My greatest athletics experience!!!!

This is probably going to be a very long post, but it will be my last one so I am going to pretty much go through my entire day today.

I am sure by now you have all seen the results from my race this morning. In case you haven't - I finished 10th in my heat in a time of 10:13 something, not sure exactly. Obviously did not make the final but had the greatest athletics experience of my life and went out there and ran as hard as could for as long as I could.

Yesterday I had a lovely training run. 5 miles easy, strides and drills. I felt really good and was very excited to race today. I think I got a lot of the hard core nerves over with my first couple of days in Barcelona. So going into today I was feeling calm and focused and ready to roll with it. Every athlete has different ways of dealing with nerves, and I tend to have a meltdown (as Paul calls it) a couple of days before I race. Funny really because it usually has nothing at all to do with racing or running. But little things that just irritate the hell out of me. I am sure there are a lot of you out there that do this crazy sport and can completely relate to that. At least I hope so, it sure would be reassuring knowing that I am not the only lunatic out there ...LOL. I still get nervous race day, but usually the good excited nerves.

So race day finally arrives. I had a great sleep last night. I think a little too good and when that 7am alarm went off all I wanted to do was stay snuggled up in bed for just a little longer. Up and out and down to breakfast for 8am. I had a cup of coffee and toast with peanut butter and then off to catch my shuttle bus to the warm up track. This was really happening now. Got to the warm up track and joined up with other athletes competing and the AAI medical staff. While there just chilled out until it was time to warm up. Call room check in is 40mins before race start so all the warming up needs to be done before heading in there. This is something that I need to get used to, and is very new and different than my typical warm up where I just run, stride and get on the track.

My warm up went very well and I felt really good, bouncy and excited to race. Now it was call room time and I checked in and I headed over to the stadium along with all other compeitiors in my heat to call room 2 for final check in, bag checks, spike check, hip numbers and transponder attachment to race bib. Crazy stuff, but I tell you that 40mins flew by and before I knew it I was on my way out to the track to race at the European Champs.

I walked out into the stadium and there was this enormous roar from the crowds, and the sun belting down on top of us. My heart seriously was beating so fast, and I actually could feel my body shaking. I didn't know if I wanted to cry or throw up. It was pretty unreal and something that I have never felt before. There were tons of Irish flags everywhere. I spotted my family straight away with their big huge Irish flag, and as I kept walking around the track to the start I heard lots of people yelling good luck to me. The Irish support was brilliant. Once at the start I got out on the track and did a couple of strides. After being couped up in the call room for the last 40mins I needed that. Finally they called us to the start line and this was it. The TV cameras scanned across the start line of runners for introductions. They came to me and I gave a big wave and 2 thumbs up. The thumbs up were especially for Marcus and Dylan. I give them thumbs up going to bed every night.

The gun went off and I got right into the thick of the race. I felt decent for the first 4 laps, and was in a qualifying position. I haven't seen the race but people have told me that there was actually a break with the first 4, including myself. After the fifth lap/2k I started to feel like the legs were gone, and they were going but I desperateley tried to keep it going as hard as I could. Those barriers never felt so high and trying to lift lead weight over them was ridiculous. I gave it everything and was thrilled to have competed at such an unbelievable meet.

Following my race I was pretty spent and it took a while to get myself feeling normal again. I had a bit of trouble getting off the ground and moving back to the gear pick-up. My head hurt so bad...I was nauseus, sweating profusely, had stars or some kind of fuzzy objects floating around in my eyes in bright orange and yellow colors (I swear it is from the logo banners which are bright orange and probably the last color I was seeing as I finished the race) , and just couldn't get my breath. It was a horrible feeling. I finally got off the track and made my way out of the track. I was hurting pretty bad and just needed to lie down and cool down. I have to say but this is probably the worst I have felt after just finishing a race and sure hope I never feel like that again. It was very hot, and maybe I just underestimated that....who knows. But all I can say is that the AAI medical staff are just unbelievable and they helped me out so much. I hate to be so dramatic or anything like that and I felt silly, but I honestly felt like I could pass out or throw up at any moment and they were there the whole time until I finally felt normal again. Thanks a million.

Despite all the drama ...haha. This was the greatest athletics experience I have ever had, and I sure hope it is not the last. I am very hungry for more championship racing, and look forward to such a great opportunity again. This time around was very last minute and a little un-organized and it was almost perfect. The one thing missing in this whole experience was having Paul, and the kids with me. I am looking forward to having them with me in future events. For everyone else, thank you so much for all your support. Your well wishes really enhanced my experience...until next time!

Just Amazing

I hadn't planned on visiting the Olympic Stadium before my race since I had raced there 2 weeks ago. At the last minute I decided to jump on the shuttle to the open training session for athletes this morning. I figured I could get all my picture taking and merchandise shopping done, rather than trying to do it when I am there for my competition. Anyways my parents and sister will be arriving soon, and if you all know my mother she will be buying every piece of merchandise she can, plus taking a million pictures....LOL. So either ways I think I will be all set with that end of things. I did get some good pictures and video footage. The merchandise tents were just being set up, so family you better get your shopping heads on. I am very anxious to know if they have little Barni souvenirs. I want to get them for Marcus and Dylan - number one priority.

What can I say but I was completely awe struck. The stadium was still being constructed for this meet when I was there 2 weeks ago so this time around it looked so official. It was amazing to see it all glittered up in 'Barcelona 2010' banners. I actually had butterflies when I walked into the stadium. Media, TV trucks, cars, cables, video cameras, officials, police, and tons and tons of the fittest people in the world getting ready to compete in a few days absolutely everywhere .... unreal. Can you tell this is my first time at a major international athletics competition. I haven't even gone to spectate at one, never mind compete at one. So this is all really exciting for me. Anyways after my little tour at the stadium I headed over to the warm-up track, and that too was all flash with banners, tents and big huge TV screens .... this is going to be cool!!!

I ran 45mins easy and did some light stretching and drills this afternoon. The weather is heating up a bit from the first few days.

I am 100 percent positive that I won't be blogging again until after my race. So tune in wednesday evening and I will have all the juicy details for you.

Arrived in Barcelona

I have arrived in Barcelona, and before I get into that let me just back track the couple of days I have missed. Training the last couple of days has been fairly easy as I am just winding down now and getting the legs fresh. Yesterday had a very light session. I did a total of 8 miles with the middle 2 miles at tempo pace averaging a 5:40 per mile pace on the track. Felt very easy, and like I had not even done anything at all. Just 3 days to go until showtime.

I flew out of Alicante airport into Barcelona yesterday evening. Flight was around 45 minutes, just a slight delay, nothing major. Once we arrived in Barcelona the BCN officials took over. Escorting our team to the shuttle bus, and from there onto our hotel. We are staying at the Princess Hotel which is located along the beach front - a man made beach. What can I say about the hotel other than FUNKY!!!! Glass walls, black ceilings, powered shades and lounge chairs that look like big huge lips. It is very retro to say the least, pretty cool.

This morning went for a nice easy 50min jog along the beach front. Felt fine and the weather seems a little cooler than the Murcia temperature. I thnk the rest of the week in Barcelona is supposed to be in the mid to high 70 degree range. Humidity about the same as Murcia.

I am starting to feel like I am in RACE MODE since arriving in Barcelona. It is more real to me now seeing all the other athletes from other countries, and officials everywhere. The training camp was great for resting and running, but now that I am actually in Barcelona I can start to focus more on the task at hand, and racing in a few days.

A quiet day

Today was a very quiet day. A few of us headed out to the mall for a little change of scenery. I had a nice stroll around but didn't do much shopping.

Training
Today I ran a total of 8 miles which included: 4 miles running; threw on the spikes and did 4 by 300m with 3 hurdles - times 57,57,56,56 seconds with a slow 100m walk/jog recovery between them; finished with 3 miles running. Felt pretty good. Had an ice-bath afterwards. That was it for today.

I have eaten a ton of fresh fruit the last week. platters are served up at every meal here, and it is delightful. Today's fact - Los Alcazares History: The site of healing spas during the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsular, Los Alcazares became an established settlement when the Moors arrived in the area, the name of the town derives from the Arabic for "the palaces", and it was the Arabs who established agriculture in the area, building irrigation systemsto enable previously barren land to be used for growing fruit and vegetables. The Moors also developed some unique fishing methods which were perfect for the conditions experienced in the Mar Menor, methods which are still used today.

A new training spot

I was up bright and early today. Meeting with a small group of Irish athletes to drive to a spot to run. This place looked to me like it was an exclusive neighborhood and/or holiday resort in the works. Roads were finished but completely deserted, apartments and hotels empty and unoccupied. And to beat it all, a gorgeous golf course plonked right in the middle of it all. This was the first bit of grass I had seen since being here, and it was green, and alot of green. It stood out like a sore thumb. I don't think I saw a single golfer and I was so tempted to jump on, but knowing my luck I would have been run off there and embarassed the entire team. It was a very quiet, peaceful run and I enjoyed it thoroughly. This development had a 5.1k loop with bike track, and markings every 100m on the ground. Even as I was running I had some of the Irish team coaches handing out water, and throwing it over me, completely spoiled, crazy. You know me I am just a low key plug away myself type of person so this is all very strange to me. I guess everyone can enjoy a bit of pampering now and then.

Training
I ran 70mins nice and relaxed today. The day after a track session I like to run dead easy. Felt pretty good. The legs were a little tired and lazy from yesterday's session. This afternoon I did a core session and had another stretch out by the physio, as well as a light massage to loosen out the legs.


Todays little fact about Murcia - but firstly, I would like to point out that I am not actually in Murcia. However, I am in a small town that is part of Murcia called Las Alcazares. Part of the Murcia region of south-eastern Spain, Los Alcazares has a permanent population of around 15,000 though this increases to something like 150,000 during the busy summer season. Las Alcazares is half way along the inland coast Mar Menor. The Mar Menor is a salt-water lagoon of 128km sq with a sea temperature of 5 degrees above the Mediterranean. It is quite unknown to a lot of people and probably "Spains best kept secret". The area enjoys an average of 320 days sunshine a year. The mineral-rich water of the Mar Menor is revered for its health-giving properties and is listed by the World Health Organisation as one of the healthiest places on earth.



So I found my explanation for the warm and ridiculously salty water at the local beach. And now I am going to go and be healthy and take a swim.

My computer is alive again!

It has been a couple of days since I last posted and I know I had promised to post daily. I had a bit of a power problem. The adaptor I brought with me didn't work so my computer completely ran out of life and died the first day here in Murcia. They do have a computer in the hotel lobby that I can use but I had to keep feeding it with euros, and watching the timer tick down was too much pressure for me ... haha, and I just couldn't think straight.


Anyway, today I was on a mission to find a US to Europe adaptor plug for my laptop. I walked a lot today and wandered into every single shop I could find, stopping on the way to sit and enjoy a nice cup of coffee. Well about 2 hours later I was given directions to a hardware store, and it was literally 150 meters from my hotel ... just brilliant. I got my adaptor ... and it cost me a whopping 0.95 cents. The best euro I have spent so far. So now I am back live with you all, and this will probably be the longest post I write, since my usual post is about a paragraph and gets straight to the point ... no fooling around.


Training:

Yesterday was my first day in Murcia so I went out for a 60min run at around 10:15am. My race is at 11:30am and I want to get a little used to the late morning heat and humidity. It was hot but the run wasn't bad. Just ran around by the hotel. There is a bike track pretty much all around the town here that you can run on and not have to worry about traffic ... so that was fine. Later that evening I did my core session and then saw the team physio for a stretch out. Very spoiled here.


Today I was on the track at around 11:30am so right about the time when I will be due to take the olympic stadium for my heat of the 3000m steeplechase in just about a week. With just a week to go today was my last hard session before I start to get the legs fresh. I did 18mins running, drills and strides; 4 by 1000m with 2:00 minutes recovery - splits: 3:08; 3:07: 3:06 and 3:06. finished with 3 miles running. A very strong wind on the first bend and back straight. I thought Ireland was bad for wind, but I actually think this was more windy, and the wind was roasting, not at all refreshing like Ireland. Happy with the effort.


I was very flattered this morning when I logged onto Bryant Univesity website and saw on the home page a lovely article about my qualifying for the European Championships. Bryant is just a wonderful place to work, and I am delighted to share my experience with the whole community there. I have worked at Bryant now for a few years, and I love coaching the XC/Track and Field programs there. I have tremendous support from Bryant, including the president, the athletic director, athletic administration, my fellow coaching staff, as well as the entire Bryant academic community. I hope you all enjoy reading about my experiences.


I have decided to add at the end of each post a fact about Murcia.

Murcia Facts:
Murcia is twinned with 6 different cities/towns around the world, and Miami, USA is one of them. Also Murcia has 3 universities - two public universities: the University of Murcia, founded in 1912 and the UPCT, Polytechnic University of Cartagena and one private university: the UCAM, Saint Anthony Catholic University.

Arrived in Murcia

This morning ran a very slow 6 miles before leaving for the airport.

Dublin airport was jam packed. Irish holiday goers all over the place. Jet setting off to all the Spanish resorts. There were lots and lots of lines to wait in, a 20 euro baggage fee for being 1 kilo overweight on my checked luggage - that's Ryanair for you. Finally made it through the security gates, got to my gate and relaxed. Flight went very smoothly and arrived in Murcia around 7pm local time. The weather in Murcia is very hot - mid 30 degree range (near 90F). We are right by the sea so there is a very nice ocean breeze. The water is warm and very salty.

The hotel is lovely, 4 stars with pools and spa, and a 300 yard stroll to the beach. After checking in, meeting the rest of the team, and getting my bearings around the area, dinner was on. Food is great, a lot of selection - my choice this evening was chicken curry and rice. Very tasty.

Now I am off to bed!!!!!