Sorry for the lack of updates. I am back in El Cajon with my friends Roger and Cindy who I stayed with before my timeout, they kindly offered to mind Nirvana while I was away. Thank you so much.

I arrived back in El Cajon on Sunday and was immediately whisked away to Rogers dads house for a small Fathers Day bar-b-q party. By small I mean only 28 of the gang of over 50 could make it. His dad is called George. George is very active, he has  just renewed his drivers licence, aged 92.

Did I mention bar-b-q? Yes I did! Please insert several smileys as the steaks were delicious!

The two U2 concerts in Anaheim were MAGNIFICIENT, as they would say.

Angels Stadium was 10km away from the backpackers hostel I stayed in in Anaheim. So I ran to and from both concerts to try to get back into shape!

I had a route marked out from Newhope street up onto Fifth and then missed my left turn onto Santa Ana Trail.  It was a lovely day that Friday so I played BEAUTIFUL DAY on my ipod. So I took the next left and kinda got onto the trail again. I was playing my U2 songs on my ipod. I got a bit lost then asked a local for directions. He wanted me to go back but I said I never backtrack even if it is longer to go straight on. So he told me to take a left and cut across the golf course. Whats the name of that road? He didn’t know so I played WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME.

On I went and cut across Riverside golf course. I have never seen anything like this, a golf course in a city park with trails around it! Signs informed the runners and cyclists to watch out for ‘ flying golf balls ‘ So I played MERCY on the ipod.

On I went up a trail beside the 9th hole. I asked a golfer if I was on the right trail. He pointed me on further up over a hill. He was over at the hole on the green thinking he had got a hole in one I guess.. I spoilt the party by pointing to a ball up on the hill.. No hole in one so I played ONE

Time to WALK ON and fast and GET MY BOOTS ON for the rest of the run.

On to Angels Stadium.. Yes I played ANGEL OF HARLEM

I had a nice time back in Ireland. We had a surprise 60th birthday party for my club physio and great friend Michael ‘ Mick ‘ Farrell. Mick has also acted as my parish priest hearing my many confessions over the years on his massage table. For my sins he usually dished out   his own form of  pennance to this sinner, his infamous ‘ root canal ‘ treatment on the massage table  :(

If I can survive over 8 years of his theraphic abuse I reckon I can do anything including running  around the world

I just had one massage as I was so  terrified of letting the ‘ cat out of the bag ‘  to go for a second massage when his wife Ella told me of  her surprise party plan. A good night was had by all. My start day will actually be Micks 60th birthday, so I would like to dedicate my Mexican start to Mick. Enjoy the day Mick.

Let me see… What else did I get up to? I was spoilt by family and friends for three lovely weeks. I didn’t get all I planned to do done but had a nice rest. I just did 3 runs to keep the legs ticking over. I had one massage from my club physio Mick who said my body was in good shape as did Paddy Leahy of the Laser Center who used to took after any injuries I previousy had, I used to go to Paddy on a regular basis during my competitive career for preventive maintenance. Thank you Paddy for this complimentary checkup. My dentist Nial Mc Donagh of the South Circular Road also gave me a comp brushing and checkup. Thanks Paddy and Nial.
Also got some more vacine shots. Rabies, Hep B, I previously had Yellow Fever, Typhoid and a few others. I have to get a third Hep B in a couple of weeks time in Mexico.
What else did I do? One of the first things I did was buy an Android tablet to save weight on my netbook. I couldn’t figure out how to put the apps on it, nor did anyone else that I showed it to, including computer shops. Also I noticed if I was sitting next to the modem I had a decent connection but if I went out to the kitchen for yet more coffee ( I havent changed ) I lost the wifi signal.
This problem was solved when I put my netbook on top of it in my bag…. I smashed it, a waste of 175 euro but time to move on, one problem solved!
Also went out to dinner with my Finnish friend Riitta. While waiting for her on the steps of Temple Bar I resisted the temptation to sit on the steps like everyone else for fear of dirtying my pants. A week and a half Mangan was dusting ants away in the sand as he prepared to sleep under a Californian bridge!
Yes I am still fond of my food. I ate my way across the Atlantic having two dinners I couldnt make up my mind if I wanted chicken or pasta so told the air hostess with a wink that people running around the world need to eat at least a trolley load of food for dinner or they will drop dead. She ensured we had a safe landing in Dublin by giving me two breakfasts.
I got a ticking off about my chocolate, cookie and ice cream appetite so I have decided to cut back, a little anyway for now that is
 

 I will begin running as planned from Tecate south through the Mexican state of Baja tomorrow at 10am local 6pm gmt.

I am mad busy at the moment with the last minute details.

I am well rested and rearing to go!

 For those that are trying to contact me about the logistics my cell number is: 978  875  4154 

Hasta Luego

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 21st, 2011 at 12:16 am and is filed under jogging. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.