAxxTKRg/s4032/PXL_20230410_113627774.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJyMU55Tl1uxoYEGfgP2o0ZwRIz-2JTMknDAfABeFShOAMIJrjKD9dAWsEcLjb-zhupF5dUhpEuathiPFhezFdj5ygw-8vJBZaxj2bYpC_n3CVuhJr_C-qje1-IDZn8oJtVV0FtSAwDOWEpiP_nllpR6Y1OIa7bHlMKW-MtHgK2httUQcxGJAxxTKRg/s320/PXL_20230410_113627774.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>I stopped at Dún na Múchán (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mooghaun">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mooghaun</a>), a well-preserved hill fort and some nice walking trails. There was intermittent rain all day, and it helped being in the woods.<p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9T62vkIXdQIvocqOVSEUfQSzdbsX7AuseRRW8LMxpyQ7kha7v9xIhftBj1vMOUDNm2dLbr1Eg7Xa5PcfG_gyd2flni4CCA-O-ZzB6trx50SRUfWQ6lVhyQyg7mC4mCwFeVBx1y5DEPjSA9FJPggZruEQlImfypQGd-czFj8JJf34vPxbYwe6bAVcaQ/s4032/PXL_20230410_130631784.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9T62vkIXdQIvocqOVSEUfQSzdbsX7AuseRRW8LMxpyQ7kha7v9xIhftBj1vMOUDNm2dLbr1Eg7Xa5PcfG_gyd2flni4CCA-O-ZzB6trx50SRUfWQ6lVhyQyg7mC4mCwFeVBx1y5DEPjSA9FJPggZruEQlImfypQGd-czFj8JJf34vPxbYwe6bAVcaQ/s320/PXL_20230410_130631784.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile2AinjzCiKMONBRCkwScmZqccz32LIuBZIQMEYw6-Z7u16KN9lP7aZMzdKGj5FuCTDeBDNv3K5a-X3mQNSJDEA-1nzC_y7DIUStv7Np7UD-nko1RwBcbnkqsjEA5Q-v4l3cojKGXJ3t7WuIoucXFYa3MdvlR-EK7C7etulmnDtvjxkjvNxXYqvuSfw/s4032/PXL_20230410_131944378.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEile2AinjzCiKMONBRCkwScmZqccz32LIuBZIQMEYw6-Z7u16KN9lP7aZMzdKGj5FuCTDeBDNv3K5a-X3mQNSJDEA-1nzC_y7DIUStv7Np7UD-nko1RwBcbnkqsjEA5Q-v4l3cojKGXJ3t7WuIoucXFYa3MdvlR-EK7C7etulmnDtvjxkjvNxXYqvuSfw/s320/PXL_20230410_131944378.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuoahplP5QxZvEOpQRqyjleW05XdcTM93NW74NnlM5zxR0URPQ5x_RPdtFzl15LgVovpBSf1UReVI7MoGjqkdr8H6A4cMWiW-fQKQu_KuvS51xTywPHOPqZVPSMyWGqvixB5lmDUQM8QsGlP5eea7k7nonKquCmHnqr8mqLyQP-9aaeg9GfRpDyPj1g/s8394/PXL_20230410_132137075.PANO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1615" data-original-width="8394" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuoahplP5QxZvEOpQRqyjleW05XdcTM93NW74NnlM5zxR0URPQ5x_RPdtFzl15LgVovpBSf1UReVI7MoGjqkdr8H6A4cMWiW-fQKQu_KuvS51xTywPHOPqZVPSMyWGqvixB5lmDUQM8QsGlP5eea7k7nonKquCmHnqr8mqLyQP-9aaeg9GfRpDyPj1g/s320/PXL_20230410_132137075.PANO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;">I finally made it to my lodging for the night (Ennis, County Clare) and decided to try to get the west coast in hopes of catching some nice sunset pics. Unfortunately, I hit a curb trying to turn left in Ennistymon. I wound up with flat tire. I later found out that particular intersection is a county-famous bad intersection known as Blake's Corner. Google it if you'd like to know the story.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I had full coverage with road side assistance, which was a brilliant idea. It was a long wait, but it was completely resolved. No injuries or significant damage, so I was very fortunate.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I was stranded long enough that I missed getting the coastal pics I wanted, but that's what another visit to Ireland is for. :)</p><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got back to my room a little too late for a regular meal, so I wound up eating a protein bar that I had packed in my carryon for the plane.</p></div></div>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-52141912308183876222023-04-09T09:11:00.057-04:002023-04-25T17:19:42.568-04:00Ireland!<p>I did a thing. I went to Ireland. I was gone from April 9-16, 2023.</p><p>I took a lot of pictures, and I wrote a journal while there, but I didn't say anything on social media. It just seemed prudent to wait until I returned home before announcing that I was out of the country.</p><p>Anyway ... the plan is to write one entry for each day that I was in Ireland. I'll post-date them to the proper day.</p><p>Disclaimer: this is my journal about my trip. I'm writing it for me, but I'm sharing it publicly for those who might be interested. This will be a weird, eclectic collection of pictures, thoughts and memories.</p><p>I didn't have a laptop, so I kept a handwritten journal was I was travelling. These blog entries are an attempt to clean up those notes, organize the photos, etc. If I don't annotate this stuff, then I'll soon not be able to remember a lot of neat things.</p><p>This particular post will contain summary info and links.</p><p>I rented a car from the Shannon Airport (near Limerick) and returned it in Dublin. I drove a total of 1658 km (1030 miles).</p><p>I spent a lot of time on my feet. When I had a layover in an airport, I walked the concourses.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8saxOCgfMantNFLlncml5SFj6o4lFdD4XVNLPbitJ5Iz9o2WXrabYeYEXd8fdeTmZBHnKqqOYbW81Kaf70N2FNVwNf9f97IzHrwZiq1pBo2am8I-TW26kHZ4YRzimWY5_GC25B2mMRV6e0ss19bOLnZN7bNCbGuZkmnv1aA6J81ocwTeN1bCWIu-OQ/s505/messages_0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="505" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8saxOCgfMantNFLlncml5SFj6o4lFdD4XVNLPbitJ5Iz9o2WXrabYeYEXd8fdeTmZBHnKqqOYbW81Kaf70N2FNVwNf9f97IzHrwZiq1pBo2am8I-TW26kHZ4YRzimWY5_GC25B2mMRV6e0ss19bOLnZN7bNCbGuZkmnv1aA6J81ocwTeN1bCWIu-OQ/s320/messages_0.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Links to photo albums:</div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Pre-trip - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/oNdXxPnyWcda5hfr9">https://photos.app.goo.gl/oNdXxPnyWcda5hfr9</a></li><li>April 10 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/C5HZcDgeYduSGYqT9">https://photos.app.goo.gl/C5HZcDgeYduSGYqT9</a></li><li>April 11 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/6bn3sNp2XqMJcbk68">https://photos.app.goo.gl/6bn3sNp2XqMJcbk68</a></li><li>April 12 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/2GuzY98UMVi5QMVs7">https://photos.app.goo.gl/2GuzY98UMVi5QMVs7</a></li><li>April 13 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/BECUC6gKjwJMfDtWA">https://photos.app.goo.gl/BECUC6gKjwJMfDtWA</a></li><li>April 14 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/jxHZMPmLp7etkjZDA">https://photos.app.goo.gl/jxHZMPmLp7etkjZDA</a></li><li>April 15 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/RYKZ2YDDv4cPDVHg7">https://photos.app.goo.gl/RYKZ2YDDv4cPDVHg7</a></li><li>April 16 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/niEvs16kWZR7YdQb9">https://photos.app.goo.gl/niEvs16kWZR7YdQb9</a></li><li>April 17 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/k5xASHNbPT9gMUdA6">https://photos.app.goo.gl/k5xASHNbPT9gMUdA6</a></li><li>April 18 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/yRqk7ERx7yktsrtR7">https://photos.app.goo.gl/yRqk7ERx7yktsrtR7</a></li><li>April 19 - <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZM6WhDLR5mVj8gMx8">https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZM6WhDLR5mVj8gMx8</a></li></ul><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-87412251372790306572020-03-13T10:55:00.003-04:002023-04-25T17:19:31.399-04:00XXI Marxa de Resistència del Castells de la Segarra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Race: </b>XXI Marxa de Resistència del Castells de la Segarra</div>
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<b>Date:</b> 8 de Març de 2020</div>
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<b>Introduction</b><br />
For several years now, I have been shopping for a big destination ultra. I wanted to go somewhere interesting, run a challenging course, experience amazing hospitality and bask in a beautiful landscape. I found this particular race about a year ago and it has been on my radar ever since.</div>
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I finally pulled the trigger on this race when I received a nice bonus from employer. I have also starting dating a girl with family in this area, and she was available to travel with me. Thus, my plans grew to include some additional sightseeing and family visits. We took a week, and got to experience Barcelona, Ibiza, Valencia and the Segarra region. We walked everywhere as I logged over 248,000 steps! </div>
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<b>The Race (</b><a href="http://marxadelscastells.com/wpmarxa/">http://marxadelscastells.com/wpmarxa/</a><b>)</b></div>
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The March of the Castles of the Segarra is a "race" that places annually in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. There are two options: 54.14km (33.6 miles) and a 37km (23 miles). I entered the 54km. The price was about unbelievably low ... €30 (about $35)!</div>
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Registering was interesting. The website is in Catalan instead of Spanish, and I had to use Google Translate extensively. It's not bad, but it's not perfect either. I also had some issues with my credit card not being accepted through their preferred online registration portal. I wound up communicating with the RD through email (and Google Translate) and paying through PayPal. It took a couple of days, but eventually it was all squared away. The RD was both helpful and patient.</div>
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Many people hike/walk the entire course, but most of the participants employed a comfortable ratio of jogging and brisk walking. I have since learned that this type of "not quite a run" event is popular in Europe. </div>
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<b>Packet Pickup</b></div>
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The race begins and ends in the small town of Cervera (population 9000). The town is most famous for it's university (behind me), which is where we did packet pickup. It is also the start/finish line.</div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervera">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervera</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslnDkxB1crxHYAaBfN0iX-hgDjcC7LA-ATiZG_L-XBZAj4SLSzceE_qVi9PEXaIMkBEXtRN9Y9-yKfvIvtCHKTq9-g1EYzOK_Ym_sN6X4Vgg87jaxojl1ZBofrIzBD1pjw7XkAfB46jGk/s1600/IMG_20200307_180942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslnDkxB1crxHYAaBfN0iX-hgDjcC7LA-ATiZG_L-XBZAj4SLSzceE_qVi9PEXaIMkBEXtRN9Y9-yKfvIvtCHKTq9-g1EYzOK_Ym_sN6X4Vgg87jaxojl1ZBofrIzBD1pjw7XkAfB46jGk/s400/IMG_20200307_180942.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeFILs5-rTaMo4E9aUMAE1fQ8s3wpb-W8_bR7JbrhGns3oH0i1kL1KTzV1XTivUkPT7g3_W29PXkCjElcFH_YqUfBf527IvOF-WtIu1jqJBXUGXiI25DwjQitSQOW3AinPZ1AeU8cwBL0/s1600/IMG_20200307_181019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeFILs5-rTaMo4E9aUMAE1fQ8s3wpb-W8_bR7JbrhGns3oH0i1kL1KTzV1XTivUkPT7g3_W29PXkCjElcFH_YqUfBf527IvOF-WtIu1jqJBXUGXiI25DwjQitSQOW3AinPZ1AeU8cwBL0/s400/IMG_20200307_181019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There were over 2,200 people registered for both events!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPY4VBaJS-cFXmHV5lklI8djEwZ26_7l0_pioMwxAPuw_mEwxNgUcdr3QoOVcHFXgvmO29bCAcNpu2xqQM34OnN1SB9o0k-ZG-8UDR8w7O_InfAqiy9s9Cutb2g07tli57vg35YzIFLKa/s1600/IMG_20200307_181101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPY4VBaJS-cFXmHV5lklI8djEwZ26_7l0_pioMwxAPuw_mEwxNgUcdr3QoOVcHFXgvmO29bCAcNpu2xqQM34OnN1SB9o0k-ZG-8UDR8w7O_InfAqiy9s9Cutb2g07tli57vg35YzIFLKa/s400/IMG_20200307_181101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaqQCRzsSpn8MjmpsYfMb2Zo_BoPpov2HRIMNjKHsrFV6hILMYVjIiALIprsva9DE2PqIaZVrVRXvYd-bf3gtEh4aWdWpKIBGexSMokD4a2yfMN3zfed5QHL1esYYifCbUu0emBVMYjHX/s1600/1583601250300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaqQCRzsSpn8MjmpsYfMb2Zo_BoPpov2HRIMNjKHsrFV6hILMYVjIiALIprsva9DE2PqIaZVrVRXvYd-bf3gtEh4aWdWpKIBGexSMokD4a2yfMN3zfed5QHL1esYYifCbUu0emBVMYjHX/s400/1583601250300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Packet pickup was quick and relatively easy. It helps to ask for English speakers when going through the various lines. </div>
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They change the incentive/reward each year, and I could see lots of shirts and jackets from previous years. This year, the swag was a nice backpack.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzyddoVDNA2GHDaz_2LlpC1lZsZJ2kTXdL2SMLJc3TBIA46ho990HFDm_mOipHX2Iaaau9vU8mCyj_aXdcmXpmWg79KelUHQDHKxx3fkKgS5Essc8CAw3MkylZ90K290pwxhuXcMavy_j/s1600/IMG_20200307_181857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzyddoVDNA2GHDaz_2LlpC1lZsZJ2kTXdL2SMLJc3TBIA46ho990HFDm_mOipHX2Iaaau9vU8mCyj_aXdcmXpmWg79KelUHQDHKxx3fkKgS5Essc8CAw3MkylZ90K290pwxhuXcMavy_j/s400/IMG_20200307_181857.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This is a scale model of the university. NRR, but cool.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BTgeOBeXj5CGtRq-m4wtWS7IyYf2dPbd1zgOi7m5SMxVjgYc2e2KN5WbcD2NIOYqic1xzUklABThqfiY7snCd2lbnnsOvgg-avD3c_w06iJztLileWYSMyll3DbnvnJRE5MXB27rswCx/s1600/IMG_20200308_064636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BTgeOBeXj5CGtRq-m4wtWS7IyYf2dPbd1zgOi7m5SMxVjgYc2e2KN5WbcD2NIOYqic1xzUklABThqfiY7snCd2lbnnsOvgg-avD3c_w06iJztLileWYSMyll3DbnvnJRE5MXB27rswCx/s400/IMG_20200308_064636.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There were no bibs or timing chips. Rather, we were required to check in at five different checkpoints using an ATM style card. I was hoping to keep my card as a souvenir, but they collect them at the end of the race. </div>
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<b>Pre-Race</b><br />
The "quiet before the storm" ... the start/finish line is just outside of this courtyard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzSIOANPlRmHHonmYxzMjK1jJ4APrRPGfFvnZ5tWgaGQXih7c-0zLrZbNZ7onNH3HQHVzANIVmr4g8Lni6CXX9PvHd2-c2ZLw551-Z2yBBFg-UENR7pTbOoalVNKtSl8Ac1K1q1_uUuZn/s1600/IMG_20200308_065645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzSIOANPlRmHHonmYxzMjK1jJ4APrRPGfFvnZ5tWgaGQXih7c-0zLrZbNZ7onNH3HQHVzANIVmr4g8Lni6CXX9PvHd2-c2ZLw551-Z2yBBFg-UENR7pTbOoalVNKtSl8Ac1K1q1_uUuZn/s400/IMG_20200308_065645.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We're all going to squeeze through that narrow street!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeXw7EiNF52nUzXEB5nQ0T4Ek7EyqeIZIp3cX0Kj6tMUHdGcT9xzh2HE_fCkTVzIKrSMYXqDA32brR-niT9-Nzi21wjbMDY19S9ux64jqdXDT9KiuobGpsd_ZpjB4pxfAAPzbsH31Axid/s1600/IMG_20200308_065915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeXw7EiNF52nUzXEB5nQ0T4Ek7EyqeIZIp3cX0Kj6tMUHdGcT9xzh2HE_fCkTVzIKrSMYXqDA32brR-niT9-Nzi21wjbMDY19S9ux64jqdXDT9KiuobGpsd_ZpjB4pxfAAPzbsH31Axid/s400/IMG_20200308_065915.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Go!</b><br />
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And we're off!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE1wJkYFWyT5VCKF_bPcq1A5hI06mDRDgK420cAFNG29TUjKN9TXjoRg-qHbGGNa_ewkiZUOku157GK_DTNTu3oUuTybqdMJq7od7hvDRfz2d_N9PA0LlfK8AggUl8PVFv_QbEccyZXP5/s1600/MVIMG_20200308_070401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE1wJkYFWyT5VCKF_bPcq1A5hI06mDRDgK420cAFNG29TUjKN9TXjoRg-qHbGGNa_ewkiZUOku157GK_DTNTu3oUuTybqdMJq7od7hvDRfz2d_N9PA0LlfK8AggUl8PVFv_QbEccyZXP5/s400/MVIMG_20200308_070401.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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There would be several places throughout the course where we would wind our way through narrow village streets.</div>
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Finally approaching the edge of town ... about to leave Cervera for the Catalonian countryside!<br />
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The mountains were often visible in the distance. To the distant north lay the Pyrenees and the border between Spain and France. </div>
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Looks like about 50 people photobombed my selfie ...<br />
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There was a large and deep mud puddle right around the entrance to this tunnel. I opted to go prancy-foot and try to keep my feet dry. I still had 31+ miles to go and didn't want to get wet feet unless it was necessary.</div>
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You can also see the swag backpack a little better here than in the pic of me at packet pickup.</div>
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The entire course showed various layers of ruins. Some dated back to the Roman era, but most of it was from the medieval era. I wasn't always sure which was which.</div>
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I tried to capture the sunrise. Turns out it was going to be a beautiful day. Temperatures started in the high 30s, but was in the mid 50s most of the day. It would be quite sunny with a steady breeze.</div>
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I'm not sure, but I think these are either cherry or almond trees. I know the region is well-known for their almonds ... that's my guess.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_D3-6PGjtHfMknN5odF5tyv3OCJuyT3CPG8rJ7tbyDkxlWT_13tgG6QLrBXLwfqCycBqi4t3DcoMw-gwMS8erpD4-KVQnb81um_tjiJHAoQgWzlBUeX_VVFTXcAfDLALk-gvBJT0fEgg/s1600/IMG_20200308_085730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_D3-6PGjtHfMknN5odF5tyv3OCJuyT3CPG8rJ7tbyDkxlWT_13tgG6QLrBXLwfqCycBqi4t3DcoMw-gwMS8erpD4-KVQnb81um_tjiJHAoQgWzlBUeX_VVFTXcAfDLALk-gvBJT0fEgg/s400/IMG_20200308_085730.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Approaching the first aid station in L'Aranyó. Thi little town is home to the Castell de l'Aranyó and Iglesia de l'Assumpció.</div>
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Arany%C3%B3">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Arany%C3%B3</a><br />
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell_de_l%27Arany%C3%B3">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell_de_l%27Arany%C3%B3</a><br />
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We walk right through town. The cobblestone roads were rough to run on, so walking through the little towns was prudent.</div>
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Not sure which castle is off in the distance, but this kind of view was extremely common. Castles and cathedrals were visible in all directions from just about any spot on the course.</div>
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I'm told we went by 20+ different castles, but if you count the ones we could see in the distance, it's much more than that.</div>
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Aid station fare was fine, but I had not ever ate any of the specific brands. I was afraid that something might disagree with me, but it was fine throughout the whole day. I did find that I really like pineapple juice.</div>
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This is Manuel de Pedrolo i Molina. He was born in this town. He wrote the 1974 Catalan sci-fi novel <i>Mecanoscrit del Segon Origen (Typescript of the Second Origin).</i> In 2015, it was made into a movie named <i>Segon Origen (</i><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1382727/">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1382727/</a><i>)</i>.</div>
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Looking back ... </div>
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There wasn't a lot of road running over the length of the course, but there was some. I wore a pair of road shoes and it was just fine. Most of the course was a hard dirt surface.</div>
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The castle to the right is Castell de Montcortès. Portions of it are over 900 years old, and it's been owned by the same family since the early 1600s.<br />
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell_de_Montcort%C3%A8s" target="_blank">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell_de_Montcort%C3%A8s</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplxDr-R5PVD_QGlotyW7SxPvl2dNcQ1p-yAImoHYmGeGHa5UZoXlXZRvf0VcQHjPQCxvf8jDNA0EwZMPJfQKmUMVVvkVi24SOO_w_ogdwM38TqoqjjAmO2R7jybh44stAWi9ujxQXdp2J/s1600/MVIMG_20200308_080942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplxDr-R5PVD_QGlotyW7SxPvl2dNcQ1p-yAImoHYmGeGHa5UZoXlXZRvf0VcQHjPQCxvf8jDNA0EwZMPJfQKmUMVVvkVi24SOO_w_ogdwM38TqoqjjAmO2R7jybh44stAWi9ujxQXdp2J/s400/MVIMG_20200308_080942.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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I went right. That's where the castle is.</div>
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This guy buzzed us a few times. I thought it was kinda funny ... an ultrarunner and an ultraflier.</div>
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Not sure if he was taking pictures or was just having fun. I took about 15 pics trying to get him. This was the best I got.<br />
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Here's a cow memorial (inside joke).</div>
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A villa off in the distance. It's southwest of Hostafrancs near the Riu Sió (aka the Zion River).</div>
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Here are the ruins of an ancient Roman aqueduct. I thought it was really cool to see this so up close.</div>
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And just a little bit later, we're directed to run along this canal. I can't help but imagine it serves a similar purpose to the ancient structure. They were oriented in the same direction.</div>
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I cast a pretty sweet canal shadow.</div>
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Along the way to Sistero.</div>
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Dig the mountains on the horizon!</div>
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Entering Les Pallargues.</div>
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Pallargues">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Pallargues</a></div>
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The office of Ajuntament de Els Plans de Sió (aka the village hall) for the entire region of Els Plans de Sió. </div>
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The entrance to El Castell de les Pallargues in Les Pallargues.</div>
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell_de_les_Pallargues">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell_de_les_Pallargues</a><br />
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More ruins of some sort ... </div>
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I'm not sure what this structure was. Technically, it wasn't on the course, but I felt like a small detour. Fascinating ...<br />
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Approaching Florejacs (which means "the flower fort").</div>
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Portions of the settlement date back to the Roman era. Current population: 52.</div>
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florejacs">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florejacs</a></div>
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I was really excited to see this location. It is one of the better preserved castle/cathedral sites on the whole course. It changed hands between Christian and Muslim forces multiple times.</div>
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It was a steady uphill climb for almost a mile. It was often single track and over difficult terrain. This was the most technically difficult portion of the whole course.<br />
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Ain't she purty?</div>
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell_de_Florejacs">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell_de_Florejacs</a> </div>
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_de_Florejacs">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_de_Florejacs</a></div>
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Florejacs was both an aide station and the second checkpoint. I'm about 1/3 of my way through the course.</div>
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Note the chocolate-dipped croissants. I took a couple. They also had locally-source almonds. </div>
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I'm in the upper left corner (inside the red circle).<br />
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With Florjacs in the rear view, we turn eastwards towards Guissona.</div>
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I believe this is El Castell de les Sitges in the distance.</div>
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell_de_les_Sitges">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell_de_les_Sitges</a></div>
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Terraced farmland was really common throughout the whole course. In some cases, the walls were taller than I am, while in other places it was knee-high. I suppose they do this to make it easier to farm. The countryside was truly undulating and uneven. Rarely was it ever a steep grade, but it was rarely ever truly flat.</div>
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I snuck (or sneaked?) into the castle. Tours were available, but I had a race to finish.</div>
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Just past the castle lies the ruins of Sant Pere del castell de les Sitges.</div>
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Pere_del_castell_de_les_Sitges">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Pere_del_castell_de_les_Sitges</a></div>
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Leaving any of the settlements usually involved a lit bit of downhill ... niiiice.</div>
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But approaching any of the settlements usually involved a bit of uphill ... *all* the castles were up!</div>
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By this point, I was taking fewer pictures. My battery was getting low and my stamina was starting to flag a bit. I was looking forward to Guissona, the next aide station. This lonely memorial marker was on the outskirts of town.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjqKgaqmWF-ZI6CVL9PtBlXT5QiwjMdYXejh2E-Vs5AuESICw3uFV0TAQce8Tq_u3NM4FgdOtb3UrbAaVuT8h73l0QzVslKgb7-5fsRE82QwEBLsmJYTrcnbnBJjio-0vEjo5QSHL9njn/s1600/IMG_20200308_120051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjqKgaqmWF-ZI6CVL9PtBlXT5QiwjMdYXejh2E-Vs5AuESICw3uFV0TAQce8Tq_u3NM4FgdOtb3UrbAaVuT8h73l0QzVslKgb7-5fsRE82QwEBLsmJYTrcnbnBJjio-0vEjo5QSHL9njn/s400/IMG_20200308_120051.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The whole course marked with these blazes. It was an extremely well-marked course.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmH8Bkxe-ts_fY9qJf9eIr7TRFVMk-dolbTcNtk-LHHrLNXfg-V1xbJYFUj4ld753efonSX0IV87m4UjvSmLZ4Z8rc10P7IEcp-o_MG_6JoHhsz-ecSG8qUahIq1Dvikm8ij4uxbXJ8zz/s1600/IMG_20200308_120403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmH8Bkxe-ts_fY9qJf9eIr7TRFVMk-dolbTcNtk-LHHrLNXfg-V1xbJYFUj4ld753efonSX0IV87m4UjvSmLZ4Z8rc10P7IEcp-o_MG_6JoHhsz-ecSG8qUahIq1Dvikm8ij4uxbXJ8zz/s400/IMG_20200308_120403.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The Museu de Guissona.</div>
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museu_de_Guissona">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museu_de_Guissona</a></div>
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Shortly after passing this place, I hit the aide station (no pics) where they had a much more expansive selection of food. This is where the race ended for the 37km participants. I've got about </div>
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I had a sandwich, which the website described as "botifarra, cansalada, formatge, acompanyament de ceba crua que fa aixecar la cua."</div>
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Google Translate renders this as "sausage, bacon, cheese, raw onion accompaniment that raises the tail." Raises the tail? </div>
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About 10 miles to go.</div>
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This is Falip, a cattle farm near El Llor (when means "the Cry").</div>
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The Sant Julià del Llor in El Llor. It is at least 900 years old.<br />
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Juli%C3%A0_del_Llor_(Torrefeta)">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Juli%C3%A0_del_Llor_(Torrefeta)</a><br />
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You can't quite tell, but there are horses back there. I really thought I'd see more horses. The Spanish are quite proud of their horses. I was hoping to get my picture taken with a descendant of Babieca.</div>
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<a href="https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/babieca">https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/babieca</a></div>
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Approaching La Mare de Déu de la Llet, which is dedicated to the breastfeeding mother of God.</div>
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The terraced farmland was stunning ... it amazes me how much terraforming was necessary to make the land arable.</div>
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One final look back at the </div>
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The town of La Prenyanosa.</div>
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Approaching the aid station at Castellnou d'Oluges.<br />
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castellnou_d%27Oluges">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castellnou_d%27Oluges</a><br />
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The volunteers were amazing and patient. Many of them spoke English are exceptionally hospitable. Muchas gracias!</div>
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This is the Sant Pere de Castellnou d'Oluges, which I believe is still a functioning parish church.</div>
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<a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Pere_de_Castellnou_d%27Oluges">https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_Pere_de_Castellnou_d%27Oluges</a></div>
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The first glimpse of Cervara since the start! Turns out it's not a direct route from here to there. I'm still about four miles from the finish.</div>
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Finally entering the home stretch! Somebody needed to be playing "Sweet Caroline" on the radio.<br />
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And here I am! Whooo!</div>
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It took my 8:34 to finish. My Garmin showed a total distance of 34.34 miles with a pace of 14:59/mile.</div>
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<b>It's A Wrap!</b></div>
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What a wonderful event! It was an amazing experience and one that I (unfortunately) enjoyed so much. I'm afraid that I'll be spoiled from here on out ... would I do it again? Absolutely.</div>
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For the record, this was my 47th finish of races that are longer than a marathon (18 marathons and 29 ultras).</div>
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I might come back and pretty up this article. I tried adding as much info and minor detail as I could to the pics. I might have misidentified a landmark or two. Consider this a living document.</div>
<b><br /></b>David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com025200 Cervera, Lleida, Spain41.671465 1.27225441.647743 1.2319135 41.695187 1.3125944999999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-9890267333966202302019-06-30T07:36:00.001-04:002019-06-30T07:37:49.061-04:00Journal Gazette article<p dir="ltr">Check out this article from 6/30/2019...</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.journalgazette.net/sports/rec/20190630/family-takes-up-running">http://www.journalgazette.net/sports/rec/20190630/family-takes-up-running</a><br>
</p>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-87916163540050990602019-06-12T18:00:00.000-04:002019-06-12T18:00:00.745-04:00It's been a long time ...I haven't posted a blog entry in a long time, but in my defense I had almost forgotten this blog even existed.<br />
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I was fortunate to pen this article for the RRCA June 2019 Newsletter:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.rrca.org/news-articles/news-archives/2019/06/03/rrca-silent-auction-inspires-a-little-friendly-family-competition-and-a-new-love-of-running" target="_blank">RRCA Silent Auction Inspires a Little Friendly Family Competition and a New Love of Running</a><br />
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Enjoy!David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-21623517303108900222017-12-20T07:30:00.000-05:002017-12-20T07:31:03.038-05:00How I Did It<b>Introduction</b><br />
Over the last five years, I’ve been asked many times about the secret to my weight loss success. Occasionally, the questions come from the casually curious, but most often the one asking is looking for some answers to their own weight loss struggles. They’ve tried many different things to varying degrees of success and they’re understandably frustrated. So, the question is usually more about “how can I do it?” instead of “how did you do it?” After having this conversation countless times, I thought I’d jot down a few thoughts. Hopefully, you’ll find this helpful.<br />
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First, I’ll offer some advice that will only apply to a small group of people living in the Fort Wayne area. If you qualify as an applicant for Fort Wayne’s Smallest Winner (FWSW), then please apply. It is the real deal and it will transform your entire life. FWSW is where I learned to embrace a healthy lifestyle, and everything I share in this article flows from my FWSW experiences. Visit the official FWSW website at <a href="http://www.fortwaynessmallestwinner.com/" target="_blank">www.fortwaynessmallestwinner.com</a> for more information about this amazing program.<br />
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Even if you live in the area, it is difficult to get into FWSW. There's no guarantee you'll be selected. The application process is rigorous and each year there are far more applicants than openings. So ... what can you do if you can't do FWSW?<br />
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<b>Recognize There Are No Shortcuts</b><br />
Start with this basic nugget of truth: There are no shortcuts.<br />
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This is the key to understanding everything else I will tell you. There are no shortcuts, gimmicks, loopholes, backdoors, etc. It’s going to be hard, difficult and time-consuming. You’re going to struggle. You’re going to stumble. It takes more hard work than you can imagine.<br />
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But don't be discouraged! Take a fresh look at the “no shortcuts” rule and you can find some encouraging reassurances. Do you know the one term many people think should be included when describing a fitness journey, yet I have intentionally left it out? The word “impossible.”<br />
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Hard? Yes. Difficult? Yes. Time-consuming? Yes. A struggle? Yes. Impossible? No.<br />
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You can do this, but you must fully embrace the fact you’re attempting to do something that is exceptionally tough. Too often people attempt to lose weight by cutting corners and resorting to gimmicks. They might find some temporary success, but nothing that “sticks.” If you want a short-term gimmick, then I’m the not the right person to help you.<br />
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When it comes to gimmicks, there’s a ton of them out there. Pills that make you lose weight while you eat whatever want… sounds too good to be true? It is. Fad diets or workouts that promise certain results within a short time frame? Some of them might kinda work, but are they safe and sustainable? No, they're not. You know what they say about things that sound to good to be true ...<br />
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The kindest thing I could say about weight loss gimmicks is that they might be harmless placebos. Unfortunately, many of them are far worse than harmless, and can be downright unhealthy and dangerous. I could name some of these fraudulent programs, but I won't get into that at this time.<br />
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Simply put, there are no shortcuts when it comes to winning your health. You won’t find the answer in a shake, a pill, a wrap, etc. You’re going to have to work for it.<br />
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I know some people set weight loss goals to coincide with an upcoming event, such as a wedding, vacation or class reunion. Don’t think like that, because not only are there no shortcuts, there is no finish line. You need to embark on a life-changing fitness journey. I'm talking about a lifetime commitment of living and thinking differently. You don't need a short-term program, but a lifelong lifestyle.<br />
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If you’re asking how I did it, my success starts with the conviction that I will never go back to my old way of living. It was my old mindset that caused me to become severely obese. It was my old mindset that endangered my life. It was my old mindset that had to go.<br />
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<b>Exercise Responsibly</b><br />
This is where a lot of people think they need to start. If you want to lose weight, you’ve got to exercise like crazy. Right?<br />
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Ish.<br />
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Exercise is important, but a lot of people approach it the wrong way. I want you to embrace an active lifestyle that includes regular physical activity. The quality of your life will improve as a result.<br />
<br />
However, just waltzing into a gym without a plan is a recipe for disaster. You need to know what to do and how to do it safely. If you don’t know what to do, there is a high risk of injury, which can set you back in many demoralizing ways. It’s not uncommon for someone to fully intend to lose a lot of weight though intense workouts, but they get hurt in the first few weeks, and then they’re derailed before they ever got started. Don’t let that be you.<br />
<br />
So, how do you get started exercising in a responsible manner?<br />
<br />
You could pay for a gym membership, but if you do, find a place with certified instructors and trainers. Take group classes, and make sure the instructor knows you are new. They'll work with you and give you guidelines on how to participate safely.<br />
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I strongly suggest that you NOT get advice from people you know that like to work out. They’ll push their favorite types of workouts or programs, and that might not be what you need. You need guidance from qualified professionals before beginning a rigorous exercise program.<br />
<br />
Regarding fitness DVDs: I’m not a big fan of using a video to work out by yourself at home, especially if you’re just getting started. You could do something the wrong way, which you will only discover after you’ve injured yourself.<br />
<br />
The key is to get professional guidance when you get started. It can be expensive. It can be difficult to find time. I understand a lot of factors are at play, and trainers and/or gym memberships are not always financially feasible. If that’s your situation, don’t sweat it. Literally. Intense exercise is not required for successful weight loss. Don’t get me wrong … it helps, but it is not required.<br />
<br />
If you’re on a tight budget, I’d recommend embracing the walk. Walking is relatively inexpensive and you already know how to do it.<br />
<br />
It is important to get fitted for the right shoes, so go to a local running specialty store that offers gait analysis. They’ll work with you individually to determine what kind of shoe you need. The wrong shoes can lead to discomfort and/or injury. If they suggest a pair of “running shoes” don’t fret. Good running shoes are also good walking shoes. Shopping at a specialty store will cost more than a department store, but think of it as an investment. It’s worth it. It’s worth it. It really is worth it.<br />
<br />
How much walking should you do? I’d recommend a mile a day for a few weeks. Resist the urge to go further than that. It’s easy to go too far, particularly when you’re just starting out. Seven miles in a week is a great start. Don’t overdo it.<br />
<br />
Keep a journal so you know how many miles you’re doing each week, and do not add more than 10% to a following week when you begin increasing your distance. This means that if you do 7.0 miles in week one, then you can go up to 7.7 miles in week two.<br />
<br />
After a while, you’ll be hungry for bigger challenges. That’s awesome! The staff at your local running store should also be able to help you find a run/jog/walk group in your area. You can download free apps to guide you from “couch to 5k." Just keep this in mind: don’t try something new without a qualified professional giving you some initial guidance.<br />
<br />
Finally, when it comes to exercise it is important to find something that you can sustain. If you know me, you know that running is my jam. I love to run! But that doesn’t mean that you must also become a crazy long distance runner. The principle is finding something you enjoy, otherwise it will not be sustainable.<br />
<br />
If you hate running, then find something you enjoy. It could be swimming, biking, ballroom dancing, doing martial arts, playing basketball, etc. If you dread a specific workout, then you will eventually stop doing it, so keep trying different things until you find something that you genuinely enjoy.<br />
<br />
<b>Eating Cleanly</b><br />
Is responsible exercise important? Yes, but your diet is at least five times more important than your level of physical activity. If you’re working out like a crazed maniac, but not eating correctly, then you’ll never successfully manage your weight.<br />
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How do you start eating correctly? The same truths apply: no shortcuts and get qualified professional help.<br />
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Stay away from fad diets. As with exercise, I advise against getting advice from people you know that do not have legitimate credentials. Stick with a pro.<br />
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If you can afford it, hire a personal dietitian. I know it can be expensive, but it is a tremendous investment. If you can’t afford one, then look for nutrition classes at your local library, community college or church. See if your employer has any resources available through a corporate wellness program.<br />
<br />
The key is for you to learn the basics of sound nutrition. What is a carb? What is protein? What are macro-nutrients? How do you plan meals? How do you read a food label? Etc.<br />
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There are several pre-packaged plans out there that will prepare meals for you. I'd stay away from those. It's important to learn what makes a good, clean meal rather have someone make it for you. It's like the old saying: give a man a fish and he eats for day, but teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime. You don't need a fish, you need to learn to fish.<br />
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If you must choose between paying for nutrition help or exercise help, go with the dietitian. They're a significantly better bang for your buck. A dietitian can be far more helpful than a personal trainer to someone who is just starting out on this journey.<br />
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<b>Practice Accountability</b><br />
The last piece of advice I'll give to you is to seek accountability. Don't try to do this alone. You need someone (preferably multiple someones) to help you stay on the straight and narrow path to success.<br />
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The easiest type of accountability is obeying and trusting your dietitian and/or trainer. Some people pay for professional help and then fail to follow the instructions they are given. Even worse, they might lie about their failures so they don't get berated. You can't pull those kind of shenanigans if you want to be successful. If you mess up, fess up.<br />
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I know people who try to lose weight, but are unexpectedly sabotaged by people who should know better: family, friends and co-workers. It's okay to lose a little weight, and most people will generally support you … to a point. Yet, if you refuse to go out to eat with some friends because you feel uncomfortable with the restaurant’s menu, then you might face some adversity. Some family members might feel like you're judging them if you don't want to eat what they're eating. You might run into a few people who are downright hostile to your goals. I'm not trying to scare you, but you need to know you might face opposition.<br />
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Personally, I was extremely fortunate in this regard. Not only were my coworkers genuinely supportive, but my wife was with me every step of the way. She too lost a lot of weight and is an amazing success story. I wouldn't have been successful without her.<br />
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Where can you find a suitable accountability relationship? If you went to the running store and found a run/jog/walk group, you probably met a few folks who are in the same boat you are in. Maybe you have a friend, family member or coworker who would be thrilled to join you in your journey. If you look for this kind of help, you will find it. I am sure of that.<br />
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One great way to enhance accountability relationships: keep a meticulously accurate nutrition/activity journal. Not only can this information help others help you, but eventually you'll learn how to use the journal to help yourself.<br />
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There is a great app called MyFitnessPal (MFP) It's free and works on all platforms (go to <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/" target="_blank">www.myfitnesspal.com</a>). You can use it to easily track what you eat and to record your exercise.<br />
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At first, record everything you eat and do. Religiously. Don't omit a single detail. Record it as you consume/do it throughout the day rather than waiting until the evening or weekend to do a batch entry.<br />
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You could use MFP for a couple of weeks before meeting a dietitian. He or she could look over what you ate and offer a handful of quick suggestions in that first meeting. But even if you don’t have someone review your nutrition journal, you’ll start to see obvious changes you can make. For instance, you enter a meal of a Big Mac, large fries and a large milkshake … that’s almost 1500 calories. If you replace the milkshake with a glass of water, you can almost halve the calories for the whole meal.<br />
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Incidentally, I was taught in FWSW that those who keep the most accurate nutrition journals have the most success in the program. If you’re real serious about wanting to lose weight, then get real serious with tracking your food. Let MFP help.<br />
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<b>Final Thoughts</b><br />
For most folks, their weight loss success is hindered by two things: motivation and/or ignorance. If you’re asking for help, you’ve got at least some of the motivation you need… enough to get started ... which is great! What you need to do next is work on your ignorance.<br />
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Ignorance is not a dirty word. It simply means “don’t know.” People who struggle to lose weight don’t know how to work out, what to eat, etc. You can fix ignorance if you apply yourself. You need to be able to say “I don’t know” and “I need help” … and that’s not easy for many people to say either of those things. Master those two sentences, and you're going to find success.<br />
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Your level of motivation will vary. That’s okay. The trick is making sure you do what you’re supposed to do, especially on the days you don’t feel like doing it. String together a few small victories and you’ll gain valuable momentum. Those small victories will eventually become a pattern, which will eventually become a lifestyle.<br />
<br />
So ... good thing I kept it short, right? There's more to say, but this is enough for now. If you have any questions, let me know. I genuinely cherish opportunities to return the investments that others have made in my life. I was taught that I am stronger than I knew I was. You too are stronger than you think you are. I was taught that I could win back my health. I know that you too can win back your health. You. Got. This.David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-11755653581676038202017-12-11T12:38:00.000-05:002017-12-29T22:37:47.401-05:00Run=Win 00: DisclaimerHere we go!<br />
<br />
This is the beginning of a series of blog entries that pulls life lessons from the experiences of training for a long distance race.<br />
<br />
I'm only three sentences into this series, and you might already have an important question: why should you listen to me? That's a very legitimate question. After all, if you're going to invest the time to follow this series, shouldn't the author be credible? Who wants to learn life lessons and training practices from someone who isn't an expert?<br />
<br />
So, let's get this out of the way right up front: I am not an expert. I am not an expert when it comes to running or living. I've certainly suffered my fair share of setbacks, and committed far more than my fair share of mistakes. Don't read this series because you trust that I've got it all figured out.<br />
<br />
When it comes to running, I am fairly new to it and am far from an elite competitor. I often finish near the back of the pack, including several DFLs (which stands for Dead ___ Last). My performance is usually hampered by my ignorance and inexperience. And don't even get me started on the many different ways I've screwed up outside of running. I'll repeat it because I want to be very clear: I am not an expert.<br />
<br />
What I will do is simply and transparently share my experiences with you: the bad and the good. And while I've failed a lot, there are also plenty of good experiences to share with you ... far more good ones than bad ones. It's been a wild and enjoyable ride! I find the running life to be <i><b>extremely</b></i> rewarding, and if you don't already know what I mean by that, then I hope you will discover it before this series is finished.<br />
<br />
So, here we go... buckle up for what I hope to be a grand adventure!<br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
For what it's worth, I would like to share a brief "runner's resume" of what I've done over the last five years. While I am not an expert, I am pleased with what I've been blessed to do.<br />
<ul>
<li>RRCA-certified running coach (2016-)</li>
<li>Fort Wayne's Smallest Winner (contestant, alumni mentor and running coach, 2013-)</li>
<li>Pace team leader (several different half and full marathons, 2015-)</li>
<li>Indiana Run For The Fallen (Core Team, 2015-)</li>
<li>Fort Wayne Running Club (board member, 2017-)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table style="text-align: right;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="1" rowspan="12"></td>
<td></td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
<u> 2013 </u></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
<u> 2014 </u></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
<u> 2015 </u></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
<u> 2016 </u></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
<u> 2017 </u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: left;">
< half marathon </div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
8</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
17</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
30</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
14</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
32</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: left;">
Half marathon</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
1</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
3</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
5</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
6</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
6</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: left;">
Full marathon</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
3</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
2</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
3</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
3</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: left;">
50k</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
3</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
1</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
6</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: left;">
50 mile</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
1</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
1</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: left;">
12 hour</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
1</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: left;">
24 hour</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: left;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
1</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Total Miles</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
<i> 532</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
<i> 1,469</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
<i> 2,111</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
<i> 2,376</i></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: right;">
<i> *2,700</i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="6" rowspan="1"><div style="text-align: right;">
<i>*estimated</i></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-28119294134162836992017-12-06T17:00:00.000-05:002019-07-03T15:59:12.197-04:002017 UA Community Gift GuideBack in April 2017, my weight loss story was featured in the "Stories of Inspiration" blog on MyFitnessPal.com (<a href="http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/frank-dropped-88-pounds-found-actually-loved-running" target="_blank">http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/frank-dropped-88-pounds-found-actually-loved-running</a>). I was really pleased with how well the article turned out, and am grateful that I had the opportunity. I enjoyed my "fifteen minutes of fame" and life returned to normal. Or so I thought ...<br />
<br />
A few months ago, a representative from Under Armor (the parent company of MyFitnessPal) called. She explained they were putting together 2017 Christmas Guide and would like to get product recommendations from people they'd featured in their Stories of Inspiration. That sounded like another great opportunity, so I gladly jumped on it.<br />
<br />
They've just released the 2017 "UA Community" Christmas gift guide in a slide show format, and my product endorsement is slide #4!<br />
<br />
How cool is that?<br />
<br />
Check out my review of the UA Charged Bandit 3 at <a href="http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/top-gift-picks-community-members" target="_blank">http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/top-gift-picks-community-members</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-83753963851901119992017-12-05T21:46:00.000-05:002017-12-06T09:54:12.382-05:00It's Not An Event Report!So, this year almost all of my blogs have been event reports. I came into 2017 focused on a slew of interesting objectives, and I’ve been both fortunate and blessed to accomplish almost all of them. It’s been an incredible year, and I’ve learned a lot. I promise to share a *brief* end-of-year recap later, but I’d really like to move away from writing event reports and take my writing into a slightly new direction. I want to get back to my blogging roots and address a veritable <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallimaufry" target="_blank">gallimaufry </a>of topics (yes, that’s a real word … feel free to drop it casual conversation).<br />
<br />
A couple of weeks ago, my pastor illustrated his sermon by comparing marathon training to successful living. That got me to thinking and over the course of a few long runs, I’ve mentally outlined a (hopefully) coherent series of blog entries where I’ll build upon that idea. I'm tentatively calling it "Run=Win" ... but the title could change (suggestions welcome).<br />
<br />
In semi-related news … I’ve been selected as an Ambassador for the 2018 <a href="http://glasscitymarathon.org/" target="_blank">Mercy Health Glass City Marathon</a> (April 22, 2018 in Toledo, OH). Woo! Cool, eh?<br />
<br />
I ran their full marathon in 2015 and set a PR (to date, this is my only sub 4:00 marathon). It’s a beautiful, flat, fast course and I’m very honored to be chosen to represent them. If you’re looking for a spring distance race, give GCM a look. In addition to the full marathon, there’s a half and a full relay. The swag is impressive, and the experience is unforgettable. The price goes on December 31, 2017, so there’s still time to get the lowest possible rate.<br />
<br />
So... my intent is to write this series while training for the Glass City Marathon. Heck, if you live close enough to me, perhaps we can run together every now and then. I’ll try to release at least one blog entry each weekend leading up to the race. I hope you’ll find the journey to be interesting, entertaining and helpful.<br />
<br />
Note: You can access all entries in this series by clicking the "run=win" label in the Categories section to the right side of the main blog page.David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-36629793932304043912017-11-03T21:37:00.001-04:002017-11-06T08:47:56.536-05:00Event Report: 2017 St Pat's 24 Hour<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Event Report: 2017 St Pat's 24 Hour</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">St Patrick’s County Park (South Bend, IN)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10/21-22/2017</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.stpats24hour.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">http://www.stpats24hour.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This report is written in two parts: a review and my personal reflections. If you’re considering this race and just want basic facts, feel free to reading just part one.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* * * Race Report * * * </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Race</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The race is organized by two wonderful ladies as a fundraiser for a friend of theirs with ALS. I believe this was the tenth year for the event, and it is held in high regard by many I know who have ran the race.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are three events to choose from: 6 hour, 12 hour and 24 hour, all of which start at the same time: 8 am.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I arrived to pick up my packet, one of the directors warmly addressed me by name! I’d never met her before, but because I’d posed a question on the Facebook page, she recognized me from my profile photo. She made a very good first impression. Overall, the staff does an amazing job, and treats the runners like family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-Race</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The park which hosts the race is open prior to packet pickup, and on-site camping is permitted (free with your registration). You can begin setting up your space (first come, first served) before packet pickup begins at 6 pm. You have the option to pitch a tent on the grounds or set up an area inside the barn (a large building at the start/finish area). Be forewarned: if you choose to spend the night onsite, it might difficult to sleep due to all of the activity in the main staging area. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Along with pickup, there’s a catered pasta dinner. It was good, quality food.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Course</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The course is a 3.1 mile loop. It’s fairly flat and wide. It’s also very well maintained, with no fallen trees or other unnecessary obstacles. About two-thirds of the course is a packed trail surface that winds through the woods. While you need to be alert for roots and walnuts, you can generally move at a nice clip through these portions of the course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most of the remaining course is wide and grassy with a small paved portion near the start/finish. There is only one hill of consequence, but it’s not obnoxiously steep. There are plenty of loose rocks on the ascent, so it’s always prudent to walk up the hill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The course is very well marked. One nice touch was the use of glow sticks as course markers as it got dark. I’d never seen this in a race before, and I really, really, really appreciated it. It made the course so much easier to navigate in the dark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">As you cross the finish line, a timing computer is set up near the aid station where you can check your lap count. Laps count as 3.1 miles, even though my Garmin routinely showed a slightly shorter distance. Make of that what you will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">They set up a quarter mile out-and-back track you can run repeatedly over the last half hour of each race. This is a nice bonus as many other timed races do not offer such an option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Weather</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve certainly ran my fair share of foul weather races this year. This was not one of them, as the weather was simply gorgeous. It climbed into the low 70’s at the highest temperature and into the 50’s at the lowest. It was mostly cloudless with a light breeze. I suspect the course would have been significantly more difficult if there had been rain (especially the hill).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aid Station</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The main aid station has to be seen to be believed. I’ve never seen anything like it. It was well stocked with the standard fare (chips, fruit, gummies, PB&J, etc), and some higher-end not-so-standard fare (sandwich wraps, jelly/rice balls, etc). The complementary energy drink was Heed, which I’d never tried before, so I stuck with Tailwind. As it got later into the day, a variety of warm soups were available as well. If you’ve seen it at an ultra, it was probably available at this aid station. Additionally, it was always adequately staffed by eager and helpful volunteers who refilled water bottles, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">While the variety was appreciated, what made the aid station so unusual was that virtually everything was served in individual containers. For example, oatmeal/PB balls came in little cups with lids, and PB&J segments were wrapped in foil. This made it easy to take it with you since you could cleanly stash it in a pocket/vest/etc. There are plenty of trash cans along the course, so you never have to carry trash with you for very long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would give this aid station a rating of four … as in “The Four Seasons of Ultra Aid Stations.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Swag</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your pre-race packet has all the race swag you’re going to get, which includes a long sleeve cotton t-shirt, a branded beer mug, a branded pair of knit gloves, a can of beer, and a bottle of maple water. As swag goes, it’s on the light side. There are no finisher medals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">At packet pickup, items from previous year’s races, including dri-fit shirts, hats and more, were available for purchase. I suspect swag varies a little each year, so it’s a good idea to check the site’s event info before the race if you want to know ahead of time what you’re going to get.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Personally, I’m fine without a medal. The race was a good value without it. I knew the race was a fundraiser, and adding things to the swag bag increases the cost of the race. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Awards are presented to the top two male/female finishers in the six hour event and the top three male/female finishers in other two events. I’m not quite sure what the awards are, but it included a large bottle of some sort of alcohol. If you don’t drink alcohol then the alcohol-centric swag/awards will be less appealing to you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Review Summary</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If swag is really important to you (ie, you’re a bling whore), then this might not be for you; however, if you’re looking for an ideal racing experience, rest assured that the race directors do not skimp on the race experience itself (ie, the course markings and aid station fare are top notch). I confidently state that this is a well-organized race with awesome volunteers on a beautiful course. I was challenged and I found the entire experience to be thoroughly rewarding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I highly recommend this event.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* * * Personal Reflections * * * </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of my goals for 2017 was to run twelve races of marathon or longer. Prior to St Pats, I had completed ten (marathon = 3, 50k = 5, 50mi = 1, 12hr = 1) and had another 50k on my calendar. I still needed one more race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was also hoping to set a distance PR. In 2013, I ran my first half. In 2014, my first full. In 2015, my first 50k. In 2016, my first 50mi. In 2017, I wanted to notch my first 100k. With the year coming to a close, I was running out of nearby 100k options. I chose to run St Pats as if it were a 100k with a 24 hour cutoff, yet my time goal was to be under 18 hours (which is a fairly common cutoff for a 100k).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another factor in choosing St Pats is that several Ignite and 3RUR teammates would also be running St Pats. I knew I could count on these teammates to encourage and support me, but I had no idea how strongly they would come through in this way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was fortunate to carpool with Brad Compton again. We’ve done this before, and it is always such a blessing to spend time with Brad. He has run at St Pats multiple times and is a wealth of knowledge (not just in general, but also specific to this course). He is a wonderfully pleasant person, and one of the reasons I had such a successful weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Team Concept</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve ran most of my races solo. Even when I know people who are also doing the event, I tend to be pretty solitary. I’m not complaining. I’m kind of wired that way and I enjoy the solitude. This race would be different because about 30 people were there from the Ignite Ultra Team and the Three Rivers Ultra Running (3RUR) Team. I a fortunate to be a part of both groups.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thought I’d see them on the course (ie, get passed by them), chat briefly if we met at the aid station, and perhaps I’d even share a few random miles with someone every so often. I was wholly unprepared for the different experience it is to truly be part of a team.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">First, several team members were there in a support capacity. They came with a specific objective, but were generally available to do whatever they could to help. For example, Jason Richardson and Jared Newhard were there to crew for Suzi Swineheart. While Suzi was their primary concern, whenever I came through the aid station they were always there to help. One would grab my water bottle and fill it, while the other talked me through my last loop and offered a suggestion or two. They’re both experienced ultra athletes and could tell better than I when I needed a salt tab or other things like that. There were several other teammates I saw throughout the event that similarly helped me out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">As great as these teammates were, Tiffany Kravec was on a completely different level. She was there to crew for Mike Else, but always had time to help me out. She really took good care of me and her kindness caused my eyes to water more than once. She monitored my food intake and made several “suggestions” throughout the race that kept me going. She taped up blistered feet several times, and that right there is amazing. I mean … who does that? This required removing dirty, sweaty, smelly shoes and socks, cleaning my feet and then applying the appropriate bandages in the right places. I think it says a lot about a person’s character when they’re willing to clean another person’s feet. Tiffany drew upon her own experience and knowledge in just the right way each time I needed it. Sometimes, it was in the form of a gentle question, and other times it was a stern “now go!” Either way, she did a fantastic job helping me amidst her many other duties.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then, there was Pat Quinn. I’m going to struggle to put all this into words, but I am so incredibly thankful for what he did for me. He was there to crew/pace for someone else, and due to unforeseen circumstances, he wouldn’t be needed to do that. As I completed my 16th lap, he asked if I had a pacer and that he was available and interested in helping me out. I had never ran with a pacer before, so I didn’t really know what it was like. I was also a wee bit intimidated, because Pat is an accomplished runner far beyond my own ability. I tenuously agreed to run with him starting on my 18th lap (mile 52.7).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can say that as nervous and intimidated as I was by the thought of Pat joining me, it was a completely silly way for me to feel. He did absolutely nothing to heighten my insecurity, but it’s easy to let weird thoughts get into your head. I am so grateful for his patience and kindness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pat is not only an experienced ultra runner, but he is also an experienced pacer. He talked to me, made several very helpful suggestions, refilled water bottles, fetched appropriate food from the aid station, carried extra food for me onto the course, and so much more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prior to Pat joining me, my pace had slowed to about an hour per lap. For the first three loops he ran with me, my pace improved over five minutes per lap. He pulled something out of me than I did not know I had. He was aware of my goal (100k in 18 hours), and he got me to that point at 16:44! I did not even dare to think I could complete my goal distance in that time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once I hit that goal, Pat encouraged me to keep going. After all, I still had seven hours left! I was very happy with my accomplishment at that point, and I felt like a burden had been lifted. I was willing to continue, but I was also quite content to shuffle along at a much more sedate pace. I managed to complete three “bonus” laps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">On my last lap, I was definitely moving quite slowly, and Pat was worried enough about me to walk the course in reverse to find me, which he did a little less than a mile from the start/finish line. I was uninjured, but completely exhausted. I can admit that seeing Pat caused a few more happy tears (seriously … I had never bawled during a race before, but this one brought out so much emotion). Pat walked me in and I shut it down at 71.3 miles. I had been moving for over 21 hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another cool component to running a “short looped” race with a team is that I saw teammates often. It was neat to see Mike, Brad, Suzi, Brenda and others so many times. They always had a kind word when they passed me. As they’d disappear ahead of me, I’d think, “Dang, how cool is that I’m on the same team as those awesome runners!” It was a bona fide boost throughout the entire event.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve already said a lot about the value of team on this race, and I could keep going on and on about it. Suffice it to say, this was my first real team experience, and it was incredible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Performance</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overall, I think this was the finest race I’ve ever run. It was a good, strong race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Initially, my plan was to run/walk using time intervals, but after a couple of loops, I decided to switched to using landmarks to make a switch. For example, I would walk from the start/finish area to the first turn, and then run/jog to the first lengthy stretch of grass, then walk until the trail ducked back into the woods, then walk until … you get the idea. With such a short loop, it was easy to remember the course and make “on the fly” plans for my intervals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Through the first nine laps, I was averaging about 40 minutes/lap. Over the next nine laps, my pace dropped to about 60 minutes/lap. Some of this slower pace was intentional because it was a hotter part of the day, and I didn’t want to wear myself out in the heat and have nothing left in the tank for the night. Tiffany had also insisted that I slow it down, and she can be very persuasive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Pat started pacing me, my pace dropped below 55 minutes/lap for three laps. My last three laps were at a pretty sedate 90 minutes/lap. All that’s to say this: I started a little fast, but I never really felt labored. Pat was a miracle worker who get me moving a little faster, and then I just barely zombie walked the last bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the last half hour started, I resumed my zombie shuffle for three of the quarter miles loops, which was enough to push my final total to 72.05 miles ... a distance PR by over 20 miles!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">My 50k time was 6:48. My 50mi time was 12:54. My 100k time was 16:44. That was very close to a PR for both 50k and 50mi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the “Completely Random” category: several times throughout the race, the word “analgesic” popped into my head. For whatever reason, I think it’s just a fun to say word. Go ahead and say it out loud right now while you’re reading this, and you’ll probably chuckle. It’s just that kind of word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nutrition</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overall, this worked out really well, in large part due to the expert care provide by my team. I had very little experience with salt tabs, but think they made a significant difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around 18 hours, most foods did not sound palatable. It just didn’t sound good. Maybe I could have ate it, but the thought of even trying did not sound like it would go well. Soup was about all that I wanted to eat at the point, and it went down easily. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lessons Learned</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The value of team cannot be overstated. Having never really experienced it before, I am in awe of how much better the experience is when a group of people are pulling together. I am so appreciative of the many kindnesses shown to me over the weekend. I’ve mentioned several names, but many more could be mentioned. I’m so thankful, and I look forward to working as a crew/pacer for some of them in the near future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because I was unfamiliar with the course, I took four different pairs of shoes (three trail, one road). I ran the first 15 miles in a basic trail shoe before switching to road shoes (Under Armor Bandit 3). It's lightweight with a lot of cushion (similar to minimally cushioned Hokas). I wound up running about 50 miles in these shoes before switching back to trail shoes. While I love my Salomon, they're heavier that the Bandits, and </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think wearing lighter shoes helped </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know I couldn't have done this if the weather weren't so cooperative, but in this situation it worked out perfectly. Before making the switch to road shoes, I talked with some of the ultra vets who confirmed that it was a worthwhile idea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have never treated blisters or chaffing in the middle of a run. I probably wouldn’t have done it on this race either if I had been by myself. Tiffany, Pat, Erin, Jason, and the others were always asking questions, and by treating these type of problems early enough in the race, they were not a major problem later in the race. I escaped from the weekend relatively unscathed: simply exhausted, but injury free. I was very fortunate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the many insights Pat shared with me was the value of using this race as a litmus test for a 100 mile race. I’ve entertained the thought of attempting a 100 miler, but have doubted whether or not I had the ability to do it. Continuing to run past the 62 mile mark gave me valuable experience that I couldn't simulate with training runs. I am now more confident of my ability to complete a 100 miler than I was before St Pats.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something interesting from the experience: Pat pointed out to me that I seemed like I was moving with determination and grit prior to 62 miles, but once I crossed that threshold, I had given up that edge. This was not to denigrate my performance, but to point out that as long as I had an objective in front of me, I was capable of more. Once I passed the threshold, I lost a powerful motivator. Pat pointed out that if my goal had been “run for 24 hours” then I would have been able to attack those last several hours with more strength. This is really insightful and I immediately realized the truth of his analysis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overall, I am so pleased with this race. The course, the volunteers, the weather, the friends … everything lined up perfectly. I couldn’t have scripted a better experience, and I was privileged to have so many blessings in such short succession. While I signed up for a 24 hour race, I came away with a lifetime of cherished memories.</span></div>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-57096562412469488742017-10-06T22:39:00.002-04:002017-10-06T22:42:02.619-04:00Event Report Summary: No Way 200k SeriesThe following links are my event reports for each race in the ORRRC's 2017 "No Way 200k" Ultra Series.<br />
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#1 - <a href="http://www.baldmanrunning.com/2017/05/event-report-2017-tie-dye-50k.html" target="_blank">Tie Dye 50k</a><br />
#2 - <a href="http://www.baldmanrunning.com/2017/06/event-report-2017-another-dam-50k.html" target="_blank">Another Dam 50k</a><br />
#3 - <a href="http://www.baldmanrunning.com/2017/07/event-report-2017-dawg-gone-long-run-50k.html" target="_blank">Dawg Gone Long Run 50k</a><br />
#4 - <a href="http://www.baldmanrunning.com/2017/10/event-report-2017-germantown-50k.html" target="_blank">Germantown 50k</a> (includes additional thoughts on the series as a whole)<br />
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Additional information on the series can be found here:<br />
<a href="http://orrrc.org/club-events-and-series/200k-no-way-trail-series" target="_blank">http://orrrc.org/club-events-and-series/200k-no-way-trail-series</a><br />
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David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-57651190235852625342017-10-06T22:24:00.001-04:002017-10-08T15:31:15.364-04:00Event Report: 2017 Germantown 50k<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Event Report: 2017 Germantown 50k</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Germantown MetroPark (Germantown, OH)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9/23/2017</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://orrrc.org/event/germantown-50k-2/" style="text-decoration: none;">http://orrrc.org/event/germantown-50k-2/</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the fourth event in the Ohio River Road Runners Club (ORRRC) "No Way 200k" ultramarathon series. This report is not just a report on the Germantown 50k, but also a brief review of the series.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Information about the entire series can be found at:</span><br />
<a href="http://orrrc.org/club-events-and-series/200k-no-way-trail-series" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://orrrc.org/club-events-and-series/200k-no-way-trail-series</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Special notes about the “No Way” series: At one point, you had to complete a specific slate of four 50k races to complete the 200k challenge. Now, there are five 50k races, and you can run any four of the five. It is a little confusing because some of the literature still refers to the series as four events. 200k finishers receive a special award, which varies year to year (in 2017, it will be a jacket). There is an additional award for those who complete all five events, but I have no idea what it is.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">ORRRC</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After completing all four races, I feel like part of the ORRRC family. The volunteers are top-notch and the Dayton running community is full of wonderful people. Each race presented unique challenges, and I enjoyed each event in it’s own way. It has been a rewarding summer-long experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend future ORRRC events.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-Race</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The registration fee was $40, which is a great value. 50k was the only distance option for this event, so you don’t have to share the course with runners doing other races. It is a laid back atmosphere. There were only 64 runners to start the race, which I think was the smallest field of the series to date.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Travel Plans</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have seen Fort Wayne area runners at each of the other events. I enjoy seeing friendly faces at out-of-town events. But this race was a little different because Brad Compton and I traveled together. We left on Friday evening, stayed at a nearby hotel, ran the race on Saturday then drove home.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">What a wonderful experience! Brad is an accomplished ultra runner and a fine, fine person. I really enjoyed our conversation. Surprisingly, we didn’t talk that much about running. I feel like I started this journey with an acquaintance, but finished it with a friend.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having a travel buddy makes things so much more manageable. Brad ran a great race (winning his age group!) and finished about 90 minutes ahead of me. That gave him plenty of time to chat with friends and get cleaned up. He was also feeling far better than I felt, so he drove home. Brad was an answer to prayers that I hadn’t even thought to pray, and I am thankful for his company, encouragement and assistance.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Course</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The course is a 7.75 mile loop, which you run four times. There is no “finish by” cut-off time, but if you do not begin the fourth loop by 2:45 pm (6:45 of race time), then you were not permitted to continue.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most of the course is a wide trail with some short paved sections. It is shaded most of the time, which was nice because the temperature reached the mid 90s. Fully-stocked aid stations are available at approximately mile 3.7, 5.2 and the start/finish.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would divide the loop into three sections: </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Section 1 (to mile 3.7) Prior to the first aid station, there are a few minor hills, but nothing too severe. There are several long stretches where you can build up some momentum and enjoy the slightly rolling terrain. The path is generally clear of roots and other obstacles. It’s very nice.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Section 2 (the middle 2.3 miles): After the first aid station there is a short dam crossing, and then the trail becomes more technical, narrower, and greater variety in elevation. The second aid station is in the middle of this section.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Section 3 (the remaining 1.75 miles): Here the course flattens out a bit as you complete the loop and return to the start/finish. I suspect this area would have been quite muddy (and more difficult to traverse) had there been some rain prior to or during the race. Of particular interest is a long wooden boardwalk. While it was not a problem on race day, it could be a different story if it were wet.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is about 900 feet of accumulated elevation per loop (good for about 3600-ish for the whole course). There were no water crossings (at least not on race day).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">My overall impression of the course? It was easily my favorite course of the No Way series. It reminded me of Chain O’ Lakes more than any of the other courses. Interestingly, what reminded me of home was not the scenery, elevation profile, etc. It was how well the trail was cared for. This was easily the most well maintained course of the series. I think it says something about the COL community that, at least to me, the chief trademark of the COL course is how carefully and lovingly maintained it is.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aid Stations</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each of the previous events had a mix of unmanned/manned aid stations, but this race had full service at each stop. I know that is extra work for the volunteers, and I really appreciated their efforts.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I usually arrived at an aid station by myself, so I got the undivided attention of the volunteers. I felt like a NASCAR driver coming in for a pit stop … one guy would refill my water bottle, another guy would chop up fresh apple slices, etc. They were very proactive and encouraging. It was obvious that several of the volunteers were veteran ultra runners by the way they knew how to take care of us.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fare included apples, bananas, oranges, pretzels, chips, PB&J quarters, pickles, cookies, Twizzlers, and more. Everything was available at each of the three stations. Drink options included water, gatorade and stale soda.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know course layout dictates aid station placement. Having said that, it would have been nice if aid stations were more evenly spread out. It felt like it took a while to get to the first aid station, and then the second one was close to it. Again, there’s not much that can be done about where the pavilions are located. Still, it’s helpful to know that you have to run half of the loop before you hit the first aid station.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Weather</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The race started at 8:00 a.m., which (in my humble opinion) is a little late for a 50k start. The metropark likely dictates the start time, but if we could have started earlier, it would have been helpful. I would prefer running with a headlamp in the morning if it meant running few hours in the heat.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Initially, humidity was high (over 85%) and temperature was in the mid 60s. As the race progressed, the humidity dropped while the temperature climbed. There was virtually no cloud cover throughout the day, and very little breeze. By the end of the day, the temperature on the course had hit 94 degrees. It was definitely a hot one!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Performance</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wish I could tell you that I absolutely crushed it. My first lap went really well, and I felt good about my second lap as well. I was able to share a few miles with different folks, which was very pleasant.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">By the time I started the third lap, the heat had climbed up enough to impact my performance. I was also by myself most of the final two laps, which is not unusual for me in a long race.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knew the final lap would be difficult, but I was ahead of the cut-off by about 30 minutes, which meant I was okay. I changed shoes, removed my shirt and added a handheld water bottle (I had been using a water belt with a single 16 oz bottle). I think each of these things helped, and this is a fine example of implementing lessons learned from previous races. I’m finally starting to feel like a veteran!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prior to beginning the last loop, I asked the race director where I was in the standings, and she estimated that about a dozen runners were still behind me. Knowing I wasn’t the last person took some pressure off of my shoulders.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wound up walking most of that last lap. I just didn’t have much left in my tank. I had started struggling to put fuel into that tank as I was having a hard time eating. Over the last few hours of the race, I was reduced to eating apple slices almost exclusively. It wasn’t that I was struggling to keep food down (no nausea), but I would put something in my mouth and then have a hard time swallowing it. I can’t remember ever experiencing this kind of phenomenon before.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do think I did an acceptable job of hydrating. I took a pee a few times during the race, and color/odor was never a cause for alarm. Having a second water bottle allowed me to “spritz” myself liberally, which felt really, really good.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I made it the first aid station on the last loop, a volunteer told me just a few people were behind me as the field was thinning out. Eventually, two guys caught up to me … the dreaded course sweepers. I knew sweepers existed, but I had never seen them in action before. This is when I learned that I was officially the last person still on the course.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sweepers never directly engaged me in conversation. I could overhear their conversation (most of which involved ultra horror stories). While they did their job, I feel like it was a missed opportunity. I imagine that if I were a sweeper, I’d try to use the opportunity to be an active encourager. As it turned out, even though they were behind me, I was still pretty much on my own. I simply pressed on and stayed in front of them all the way to the finish line.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">After each loop, I had to adjust my estimated finish time. After loop 1, I thought 7:30 was possible. After loop 2, I thought 8:00 was realistic. By the end of loop 3, I thought 8:40 was likely. I didn’t hit any of those estimates. I wound up finishing with my slowest ever 50k finish time. I was this year’s official DFL.</span><br />
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<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lap </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> > </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:45</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:45 elapsed)</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">Lap </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> > </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:55</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> (</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:40 elapsed)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">Lap </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> > </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:32</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> (</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:12 elapsed)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">Lap </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> > </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:52</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> (</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9:04 elapsed)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the record, I am completely cool with finishing last because I finished. Out of 64 people who started the race, I was #45. That means that, for whatever reason, almost one-third of the field did not finish. By the grace of God, I was not a DNF. I’m grateful that I was able to finish, and while I was completely spent, I was also quite satisfied. Despite the difficult conditions, this was my favorite race of the series.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Swag</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You get a nice shirt at packet pickup. The finisher award is a beanie with an LED light in it. It’s a nice cap, but it’s not suitable for running. I sweat a lot when running in the cold, and this would be a pain to wash, so it has limited usefulness. There were no finisher medals, and the age group awards were inexpensive water bottles. Having said this, you know when you register that it is a low cost event.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I appreciate that the race directors found creative ways to reward finishers. The beanie is the first item of it’s kind I’ve ever got at a race, so kudos for thinking outside of the box. I suspect that next year they’ll find something else to offer.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Series swag (by event): #1 = very nice tech shirt at registration, ceramic vase for finishing, #2 = a cotton shirt at reg and a tech shirt at finish, #3 = buff at reg and a medal at finish, #4 = shirt at reg and a beanie at finish. (Based on what I've overheard at races, swag items vary a little each year.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Series Final Thoughts</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each race gave me a gift:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">#1 (Tie Dye) was incredibly difficult due to heavy flooding. I had never encountered such conditions, but I was able to persevere and finish. When I hear other runners share extreme “war stories” of difficult races, I can now contribute one of my own.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">#2 (Another Dam) was my best effort, but unfortunately, I was heavily fatigued going into it. I have ran a lot of races this year, and Another Dam was so close to other events that I didn’t have a proper recovery/taper. I learned valuable lessons by running tired. I am pleased that I tackled this race with less than ideal conditioning and was still able to put forth a solid effort.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">#3 (Dog Gone) was frustrating at first. There was so much mud! The first (of two) loop had me questioning my sanity. It was the closest I ever came to dropping a race simply because it sucked. I was not injured or ill. I was just upset. Fortunately, it dried out and I was able to enjoy the second loop. If I had quit, I would have failed to learn a valuable lesson in perseverance. This was the most mentally challenging race of the series.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">#4 (Germantown) was my celebration race. The finish line was not just for a 50k, but for the 200k series as well. I had worked hard for months to complete a big goal, and it was cool to know what the finish line really meant. It didn’t hurt that the course was enjoyable and the company I kept was awesome. The heat took a lot out of me, but it didn’t diminish my determination to finish.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So … that’s the story of how I ran the No Way 200k series. Hopefully, you were able to finish reading my race reports in less time than it took me to run them.</span></div>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-75869607565952833932017-09-01T21:23:00.001-04:002017-11-03T13:32:39.456-04:00Event Report: 2017 Anchor Down Ultra<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial";"><b style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Event Report: 2017 Anchor Down Ultra - 12 Hour
</b><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Colt State Park, Narragansett Bay (Bristol, RI)
8/18-19/2017
https://www.anchordownultra.com/
</span><b style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-Race
</b><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I work for a company that sent me to a week long conference in Boston. When presented with such an opportunity, I try to find a nearby race before or after the work-related stuff. I found the Anchor Down Ultra, a 6/12/24 hour event in Rhode Island.
I like new challenges, and this certainly qualified. I’d never done a timed race.I’d never flown to an ultra. I’d never done a race alongside the ocean. Lots of first on my horizon!
Packing was difficult, as I had to prepare for the conference and the race. If this were the IT, I would have prepared multiple drop bags, each with a pair of fresh shoes/clothes, etc. In this case, I had to pack lighter than I preferred. Yes, I made a few mistakes, but at least I am now better equipped to do this in the future.
One of the biggest challenges was trying to navigate a taper week while at a conference. I couldn’t eat the foods I normally eat, and sleeping in a hotel isn’t always restful. I’m a guy that likes to stick to a routine, and I was often out of my comfort zone. It worked out, but was a source of anxiety.
The conference ended at 3 pm on Friday. I drove down to Rhode Island from the conference and got to Bristol by 5 pm. All three events started at 7 pm, so I had plenty of time to change and get acclimated before the race. I would have liked a little more “down time” so I could take a nap. I didn’t get a nap, and (spoiler alert) I think that would contribute to my lack of late-race oomph.
The weather report all week predicted thunderstorms during the race. The weather report turned out to be (another spoiler alert) spot on. There was a ton of rain, especially early on.
</span><b style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check-In
</b><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Swag-bag: The bibs are nice and specific to the event. The event shirt is a really nice tech shirt, and really nice cotton shirts were also available for an extra purchase (I got one of those too).
Sponsors included North Face, Gu, and Hot Shot. What struck me as particularly cool was how the company reps worked the event as volunteers. They weren’t just selling stuff, but were actively staffing aid stations, etc. I can’t recall ever seeing an event where the sponsors were so involved in the event. This was really cool.
I assumed there would be a place for drop bags at the start/finish. Pre-race communications mentioned that we’d have access to our gear, but I didn’t fully understand the logistics until I got there. There’s a designated “runner’s village” where you can set up a tent. There was not a generic tent for runners like myself that brought a simple drop bag. My plight was exacerbated by the rain, because I couldn’t just find a spot on the ground to leave my fabric drop bag.
Fortunately, I met some very nice people from CT Trail Mixers, a local running club. They’d set up a large tent and welcomed me as an honorary member for the weekend. This was a tremendous blessing! They were very kind, supportive and generous. I would have had a far different experience without their hospitality, and I am in their debt. They are a perfect example of how cool the running community can be.
There is a pacer policy (12 hour runners can have one after 6 hours, and 24 hour runners can pick up a pacer after 12 hours), but I did not have anyone to pace me.
</span><b style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Weather
</b><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Poopy. There was a lot of rain for a lot of the race. They made sure to brief everyone on weather delay/cancellation policy, and fortunately, it never came to that.
During the national anthem, it started a strong, steady downpour that lasted for a few hours. It let up for a little while, and then rained off/on throughout the night. By dawn, it had pretty much stopped raining. This was one of those events where you are soaked to bone before you even cross the first timing mat.
</span><b style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Course
</b><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s a 2.45 mile loop. That little 0.05 kinda bugged me. Apparently, the first year of the event, it was announced as a 2.5 mile loop, but people complained it was short, so, they adjusted the distance for accuracy’s sake. Personally, I would have preferred lengthening the course. It’s a small thing, but when running a long distance, parts of my brain just shut down. Doing mental math on multiples of 2.45 got harder as the laps accumulated.
About 1 mile of the loop is on (mostly) single-track trail and the rest is asphalt. Thus, about 60% of the race is paved. You can run on the grass next to the pavement at times, but that is not always an option.
The asphalt/trail mix complicated selecting the right shoes. I knew the course was mostly paved, so I brought road-friendly trail shoes (Salomon Sense Pro Max) and road shoes (Saucony Ride 9). I planned to start in trail shoes and switch if conditions permitted. For what it’s worth, most of the runners wore road shoes.
If I could have packed more gear, I would have included more shoes. As it turns out, the rain made the trail section quite difficult. In some places, it was ankle deep mud. For this, the Salomon’s were perfect, and they even worked out well on the paved portions … at least for the first few hours. As the race wore on, the soles of my feet started heating up. I would have liked to change shoes, but the road shoes were not suitable in for the mud, so I didn’t have a choice.
Overall, the course is relatively flat. The trail portion has a fair amount of roots, but it’s otherwise free of obstacles. The paved portions are right next to the ocean. Even though it was dark for most of the race, it was serene and beautiful, even throughout the storms. The park is really well maintained, and the locals are justifiably proud of the course. If you run the 24 hour option, you’ll have even better views during the day, but beware because most of the paved sections are in the open (i.e., unshaded).
If you’re wanting a trail ultra, the significant amount of road is probably going be a deal breaker for you.
<b>The Skunk</b>
Around 10pm, I caught up with a group of runners going real slow and oddly bunched up together. A skunk had entered the race (apparently as a bandit, because I didn’t see a bib). Eventually, the path widened out a bit and we were able to safely pass. The skunk didn’t let ‘er rip, so we lucked out, but he sure made it real interesting for a quarter mile.
<b>Aid Stations</b>
There are two stations: the main one at the start/finish, and the other one is about half way through the loop. An aid station is always less than 1.25 miles away.
Initially, the halfway station was water only, but after a few hours they began serving hot Ramen noodles (one of my ultra favorites). The main station is full service, with a great spread of all the stuff you’d expect: PB&J, M&Ms, chips, pretzels, fruit, pizza, etc.The volunteers are great, and since you see them so often, they do a good job of remembering you. It’s cool to pull in and hear someone call out your name, especially when you’re 850 miles from home.
Gu provided a Tailwind-like hydration drink, and I really liked it. I probably shouldn’t have tried it for the first time during a race, but it worked out. Over the course of the race, I think I nailed the nutrition. I never felt hungry or nauseous. I would eventually run out of steam, but it was not a fueling issue.
<b>The Race</b>
My “gold standard” goal was surpassing 50 miles (21 loops for 51.45 miles).
I had finished the first two loops in less than an hour, at a comfortable effort level. The weather made it interesting, but I was moving well. I still felt good as I finished six loops in about three hours. But I could tell that I was getting tired, and I began to slow down. By the six hour mark, I was at 26 miles, and I knew that 50 miles was unlikely.
The biggest problem of the night was my headlamp. I’d had problems with a cheap lamp during the 2016 Woodstock 100k, so I invested in a posh Petzl lamp with a sensor that adjusts brightness depending on the environment. This feature turned out to be a real big pain in the butt.
When I was on the trail portion of the loop, my headlamp would automatically dim. I could turn it off and on to reset it, and it would work for a while, but then it would go dim again. There was a lot of mist and fog in the woods, and I think it caused my lamp to malfunction. I thought it might be damaged or a low battery, but whenever I got out of the woods, it worked correctly … until I went back into the woods, and then it would act up again. If I was next to someone with a powerful lamp, my lamp would stay on. It was when I was alone that it would do it’s weird dimming trick. This odd behavior became more pronounced as the night progressed.
I was really blessed to fall in step with a young lady (also doing the 12 hour). She had decided to walk the trail portion and jog/run the paved sections until the sun came up. I shared almost three full loops with her, and without her strong headlamp and encouragement, I would have been in a jam. Again, I’m in debt to strangers within the running community.
If I had brought my full drop bag kit, I would have had an extra headlamp, but I wound up leaving the extra lamp at home to save space. This wasn’t the smartest racing decision I’ve ever made.
It’s amazing how a few hours of fidgeting with a stupid headlamp can drain you. I was already tired, but this sucked so much out of me. I wound up walking a lot more than I should have … or needed to.
<b>The Finish</b>
While this is a timed race, you don’t get a medal unless you cross a certain threshold (8 laps for 6 hour, 16 laps for 12 hour, 20 laps for 24 hour). For me, I began to think of it as a regular race with a cutoff. After I realized 50 miles was not going to happen, I kept making downwards adjustments to my goal. Eventually, I settled on completing the minimum number of laps to get that medal. I wound up completing my 16th lap at 10:41 (gun time) with 1:19 remaining.
I could have done at least one more lap, but I was spent and sore. I was also dealing with the unpleasant reality that I had substantial chafing issues. It was perhaps the worst chafing I’ve ever experienced.
I still had to drive back to Boston, so I chose to pull the plug and collect my medal. It is one of the nicest race medals I’ve ever got. It’s large, steel and has a unique design etched onto each side. It’s gorgeous.
They did not have showers on site, so I wound up cleaning up as best as I could in the parking lot using a bottle of drinking water. I put on fresh clothes, shoved my muddy gear into plastic bags, and made it to the airport with some time to spare (I did stop twice to take a little nap). I didn't get a shower until I got back to Fort Wayne late that evening.
<b>What Did I Learn?</b>
If I do another event that I have to fly to, I’ll have a much better idea of what to pack.
A spare headlamp is not a luxury, but a necessity. Don’t leave home without it.
The running community is awesome.
When using 2toms (for anti-chafing), if you’re already a little damp from rain and sweat, it’s important to dry off thoroughly before applying. Even the waterproof stuff doesn’t go on real well if it’s not applied under the right conditions.
<b>Would I recommend this event?</b>
I can say that I’d do it again if the opportunity presents itself. It’s a nice event with great folks on a beautiful course.
If you’re a road runner looking to dip your toe into ultra events, this is a great place to start. However, if you’re a die-hard trail runner, you might not appreciate the amount of paved surfaces.</span></span></div>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-5072177608236663882017-07-09T16:01:00.005-04:002018-01-01T21:10:23.416-05:00Event Report: 2017 Dawg Gone Long Run 50k<p dir="ltr"><b>Event Report: 2017 Dawg Gone Long Run 50k</b><br>
Caesar Creek State Park (Waynesville, OH)<br>
6/24/2017<br>
<a href="http://orrrc.org/event/dawg-gone-long-run-50k50-miler/">http://orrrc.org/event/dawg-gone-long-run-50k50-miler/</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">This is the third event in the Ohio River Road Runners Club (ORRRC) "No Way 200k" ultramarathon series. Information about the entire series can be found at: <a href="http://orrrc.org/club-events-and-series/200k-no-way-trail-series">http://orrrc.org/club-events-and-series/200k-no-way-trail-series</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><b>ORRRC</b><br>
As another ORRRC race, much about the other ORRRC events applies here as well. It’s a nice, inexpensive race. The volunteers do a fine job. The field is small (typically 100-ish or so runners), and everybody had a great attitude. This is a good event.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Unlike the other events in this series, DGLR featured two options: a 50k and a 50 miler. I chose the 50k. If you start the 50 miler, but do not finish, you don't get finisher’s credit, even if you pass 50k. I briefly considered the longer race, but my goal is to finish the series and I didn’t want to jeopardize that.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><b>Pre-Race</b><br>
Packet pickup is “day of” only and starts an hour before the race. The 6:30 a.m. start is earlier than the other races in this series, and is much appreciated. This was likely because they needed to accommodate the 50 mile option.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I think they allow 50k runners the same amount of time to finish (cut-off of 13 hours), so if you’re looking for a first ultra with a generous cut-off time, this is one to consider.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><b>The Weather</b><br>
The day before the race it rained for about 12 hours. Fortunately, there was no rain on the day of the race, but it created a slick, mud-slathered course. Temperature-wise, race day was fairly comfortable. I was careful to maintain proper hydration.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><b>The Course</b><br>
The course is roughly a 16.5 mile loop. 50 milers run it three times and 50k runners do it twice. Notice that two-thirds of 50 miles is actually over 33 miles. Whenever you run a race like this (50mi and 50k share a course), the 50k course is usually longer than 50 <u>miler</u>. I was told the actual length of the loop was 16.3 miles, which means the 50 miler was a bit short.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The area around the start/finish line is paved. It helps to wear hybrid shoes that won’t hurt on hard surfaces. Overall, about 3-4 miles of the course is paved, which isn’t too bad. In some of the paved areas, you can run on a soft shoulder, which I did.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The loop is nearly split in half by the primary aid station. The first half of the loop was fairly easy terrain. While there was a lot of mud from the previous day's storms, it was generally flat and easy enough to navigate. I was able to run for extended periods of time.</p>
<p dir="ltr">There were a few wooden bridges, which were extra slick, so that warranted extra caution. One bridge had washed out, so there was an unplanned creek crossing, but it wasn’t too bad. For the most part, you could keep your feet dry if that was important to you.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The second half of the loop was a lot of rolling terrain. It was never very steep, but it was also never very flat. With the mud and my own timidity, it was extremely slow going. I had the stamina and energy to run, but wound up walking a lot between miles 10-15 simply because I never felt like I could safely build up momentum.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This was really frustrating. I’ve had to walk long stretches during other ultras, and I’m okay with that. It’s usually because I’m tired and trying to regroup. In this case, I was itching to run, but couldn’t.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The mud was the worst kind, in my opinion. It was a slimy thin layer that coated an otherwise hard trail surface. That made the path extra slick, which is far scarier to me than trying to slog through an ankle deep mud bog. I was afraid of a foot slipping out from under me and pulling a groin muscle, or falling hard on the trail and rolling down a hill, or worse.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Most of the course was single track. In many places, the grass on either side of the single track was really high (as in “armpit high”). I was warned about this by someone during the prior 50k in the series, so I decided to wear leggings instead of shorts. I’m glad that I did this. Getting this kind of insider information is a bonus benefit to doing a series of races.</p>
<p dir="ltr">One thing I noticed many times over was the sheer volume of natural debris on the trail: fallen trees, rocks, etc. I overheard several local runners say things like “remember when this tree fell across the path a few years ago?” Sometimes it’s hard to climb over big tree trunks, especially when you’re 28 miles into the race.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As a person who runs regularly at Chain O Lakes State Park (Albion, IN), I’m used to trails that are maintained year round by dedicated volunteers. I realize this is the exception and not the rule.</p>
<p dir="ltr">By the time I had finished the first loop, I had come to the conclusion that this was a stupid race. I hated the course. It wasn’t fun. I’ve ran courses with more hills, flooding, etc., but this course was probably the most difficult I’d ever attempted because of the patience required in dealing with the mud. Starting the second loop, I was low in spirit and dreading what was to come after passing the manned aid station. I was certain that I would become even more miserable.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I remember saying to myself that the course was “not unrelentless” (which I know is a triple negative … and I was feeling triply negative at the time, so it’s completely appropriate and accurate).</p>
<p dir="ltr">Imagine my surprise when I got into the sucky part of the course, yet it looked totally different to me. It had started drying out in several places and I was able to run more often. I had plenty of gas in my tank and it felt really good to really run again. There was still a fair amount of mud, but the course condition had noticeably improved.</p>
<p dir="ltr">By the time I finished the second loop, I was in much better spirits and the race didn’t seem quite so dumb anymore. Overall, this is a good race, and while I moved much slower than I had planned, I left with a good feeling. I had safely completed the challenge and was injury-free.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><b>Aid Stations</b><br>
Full service aid stations were at the start/finish line and about halfway into the loop. Two unmanned aid stations (with coolers containing water and Tailwind) were situated in between the full service stations. Fare was limited, but adequate: PBJ, chips, pretzels, some fruit, etc. I’ve experienced both better and worse at other ultra events.</p>
<p dir="ltr">You could leave a drop bag at the start/finish (which I did) and/or have a bag taken to the loop’s halfway point (which I did not do). I like having options with drop bags, even I don’t always use them.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I can say I’m not a huge fan of unmanned stations. When I got to the first station (about mile 4), the coolers looked like they hadn’t been filled yet. I was near the back of the pack, so this likely meant that nobody got aid from that stop.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also, the unmanned stations did not have any cups until late in the day. I carried a water bottle, which was easy enough to refill at the coolers; however, getting Tailwind was another matter. I wound up on my hands and knees, squirting Tailwind directly into my mouth. It was needlessly awkward. Towards the end of the day, paper cups were available, so race officials addressed this concern mid-race. I like that kind of responsiveness.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I realize the logistical concerns that necessitate having aid stations unmanned. I’m sympathetic. I do think they’re better than nothing. Still, I’m still not a fan.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Post-race fare was pizza. Yawn. If that’s your thing, then you’re happy. I wound up getting something to eat afterwards on the drive home.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><b>Bling</b><br>
No shirt! Crazy, I know. You do get a “Dawg Gone” branded buff with your registration packet, and finishers receive a modest medal that looks like dog tags (but is not actual dog tags). This is the first race of the series that gives you a medal, so I was pleased to get that. I’m very happy with the bling.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><b>Unforgettable Moment</b><br>
Around mile 15, there was a steep downhill section with wooden steps layered into the hillside. Without even really thinking, I started down those slick steps at too fast of a pace. Sure enough, a foot slipped out from under me, and I started barreling down the hill completely out of control. My arms were flailing wildly, and there was nothing to grab. Neither could I see a safe place to fall. My life was repeatedly flashing before my eyes … well, not my whole life, just the part where I fell and broke my foot last year, I was genuinely terrified.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Do what you will with this paragraph… what happened next is something I’ll never forget. I could swear that someone steadied me. I could feel a hand in each armpit steering me through the last twenty feet of that terrifying free fall. I arrived at the bottom of the hill on two feet … and my heart rate at 300 bpm. If you’ve got an explanation for what I experienced, that’s fine. I’m convinced I was a split second from serious injury before a supernatural intervention. I can easily give God credit for this one. I’m very thankful.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><b>Summary</b><br>
Overall, I’m glad I did this race. It’s one step close to completing the No Way 200k series. It was also my tenth ultra finish (11th ultra start), so it was nice to hit a significant milestone at the finish line.</p>
<p dir="ltr">One race left in the No Way 200k series … watch out, Germantown 50k! I’m coming...</p>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-42263895727763120162017-06-16T20:31:00.001-04:002017-06-17T11:27:37.815-04:00Event Report: 2017 Another Dam 50k<div dir="ltr">
<b>Event Report: Another Dam 50k</b><br />
Englewood Metropark (Englewood, OH)<br />
6/3/2017<br />
<a href="http://orrrc.org/event/another-dam-50k">http://orrrc.org/event/another-dam-50k</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Yet another dam event report? Yep. Even if nobody reads it, I'll still write another dam event report.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
This is the second event in the Ohio River Road Runners Club (ORRRC) "No Way 200k" ultramarathon series. Information about the entire series can be found at: <a href="http://orrrc.org/club-events-and-series/200k-no-way-trail-series">http://orrrc.org/club-events-and-series/200k-no-way-trail-series</a>. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
To learn more about the first event in this series, see my blog entry at <a href="http://www.baldmanrunning.com/2017/05/event-report-2017-tie-dye-50k.html">http://www.baldmanrunning.com/2017/05/event-report-2017-tie-dye-50k.html</a>.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
If I complete four of the races in this series, I win a special award (which appears to be jacket). I probably would not have signed up for another dam 50k if it wasn't part of the series. I love multi-event swag.</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Cost</b><br />
ORRRC puts on inexpensive events without sacrificing too much quality. Like the other events in this series, the registration fee was less than $50. I didn't get the "Early Bird" rate, but I think it was about $25.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Also, field size is limited to about 100 runners (as was Tie Dye). I'm glad that I didn't have to wait on another dam waiting list to get in to this event. If you want to run these events, sign up early. It's not a bad idea to start checking the ORRRC website in January/February if you want to run ORRRC events.</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Pre-Race</b><br />
Tie Dye was 14 days prior to this event, so I was either in recovery mode or taper mode leading up to this event. I'm not sure which.</div>
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<br />
I did another dam carb load meal two days before the event. Fazoli's. I was underwhelmed. Why do I go there? I'm not sure any more.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
I drove down the day before. I left Fort Wayne around 6:00 p.m. and ate my dinner on the drive to Dayton. On the evening before a race, I usually eat a PBJ, a piece of fruit and some Veggie Straws. I got to another dam hotel around 9:00 p.m. It was very inexpensive... and kind of scary. I was fortunate to get to sleep quickly and I woke up the next morning without any problems. I had packed my own breakfast (oatmeal), which I cooked using the in-room microwave. No fuss, no hassles.</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Packet Pickup</b><br />
They don't offer pre-race packet pickup, so you need to get there early; however the park didn't open until 7:00 a.m., so if you get there too early, you just sit there and wait.</div>
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<br />
The race started at 8:00 a.m. I wish it could have started an hour (or two) earlier. Before the race was over, temperatures would soar into the 90s and there was little cloud cover on significant parts of the course. An earlier start may be beyond the control of the race director, and if so, I understand; however, a couple of hours earlier would have allowed us to avoid another dam couple hours of heat.</div>
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<br />
At packet pickup, you get another dam bib and a cotton t-shirt with the event logo. It's not like I needed another dam shirt, but I'll wear it. I like the slightly naughty sound of the event name (perhaps you've noticed).</div>
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<br />
Pre-race announcements were short, sweet and to the point. Another dam race director actually started the race about 3 minutes early, which just might be unprecedented in the annals of trail races.</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>The Course</b><br />
The course is a loop that is almost 8 miles long, which you run four times for a total of 31.7 miles. Several people finished with slightly less than that distance on their GPS devices, but the race director was repeatedly adamant that the course length was precisely 31.7 miles. I finished with just slightly less than 31 miles, but I do know my Garmin dropped signal a few times. I'll take his word for it.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
The course is kind of shaped like a warped barbell. You run a mini-loop on the west side of the park for a few miles, cross the dam to the east side of the park to run a few more miles, then go back across the dam again to complete the eight mile loop. This means that the name of the event is misleading. There's no "another" dam... it's just the same dam over and over again. Without shade. It's about 6.5 total miles of running back and forth across that dam (eight times in total). Without shade (yes, I repeated that on purpose).</div>
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<br />
When you're not running on the dam, you get a decent amount of shade on a well-groomed course. It's quite pretty, and the weather of the prior week was cooperative (no heavy rainfall to muck up the course). The course is not very technical and there are no real hills to wear you out. I did find that the sunlight cast a lot of interesting shadows on the ground which resembled roots and other obstacles. I've not experienced much of this phenomenon, so it was mildly disorienting. I survived.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Course markings were more than adequate. I'm thankful that I didn't wind up making another dam excursion into the great unknown. Any races where I don't get lost multiple times is doing something right.</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Aid</b><br />
There is a partial aid station at the start/finish (water and Gatorade only). This is where you can leave a drop bag if you'd like. There is another dam aid station about 2.5 miles into the loop, which you'll hit again about 3 miles later. This is a full-service stop with liquids and food. You're never more than 3 miles from an aid station the entire day.</div>
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<br />
As far as fare goes, it's adequate. Pretzels, PBJ, fruit, chips, etc. If you're used to running with the IT crowd, you're spoiled (it's not as good as IT runners get during a training run), but it's sufficient. Overall, I'm not a big fan of the "liquids only" stops, but I understand the reasons to do it that way.</div>
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<br />
Post-race food is pizza, which is fine, I guess. I'm not a big pizza fan, and by the time I finish, it's cold pizza. I wound up getting another dam post-race meal at a nearby Waffle House (which included a little extra attitude from the waitress).</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Equipment</b><br />
I don't think I wore the right shoes. I chose Salomon Sense Pro shoes, which I have worn in several ultra races. They're great when the ground is a little muddy or otherwise soft, but this was a lot of hard terrain. Perhaps a quarter of the race is on paved or gravel roads, which is a lot of time spent "off trail." By the end of the race, the soles of both feet were significantly more sore than they usually are after a comparable race. I imagine this is what it feels like to run a road marathon in minimalist shoes. Unpleasant.</div>
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<br />
In retrospect, I probably would have been better off to wear a pair of more heavily cushioned road shoes. Traction wouldn't have been a problem, and I could have avoided some sole-searing post-race discomfort. I need to find a pair of trail shoes that are more suited for this kind of surface.</div>
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<br />
I wore a belt with a pouch (for my phone) and a holster (for a water bottle). As I neared the end of the third loop, I dropped my water bottle and it broke. I am always breaking water bottles, but this was a bigger bummer because the water bottle is customized for the belt. Fortunately, I had a hand held in the drop bag. I felt pretty smart for bringing a backup.</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Finisher Bling</b><br />
Finishers get a tech shirt. It's different from the shirt you get at packet pickup. As far as bling goes, I was a little disappointed. Give me a coffee cup or a beanie or a medal or a coupon to a running store... but another dam shirt? I've got a ton of race shirts!</div>
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<br />
Having said that, it's a nice shirt. I'll wind up wearing it more frequently than I do most race shirts. It's the perfect shade of neon yellow to go along with my banana man tights. So, one day soon, you just might see me on the trail in my tight yellow tights while wearing another dam yellow shirt. Feel free to say hi!</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Volunteers</b><br />
The aid station volunteers were quite nice, and the course marshals were a hoot (perhaps the highlight of the event, as far as I'm concerned). I appreciated their encouragement and kindness. Most races brag about having great volunteers, and I think ORRRC is safe to add another dam notch in their belt in this department.<br />
<br /></div>
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<b>My Performance</b><br />
The time limit for this event is 9 hours. My goal was to finish another dam race in 7 hours. I finished at 7:14. My splits (per lap) were 1:26, 1:31, 2:02, 2:14.</div>
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<br />
I felt great through the first two loops. I was moving well, and the heat was manageable. However, the temperature continued to climb and that's when the mind games started.</div>
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<br />
I had a few flashback memories of my first marathon: 2014 Sunburst (South Bend, IN). It was very hot and humid that day, and I had serious dehydration issues followed by the worst muscle spasms and cramps I've ever experienced. I wound up walking the last six miles of Sunburst simply because I couldn't run anymore. It was a miserable end to an otherwise glorious experience. For a while, I doubted I would be able to make it to the finish line. I did finish, but Sunburst left its mark on me. I didn't want another dam day of serious heat-related problems, so I chose to rein it in, play it safe, and walk a little more than I had initially planned.</div>
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<br />
I did pray for some cloud cover when not in the shady woods, and I'm thankful for the occasional relief that God provided.<br />
<br />
(Random observation alert!) I often start an ultra race thinking that I could spend some of the solitary portions of the race in prayer. For whatever reason, it never really works out that way. I just get too distracted I guess. I wonder if other ultra runners talk to God a lot while running...</div>
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<br />
When I finished the third loop at 5:00, I knew that 7:00 was off the table, which took a lot of self-imposed pressure off of me. I just enjoyed the last loop and tried to take in some of the sights that I had missed on the previous three loops (except on the dam... there's not another dam thing to see when you're on it... just get to other side). For instance, there are a few waterfalls that I had missed. I am frequently surprised by how many new things there are to see on the last loop of an ultra ...</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
It was a little slower than I would have liked, but I'm happy with the day. This was my seventh marathon+ race since March 2017, and only two weeks after my previous 50k. I came out injury-free. I'll take it.<br />
<br /></div>
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Would I be willing to run it again next year? Sure, I'm willing to give it another dam shot...</div>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-67740967700292202502017-05-28T22:43:00.004-04:002017-10-06T16:06:16.986-04:00Event Report: 2017 Tie Dye 50k<b>Event: Tie Dye 50k</b><br />
John Bryan State Park (Yellow Springs, OH)<br />
5/20/2017<br />
<a href="http://orrrc.org/event/9th-tie-dye-32-16-miler" target="_blank">http://orrrc.org/event/9th-tie-dye-32-16-miler</a><br />
<br />
This is the first event in the Ohio River Road Runners Club (ORRRC) “No Way 200k” ultra series. Information about the entire series can be found at:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <a href="http://orrrc.org/club-events-and-series/200k-no-way-trail-series" target="_blank">http://orrrc.org/club-events-and-series/200k-no-way-trail-series</a></span><br />
<br />
The ORRRC hosts five ultras in 2017. Everyone who runs four of the five races earns a bonus award. I am attempting to complete the first four events, and I might try for the fifth if my schedule permits. Each event is in the wider Dayton, OH area.<br />
<br />
<b>Cost</b><br />
These events are fairly low cost. Depending on when you register, fees range from $25-$50. This is a sweet deal for an ultra. There is also a “no frills” registration, in which you pay less, but don’t get a shirt. I’m not sure if all ORRRC events do this. For those who have way too many shirts, this is an attractive option. I wish more races did this.<br />
<br />
<b>Goal</b><br />
The weekend before this race, I participated in a three day relay from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis (Indiana Run For The Fallen). Out of 140 miles, I ran 64 miles (on the road, not trail). This race was less than a week later. I came through the relay without injury, but I was exhausted. I knew I wouldn’t be fully recovered or at my peak. I wouldn’t have registered for this event if it weren’t for the 200k series. My goal was to simply finish ahead of the nine hour cutoff.<br />
<br />
I toyed with idea of driving to the race from Fort Wayne on the morning of the race, but I had a hotels.com coupon, so I got a cheap room not too far from the race. It cost me $8, and even then I might have overpaid for the room. I don’t need a ritzy hotel, but this place was so run down that it was depressing.<br />
<br />
<b>Pre-race</b><br />
You do get a “pre-race” email from the director with last minute details and instructions. While not absolutely necessary, I always appreciate this kind of information. I’ve usually got a few pre-race jitters and this kind of stuff helps me settle down.<br />
<br />
<b>Theme</b><br />
They call this the “Tie Dye” 50k, but they don’t really embrace the theme. While you could buy an optional tie dye shirt, there were no themed signs, costumes, etc. This is a small thing, and not a big deal to most runners, but I do know some people who sign up for events based on the promise of a bunch of fun “extracurricular” activities. For example, Run Woodstock (Hell, MI) has bands playing 60’s music, hula hoop contests, yoga sessions, and even making your own tie dye shirts. Many people choose to run Woodstock because of the theme. All of this to say … if you’re expecting something like Woodstock, you’ll be disappointed. If that stuff doesn’t matter to you, then you’ll be fine.<br />
<br />
<b>Weather</b><br />
In the week prior to the event, there had been a lot of rain. The course was muddy and/or submerged for long sections.<br />
<br />
It was mildly chilly at the start (7:30 am), so I started in a long sleeve tech shirt and shorts. Somewhere between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, we had a thunderstorm that contributed significantly to existing muddiness and increased water levels. The temperature and humidity also climbed steadily throughout the day.<br />
<br />
Please note: I’m not complaining about the weather. I’m simply saying that for me the difficulty level was ramped a bit because of the weather conditions.<br />
<br />
<b>The Race Itself</b><br />
This is a 32 mile race, which is two loops on a 16 mile course. Apparently, in years past, you could sign up for a one or two loop race. I don’t think they offered the one loop option this year.<br />
<br />
Note: mileage estimates in this section are rough guesses.<br />
<br />
The first five miles are on nice wide trails. There was some muddiness, but nothing too bad. I thought the course would be a breeze as I was able to motor right along. I would soon enough find out that I was very wrong.<br />
<br />
Then I came to the gorge. For about a mile I ran along the top of a cliff (not too close to the edge … it was safe), and I could occasionally see a raging river below me. It is absolutely gorgeous along this part of the course, and I was still able to move along at a brisk pace.<br />
<br />
Around mile six, I took some stairs to the bottom of the gorge and ran about two miles along the river bank. When the water level is normal, I suppose it’s quite a nice path, but with so much rain, there were significant portions of the trail that were completely underwater. At first, it was ankle deep, but eventually I was slogging through some portions that were up to my crotch! It was really deep and made for some very slow going. It was intimidating too.<br />
<br />
Around mile eight, I finally exited the gorge and ducked back into the woods. I found the first full-service aid station at mile nine (there was an unmanned water jug at mile 4). This was well stocked and the volunteers were superb. They asked everyone to manually check in each time they came through the aid station, which I appreciate. I had a drop bag at this station, which came in handy. I would wind up hitting this aid station at miles 9, 13, 25 and 29.<br />
<br />
Coming into the first stop, I decided to switch to a lighter, short sleeve shirt because it was getting hot. I managed to get my sweat-soaked shirt off, but got distracted somehow and about a half mile after leaving the aid station, I realized I had forgot to put the other shirt on. I find myself doing this too often for my own good … I intend to do something specific at the aid station, but forget to take care of it when I get there.<br />
<br />
Leaving the aid station, I entered “The Lollipop” which is a four mile loop with a variety of terrain. Compared to the rest of the course, this was medium difficulty. I came back to the same aid station at mile 13.<br />
<br />
The last three miles of the loop take you through a lot (and I mean *a lot*) of switchbacks on some moderately difficult terrain. The start/finish line is also a fully-stocked aid station.<br />
<br />
I finished the first loop in four hours, and I was pleased with that considering the conditions. It had started raining really hard, and I knew my second loop would be more difficult. It was. Oh yes, it was.<br />
<br />
The “easy” part of the loop was fine, but when I got back to the river bank, I had a much harder time finding my way. The water level was also higher and I got lost more than once. Thankfully, my Garmin allows me to see a map of my current run, and I was able to see where I had been on loop one. I was forced to rely more heavily on this map than I did the course markings.<br />
<br />
Some course markings had been blown away in the storm or were moved by park visitors (the park is not closed to the public for this race). I even passed a couple that told me they’d moved a course marker a little behind them (apparently, it was in their way?) and they were nice enough to tell me to bear left at the fork I would soon approach. I wonder what would have happened had they not said something…<br />
<br />
I wound up getting lost coming out of The Lollipop again. Fortunately, I stumbled across the race director who kindly helped me get back on track.<br />
<br />
Regarding elevation: not much. There were some hills, but that wasn’t the prominent feature of the course.<br />
<br />
Regarding tree cover: Most of the course had significant tree cover, which was helpful when it was raining. Very little of the course was over open ground.<br />
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<b>Swag</b><br />
I signed up for the tech shirt, and it’s a nice shirt. It’s simply adorned with a pocket-sized logo on the chest, which is unique. Most races shirts have a lot of text on it (sponsors, etc). I like the spartan design of the race shirt.<br />
<br />
Tie dye cotton shirts were available separately at the registration table. I did not buy one. You could swap your tech shirt for the tie dye one.<br />
<br />
Instead of a race medal, I got a small ceramic pot. I’m not sure what it is called. It’s too stubby to be a flower vase. It’s kind of like a coffee mug without the handle. I don’t mind something a little different, so it’s kind of cool. If you’re a runner who wants a medal, then you’ll be disappointed.<br />
<br />
<b>Staff</b><br />
The event staff was nice, personable and helpful. I’ve ran a few ORRRC events, and will continue to do so. They’ve struck the difficult balance between providing a nice event and staging an inexpensive event. If you’re thinking about running an ORRRC event, I can give a hearty recommendation.<br />
<br />
I would have liked to see another aid station between the start finish and the start of the Lollipop. The unmanned aid station at mile 4.5 simply isn’t adequate. Due to pre-race communication, I knew it was unmanned, so I was prepared. I realize it’s difficult to add volunteers, equipment, etc. This is a small thing, and doesn’t keep me from enjoying or recommending this event.<br />
<br />
My other suggestion would be to improve on the course markings a bit. I think it was adequate on loop one, but was significantly less helpful on loop two. Perhaps some signage that alerts park visitors that a race is in progress would be helpful. There were portions of the trail where I’d like to have seen a few more sanity flags. This is also a small thing, and I understand some of the factors contributing to the problems were outside of the director’s control.<br />
<br />
<b>Final Thoughts</b><br />
My spirits were high throughout the entire race and I’m really glad that I did it. It was hard, but I was harder (you know what I mean, right?). I beat the sweeper by about 20 minutes, which was cutting it pretty close (getting lost didn’t help me much), but in the end, I did it. I’m thankful God watched over me and got me safely to the finish line without injury.<br />
<br />
I’m actually glad the course turned out to be so soupy/poopy, because now I’ve got my very own ultra war story. I’m pretty sure that each time I talk about this race, it’ll get increasingly extreme. I suppose that by my tenth retelling, there will be schools of piranha and hordes of pirates along the way.<br />
<br />
I can easily say this is the most challenging race I’ve ever completed, and that includes two 50 Mile events. Each ultra I’ve attempted had it’s own challenges. Trying to navigate crotch deep water trumps every other challenge I’ve faced. I came prepared to run in mud, heat, cold, etc., but I have never trained in these conditions, so much of this experience was new to me. I’m thankful that I was able to overcome new obstacles and win the day.<br />
<br />
Final shoutout to my fellow members of Three Rivers Ultra Running Team:<br />
Mike Else and Sam Bird also ran this event (and Sam came in first by a wide margin!). Even though they finished way away of me, they stuck around until I crossed the finish line. They didn’t have to do that, but I’m thankful that they did. I sure do know some cool people!David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1924388806679444207.post-80315258255632379632017-05-05T12:15:00.000-04:002017-10-06T16:04:45.829-04:00Event Report: 2017 IT100 50 Miler<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Event: IT100 50 Miler</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spoiler alert: I FINISHED! Yep. I sure did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disclaimer: This report is more about my IT Journey that it is about the specific IT event. If you’d like to skip straight to the event part of this report, page down to the “Race Weekend” subheader.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Journey Begins</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My IT journey began in the summer of 2015. While training for my first 50k (Woodstock 2015), I ran a few times out at Chain O’ Lakes, and met several regulars in the IT training group (which eventually formed the core of the Ignite Ultra Team). I also ran into the Wild Bunch, a great group of people who were, like me, new to trail running. Without the help of these people, I doubt my 50k would have been so rewarding. As it turned out, my entire Woodstock weekend was glorious! The “trail bug” had bit pretty hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When registration for the 2016 IT100 opened, I wrestled with the idea of tackling the 50mi. The weekend I decided to go for it, I went out to COL for a run, slipped on some ice in front of the outhouse at the Rally Campground, and broke my ankle (yes, I know … I’ve mentioned this quite a few times.). I always feel obligated to say that this was not a running injury … the run was going fine. This was a potty injury. I would be sidelined for a while, but I was determined to rehab wisely and get back on the trail as soon as I would be permitted to do so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">My big post-op goal was to return to Woodstock and run my first 100k. I trained at COL throughout the summer and eventually made it back to Woodstock in September 2016. Conditions were harsh and I wound up with my first DNF. That was a bummer (which is a major understatement). I continued to struggle in several races following my less-than-desired outcome at Woodstock. I was particularly embarrassed by a poor performance as a pace team leader for the Fort4Fitness full marathon. With failures piling up like copies of unwanted Yellow Pages books on my doorstep, I struggled with many unpleasant thoughts about my future as a runner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">During November 2016, things started to turn around. I strung together a couple of solid runs (the WOOF, the Indiana Trees 10 Miler and Veterans Marathon). I started to think that perhaps I was turning a corner, so I started shopping for a redemption ultra before the end of the year. I wound up settling on the Jackson County 50mi in December. What a difficult course! While I finished near the very back of the pack, I did finish. It felt like a huge win, and I was satisfied with my effort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Throughout this whole time, the IT continued to dominate my thoughts. I *had* to run it in 2017, but I wasn’t sure which distance. At one time or another, I waffled between the 50mi, 100k and 100mi … I just couldn’t make up my mind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually, I settled on 50mi because my Jackson County finish time was just a few minutes over 15 hours. I didn’t think it was a good idea to tackle a 100mi with a 30 hour cutoff before I could complete a 50mi under 15 hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Training</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had to make a lot of changes to my training schedule. There were several scheduling conflicts, but I was able to work it out most of the time. I wound up doing a lot more in-town road miles than I would have liked to do. I definitely would have preferred to have trained more frequently at COL with the Ignite group than I was able to do, but I had to play the cards I was dealt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The value of training on the actual event course cannot be overstated. When you add in the the rolling aid stations and volunteer maintenance crews, I can’t imagine that any other event in the country exceeds this level of year-round commitment. Not only did I get to know the terrain better, but I got to practice nutrition with items that would actually be found at the aid stations on race day. I also got to run with experienced trail runners who also know the course particularly well. I am very grateful for the dedication, selflessness and generosity I have repeatedly experienced within this amazing group of people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Additionally, I was tremendously blessed to glean a ton of valuable information through multiple Ignite clinics and the Ignite Facebook group. This is a great group of people who are always willing to answer questions and provide encouragement. They also set amazing examples for me to follow. I have benefited so much from these relationships!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">Race Weekend</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pre-race</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For a Saturday race, I do my big carb load on Thursday. My wife and I went to Ziano’s and it was a pleasant evening for the two of us. We bumped into a couple of friends and generally had a nice, relaxed evening. I went to bed early and slept well. I This is the most important evening of pre-race preparations., and it was textbook perfect for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took the afternoon off of work on Friday and went to COL early as a volunteer. I was tasked for just a couple of hours helping arrange drop bags, which was a cool way to soak up the IT experience without getting jittery. Doing something meaningful kept me distracted and excited at the same time. I know that sounds weird, but I will try to do this kind of thing at future races … if I’d just been standing around, I would have started to experience rising levels of overwhelmedness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had my drop bags (one for Main and one for Rally) ready to go, so I took them up on Friday as well. I was worried that I might forget stuff and then panic about not being able to tweak the bags on Saturday morning. As it turns out, I had packed them really well and there no problems.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a matter of habit, I skip the pre-race meals some events offer the night before a race. I would rather eat what I know rather than step into unfamiliar territory. I stuck around until the raffle was completed… no wins for me :( … and then went home, ate my dinner and unexpectedly sleep quite well. I toyed with the idea of camping at COL, because I live about 45 minutes from COL. The extra driving on race day was a small price to pay for the comfort of sleeping in my own bed. Going home for the night was a good decision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Strategy</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My plan was to use a modified 16-4 run/walk interval. I set my watch to a 6-4 interval, and then I planned to ignore every other 4 minute walk. This means that I would do 16-4 then 6-4 then 16-4 then 6-4, etc. I came up with this idea the night before, and it worked beautifully. I will definitely do this again. For the most part, I was able to stick with this plan for most of the race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I did make several exceptions to this interval plan. For instance, from the large wooden stairs to the schoolhouse is a relatively nice stretch for running, as is the stretch leading into Rally. I also made “on the fly” adjustments where I knew there were some ascents or around the aid stations. The value of knowing the course cannot be overstated. This gave me so much peace of mind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Course</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having been a part of the trail maintenance day a few weeks prior, I noticed several nice touches on the course I might have otherwise taken for granted. The fresh gravel in several areas was super appreciated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The course markings are perfect. In addition to the many permanent markers, there were a ton of pink “sanity” markers (with a small patch of reflective tape, which is an incredibly thoughtful touch that I wish more races would use) along the way. There were even several special motivational signs along the way, and I’m grateful for those too. I’ve ran other events that are not nearly as well-marked. As a guy prone to getting lost (even on a course I know fairly well), I really, really, really appreciated this aspect of the race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Weather</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There’s really not much to say about the weather. I know people like to complain the weather, but it just wasn’t a huge factor for the 50 Milers. It didn’t start raining until late morning and then it merely drizzly for a few hours, but never a concentrated downpour. I know the weather got worse when it got dark, and I’m thankful that I didn’t have to worry about that. Maybe I dodged a bullet on the weather … I’ll take it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Garmin</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My biggest disappointment was that my Garmin Live Tracking feature didn’t work. This is completely beyond the control of race organizers, so I’m not complaining. I’m simply disappointed. My Garmin can be paired with my phone so my wife can get live updates throughout an event. At any given moment, she can see my distance, pace, heart rate, elevation, splits, etc. It gives her some peace of mind, which in turns gives me some peace of mind. Unfortunately, if you don’t have cell reception when you start the event, it won’t work at all for the entire event. As it turned out, I didn’t have a signal at the precise moment when the race started, so my wife couldn’t track me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">She did use the official IT event tracking feature, so she got updates at miles 10, 22, 30 and 42. This worked really flawlessly. I’m glad this was available. Additionally, whenever I pulled into an aid station, I asked a volunteer to text my wife with an update. I was able to keep her a little better updated, and that was a blessing to my wife.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aid Stations and Volunteers</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The coolest part about this is that I knew so many of the volunteers, I was merely asking friends (instead of strangers) to do me a favor. I have never race an event before where I knew so many of the volunteers! When I pulled into an aid station, volunteers addressed me by name. That was huge! I felt like such a stud when somebody like Kelly Cearbaugh, Christy Howard or Allison Brown would say that I looked strong. Being complimented by people you admire is priceless. Every time I left an aid station, I felt stronger than when I entered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The aid station fare was diverse, but I pretty much stuck to what I knew. Race day should never be “try something new” day. Variously, I hit the Tailwind, Peanut M&Ms, PBJ, grilled cheese, Pringles, apple slices, pretzels, etc. I think I managed my nutrition just about perfectly. (TMI Alert > when I got home after the race and went pee, the color was perfect.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even better than the aid station was the proactive volunteers. As you approach the tent, they’re reaching for your water bottles, offering to bring your drop bag to you, etc. You get personalized attention while you are in the tent, which is amazing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Actual Run</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the first ten miles, I ran with couple of different folks in spurts. It was nice chatting with people and the miles fly by when you have someone to talk to. Over the final 40 miles, I was pretty much alone for most of it. That wasn’t a bad thing, as I enjoy the solitude as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The worst thing about running solo is that while running I will try to make a list of things to do when I get to the next aid station. I almost always forgot to do at least one of those things. For example, I meant to take my headlamp for the last loop, but I forgot it. As it turns out, I finished in the daylight, but that could have been rather big pile of poop to be without a lamp when you need it. This kind of forgetfulness would be easier to avoid if I was with somebody. If (when?) I do a longer race, I’ll definitely need a pacer to help me in this area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perhaps my biggest mistake was changing shoes at mile 30. I switched to a different pair of trail shoes that I’ve had for a long time. They’re good shoes, I like them, and I’ve worn them at COL several times. However, they weren’t the best shoe for mud. These particular shoes work much better in snowy conditions. Fortunately, the weather wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but this could have cost me dearly. In the worst of the muddy sections, my feet kept sliding out from under me and I was afraid of pulling a groin muscle or falling badly. I was not having the same problems with my first pair of shoes, which fare much much better on muddy terrain. I wasn’t wrong to change shoes at mile 30, but I didn’t change into the right shoes. Lesson learned.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Injuries</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Physically, I was fine. The front of my toes were sore about half-way through the race. I suspect it was due to some swelling in my feet which made for a tighter fit in the toe box. It wasn’t too bad, but my toes were the sorest part of my body by the time I finished. That evening, after I got home and went to take a shower, I stubbed my toes getting into the shower. I saw stars. That moment hurt far worse than pain endured during the IT race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve been a huge fan of 2Toms before, and am now an even bigger fan of their products. I put it everywhere (yes, I mean *everywhere*). No chafing whatsoever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I did get some small blisters on the heels of both feet, but I was really surprised that it wasn’t worse. I’ve got far worse blisters before, and was cringingly expecting more of that in this race. By the time I wrote this report (five days later), the blisters have completely healed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goal</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With only one other 50mi race under my belt, I wanted to beat that 15:06 time … significantly. The big factors in favor of a quicker pace included knowing the course, significantly less total ascent, and more personal experience. Those things had to be worth something, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I set an initial goal of a 100 minute improvement, i.e., 13:26. To get this, I planned to run each 10 mile segment in 2:40 (which would give me a little buffer with a finish time of 2:40 x 5 = 13:20). This also meant attempting to do even splits, as my splits in Jackson County were far from even.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">My first ten miles? I was about 25 minutes ahead of schedule. I was following my walk/run plan, but I simply moving faster than I anticipated. It actually felt wrong to go much slower. After 20 miles, I was about 50 minutes ahead. I saw Steve Carr at Rally (22 mi) and told him I was really worried I’d crash hard because of my quick start. We didn’t talk long, but it was helpful. I felt like I’d been through confession … “forgive me, Father Steve, for I have sinned … I have ran too fast.” I was genuinely afraid that I’d screwed up big-time by starting out too fast.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">At 30 miles, I was about 55 minutes ahead of schedule. By 40 miles, I was starting to give back some of that banked time and was about 40 minutes ahead. At this point, I was still just under 14:00/mi, which had me feeling pretty good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I got to Rally for the last time (42 mi), I knew I had a good shot at a sub-thirteen finish. This was not even remotely on my pre-race radar. My three pre-race goals were 13:26, 14:00 and finish. I had not even dared to think I could sneak in under 13:00.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I made my final wardrobe change: putting on my bright yellow Fort Wayne’s Smallest Winner shirt. I love wearing this shirt at races. It reminds me of how far I’ve come and how many things I am now capable of doing. I feel like a superhero when I put that shirt on, and I had intentionally saved it for the last segment. With my bright yellow hat and my bright yellow tights, you could tell who I was from a mile away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had roughly 2:25 to cover the final eight miles, but I was slowing down. My overall pace dropped to 15:24 at one point as I had covered a few miles at 18:00/mi. As I approached the last aid station (schoolhouse at 47 mi), I knew I would have to pick it up a bit if I were going under 13:00.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wound up covering the final mile in 13:41, which was my fastest pace since mile 22. I still had a little left in the tank! Mind you, it was very, very little, but there was still something there. I finished the IT50 with a final time of 12:56:20!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">In comparison with Jackson County, I was two hours and ten minutes faster (or 130 minutes). I realize these are two different courses with different challenges and different cut-off times, but I still see this as a major improvement. When comparing percentages of cut-off time, Jackson County was 91.5% of 16:30, while IT50 was 86.2% of 15:00. That’s a 5.3% improvement! I’m very happy with that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Post-Race</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Physically, I was exhausted, yet injury free. Other than a few minor blisters and bruises, I came out of the weekend in good shape. Mind you, I walked funny for a few days, and I felt like my quads were made of lead, but I was fine. It’s almost a week later, and I’m feeling far better than I would have thought possible. I was extremely grateful for my good health and good fortune! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">For me, the race was a much needed final chapter in my recovery story. I had broke my ankle (you knew I was going to bring up it again, didn’t you?) while training at COL. Finishing the IT50 was the last thing remaining on my pre-injury “to do” list. I needed the closure that crossing the finish would give to me. This was as much a spiritual and emotional victory as it was a physical one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am thankful for this race in so many ways. It was the culmination of 16 months of both hard work and many unearned blessings. My family and friends supported me and prayed for me. God was good to me in so many ways. I have learned so much about myself throughout this whole journey, and it wasn’t just lessons learned during the race.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m not sure what’s next for me … and that’s the beauty of being challenged. I want to tackle something bigger and more challenging. What might that be? I don’t know … yet, but I look forward to figuring it out. I’ll be talking to friends, scouring the ‘net, and following the Ignite Facebook posts as I look for opportunities to dream big. This chapter of my journey is finally complete, but the story isn’t over yet.</span></div>
David Franklinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16982391144902804432noreply@blogger.com0Chain O Lakes State Park, 2355 E 75 S, Albion, IN 46701, USA41.3335491 -85.38134330000002641.3271696 -85.39142830000003 41.3399286 -85.371258300000022