All the other kids with the pumped up kicks, You better run, better run, outrun my gun…

This is the second series of photographs of my new runners- VIVOBAREFOOT Evo.

The second photograph shows how breathable the runners are; the photograph on the right shows a macro of one of the hexagons. You can see that it’s made up of some kind of overlapping material with miniature holes which allow my foot to keep cool. The third photograph shows how flexible they are. And the last one just mucking about with Picasa settings.

Post title is taken from the song “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People. For me it was the feelgood hit of last summer.

The first series of the photographs can be found here

And I Would Walk 500 Miles (VIVOBAREFOOT Evo)

So I got a new pair of runners recently; VIVOBAREFOOT Evo. A pair of runners with a difference. And then some. VIVOBAREFOOT are what you call minimalist running shoes; extremely thin, lightweight runners that are meant to be “as close to going barefoot as you can.” They’re part of the barefoot movement and running community.

Modern running shoes are like a barge around your feet, disconnecting them from the ground in many ways. Runners like VIVOBAREFOOT are the opposite; you feel more and your feet are strengthened, stimulated more and you also exercise your
calves, thighs, gluts, the lower back and abdomen, increasing your core strength.

Flexible, breathable and light- 1 shoe weighs about 220grams, compared to 440grams for a Nike Zoom Zomero, which is half the weight!

Post title are lyrics from I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) by The Proclaimers

Wicked Game (The Art of making a hurley stick )

I spent a weekend in Kilkenny recently and on Sunday morning was wandering around Kilkenny Castle grounds. There was a small marque set up and a hurley (camán in Irish) maker inside showing how a hurley is made. Tom O’ Donoghue was his name, a very friendly guy who showed us the process of making a hurley- from the block of wood, the tools used to cut and finish it off. A very interesting process.

Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years,[1] and is thought to be the world’s fastest field team game in terms of game play.
Hurleys are made from ash wood, the base of the tree near the root is the only part used.

Post title taken from a song “Wicked Games” by Chris Isaac, which featured in David Lynch’s dark film Wild At Heart

Have you seen him go, though, oh? Boy Racer

I had great, great fun last week at go-karting at the Indoor Go-Karting track at Liosban, Galway. It was the most fun I’ve had in a while, more like bumpers than go-karting and anything went; bumping, cutting in etc. Must try it again soon.

Post title is taken from the song ‘Boy Race’ by the great, great Morrissey.

Play It Low Into Joe ( Pearse Stadium Galway GAA )

Last summer I wandered into Pairc Ui Caoimh, Cork GAA stadium when it was empty and took photographs of the empty stadium. So I called into Pearse Stadium, Salthill, home to Galway GAA. The stadium manager kindly allowed me to walk around taking photographs . Here’s the first set of photos, more to follow soon.

Not Men But Fír

The changing rooms were surprisingly extremely large, there was even a physio room and warm up room. Compare this to the changing rooms that Cork GAA have-

My second set of photographs from Pearse Stadium can be found here

Title taken from the song ‘Play It Low Into Joe’ by The Cash Strapped Johns