24
Jul 10

Tubby Irish Runner is Back

After a bit of a break from running / excercise etc, the “Tubby Irish Runner” is back. Not with a vengence, but working up to that point!

I recently bought a running magazine – and it’s not half bad. Women’s Running is aimed at a growing number of women who are seeing the benefits of  ditching the big gym membership costs in favour of the outdoors.   I picked it up randomly, half expecting it to be full of adverts and nay sayers who were pushing various costly products on you, but I have been pleasantly surprised.  There is quite a bit of advertising (which is expected of magazines these days), but it the publication is actually packed full of interesting articles. It has definitely spurred me to take up running again. It made me consider the rut I had been in with my route – the same distance and environment and it just added up to route fatigue! This evening I changed me route and it actually really made a difference – I ran faster and further without realising how far I was going.

I have also just signed up to Runner’s World magazine and I’ll be interested in seeing how it compares to the Women’s Running magazine.

RunKeeper has been keeping me motivated – one major benefit of the 3GS with the upgraded OS4 – RunKeeper and iPod going at the same time. I have just taken a look at the site for the first time, and decided that I would make my profile public.It is a lovelyt site  – nice and clean, easy to use and navigate.  I hope it will spur me to do more excercise. Time will tell I guess.

I did struggle with and iPhone holder, but I’ve finally settled on one. I’ve learned that none of the iPhone holders are built to last and they expect you to squeeze your iPhone into the holder, which will eventually tear the rubber holding the iPhone secure. Anyway, the one I picked is fine  – if you have skinny arms, then this is the one for you. It does come with an extension piece for those of you with muscles or fat arms ( like me!).  If you fancy teaming up with a tubby runner  – give me a call, as I need the encouragement! :P

I am in the process of learning how to love iTunes……I have hated it for the last seven months, but feel it’s time to put my bitter hatred aside, and learn to love it. This in mind, I’ve been looking for some “running” music. Thanks to the Women’s Running magazine, I found AudioFuel – worth a look if you have the cash!  I will most likely have to spend a good but of time creating my own list (AC/DC featuring heavily), but if you have any album recommendations, please let me know. All suggestions appreciated.

So, please do drop me a line if you have advice or music suggestions, or you just fancy a training buddy!


01
Feb 10

Update

Tis been a while since I last updated this blog but I have been busy, I swear!

Between the full time job, the renovations of the house, the two cats and a bit of freelancing – the blog was bottom of my To-Do list! I’ll be back again soon though – I promise!

In the meantime – follow me on Twitter or say hello to me via LinkedIn or Facebook – links on the side of this page!


24
Nov 09

Grand Canal Theatre

Brilliant building and thank God the site looks kinda plush too. Long may it’s sucess last! I’m referring to the Grand Canal Theatre which I discovered on Damien’s blog – wonder what he filmed it on.  Bookings already being taken for March 2010 – is that wise? Surely a snag list in March 2010 will take a little longer than a few days? Good luck to the team in any case!


24
Nov 09

Greenhouse Business Camp Event

Right folks. Decided that flying home three times in one month was not enough. Decided that Greenhouse Business Camp was worth risking my life for (read flying with RyanAir).  It is being held at Trinity on the 5th of December.

Yes, a Saturday.

Yes, it starts at 10am.

Yes, I hope that the Trinity rugby team will be playing outside….where I can see them!

Looking like it’ll be interesting but not too sure. Unproven models can sometimes fit in perfectly with the market – other times, the organiser or delegates  miss the point completely and it’s a disaster. Will keep you updated either way.  I think Thinking Digital is a great example of an unproven model totally knocking the socks off delegates and funders alike. It’s setting the tone for other events in the North East and beyond.  Prices are steep, but well worth it.

Excited, but not enthused by the sign up method. It doesn’t seem uniform. I kept my description short and sweet but others are short of  “War and Peace”.  Is there some bettter way of preventing self promotion??

Likewise, speakers are not being pushed as much as they should be. It would be good to get a bit of background on them, a little bit of self promotion on their side may ensure that delegates know what they are signing up for.  One speaker (John Whelan) describes himself as a “Terminal entrepreneur”, really not too sure if that’s a good thing.

Having said all that, I do have three people on my “must meet list”, which will probably grow as I identify those speakers and delegates that I could benefit from. I’m thinking (in no particular order….)

1) Pat Phelan -  This man appears everywhere, so it might be wise to assume he knows a) a lot of people in digital  b) he’s no fool c) he’s a good person to speak to if you want to get the lay of the land in Ireland from a digital perspective.  He’s got a good run down of what he does on his site, but this is by no means the end to his talents and network.

2) Daragh Doyle – self styled (modest)  guru of all things community. Describes himself as : “Boards.ie Community Manager, entertainment and events blogger and sharer of awful jokes.” You can also add him on LinkedIn.

3) Evert Bopp – Founder of the Business Camp and all round ambitious risk taker. It would be interesting to hear what his experiences are in terms of self funded ventures, events and incubators.

I might throw in a few of the delegates that caught my eye, but not too sure if it’s a factual bio or just shameless self-promotion.

If anyone fancies a cuppa while I’m over, grab me while you can – I’ll only be in Dublin for the day!


24
Nov 09

Web Stats

The Harvard Business Review touts this article as “mind blowing” – I’m not too sure.  This article is worth a read while sitting on the train or waiting on the bus – be more afraid of the gale force winds out there, rather than the read itself!


24
Nov 09

Too Many Ideas Not Enough Time

Another iPhone application – it’s wonderful to see useful apps coming out. Action Method is a “radical approach to productivity and project management”. It can do things that no amount of “Prince 2″ training can do for you!

Will be giving it a whirl next week and updating this post as I go……must go and plan that in!


24
Nov 09

Digital Podge mention for Chinwag

Thanks to Sam for mentioning Digital Podge 2009.   Nice slick website they have going – like I really love it. Interesting to see what they’ve done with the data. There might be a project (read challenge ) in there for someone clever in the NE. Ping me for details!


24
Nov 09

Incubators

Chinwag’s DigitalMission is growing and getting bigger and bigger by the sounds of it. DigitalMission delegates were lucky enough to get a snoop around the NYU:poly Incubator @ 160 Varick Street.  The whole thing sounds great and it struck me that Teesside University incubation units have won awards for their services and are constantly on the look out for ways to improve. How about a IncubationMission to the worlds incubators…….find out what’s on offer elsewhere – have an exchange programme, share tactics and methods of working. It can only benefit the whole ecosystem, right?

A really great mix of companies in NYU:poly Incubator too. You can find the list here.  I wonder whether they have “pizza nights” or similar get togethers? Different sectors, different obstacles but the same story – working on something you love and a passion for success.