The 'DIAY' people You know, and the cost of it for them!

 

You will know the people I'm talking about. I used to be one. It could well be you are one of the people. The DIAY people. I did it in my business; and it was tiring, stressful, and hard to stay motivated. It also meant making sacrifices and doing less of what I really loved. 

Others do it at home, at work, in their club or organisation. DIAY people, Do It All Yourself!

Examples, you ask? Fixing your own lawnmower, cutting your own hair, writing your own CV, doing all the admin for the club you are in, doing the accounts for the local charity free, covering HR and stationery and IT and admin in your business.  Nothing wrong with this until you come under scrutiny. The lawnmower breaks down and costs you extra in parts no longer covered under warranty, your hair now 'looks' like the front lawn, you get no answers to the CV’s you send out, you delete half the membership of the club by accident, the Revenue audits the charity accounts and you get the blame, and your client base falls away cause you spend too much time on your business rather than in it.

Then we cry out for the help of an expert, after the damage is done. 

‘Everyone I meet knows more than me.’ A phrase I heard more than 10 years ago. Let that sink in.

‘Everyone I meet knows more than me.’

Give yourself the time when networking, to listen to everyone intently. Rather than talking about yourself. Listen to what they know more than you. And take note of that expertise.

Then next time you have a job to do at home, in your club or organisation, or in your business just ask yourself who knows more about that than me. And reach out to them.

I have, and the results are twofold. 1- Things get done professionally and in less than half the time it would have taken me. 2- It frees up time for me to do what I love doing most.

Patrick Mercie

Mind Coach

Moving people, organisations, companies from F.L.A.W.S. © to FLOW!!

+353 83-3008963

patrickmercie66@hotmail.com 

What you might do instead of listening to bad or scary news!!

 

When was the last time you carefully listened to all the information that is thrown at you? The last time that you really took in what is being constantly drip-fed to you?

 

13 Hospitals have no free intensive care beds.

Dutch officials confiscate ham sandwiches from UK visitors as a result of Brexit.

Trump supporters planning armed protests ahead of Biden inauguration, FBI warns.

Status Yellow - Rainfall Warning for Mayo and Sligo.

Rugby's European cups temporarily suspended due to Covid-19.

 

Headlines from official news channels this Tuesday. On Twitter this morning some of the trends are:

#motherandbabyhomes #fakenews #CovidVaccine #Brexit #USCapitol

If you were to add feelings to all those pieces of information, what would those feelings be?

Just for a brief moment think what feelings go with these topics?

Now ask yourself if these are feelings you love having in your life?

 

NO? Then what can you do about this?

 

From experience here are a few questions to start you off on a different journey:

 

What would it mean to you to have other feelings in your life?

What feelings would you like in your life?

What impact, would having those feelings in your life, have on you?

What actions can you take today that will give you these feelings?

I invite you to take 1 positive action from the last answer. 1 that is good for you. And try it out! See if it gets you the feeling and if that feeling is worth having.

 

If you struggle to come up with positive actions that is OK too, we have had to endure the above information stream for a long time in our lives. It’s all about small steps to change. It’s about creating a bubble of positivity around yourself and once that is there, we can start thinking of bigger changes.

What can you do now if you have no immediate positive actions?

 

From personal experience and that of my clients here are 2 things that really work and are easy to do.

1- Each evening before you go to bed, write down the 3 best things that happened to you that day. Small things, simple things, big things, achievements, thank you’s. They all count. In my last week, there were best things in my life like a call with a really good friend, a dinner that tasted wonderful, a new contract signed with an existing client, a dog walk, a song I hadn’t heard for ages.

When you have written all 3 down, add a feeling to them and relive that feeling for a minute.

2- While we have to stay home as much as we can, do go Outdoors at least once a day. No phone, no music. Just you (and if you want the children, dog, partner) and the outdoors. Walk, run, cycle, skip, sit on a mat, work in the garden. Whichever. And see how you feel during and after.

Changing things around in your life is simple. Just do things you love and are good for you. One step at a time.

I can’t wait to hear from you to see how this changes things for you!!

 

Patrick Mercie

Mind Coach

Moving people, organisations, companies from F.L.A.W.S. © to FLOW!!

+353 83-3008963

patrickmercie66@hotmail.com 

Show me your 'Abnormal'.

Ready to get back to 'Normal' soon?

The hope has been raised. Soon, we might be in a situation to all go back to a sense of Normal. To most, it will feel like a great relief after a period of worries, stress, bereavement, social distancing, missing human connections and so much more.

After that brief period of relief, normal will be back at work. And living fully again.

Yet, the ESRI (Economic & Social Research Institute) found that stress at work levels in Ireland doubled between 2010 & 2015. And research by international human resources consultancy Mercer shows that 82% of those questioned here said they face increased stress at work.

Paying those bills comes with a price. Your immune system takes a beating from all those stress responses. Your mental health suffers. Your relationships break down. You indulge in things that allow you to escape reality.

That was our Normal.

But 'Abnormal' doesn't pay the bills!

'In the real world, you can't just do what you love and expect to get paid enough to cover the bills. And if you do, you will have to work so hard it won't be worth the hassle. Most of us will have to do jobs we are not excited about. It gets us to live a normal life.'

I have heard this phrase in many forms and each time I hear it, I agree. That is indeed the reality for most people right now.

Is it worth just discovering your 'Abnormal'?

Here are some side effects myself and some of the people I have worked with have endured since going on a discovery tour of our loves, passions, and joys:

-Personally, I am over 10 years GP free. As in I don't have a GP nor have I had the need to visit one. And I have run 124 Marathons in that time. Because running is one of those joys.
-Using the time they spent escaping from the real world through TV, passive sports, social media etc... they started pursuing their passions 1 hour at a time and have improved mental health, physical health.
-Clients who started engaging with their loves, passions, and joys have since left their jobs and started working for themselves or in collaboration with others. Some quicker than others yet most do so in the time needed to get there.
-Better relationships and a new circle of friends with common interests.
-Improved sleep patterns.
-Healthier lifestyle.

These are just a few of the benefits! There are as many as there are individuals who tried this.

I just wanted to ask you two easy questions:

Would it be worth your while trying to rediscover your loves, passions, and joys? And finding fun ways to start engaging with them?

If, like so many others the answer is Yes, I have good news for you.

You can. You are worth it. You deserve it. Trust yourself. Allow yourself that hope.

Love, Patte xxx

All I want for Christmas is ..... not what you think

A week in a Suite in the Shelbourne? No thanks.
All Ireland corporate box tickets? No thanks.
A limousine with driver and champagne bar? What would I do with that?

An office with staff? No thanks.
A holiday home in Monaco? No thanks
A 60 inch TV with surround sound? What would I do with that?

Love? Joy? Kindness? Yes, please.
It is not your money that will make me happy.
I want to live in simplicity and contribution.
Discovering inner freedom.
Being me.

Chasing numbers? No thanks.
Using a fork and knife to eat a burger? No thanks.
Watching stuff on TV just for the water cooler? Why would I do that?

False promises? No thanks.
Fact free thinking? No thanks.
Expanding wealth portfolio? Why would I do that?

Love? Joy? Kindness? Yes, please.
It is not your money that will make me happy.
I want to live in simplicity and contribution.
Discovering inner freedom.
Being me.

Welcome to my reality.
A world.
Full of presence.
Where we are.
Us.
Unashamedly Us.
Limitless Us.
Lovingly Us.

That's all I want for Christmas. I'll put out a stocking just in case.

Patte xxx

*Inspired by the lyrics of Je Veux by ZAZ

The Stresstive season or the Connective Season?

The festive season is upon us and that brings with it a hive of activities. We have to buy presents, go to office parties, get the food sorted, know when we are going to visit who, make sure we don’t forget anyone, send cards, put up the decorations, …

In the meantime, our daily lives are still the same. We still have a job to go to or to get, children to collect from school, housework needs to be done, bills have to be paid, pets looked after, …

Does all this sound like a festive season, used to rest and reflect on the year that has gone by? A season where we take stock and enjoy the next steps in our lives? A season where we reconnect spiritually, whatever that may mean to you? A season of goodwill, friendship, empathy, and love?

Stresstive Season

Or does it sound like a stresstive season? A season where we are forced to jump through all kinds of hoops to keep everyone happy. When we are expected to be merry 24/7? Where we 'have to' socialise, buy, behave, join in?

What if we made it a Connective Season instead?

How do we do that I hear you ask? What if we tried some or all of the following until early January?

1- Connect with yourself. Give your self some space each day and engage with things you love fully and do so in the moment. ‘Do lots of what you would really like to do, little of what you tolerate and nothing you hate.’ (John Assaraf)

2- Connect with those around you whom you love to see how they are coping. The stresstivities might get to them. Keep your ears and eyes open for signs that they want a break from it. You could be the person they get to share that break with.

3- Connect with the spirit of the time of year. Instead of buying presents, be present. Give time, a listening ear, thank you’s, a smile, empathy, and love to all you meet. Perform random acts of kindness. Volunteer. Cook. Exercise. Dance. Be.

Connective Season

In short, do what is good for you and those around you: Live from within rather than just fitting in without.

Have a Connective season,

Patte xxx

What's Love got to do with it?

As awareness of what really is sinks deeper, the idea of love changes. As Alan Watts purportedly said: “If you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet, you’ll come to understand that you’re connected with everything.” 

So when I love myself, I love everything. (I can see your reaction to this as I type it, ye are a funny bunch!) I love myself enough to do just the things I love doing as much as possible.

  

Carrie Bradshaw agrees with me :)

I love running, writing, good food, traveling, speaking, connecting, guiding, listening to music, coaching, and dancing. So I run, write, eat, travel, speak, connect, facilitate, listen to music, coach and dance as often as I can.

I love myself enough to live a life that is destined for doing what I love and for contribution beyond the idea of myself. Learning to guide and facilitate that change in others.

Not change in the sense of better, richer, faster or more successful. Change to help others to love themselves and do more stuff they love.

So do you express your love for you? Do you do the things you love as often as you can? Do you know you could make a living doing these? A full Living ;) 

It is my premise that if more people reconnected to love, our world would become a different place to live in. Reconnected individuals who love themselves enough to do more of what is truly them. And in that way help others at truly being themselves.

So yes I really love myself. Because love is infectious. And I want it to spread. 

Patte xxx

Belleek Marathon Challenge - Flow lessons!

3 Nights, 4 Days, 2 Marathons, 10's of friends. That was last weekend in Ballina, Mayo. It was the 6th edition of the Belleek Marathon Challenge. This is a relatively small, yet very professionally organised annual running event. Organised by runners Daria Lubinska and Cezary Lubinski.

Wooden Medals and T-Shirt

Day 1. Arrived in Ballina via 2 bus journeys. Limerick-Galway and Galway-Ballina. Dinner in Dillon's Bar and hydration in Harrisons.

Day 2. 6 laps of 7 kilometers in Belleek Forest. Despite overnight heavy rain the paths and trails of the forest were in good shape and grip was found with ordinary Asics runners, even on the many steep inclines and descents. Ran the first 14 kilometers and then figured out I'm a tad out of shape after only running races this year and no training. The 'training' is actually fun running a few times a week and will be resumed as a result of this weekend. Not because of the out of shape feeling. Instead, it was a memory of the good feelings after each daily run that convinced my mind to start running more often again. Finished laps 3, 4, 5 & 6 to the Finish line in the excellent company of Derek Mackessy. Derek runs Ultra's and 100 milers for fun and it was great to share stories for a couple of hours :)

Here's a link to the Saturday start video from the organisers FB page. Saturday had 7k, Half and Full Marathon:
https://www.facebook.com/Belleektrailmarathon/videos/462341867727193/?t=4

That night about 15 of us came together for a meal in the Ballina Manor Hotel. The banter, stories, memories, and dreams were flowing way faster than any beverages and hours flew by. At one stage I looked around our table and guessed there were about 2,500 Marathons between us. It could have been more. What a privilege to be here.

Day 3. Opening loop of about 3 miles, followed by 2 loops of the road to Killala and the Greenway. This road has no single, solitary flat bit in it. You are either going up or downhill. The Greenway was a relief each time. Twisted my knee on a downhill after about 6 miles. Every step after that was uncomfortable and running was painful. Spent the entire 26.2 miles alone in open nature just occasionally sharing encouragements with passing runners on this out and back loop.

Every single step that day was pure bliss. I felt at home. At peace. Living from within. Being. Doing what I love.

Day 4. Bus trip back to Limerick with a big smile and aching feet. And a sense of awareness.

Running has always been my guide to the rest of my life. I type this on Wednesday, 3 days after that 2nd Marathon. And yet again this feeling has permeated everything I do.

Just being. Doing what I love. At peace. From within.

And everything is flowing. Without effort.

Have a free-flowing day!!

Patte xxx

It only took 2 questions.

'I desperately want to succeed', Carolann said when we first met. It was a warmish yet breezy day. Autumn felt far away even though it was just around the corner. The canal bank was bustling with dog walkers, cyclists, and joggers.

'I have been trying to establish my business, have been doing it all myself on a shoestring budget and now that I am finally starting to get some traction I somehow lack the energy to give it that extra push it needs. And I simply have to succeed, my financial situation needs me to make it work.'

There was exasperation in her voice. It was as if the words trembled when she spoke them. She continuously looked to the sky yearning for some guidance or a holy intervention. She was gesticulating with her hands and had stopped walking.

'What do I have to do to get the extra energy to make this work? I need your input, Patrick.'

She gazed straight into my eyes. 'Well, what have I missed?', she exclaimed looking for some immediate words of wisdom.

'Remind me please', I enquired, 'What was it that got you into this field?'

Her pupils widened, a smile appeared. She looked down to one side as if trying to go into the feeling from memory. A story emerged. She spoke fluently, with passion describing the seminal moments that gave her the reason she got into what she is doing Now.

'How often do you feel that way these days?', I asked.

Suddenly she stopped talking and walking. She just stood there for at least 2-3 minutes. Silently.

Then she spoke again. 'Thanks, I had forgotten all this in my busyness to get a business going. I know what to do now'. She smiled and we hugged.

Sometimes all we need is to go within ourselves. Because there are all the resources and tools and feeling that we require to be awesome.

Remember, you are complete. You are whole. You are Potential.

'La Porte D'Argent' - The myth of continuous growth.

I was reminded this morning of an episode of Frasier, an American sitcom that ran from 1993 to 2004. It's central character Frasier Crane moves back to his hometown Seattle where he lives with his father, a retired cop, and where he works as a radio psychiatrist.

In this Episode, called Door Jam, Frasier and Niles, his brother, score an invitation to 'La Porte D'Argent'. This turns out to be an exclusive day spa. They get wonderful treatment and as they are about to leave they spot a Golden Door. They are told this is for Gold Level members only and you need to be on a list. They use their connections to get into the Gold Level where the service is amazing. As they are sitting in a relaxation grotto when they spot a Platinum Door. Anxious to find out what is behind it they try to get through the door which to their amazement is open. They barge into the other side ..... only to end up outside with the bins at the back of the building with the door shut behind them.

It dawned on me that we often do the same.

We are set targets at work. And when we reach the targets, they get increased. Time after time. Until we fail to reach them. Then an inquest starts.

We set goals for ourselves. We work hard towards them, making sacrifices. We persevere through tough days and give ourselves 100%. Then we reach the goal. We celebrate. And set another one. And another one. And then we fail to reach a particular goal and we feel deflated and useless.

We want more money than we can spend so we can invest. We need to top our investments because bad times might come. We need a great pension scheme for old age. We need more bedrooms, a bigger garden, an SUV for driving through the city, a second Michael Kors handbag. And then we never stop getting and wanting.

To be grateful that today you find yourself in 'La Porte d'Argent'. We have forgotten that. To be grateful for being here today. We have forgotten that. To be mindful and live in the Now. We have forgotten that.

To listen to the birds, cuddle the dog, admire the rainbow, save a bee, hug a tree, swim in a lake, love each other. Can we remember this?

We can seek continuous growth. Or we can live. Be. Just simply be. And do from that being.

I have chosen. Have you?

The sorcery of being indifferent to Mondays.

And just like that, it’s frickin’ Monday again. The Boomtown Rats didn’t like Monday. The Bangles found it to be a ‘Manic’ day. And most of us don’t want it to happen, ever. And yet. Every 7 days. It reappears.

So why do we hate it? Let’s check with the science people.

We socialise more often at weekends. This disturbs our energy levels.

We have ‘lie-ins’. That messes up our body clock.

So, you are physically less alert.

When you feel physically less fit, you ‘feel’ worse. Studies have shown people feel less attractive on Monday.

We feel Mondays are the worst day and so it becomes that. So we feel ‘blue’ about it.

A massive Gallup study states 70% hate or is disengaged from their job. And most ‘jobs’ start on Monday at 9am.

So, you are mentally in a lesser state.

No wonder must of us feel shite about this day.

And yet some people say they Love Mondays. Who are those freaks? I have met them and am still unsure if they mean it or just say they do to piss you off. 😉

Me, I am indifferent to Monday. I mean the word Monday. I feel the same about the words Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Am I, too, a freak? Well, some of the people I have worked with feel the same. What kind of sorcery is this?

Here are a few things we do differently.

1- We live in the moment and are, as Tim Minchin described, micro-ambitious. We understand that engaging fully in each moment gives us plenty of rewards.

2- We slowly yet steadily start seeking out the good things we love doing most and do more of this.

3- We attach importance in doing that what we do in the flow. Without distractions, naturally, from within.

4- We accept we are complete human beings and have everything we require already within us.

Let me pause here and give you some personal side effects that came from living this way.

I’m 1 month away from being 10 years GP free (that includes no colds nor flu). Opportunities appear everywhere because I am not fixated on some future goals and life. This led to 4 new ‘business’ partnerships in the last 2 months alone. I have run 120 Full Marathons between the age of 42 and 53 and am not done. And there is more but that is for a next blog or book 😊

Do you want to know more? Check this page for upcoming events, talks, weekends, etc…

Contact me directly by email to ask about working with me.

Just trust yourself. You can do this too. Yes, you.

Imagine becoming indifferent to the word Monday. Doing more of what you love. And still making a Living. Imagine what that would feel like.

You are so worth it.

Patrick xxx

Letting go of it all. A personal lesson.

Adolesence sucked. It happened later for me than for any of my peers. From being average height and weight I turned into the smallest of them all.

Add to that a high IQ. And being the only atheist kid in secondary school. I was the only one who didn't do his 'confirmation'. You get the picture? Bullying, ridiculed, beaten up, shunned. By peers and the 'Christian' Brothers.

Cue Loneliness. Fear. Rejection. Self doubt.

I started adapting myself by acting more like everyone else so I could belong. Helping others without asking back. Behaving like others so I wasn't lonely. Listening to music because it was popular. And so on .....

(A more in-depth story of my journey is one for a book.)

Somehow I got stuck in that way of thinking. In Uni. In any job I got. In most relationships I had. Because this was never who I truly was and every single time these things would fall apart or suffer. Dropped out of Uni. Lost or quit jobs. Sabotaged relationships.

What also continued was the Loneliness. Fear. Rejection. Self doubt. And adapting myself and pleasing others and doing stuff without asking back.

To stop fear and rejection I adopted a professional procrastination attitude. To stop loneliness I started joining in the adoration of people I never met. Sports clubs, rock stars, celebrities. To stop self doubt I invented stories.

And yet the only results were still Loneliness. Fear. Rejection. Self doubt.

It was time to let go of these. At some stage I started doing self development courses, reading personal development books, getting diplomas as a Coach. I set up a practice as a Qualified Life Coach. I met some wonderful people since. Some. Not that many. But enough to not fell lonely anymore.

Still there was fear, rejection, self doubt. I had to let them go yet the harder I tried the stronger the resistance was.

So I stopped trying. I thought I had anyway. I hadn't. I had just discovered another mask to hide behind. People were still taking advantage of my good nature. Stealing ideas, belittling me behind my back, bullying continued.

And then all of a sudden (as a result of interacting with some awesome people) I became aware. And conscious. Of what everything really is. About the purposelessness of life. That we are simply life realising itself. About the beauty of living in the flow. About the fact that reality is merely a perception. About the Now. About the fact that I was always a complete human.

And I met more truly awesome people.

And then today I got an email. From someone from the past demanding stuff from me. I dismissed it.

And everything fell off me. All the fear, rejection, loneliness, self doubt.

All that is left now is being. Doing what is in front of me. Giving 100% to what and whom I decide. Guiding others to that freedom through Coaching, NLP, Speaking and Writing. Running Marathons. Doing Radio. Podcasts. Just be.

Free. Direct. Straight talking. Loving. Compassionate. Passionate. Kind. No rules. No obligations. No attachments.

Free to live from within. 24/7.

Karma can go f**k itself. Wait, that's impossible. It doesn't exist.

Being doing. Not easy. Yet possible. And simple.


Have a fabulous day

Patte xxx

I had to run naked - and it changed everything.

It happened a good few years ago. I never forget it. It was the biggest Marathon of the year. At that time about 14,000 people lined the streets for the annual Dublin Marathon. I was ready. All the gear was ready. The clothes picked out. The people on the course to support me.

The starting time was getting nearer. Nervous anticipation took over. Can't wait. Let's go!

And then it happened. It snapped. In 2. Beyond repair. 3 minutes before the start. So I had to run without it and go naked. For the whole 26.2 miles.

Yet nobody looked at me funny. Nobody stopped me. Nobody showed disgust.

As for me I thoroughly enjoyed it. Every mile of it. Every minute of it. And I ran a PB. And I have ran naked ever since.

And I have ran naked ever since.

Yes, I can hear you think. What is he on about? Running naked? Surely not.

Yes, absolutely. I haven't run with a watch since the strap broke that morning in Dublin.

Since that day, I discovered the freedom of running for pure joy and listening to my body and what it is telling me. Not my mind, not a watch. Just listen to my body.

Some days I run long, some days short. Some days I run fast (for me) and some days I run slow. some days I don't even feel I'm running.

What else changed from that day? Not a single running injury to report on since that day and I have done 70 odd of my 110 Full or Ultra Marathons since that naked moment.

More joy, more freedom, more fun, less injuries.

More joy, more freedom, more fun, less injuries.

All because of a chance moment.

The day I ran naked was the day running became fun.

And now I am learning to do other things naked. Not the way they are 'supposed' to be done attached to numbers and time. Rather how it feels and is fun.

Step by step, living consciously.

Patte xxxxxx

Living and running like the River Shannon.

This blog is about storytelling. In the last 10 years since my first Marathon I have learned so much about myself from running. And the stories helped me with that. And it changed my life.

The reason? I love running. So it comes easy. And yet a few times it became hard. Sometimes I cried. Sometimes I laughed. Sometimes I wanted to quit. Sometimes I wanted to keep going past the finish line of a 'race'.

All of those moments were what they were. Moments. So I let them in and do their thing. And let it play out. And what happened was learning.

About all the feelings attached to all those moments. And then I asked better questions. Which of these feelings did I like most? How could I recreate those moments? What was I aware of in those moments? Where did my thoughts come from? Were they real or illusions?

The discoveries were experimental and counter-intuitive. Here they are: The more I concentrated on achievement, the less I enjoyed what I loved doing. The more I just went with the flow and listened to my body (inner core), the deeper the experience.

The more I planned for a moment in the future, the less fun I had training.

So I started 'training' in the moment, aware of everything around me and the feelings inside me. And it became flow. Like a river. Like the Shannon near my house. Obstacles came and went in the flow like rocks and tree trunks on a rivers path. Sometimes there was a deluge and sometimes there was a drought.

Like the Shannon near my house.

And all was OK. It became joy over effort. Momentary joy over planned masterpieces. And the races became moments themselves. Joyful moments.

It became effortless, limitless, boundary free and utter fun.

It became effortless, limitless, boundary free and utter fun.

Now for the consciousness part. The only commonality needed for transferring this to other areas of life is LOVE. Find other things that are good for you and you love doing so much it gives you energy and makes time disappear. Then apply the same principles.

And let the flow commence. Like the mighty River Shannon. All the way to the Atlantic. To become part of something bigger. something you were always part of. Yet now consciously.

Patte 08/06/2018 xxxxx

Tralee International Marathon, a special experience.

Most people in Ireland visit Kerry. Most use Killarney or Dingle as their base. Most also bypass Tralee. I for one fail to understand that.

On Paddy's weekend all roads lead to .... 

Every time I go there I have the most wonderful of weekends. There are great food spots, plenty of lively bars and is far better value for money than the aforementioned. And you don't have to drive far to come across amazing scenery at Fenit, Banna Strand, Ballyheigue or Kerry Head.

Banna Strand near Tralee

Then there is the people. I have lost count of the amount of the amount of friends I have made on my trips to Tra Li. This weekend was no different.

St Patrick's Day weekend means only one thing for the last few years. It's Tralee International Marathon weekend. Now managed by Tralee Harriers AC it starts and finishes at the Tralee Wetlands, a beautiful spot just across from the Aquadome. There is a 5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon.

Tralee Aquadome

Tralle Wetlands, start and finish of Tralee International Marathon

Traveled the day before on St Patrick's day by train so as to not to get stuck behind the many parades in the towns between Limerick and Tralee. Number pick up in the Rose Hotel, meeting some good Marathon Club Ireland friends, John, Vincent, Catherine, Lindsey and Humphrey to name but a few. You see, long distance and marathon running is also about building friendships and meeting up. It's half sport, half social connection.

Off for dinner in the Brandon before bedtime and met with John and Sheila from MCI. Thanks for the company at dinner, the conversation was great.

The race was at 9.30am so there was time for a proper breakfast where I got talking to a family from Kilmallock who had 2 members doing the Half Marathon. We nearly missed the start we were having such fun telling stories. Do you see a trend yet? Marathons are FUN events with FUN people. Also at the start I met with Jennifer and Patrick from my hometown near Brussels who had come over to Tralee to take part!! It truly is an international marathon :)

After the start and a lap of the lake we started the first of two 13.1 mile loops around Tralee with a stretch of the Canal. While the route (on link below) is rolling there is only really 2 hills on each lap making it 4 hills in total. The first is actually short enough while the second is longer and gets a bit steeper later on in the climb.

Route

This was only my 3rd run past 10 miles in over 3 months and I was surprised how easy the first lap was as I came through the first half in just a few minutes over 2 hours. Near the end of the first loop the snow came and it became colder and denser as we continued in lap 2. Thanks to Liz Leonard, Catherine Guthrie and Pat Torpey for miles of company on separate occasions. These chats are wonderful and make the miles melt as fast as the falling snow did thankfully.

There was a couple of loop backs and places where you could see fellow runners and it was great to see so many familiar MCI faces from all over the country.

While loop 2 was tougher on me because of the lack of mileage so far this year I managed to finish the whole Marathon in splendid form and with a smile on the face and a wee dance over the finish line.

Still smiling after 26.2 miles, bling included

The run was also made easier by countless marshals and volunteers some dressed in cartoon characters and most must have been really cold standing out there for hours. Without them we would not do what we love. So a big, big thank you to them :)

Oh, and let's leave the last and best mention to the most amazing group of people called Born To Run Tralee Marathon Club!! The nicest, craziest, friendliest, most compassionate group of people you will meet on the running circuit. I feel privileged and honoured to be a member! And they know how to party as hard as they run!!

Born To Run Tralee Marathon Club after party!!

As mentioned in the last blog the mojo is firmly back. Next up East of Ireland Marathon on Saturday 24th next in Longwood, County Meath for number 3 of 2018! Bring it on!!

Next visits to Tralee are July 28th for the Born to Run 40 Mile and August 25th for the Kerry 100K!!

Miles with Smiles.

Patte xxx

The Battle of Clontarf - On a Wednesday morning in March.

I love the Promenade in Clontarf. It's Dublin, but not really. It's on the coast, but not really. It's a calm place, but not really.

I has it's own feel. The people in the shops and restaurants and businesses have a distinct different swagger than those from say just one Dart station away at Connolly. It feels cosmopolitan and yet removed from suburbia or inner city at the same time. You get an idea that you are moving away from one way of life to another and you're kind of in transitional mood.

On one side Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse. On the other Killester, Raheny, Sutton and Howth. Oh Howth, I so want to run your Summit again soon, just for fun 4 times!

On Wednesday morning about 15-20 of us gathered for another edition of an East of Ireland (EOI) Marathon Series Midweek Marathon. I did this route before and enjoyed it every single time. Simple route, 8 times out and back from the wind monument to the wooden bridge. As flat as a crepe, pancakes have distinctly more undulations than this route. And if you wish a mixture of tarmac and grass. Plus the friendly banter of all EOI events.

I ran there in the sun and I ran there in the rain before. And it is always a tad breezy. Even in Summer :)

Another thing to enjoy that morning was the friendly faces of fellow midweek marathon treat (Liz Morrin's words) lovers. Too many to name in case I forget one but you know we hugged it out before starting.

Before the Start with Collette O'Hagan, Teresa Bradley Taaffe, Maighread Ryan and Philips Miles :) 

8 am. Off ye go! Our warmly dressed Race Director Frank McDermott lets us off the leash.

Well, off the leash. Within meters it becomes clear this is going to be energy sapping. The out bit of each lap is into a very, very stiff wind. I'm actually keeping the training pants and jacket on and a hat and they won't come off for the entire run. The wind is joined by a steady lashing of rain which soaks us right through on the first lap. Struggling run to the first turning point and then wind in the back to the 5K-ish mark at the start.

On Lap 2 a lot of us started walking into the breeze which is getting stronger. These are seasoned Marathon runners and they are walking after 6K!! We're in for an endurance test. At the back end off the course the sea is crashing over the wall onto the promenade and we all get drenched several times. A lot of us start taking cover on the grass beside the path but that has been soaked too. On Lap 3 the promenade at the back is now flooded and the grass is our alternative.

Flooding on Clontarf Promenade

Normally this is weather I thrive in. Today is different. This is becoming too much like a walk and run. And the fun is ebbing out of the event for me. So I decide to drop to the Half Marathon and call it a great training day. I used to continue on runs where the fun ebbs yet since I started living intentionally and putting joy and love for all I do first this has changed.

The decision is doing a Half and enjoying every minute. Instead of persisting to the Full and spending 2 hours surviving mentally. It is these things that took my mojo for a while recently. The feeling of having too.

Now I am free and secure in the understanding and awareness that in running as in many other parts of life, I don't have to. I love to or want to. Yes to those. But have to, nope; them days are gone.

So with a big smile on my face I finished lap 4 and 21K. Soaked to the core, but happy in the knowledge that one I have the mojo for running firmly back and two I know when to say yes and when to say no.

The Battle of Clontarf Anno 2018 was glorious, wet, windy and above all fun. Thanks to all my co-runners for your greetings, hugs, encouragements, smiles and company. Maighread Ryan, Elizabeth Morrin, Collette O'Hagan, Elaine McAnulty, Deirdre Dolan, Vanessa Armstrong, Teresa Bradley Taaffe, David Brady, John Chapman, Zaldy Peralta, Charles O'Duffy, James Kelly, Greg O'Beirne. Apologies to any I forgot, the wind distorted my memory.

Next adventure this Sunday the 18th I take part in the Tralee International Marathon organised by Tralee Harriers AC. See some of you there. I'll blog on it midweek.

The world kinda runs out of you.

Whatever the day delivered to you. Whatever the traffic brought you. Whatever the people you met or engaged with did or said to you. Whatever your circumstances right there and then. Whatever you think tomorrow might or might not bring.

Whatever the weather. Whatever your mood. Whatever the time of day or night.

The moment you pull on the shorts, the singlet, the socks and the runners. Put on the head torch. Stack the keys, phone and some spare change in a flip-belt.

And you set foot outside that door.

Then all ceases to exist except for the road ahead. You might not know how far. Nor how fast. Because you are a long distance road runner.

And with every passing stride the world kinda runs out of you. And all is good.

Miles with Smiles xx Patte

PS: Mine's running, what makes the world run out of you???

Lusk and a running resurrection, kind of.

3 Months. with just a few parkruns in Melbourne, Sydney and Limerick and a 10K for Milford Hospice.

Darebin parkrun Melbourne

Milford 10K start at UL

Mosman parkrun Sydnery with Katie, Eoin and Nessa

It had been 3 months since 26.2 or more was on the diary. And no training either. As if reaching the 100 Marathon mark in November had been a finish line. Even though it was always clear it wasn't. It kind of became one. And it didn't stop at 100. Yet at 102. Odd.

And then it dawned on me. I keep sharing with people the knowledge that targets and goals have that effect. You get a brief moment of exhilaration and a sense of gratifying achievement. And then nothing. A void. Then the need for a next target. And we end up chasing forever. Or we come to a sudden halt.

Which is what happened to me. The 100 had become a target. It had installed itself in my subconscious mind and then into my logical thinking. I planned the date, the race, the people. And as predicted above after the exhilaration came the void. And it lasted 3 months.

Until I became aware that I was slipping back into habits I thought I had eradicated once I started running. That awareness led to 1 simple little act. Which is all it often takes to reconnect. 1 simple act you can do right now.

I booked a Marathon online. 17th of February in Lusk, County Dublin with East of Ireland Marathon Series. It was race 3 of a 4 race Quad with East Antrim Marathon Series. There. 1 simple act.

And act 2 followed. I set out a clear intention for running. I will run as often as I can, as far as I can,  as long as I enjoy it.

I didn't even train for the race. Just drove up on the Friday evening with my number 1 supporter Maura and stayed in an airport hotel. The days of getting up at stupid o'clock to drive a few hours to an 8am start are gone. This is about having fun doing what I love doing.

Arrived at the Club house of soccer team Lusk AFC for registration and was immediately hit by one thing. Nope, not the icy underfoot conditions. The sun would take care of those in a while. I was hit by camraderie, friendship, hugs and a wave of well wishes. I have gotten to know so many wonderful, positive, amazing, resilient, funny and caring people. And many were there. Too many to mention. (you'll get to know them all on this blog, this is about them too).

The race itself. Very well organised by Frank, Gary and Ger from EOI (East of Ireland Marathon Series) as they always are. Banter galore. Amazing and friendly marshals and volunteers. 4 loops of undulating fun and amazing views from the top of non-existing hills. I did not know North County Dublin was that beautiful. But then most of Ireland is, especially when seen on foot.

We ran wee country roads. Past farms, railways, leafy houses. We met galloping horses, dogs chasing cars and runners. For 26.2 glorious miles. I am back. And it feels wonderful. It feels great. It feels lovely.

Start at 8am in Lusk

8am start group in Lusk

We're back 

Lovely EOI bling

All it took was 1 simple act and an intention. But then doesn't everything start like that. Certainly when done with love.

Oh, and I'm booking my next marathon today. Saturday March 3rd. With Marathon Club Ireland on the gorgeous grounds of the University of Limerick. Link to Book Here

Hope to see some of you there.

Miles with smiles, intentionally.

Patte xxx