Back in the USA!!!

It's true!  I am back on US soil, and have returned to my millions of readers handful of friends.  It was a great trip, and i will be talking about it for probably the next week.  I am suffering from a bit of jet lag, so this post is short as lack of sleep is slowly turning my brain to mush, but i am typing up a full recap of the Dublin Marathon tonight.

Spoiler:  I finished in 4:18, which is a 10 minute PR for me! I also had a lot of unfortunate problems in the last two miles.  Also, it's an amazing race.  Full details tomorrow.  

As this was my first trip across the big pond, i want to remember every last detail.  Tragically, most of the memories will fade - it's just the way the human mind works.  But, i think there should be one memory that stands out for each of the 5 senses. 

I will never forget the sight of: The little church at the top Croagh Patrick.  I'm not even religious, but i wanted to cry the second i saw it.  The sense of relief was strange, and i have never been so happy to see a church.  The sight of the 80 year old man with a cane next to me came in a close second.  I hope i am hiking up mountains at 80.

I will never forget the sound of: The bodran!  It's an Irish drum that they play during "trad" sessions (traditional irish music)  That drum can make the most amazing array of sounds!!

I will never forget the feel of: A strangers hand on my back when my calf seized up in the marathon.  I was bent over some kind of metal post and obviously suffering, and the nicest women came, and just rubber her hand on my back and convinced to keep moving.  I owe my finish to her kindness and comfort. 

I will never forget the taste of: Irish butter.  I don't know what they feed the cows over there, but irish butter makes US butter look like crap.  I ate no less then 3 cups of butter when i was over there.  delicious.

I will never forget the smell of: The inside of the megalithic passage grave at New Grange.  You are inside the darkest, quietest place you have ever been, and the only sense that even works is your sense of smell, and it smells as peculiar as a 5,000 year old tunnel deep in the ground should.  

I hope you are ready for a weeks worth of posts and pictures of Ireland.  You've been warned.  :)