If you are looking for an endurance test in the next 12 months to test yourself both physically and mentally, sign up for Gaelforce North next year. Yesterday afternoon after 6 hours and 15minutes
of running, cycling and kayaking, I crossed the finish line in BunBeag Donegal, one of Ireland's hidden treasures. I had just completed one of the best adventure races on the Island finishing some 148th out of over 400 competitors which I was delighted with.
The course comprised 25km of running, a 40km cycle and 2km kayak along some of the most scenic routes I've ever witnessed. As if the challenge itself wasn't big enough, one of the things outside everyone's control was the weather, and living up to the name of the event, it blew a gale all day and bucketed out of the heavens for most of it. This made the challenge a lot more difficult and when I crossed the line in Bunbeag I had exhumed almost every last drop of energy I had. It really is an awesome challenge physically and more so mentally. During the cycle I looked at the speedometer and noticed that it had taken me over 10minutes to cycle the last 3 miles uphill. Considering I run averaging 8minute a mile, you can visualise how difficult it was to actually keep the bike moving forward - absolutely brutal!!!
Anyway I did it and its another goal I have smashed this year in whats turning out to be a fantastic year for me health wise. In 8 weeks time I will be 7 years diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and its events like Gaelforce that keep me grateful of the fact that I am in good health and winning the war with the MS - long may it continue.
This week I will be in the gym mostly doing a recovery weeks swimming and weights program so the limbs can recover for my next challenge in only a few weeks time.
I have been training hard in 2013 and trying to lead a healthy lifestyle and I am now more convinced than ever that exercise is a huge part of the reason why I am beating MS and generally doing well. I notice more and more people are exercising which is great, but we need everyone to be doing it. Exercise is a great weapon to fight against physical disease but even a stronger weapon to deter and stop the onset of mental illness, which is hugely destructive.
I am very active on twitter and I get emails regularly whereby people are inspired to get up off the couch and get out there and do a little exercise just because they have maybe read a motivational tweet I've posted - how powerful and brilliant is that!!
So the moral of the story is get out there, get active, get out of your comfort zone, keep your body and mind active as the health benefits far outweighs the hassle - trust me on that.
Also If you want to really test yourself and get a goal in the diary for 2014, GaelForce North will not disappoint.
#Attitude Is Everything
Sunday 30 June 2013
Saturday 22 June 2013
Climbing Higher - 2013 #SmashingGoals
When I sat down in December 2012 a few days after Christmas, I was writing down a list of things I wanted to do and achieve in 2013. You could call this my goals list. I have been doing this for the past few years and honestly its much more powerful when you do this exercise, as if it really is a true goal of yours then by writing it down, subconsciously you are at the beginning of achieving it.
As most of you who are following my journey know at this stage I am a huge advocate of exercise namely running in the past few years, and believe it has been a huge reason behind me winning my MS battle to date. On the list of goals pre Christmas I put down to compete in a triathlon this year, as I felt this would be a huge challenge, massive achievement and another milestone in my journey.
For those who are not sure a triathlon comprises three elements namely swimming, cycling and running. So in January I started to prepare and bought myself a racing bike and started training on it once a week building up to twice a week. The most challenging part of this event for me was always going to be the swim as although I could swim, 50/100 metres was plenty for me and I wasn't really a fan of deep water. So I started to get onto the pool and start my swimming training around February. The running element was always going to be my strongest part of the event so I have continued to run throughout this year and thankfully I am getting a little stronger in this area and have remained pretty much injury free to date.
Well this time tomorrow night I can re-visit my GOALS booklet and put a line through another goal, as if all goes according to plan I will have completed my first triathlon. Tomorrow morning at 9am I will enter the river Folye in Derry with 499 other triathletes to start the swim. I am really excited about this event as I have heard fantastic feedback from other triathletes in terms of the enjoyment you get out of competing in this type of event. Considering I only got my wetsuit 5 days ago and did my first open water swim 3 days ago, I could be slightly better prepared, however there is no turning back now.
I never ever thought someone with Multiple Sclerosis could compete in triathlons, run marathons, cycle for miles, challenge themselves, challenge others opinions on the condition - in fact do literally whatever you want to do. Well you can. If there is one person reading this who gets even a little bit of HOPE from it then - hey presto, my drive and focus has been all worth while.
When I am swimming up the Foyle river in the morning in what should take me 25 minutes to complete, I will spare a thought for anyone struggling with MS, and others who are struggling generally, being very thankful that I am strong enough and healthy enough to compete and complete my first triathlon.
Watch this space and remember #Attitude Is Everything
Cd
As most of you who are following my journey know at this stage I am a huge advocate of exercise namely running in the past few years, and believe it has been a huge reason behind me winning my MS battle to date. On the list of goals pre Christmas I put down to compete in a triathlon this year, as I felt this would be a huge challenge, massive achievement and another milestone in my journey.
For those who are not sure a triathlon comprises three elements namely swimming, cycling and running. So in January I started to prepare and bought myself a racing bike and started training on it once a week building up to twice a week. The most challenging part of this event for me was always going to be the swim as although I could swim, 50/100 metres was plenty for me and I wasn't really a fan of deep water. So I started to get onto the pool and start my swimming training around February. The running element was always going to be my strongest part of the event so I have continued to run throughout this year and thankfully I am getting a little stronger in this area and have remained pretty much injury free to date.
Well this time tomorrow night I can re-visit my GOALS booklet and put a line through another goal, as if all goes according to plan I will have completed my first triathlon. Tomorrow morning at 9am I will enter the river Folye in Derry with 499 other triathletes to start the swim. I am really excited about this event as I have heard fantastic feedback from other triathletes in terms of the enjoyment you get out of competing in this type of event. Considering I only got my wetsuit 5 days ago and did my first open water swim 3 days ago, I could be slightly better prepared, however there is no turning back now.
I never ever thought someone with Multiple Sclerosis could compete in triathlons, run marathons, cycle for miles, challenge themselves, challenge others opinions on the condition - in fact do literally whatever you want to do. Well you can. If there is one person reading this who gets even a little bit of HOPE from it then - hey presto, my drive and focus has been all worth while.
When I am swimming up the Foyle river in the morning in what should take me 25 minutes to complete, I will spare a thought for anyone struggling with MS, and others who are struggling generally, being very thankful that I am strong enough and healthy enough to compete and complete my first triathlon.
Watch this space and remember #Attitude Is Everything
Cd
Thursday 13 June 2013
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
Today I was speaking to a friend who told me her aunt was diagnosed with MS over 20 years ago and she was shocked to here that I also had the condition. She was the third person this week to inform me that they knew someone quite well who suffers from MS. It is amazing me how common this MS thing is getting in Ireland and although I have no facts to back this up, it seems that more and more people are getting diagnosed Every year -frightening.
They say 12000 people have MS in Ireland, my own view is a more accurate figure could be double that number. I have no idea why this is and why the condition seems to becoming more widespread, however what I do know is we all should know a lot more about it, as if this was the case the stress of a diagnosis would undoubtedly lift.
Like every illness but especially MS there seems to be so few people who are doing well, even though there are plenty of ones leading a very normal active life. If you do have MS and are doing well and feeling strong, I would encourage you to share your story, as it will lift and empower others to try and fight back against their condition and take control. There is a real shortage of MS patients prepared to speak out and share their tips and advice of how they manage to beat it on a daily basis.
I decided to share my story 3 years ago for this very reason, and got so much from it decided to write my book and thankfully it has received a very positive response from those who have read it.
It's coming up to my 7th anniversary of Me being acquainted with MS and I think I am going to have a small party to celebrate that particular birthday. I have a lot to thank my MS dx for as one thing I do know is that it has made me STRONGER!
Thankfully my health is tip top at the minute, I'm running and training hard and the MS is in my pocket for the time being. Long may it continue.
Later this year I will be out and about sharing my story speaking at some events. Keep an eye on my site for updates www.conordevine.com
#Attitude Is Everything
#Cd
They say 12000 people have MS in Ireland, my own view is a more accurate figure could be double that number. I have no idea why this is and why the condition seems to becoming more widespread, however what I do know is we all should know a lot more about it, as if this was the case the stress of a diagnosis would undoubtedly lift.
Like every illness but especially MS there seems to be so few people who are doing well, even though there are plenty of ones leading a very normal active life. If you do have MS and are doing well and feeling strong, I would encourage you to share your story, as it will lift and empower others to try and fight back against their condition and take control. There is a real shortage of MS patients prepared to speak out and share their tips and advice of how they manage to beat it on a daily basis.
I decided to share my story 3 years ago for this very reason, and got so much from it decided to write my book and thankfully it has received a very positive response from those who have read it.
It's coming up to my 7th anniversary of Me being acquainted with MS and I think I am going to have a small party to celebrate that particular birthday. I have a lot to thank my MS dx for as one thing I do know is that it has made me STRONGER!
Thankfully my health is tip top at the minute, I'm running and training hard and the MS is in my pocket for the time being. Long may it continue.
Later this year I will be out and about sharing my story speaking at some events. Keep an eye on my site for updates www.conordevine.com
#Attitude Is Everything
#Cd
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