Tag: nice

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Czech once again

Sunset

Landed in Prague and what a difference. You could feel the spring, almost summer. Temperature about 20 and more, sunny, refreshing breeze. Nice weekend in front of us (maybe running in such a condition would be challenging but besides that… no complaints). Taxi into Old City to leave our luggage in the hotel (not best but will do, in the heart of Old Town) and of for walk. This time we were staying in the different part of the town. That was most rewarding. Close to all places we wanted to visit and as well allowed us to discover different places which we never have reached being in Prague last year… Read more

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Christmas time

Shining on with nice

Christmas time. Have spent that time in Poland. Glad that I have visited my Family there. Always good to see them. But will start from the beginning…

I wasn’t too keen on the Christmas visit to Poland. Don’t get me wrong. Time to time I need also to get back to Poland to see my Mum, Sister, Brother in law and nieces but not necessarily during Christmas time. Adding up my running form and mental state I wasn’t sure if visit will be enjoyable. Flight from Dublin. That was a disaster. I was so tired and all I wanted to do was to take a nap. just couple of minutes. But… it was so loud there. Kids were shouting, crying. Usually I don’t mind but this time, cause of Christmas, there was plenty of them and it looks like parents couldn’t handle them. Anyway, I was trying to get at least couple of minutes of sleep. Hoodie on my head, hands on the ears to block the noise but it wasn’t enough. Left the plane tired, half dead. And still had to drive first to my Wife’s Parents house and then back to my Mums. Another 120 km after horrible flight. Good thing was that instead of VW Polo we got A3 (too many cars broken), nice upgrade. First Chociwel. No delays on route, so we were there in less than one hour. After quick hello and goodbye I was on my way to Szczecin. Cause it wasn’t too late I have decided to visit my Sister first. Always better to get useful info before taking to my Mum 😉 we have decided where we will have Christmas Eve, where will be 1st day of Christmas and that I will take my Mum to my in laws for the 2nd day. All decided. After that visit was time to see family home, pass all information to Mum and decide how my visit to Poland will look like. I knew that I will need to continue my running, so already have found near by gym with treadmill. Days should be similar: morning run and gym, helping with Christmas. Of course that would change during 25th and 26th – gym closed. But that was the plan for those couple of days. In theory easy to follow… Read more

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Which way to San Marco?

Eating Venetian style

5:30 woke up to be ready for 7 when Giuseppe will arrive. Bozena wanted to sleep for little bit longer. Before 6 I have woke her up. She wasn’t too happy. I knew that. Not blaming her. 9:40 marathon start and we were leaving at 7. I have prepared my gear for a run. We had small breakfast. And went down the stairs, to wait for Giuseppe. Couple minutes later still no sign of him. Bozena asked me to text him. I actually have checked text which I have received night before… and didn’t want to say to Bozena what I saw in that message. Yep, text was saying that Giuseppe will pick us up at 7:50. Small mistake. But we could sleep about 50 minutes longer. Bozena wasn’t impressed. And I just felt stupid. Could be less tired with longer sleep. Ok, happens sometimes. Our Friend has arrived. We have checked with him if there is any chance for Bozena to be on the starting line with us and then take bus to Venice to cheer us at the end of the run. Unfortunately all roads leading to Venice were close from 10 AM. So, Bozena took the bus same time as we have left the B&B. We were on our way to Satra?? where was the starting line. We have picked up one of Giuseppe’s friend Alesandro. Three of us arrived at the start. Little bit stretching, bag drop and with 8000 other runners to start. 5 entrance gates. I’m in last. Maybe that’s good cause won’t be racing. Just easy run. Just wanted to get to finish if possible in 3:35. Should be doable. Idea was to keep same pace all the time… Start. No, wait. National anthem of Italy first. Surrounded by all these proud Italians screaming their lungs out what most of them thought was singing gave me shivers… Can we start that tradition in Ireland to sing anthem before big races? Read more

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Fall in love with Venice

Grand Canal

That was my third visit to Venice and must say that this time I was enjoying it quite a lot. First time when I was here was almost 15 years ago and from that of experience day I remember just an awful smell. Said to myself that Venice is not worth visiting again. But you never know what life will bring. Second visit in Italy and Venice was maybe 7 or 8 years ago. Short stay, just off email full day here. Decided to go to San Marco, left water bus at Rialto and walked there. Saw Piazza, got quick lunch and decided to walk back to car. But used streets not so popular with tourists. And has change my idea of Venice. Do not go where everybody goes. Use your imagination and allow yourself to be lost in Venice Right then you will start to feel that city,. That was second visit in Venice. And now we had in front of us prospect of another stay there. Wanted to surprise Bozena with that trip but as easy is to hide all preparations (organising B&B, flights, one day off from work with her boss) it is very hide to hide all that bill when they are appearing on the credit card. And Bozena is frequently checking our card spending for any unusual activities. So, there was no surprise for my Wife, she knew all before the trip. She told me that she was actually glad to know about that surprise cause she had could prepare proper clothes for herself and not counting on me being lucky with my choice. There was another thing as well added down the road. Bozena straight from Venice was flying to work conference, so needed to be prepared for that and probably surprise trip (idea was to pick her up from her office just 1.5 hours before the flight)… Read more

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Sunny breezy Clontarf

Sunny medal

I have run that marathon couple of times already… and almost every time was different. This time was very sunny, quite warm, just that very cold wind was causing that everybody runner or not was shivering before the race (supporters have suffered little bit longer)… So, that was a run where I decided to put sleeves on the arms. And I was so glad that I did that. Read more

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Need to know your enemy

First medal from France

Organisation better than in Dublin, similar amount of participants (even though it was only the 7th marathon in Nice. Nice course. Almost whole route is on the sea front. Even though route goes from Nice to Cannes supporters can go on the train and cheer because stations are just right next to the route… All positives but there is just one thing which I haven’t considered – the route. Inclines. Knowing that we will run at the waterfront I have set my mind on the flat run (according to elevation image on the web site it should be flat with just one hump of 30 metres on the whole marathon stretch. But whoever done that incline image had to be fond of the Irish ‘ish’ – from km number 23 to 28 there was a constant incline (Antibes and Cap). You would think that at some stage you will need to go down. Nothing like that. Small decline and again up (seems that sea level is higher there than in Nice). After 28 km route was flatish. Some ups some down, some flats. And again at the 36 km you had to brace yourself for another 2 km incline. Not so steep but at the end of the run it makes big difference. Route was this time my enemy, which I have ignored. Need to remember, assuming something doesn’t mean knowing. Mea culpa… Read more

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9 seconds less…

And I have run my second marathon now… This time it was in Ballina, Co. Mayo. Small marathon, just about 40 participants but atmosphere was great. We have met MCI members as well as organizers from Ballina AC. You can actually say that it was a family weekend not just a race. Read more

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Nice marathon

Marathon 06

So it has been decided… Next marathon will be in Nice at 9th of November. It should be a really nice one when it comes to views. Whole route between Nice and Cannes leads just on the Mediterranean seaside. Considering that we both, me and my Wife, love the South of France, Alpes Maritimes (or as they are calling that region here French Riviera). So coming back there in different time than Summer would be nice and connecting that with running marathon will be great… Read more