Running and Baking

Hello People

I've been having a great week. It's super to be back running. I have been getting back into full running this week after my little stint in on the side lines. I'm back running in spikes and doing hurdle drills so I'm hoping by the weekend that I will be able to run over some hurdles.

I love to cook and bake. Tonight my training group is having a group dinner. This means that everyone has a job to do and my job is dessert. When I make dessert for a dinner I never hold back and worry about the badness of it. I think everything in moderation is fine. This morning I got my apron on (yes I own and wear an apron I'm so uncool!) and I made a batch of chocolate brownies and then whilst I had flour all over me I also made a very chocolatey rocky road cake mix. One word for how it all looks and smells.....YUM!!!!! I can't wait to bring it all over to Ailis's house later and see if everyone likes it. In our group we have the pleasure of Ian McDonald as our main man. Ian is great but alas he is totally allergic to nuts so everyone is really paranoid about poisoning him! Thankfully I have avoided nuts in my desserts and I can't be blamed for any kind of Ian poisoning.

That's all for now. I will blog a dinner update!!!!

DOR XOXO

Back on track

3 and a half weeks of no running has finally come to an end. I'm officially back running. Last Saturday I went to the track to try running and see if there was any after effects on my calf. I'm happy to report that my calf was fine. It's such a relief to be able to run again. It hasn't been all bad in the gym but every hurdler girl has their limit and I had hit mine. Now Rome wasn't built in a day so I am starting back very carefully and trying to make sure I don't damage my calf again. I'm doing lots of strides in my trainers and hurdle drills this week. Hopefully by the weekend I will have the spikes on and will be able to run a bit faster. I'm planning on opening up in the Odyssey, it will be a bit rushed but I think it will be good to get a run under my belt.

I've been a bit busy as of late with a few other things. I recorded a t.v ad for the Trocaire campaign which will be aired from the start of February. It was really fun to do. The lead singer of the band "the coronas" and Irish goal keeper Shay Given are also in it. I attended the Irish Times sports woman of the year award and collected my monthly award. It was a lovely event and great to see how well all the Irish women are doing across the board in loads of different sports. Athletics had 4 women win awards in 09 which I think says great things about how well the women are doing. On top of this I'm back in college for semester two of my course.

Little Berlino is doing well and running around like crazy. She loves going to the beach and playing with other dogs. She is very happy at the moment because Peter and I are both around. The two of us were away at different stages in January and she is much happier having two people doting after her.

That's all for now,

DOR XOXO

Time to go home...

Yes I know it is late but I couldn't resist a quick blog. It is my last night in Portugal. As is expected with someone of my personality type I am obsessive. I mentioned that the girls and I started watching the first season of Gossip Girl, well we had 3 episodes to go and rather than watch it separately we wanted to see it together. Basically we wanted to be all girly and analyse and discuss our new obsession. It was so good. I loved it and cannot wait to start season 2. If you haven't seen it and are looking for a new guilty pleasure take my advice and buy season 1. Be warned it will keep you up late at night and if your like me you will develop a strange crush on a fictional guy called chuck bass!

I'm happy with how this camp has gone. I came here a little bit down and frustrated but now I feel like I'm doing very well. I have worked my bum off out here, I just have had to do things in a different way to usual because of my calf. Even though he has been giving me hard sessions I have to admit that Mark being here has been a huge help. I have trained super hard and despite having to take some time off actual running I feel very good. A photographer from sportsfile was here so here is a link to a couple of pictures of my alternative training in the past 2 weeks

http://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/PR1001008/

All that is left is for me to do one more session in the morning and pack my bag for home. I'm very excited to be going back but most of all I can't wait to give me little puppy a big cuddle.

Bye for now

DOR XOXO

''Close you eyes and tap your heels together three times. And think to yourself, there's no place like home."