What happens in Kona IronMan….

Changes people.

 

I keep meaning to get a blog up about my stay in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and my experience of watching the Ironman World Championships 2014…. and life is throwing so many fabulous experiences at me that I am failing to find the time. I am just back to Ireland now after spending three days in  Reno Nevada. It has been a fortnight of every emotion and now jet lag. (PS key to jet lag nutritionally is to stick with protein in the am and carbs in the pm).

It was super to get back to Reno; to reconnect to two precious people, to have some me time, and to indulge in some running time. Reno is at 4,400+ feet above sea level and so I was sucking oxygen on my runs and was grateful for the sun to offset the lungs 🙂

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Back to Kona

I had an amazing week in Kona watching my loved one, new friends, and all sorts of sizes, shapes, speeds, techniques and training gear flash by that was all the other competitors as they hit the roads in their final preparations. Just walking down the street or sitting in a café provided ample opportunity to watch the athletes train in the sweltering sun; while I knocked back another Kona coffee.

{Did you know they have a coffee here called peaberry coffee that due to its lower acidity is gentler on the stomach? If you cannot get to Kona this is available to buy online in addition to the real deal Kona coffee. I digress; back to the blog. Coffee has a way of diverting me in my writing as well as in person!}

 

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Stunning cycle around foot of Keeper Hill, North Tipperary
Lackagh road

Stunning cycle around foot of Keeper Hill, North Tipperary

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By  Andrea Cullen

27th June 2014

I have a summer rule that I abide to; if the sun shines I get outdoors. Work can always wait and I will work hard into the evening instead to make up the time. Sun is a precious commodity here in Ireland and if the golden rays shine then count me in.

I live close by Keeper Hill in County Tipperary and I have spent almost 40 years playing in her playground. I have run, walked, biked, horse ridden, and driven every corner around her and journeyed often to her summit.

Did you know that you can see 9 counties from her summit? On a sunny day the views are a sight to captivate the soul.

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Get on Your Bike and Cycle Keeper Hill
At the top of the first baby summit; at this point you could keep going up to the summit or bail out and head back down

Get on Your Bike and Cycle Keeper Hill

Looking for a challenging and scenic bike route?

As all my friends and family know, Keeper Hill holds a special place in my heart. So whenever I need to make a great escape from work I will either hike, walk, bike, or run up, down, around or nearby this magical hill.

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Keeper Hill, Co. Tipperary

So despite the mist today I thoroughly enjoyed my escape as I hit the roads on my bike.

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When the sun shines in Ireland ……

When the sun shines in Ireland – my flirtations with food, friends and coffee in the sunny strawberry counties………

I don’t normally blog about trips; however when I take to the road my passion is visiting coffee shops and also exploring the gluten-free options available so that I can ‘phone home’ and inform my clients and support them on their travels when they take to the road. Also I would like, for my International followers, to help you fall a little more in love with our beautiful island of Ireland.

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