Shona La Fheile Padraig

Thursday.

3k swim first up to start the day, tried to add a little pace to some of the 400 reps today but battled in truth. Still good to get it done.

Down to Rushcutters at lunch for the 6 x 1k reps with the boys (and Eastside Elle who arrived late) on a superb cut oval once more with a good turnout although lacking at the top end with ‘Little’ Tom leading from the front. Nice to see Militant Mikey Conway back with us who seems to be running more frequently these days and is in fact running pretty well.

Settled for the first rep in about 5th wheel in with all these NEW ‘Hipsters’ we seem to have at the moment (guys with beards.... What’s all that about?) and was happy with a 3.19 to kick things off. An easy job back to the start rolling every 5 mins and basically held the same again for the following. Never really felt comfortable though in truth and seem to be battling early in the set.

The usual struggle for the 4^th and 5^th reps saw the times drift slightly and I was done, the heart was never really into it today, not sure why but happy to sit out the 6^th as the lads finished it off

Times. 3.19, 3.18, 3.19, 3.21, 3.21

 

Fair play to Eastside Elle who then knocked out her final rep after missing the groups first, with Ronnie Biggs & Jono making a claim for ‘Spirit of the Year’ by helping Elle out and pacing her around to a sub 3.50 effort .

 

A quick trip home and back out to celebrate with those Pesky Irish Lads in honour of St Pats Day. Quality day as the beers flowed all afternoon and the Diddle Dee music went on till the wee hours. Caught up with many of old and new acquaintances over the course of 12 hours, but didn’t I pay for it come Friday morning J

 

Friday.

Morning spent dying as the Irish Riverdance continued in my head before heading down to the pool to help clear the head. Nice little crowd but I was bar far the slowest with the likes of Manly Steve, Walker, Crossy Lad, Krone and even Phoebe came back to ply more pain on Crossy Lad. Was going to go easy but found my 200s were all done in a sharp 3.05

We all had to lead out a single 100m rep with the slowest (Me) going first, I started with a 1.27, Brendan next up with a 1.25, through to Steve with a blistering 1.15

Again a quick turnaround as it was Paddy’s Day Part 2 back in town, another big night with the same outcome to welcome Saturday morning.

 

Big weekend, In the Premiership Stoke travel south to take on Watford who have done well this year and surprised many. Tough game and I’ll splinter this one , Take the draw Watford 1 vs. Stoke 1

North of the Border is the Geordie Clash as both teams try to avoid relegation. Both poor teams and I can’t split them on this one. Again I’ll sit on the fence. Newcastle 2 v Sunderland 2

 

A few pics from Paddy’s Day with a few old and new faces

 

A few of the old football lads

Some of Irelands finest.

And on St Pats Day you always find a few new friends.

even more as the night gets set.

And when the 'Love Doctor's' come in Victoria and Craig you know your in for the long haul.

Meanwhile across town, Enda got his FREE Green Tie, Kanser was hammered early and Ronan went about 8 shades lighter in hair colour to celebrate the day.

Schoolboy Gleeso and Corky O'Connor sampled the black stuff throughout the day.

Then I saw Gleeso's twin later in the day.

The one day of the year where a Guinness is good for you.


Have a great weekend.
Train well and stay safe

Slainte