A different kind of Foggy Dew!

Sacrifices are not really sacrifices if you enjoy what you do instead of what you leave behind! I have in my Coaching practice often heard people talk about giving things up. What has worked most effectively for them is to pick something else up instead and through action forget about what you are giving up.

To concentrate on what I want to achieve this year, 12 Marathons in 12 Months, I knew I had to leave some things behind. Gone is all alcohol, even the one glass with dinner or the pint watching a match. Gone are the late nights watching stuff on Netflix. Instead it is mugs of tea, bottles of water and bed at 10.30pm 7 nights a week. I have to concentrate on better food next :)

What I get in return is priceless. I sleep better, am more productive, feel alert, am definitely 100% alive, spot opportunities faster, train easier and I am getting stronger. Much stronger.

The only Foggy Dew for me this weekend therefore was that of the weather variety on Sunday. When I set off before 11am it was 0 degrees and there was a dense fog in Limerick that never lifted. It added mystical proportions to my 16 mile run through back roads in Gillogue in Clare over to the gorgeous UL campus and back into the city for another spin on it's empty streets.

The previous day I had done a 9 Mile run in 8min10 miles without flinching. I thought I would suffer on Sunday, it being only 2 weeks after a Marathon. But no, I felt comfortable enough throughout the 2 Hours 20 it took me. I am definitely getting stronger. So giving up has again meant picking up good stuff in return. I completed my first 50 Mile week of the year in the process.

This week will be a challenge as it's my birthday and I am going for a meal Thursday and maybe a music session afterwards. The thoughts of the 30 odd Miles of bliss planned for the weekend should make it easy to stay alcohol free for this too. :)

Have a great week and see you Friday where I might have some news on a launch event for my charity drive. In the mean time you can donate on http://www.mycharity.ie/event/patrick_mercies_12marathonsin12monthsin2015

I have also made it to the Gorta Self Help Africa website with my running. Check the article on http://www.selfhelpafrica.org/ie/news/161-12-marathons-in-12-months

All quiet on the Mid-Western Front.

I didn't go running yesterday, that was only the second time in 2 weeks. The reason was that I was attending a BNI (Business Network International) Networking meeting at 6.30am and a book launch by fellow adopted Limerick man Colm O'Brien from Carambola Kidz at 6.30pm. Just a by the way but if you are in business or thinking about starting one, get his book. It's out now and called 'Feeding Johnny', excellent read. It is real, talks about failure and success and there is loads of tips in it written by an Irish Entrepreneur who has known both sides of the coin and is a big investor in the communities he operates in. Here's a pic of it!

Anyway I took 24 hours off from running. Apart from the 12 Marathons in 12 Months in 2015 for Gorta Self Help Africa I am also trying to run 2015 miles in 2015, a challenge thrown at me by a fellow club member on a Facebook page. One day of not running means catch up. And I love catch up. So this weekend it's 10K after work tonight (6.21 miles in marathon runners lingo, we don't count kilometers), 9.15 miles tomorrow morning and somewhere around 16 Miles on Sunday. My 2nd Marathon is 3 weeks away on Saturday 28th and my 3rd only 2 weeks after that in Tralee on March 15th.

So all's been relatively quiet here apart from my blogs. That, just like the film's storyline, is about to change. In the coming weeks I will be announcing events and ways for you to help me in a very real sense. I need to raise €12,000 this year and am willing to do what it takes to get there. Are you willing to help? If you nodded yes to that keep an eye on my blog every Monday and Friday.

In the mean time feel free to share this blog, comment on it and donate €12 (€1 for every Marathon) or whatever amount you can or want to on http://www.mycharity.ie/event/patrick_mercies_12marathonsin12monthsin2015

Have a great weekend, I'll be running miles with smiles and you???? Talk to you Monday!

The Silence of the Lamp Posts and the extra challenge!

I usually took a week off after a Marathon. Regardless of how many races you do or have done, recovery is important. If running a Marathon was easy, everyone would be doing it. It is not, it is a challenge to be respected and prepared for (and after). So I used to take a week off.

I didn't this time. I recovered through better nutrition and by planning recovery runs. That's the not so sexy part of this challenge. Running slowly when it hurts in the dark on a very cold evening, counting lamp posts; endless lamp posts. Monday 10K, Tuesday 10K, Wednesday OFF. Recovery nearly complete in 3 days!

Thursday 10K, Friday 10K. Laying the base for the weekend's longer distances. Saturday 9.15 Miles (14.7K) and Sunday 13.81 Miles (22.2K). In daylight, counting happy thoughts. Recovery complete!

These are the weeks that count, 47.8 Miles or 76.9 Kilometres. That's from Limerick to Nenagh then to Roscrea and setting off on the road to Portlaoise. That's what's needed to respect the 12 Marathons in 12 months challenge. On top of running a business and a personal live. It is manageable, it can be done. I'm proof of it and I'm not more human than anyone else.

Motivation helps achieving these challenges. A big WHY (see previous blog) and big MOTIVATION. That motivation also comes from a challenge set online by fellow MCI (Marathon Club Ireland) runner and 300+ Marathon legend Collette O'Hagan. She challenged me and a whole bunch of other people on Facebook to try and run 2015 Miles in 2015.

Last year I ran 1188 Miles. So I put an Excel spread sheet together. It told me I had to run an average of 5.52 Miles EVERY day for the WHOLE year to achieve the 2015 Miles.

As it stands on February 1st I had accumulated 186.64 Miles so far in 2015, 10 Miles ahead of target. This challenge is helping immensely with motivation for me to get up and run 6 days a week. Thanks Collette, superb idea!

This week is another week of counting lamp posts, maintaining a minimum of 38.64 Miles to keep up with the 2015 challenge (I have planned 50Miles but we will see how it goes) and preparing for Marathon number 2 on February 28th.

Do you know I didn't actually watch any sports all weekend. That's new for me. I guess I'm too busy enjoying my life to look at that of others :)

You can support me by donating on http://www.mycharity.ie/event/patrick_mercies_12marathonsin12monthsin2015

Talk to you Friday, I'm planning non running events to help me with fundraising and will talk about these soon!

Commitment! The art of dodging excuses.

We got away with it in Limerick City once again in the last few days. Here; no snow or hail or other inclement weather situations. Actually yesterday evening was pretty much my favourite weather conditions for running. Cool and breezy, a drizzle would have made it perfect.

Yet I saw quite a few pictures on my timeline of people braving the elements in other parts of the country to run, cycle and exercise outdoors despite snow, hail and less than ideal conditions. So why do most of these people do it? I can't answer for them but what I do on a bad weather day is dress appropriately and train according to the circumstances. My Why is bigger than my excuses.

I run because it's part of my lifestyle, I run because it keeps me energised, I run because it is my meditation, I run because it frees me spiritually, I run because I want to help give female farmers in Africa an opportunity, I run because I know I inspire others to run or exercise. And there is more.

All these reasons together form my Why. And my Why is bigger than any weather. And that's the reason I exercise nearly every day.

Here's this week's Running Schedule (take note this is the first week after a Marathon Race) to give you a taste of the commitment it takes to run 12 Marathons in 12 months in 2015 for Gorta Self Help Africa:
Monday: 6.21Miles (10K)
Tuesday: 6.21Miles (10K)
Wednesday: REST
Thursday: 6.21Miles (10K)
Friday: 6.21Miles (10K)
Saturday: 9.15 Miles (14.5K)
Sunday: 13.81 Miles (22K)

With this challenge just like with anything in life, your WHY needs to be bigger than your excuses. As a Life & Personal Coach that and motivation is a particular expertise area.

What do you want to achieve in 2015 or beyond? What is your WHY to achieve it? Is your WHY big enough? It would be good to answer those questions first.

Meanwhile my 2nd Marathon of the 12 is tomorrow 4 weeks on February 28th around the University of Limerick area. If you are in Limerick come give us a shout that day. And you can sponsor me in my Gorta Self Help Africa challenge on http://www.mycharity.ie/event/patrick_mercies_12marathonsin12monthsin2015

Talk to you Monday, Running Miles with Smiles!!!!!

The effects of ice on an empty stomach! A race report!

Limerick, Friday January 23rd 5pm. We set off in the dark direction Tullamore. I just had a Dioralyte solution to rehydrate as I am still not recovered form the food poisoning earlier that week. I have never felt less ready for a long distance run, let alone a Marathon. Half way up the road I realise I have not said a word and that's not me. I'm anxious.

Tullamore, Friday January 23rd 7pm. Staying in familiar surroundings sounded like a good idea so I booked the Tullamore Court hotel where I have stayed numerous times. The rooms are excellent here and I always sleep well in them.

Tullamore, Friday January 23rd 830pm. When in Tullamore you have to go to the Captains Table. It is an Italian restaurant in the town that not only has superb food, it also has some of the best customer service I have come across and the (Turkish) owner is a true charmer and gent. My first hot meal since Tuesday. Pasta Carbonara and a Vanilla Crème Brulee with copious glasses of water. Excellent dinner!

Tullamore, Saturday January 24rd, 7am. The 2 dishes last night were creamy. Silly that, Patrick!! Not the fault of the food but I still I wake with stomach cramps and irregular bowel movements :) No breakfast other than a banana, 2 chocolate chip muffins, a bottle of water, a dioralyte solution and some bowel regulating medication.

Tullamore, Saturday January 24rd, 8.15am. It's +1 outside the Hotel and we need to scrape ice of the windows. It's going to be a cold start.

Lilliput Adventure Centre, Lough Ennell, Westmeath. Saturday 24rd, 9.10am. It's -2 at the Start line and the early 8am start (Marathon Club Ireland have an early start at their races to accommodate those who have to travel back long journeys or will take more time) has been delayed until now because of ice on the roads and conditions not fit for running.

Lilliput Adventure Centre, Saturday 24rd, 9.50am. It's time for us to start. It's still below Zero and there is still ice but in patches and the sides of the road are clearing slowly. There is 120 doing the Full Marathon today covered over both starts and 40 doing a Half marathon. We have a small loop of about 2 miles and then 4 loops of roughly 6 miles. There is a 1.5 mile off road jeep track we cover each way (making it 3 miles per lap) and that will be the longest part of each lap and morally the hardest in Laps 3 & 4. The good news is that this is a Marathon Club Ireland Marathon. The women and men of this Club are the cheeriest most positive can do people in this country, FACT! The encouragements are endless and from everyone involved, regardless of speed, seniority! What a Club!

There is food and drink stations at the finish line and half way at the jeep track. I settle in a rhythm of coke and sweets at the finish line and water and sweets at the half way mark. I manage to run the first 20 miles and then walk/run the last 6. The reason being is that the icy roads, great camaraderie and easy going chat took my mind of the stomach cramps I had for the entire race. As tiredness set in after 20 Miles so did the cramps make a great comeback. So Ice settles a stomach, there you have it!

Llliput, Saturday January 24rd, 2.27pm. I finish the 1st of my 12 marathons in 2015 for Gorta Self Help Africa in the company of Ray O'Connor. Ray is the founder of Marathon Club Ireland (MCI) and organiser of many races across Galway and Connemara. Shower, AGM of the Club and back to Limerick in nearly 1 go. The elation has dissipated the stomach cramps!

Big thanks to Vincent Guthrie, race director! To all at Marathon Club Ireland, this is the best organisation ever I have been a member of, you are all awesome! To Maura Coppinger, for all the support, driving and looking after me!

Limerick, Sunday January 25th, 2pm. I set off for a 5 mile recovery run as the training and preparation for the 2nd Marathon on February 28th begins NOW!

You can donate for my chosen charity, Gorta Self Help Africa on http://www.mycharity.ie/event/patrick_mercies_12marathonsin12monthsin2015

From food poisoning to a Marathon start line in 4 days - the journey continues!

A challenge would not be a challenge if it were easy. A challenge would be boring if everything happened exactly the way you planned it.

I've kept saying that to myself for the last 72 hours. You see all was going dandy, except for the tired runs last weekend, until Tuesday afternoon. I had even run a very satisfying 10K on Monday evening. I was travelling to Dublin Tuesday to attend a Book Launch and would come back to Limerick Wednesday morning. So I went to a well known establishment to have a hot lunch before heading off.

I started to feel rumblings on the train. Later that evening at the book launch I got uncomfortable and dizzy and had to apologise myself in the middle of a conversation and sit down. 30 minutes later I made it back to the Hotel and stayed between bedroom and bathroom for 13 solid hours. Food poisoning.

It is now Friday morning and after tablets and rehydration with Dioralyte I feel half human again. Now this would be a very banal story if it was not for the following wee detail. I have a Marathon at 9.30am tomorrow morning in Lilliput, Westmeath and am travelling to Tullamore tonight.

Then this morning as I woke to that realisation 2 things caught my eye;
1- The Gorta Self Help Africa T-Shirt I got from Ciara Tallon in the Charity to wear for a pic after the race tomorrow. This brought me back to the reason I am doing this challenge, creating opportunities for sustainable farming for women in Africa.
2- The Special Olympics wrist band I wear at every training run because I like the slogan on it: Be brave in the attempt. This brought home to me how privileged I am to be able to undertake this challenge of running 12 marathons in 12 months.

So that's what I'll do. Stand at the start line, go and be brave in the attempt. Don't expect a Personal Best in my Monday blog, just expect honest endeavour! For my Belgian friends I'll say it in my Tervuren Dialect: 'k'goen maan devuure doen en op maan szjik baate'

You can sponsor the women in Africa via this link: http://www.mycharity.ie/event/patrick_mercies_12marathonsin12monthsin2015

Heavy legs under broad shoulders!

It's a chilly Monday morning in Limerick as I am reflecting on the past week's running and events. The making or breaking of this challenge is not in the Marathons itself. If I fail to finish 1 of them there should be enough races to complete the 12.

It's the weeks like last week where you train in the dark from Monday to Friday and put on the running gear even before many are having their breakfast while reading the paper on Saturday and Sunday. I wouldn't want it any other way. For me running is fast becoming part of a lifestyle and part of my week. I look forward to the runs (95% of the time) and enjoy doing them, even though it is not just for me anymore; it's also for those women in Africa who deserve the opportunity of getting help setting up their own farm in order to create a sustainable living for their families. As if I needed more motivation I hear some of you say. Well yes I do!

I'm cranking up the mileage to around 40/45 miles a week right now (that's the equivalent of running from Limerick past Nenagh to Roscrea every week) and that hurts sometimes. Like yesterday.

I had run every day bar Tuesday and had done my Saturday 9 mile run half a minute per mile faster than planned. When I woke Sunday morning I had very heavy legs, from 20 miles a week over the festive season to 40+ in 2 weeks was manifesting itself. Plus there was ice on the road and paths in the estate and I had a race in 6 days and the mood wasn't there. And I still had to walk the dog we are minding before thinking of running.

It is moments like this when decisions and promises made to the charity act as the extra motivator. The 2014 me would have stayed at home. The 2015 me did 10 Miles. Instead of the 16 planned, but still 10 done. With the words of Gerry Duffy in his brilliant book 'Tick, Tock, Ten' ringing in my ears: 'Control the controllables!'

I know it's my ego talking but I still felt a bit of pride in myself for going out. It is the responsibility and accountability that partly drove me to put my shoulders under my legs and make the first step. And that's all running takes, one single step!!

You can sponsor me during 2015 on http://www.mycharity.ie/event/patrick_mercies_12marathonsin12monthsin2015

Talk to you Friday when I will be within 24 hours of attempting the 1st Marathon of the Year in Co. Westmeath!!!!