Happy New Year!!

So first off I know I've been bold and not writing on this blog as much as I should and I'm really sorry! This online diary thing took a back seat just after the half for many reasons but obvs will be talking about them soon! Secondly I have now made this my online diary again so there will be no more running blogs on this site they now have a new home...

http://aineruns.blogspot.com/

This is the new home of my training and such! So if you're more interested in my running and not my boring Science life then head on over there!! For those of you who like to read boring blogs here we go :)

So Sept 2011: This brought the finishing of my masters and that 12weeks of training for the half marathon! My masters was tough to finish. There was sooo much reading and writing to do it was crazy! But it got done and I was so happy with the result! Handed it up a day early and all. So I could sleep and relax the last day so I could actually enjoy the night out we had all planned! This night out also included the first night out with our new housemate Cara. Karen left us....sadly....not really but we got a fab new housemate so all's good! Celebrations for the masters didn't last too long as the half marathon was just around the corner. Now I know I said I would talk about running but this is a big part of my life now so there will be a bit about it. It was hot! So hot! I ran it in an amazing 2hours and 7minutes!! I couldn't have been happier with my effort except if I'd actually enjoyed the last couple miles and used the loos at some point. But the best part had to be....my friend Sean was out the night before. This guy, is the best! He has stood on the sideline holding my stuff and yelling for me as I ran my first race so I really wanted him to be there for my half but couldn't get in contact with him. I didn't panic but I was a little sad. Low and behold....he was at the end of the race. He wasn't calling me back because he was trying to organise my Mum and sister who had flown over to surprise me at the end with 2 huge Irish flags! Their timing couldn't have been better. I was totally trained and seeing them nearly made me cry. I was soo happy! The race was such a blur of sweat, panting, crazy outfits and pure energy! Bring on the next one!! :) (Photos up soon, I'm on the work computer).

Oct 2011:
 This month started with me being at home for 2 very boring weeks. I was too tired to run and had no internet, no tv and no car. I was stuck in the middle of no where for 2 weeks. At least it was relaxing! I cam back to London ready for Science and more running! Just before the Viva for my masters, Jimmy offered me a paid PhD. So this was what I was starting coming back. Just waiting for funding and registration then! During this month as well I signed up for the London 10km Morunning event! I also had a surprise visit home to Kerry to see Dave and party with Lesley. Was great to do that!! Dave's team didn't win the county final but they played so well!! October was quiet enough.

Nov 2011:
Still waiting on funding.....

Morunning! Oh my gosh, who kept quiet about the hills in Greenwich?!?! 2 hills x2. They were horrific but I ran the whole thing. A not very good 61mins 10seconds race but I was happy as I ran the whole thing up those awful hills! This had to be my favourite race of the year! It was the only one I went to alone but it was amazing!! Such a great atmosphere I couldn't have ended the year better!

I went to 2 fun Science conferences this month too. The Genetics Society's meeting on Epigenetics, which was great! There were so many academics there and great food too. The next one was one on Nrf 2 a transcription factor. Now this wasn't as great as the Genetics one but was still cool!

Wia-mun's hen party!! Went up to Manchester (upgraded to first class on the train) for Wai-mun! Such a great night and day with her. I miss her so much and it was great hanging with her and her close friends. Going back up early 2012 definitely!

Dec 2012:
Still waiting on funding.....

Charlotte my best German running partner came to visit me in London!! Was such a great couple of days. Loved her being around and had so much fun with her. Miss her loads too but so excited for her job in Stockholm where she will kick ass in cancer metabolism!! :) We are also trying to plan another race together this year!

The big part of this month was Wai-muns wedding!! I will upload photos once I get home but this day was amazing!! Wedding was at All Souls Church just off Oxford Circus. She looked so beautiful and we all had to hold back the tears. Holly (other running friend!), James Brash, Claire (Irish friend) and Florian (aka Arnie) were at the wedding also so was a mini get together too. We were then brought from the church via old red double deckers to the Pall Mall to the Royal Automobile Society which was too amazing for words. There was loads of drink and food even before the main meal! The meal itself was amazing. We were all sat together at a table with 4 of Wai-mun's Manchester friends we had met at the Hen. We partied the night away (well until 12am)!!

This then meant all that was left in the month was sailing home....£33 one way can't go wrong. 12hours in total and met a lovely boy on the boat so it was grand out! I spent 2 and a half weeks at home and got to see everyone I wanted it was great! Christmas shopping on C'mas Eve, 2 crazy trips down to Cork to party with my old friends, hanging out with the G'dawg and pregnant chats with Kerry (old school friend, and neither of us are preggers!!). I needed to relax once I got back!

This now brings us to January where I am still waiting for funding and to be registered. So I am taking (trying) a back seat in Science to maybe apply for other jobs and enjoy London again. I feel I got caught up in the last couple months and didn't get to relax. One of my cousins has just moved over, I have loads of friends visiting next month and I am now in training for the Prague half marathon, March 31st! Hopefully I can do this one on my own as Charlotte won't be there. I will upload photos soon and be on this more often so it's not one big ramble!!

Aine
xxx