iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Let's hope his mobility improves 😁

IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

First parkrun at Derry of 2025 after the last 2 weeks cancelled due to wintry weather. Cold enough morning but ice free. Volunteered at the halfway turn again with my trusty companion. Will start running this course again in February.

View across river. Boats on marina. Slight orange sunrise in mostly grey sky.

Wooden statue of Macannan MacLir the river god at marina.

View of River along parkrun course. Boats moored in River at marina. Cloudy sky with some blue, grey and slight pastel orange.

Dog in blue coat at steel statue of Amelia Earhart. Staring at camera as I had treats.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

It is great to have goals like that. Enjoy the forthcoming rehearsals. You will be a maestro by April at this rate. My daughter played cello for 10 years from when she was 8. It was a fair few years before we heard anything resembling a tune. She did come good in the end 😀

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Wow that's amazing progress for 6 months.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

I find that as I'm older and slower I enjoy running more now that I'm not chasing a PR. I am running further distances though. When younger I didn't do much more than 5k but lately I've upped the distances I run which is a great buzz.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

First run outside in a week after the icy conditions. Beautiful morning for running. Managed to put my Strava on hold for about a mile before resuming, so it looks like I took a swim in the River Foyle.

Daybreak at River. Boats in River. Sun rising purple, blue orange sky

Mural of Amelia Earhart. 3 images of Amelia and red airplane

Map of my route around the Derry bridges and along the river today.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

That's what Hearts does to you. I once had a full head of hair too 😁

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Good news for me is that I will still get to see him play

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Will be interesting to see how he does here. The Derry pitch is particularly bad, on par with Kilmarnock, so not ideal for injury prone players.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Wise move to stop. 55 day running streak still very impressive. A wee break and you'll be raring to go again.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Parkrun cancelled today due to icy conditions. So took the dog on a walk along the Quay and around the city walls. Quite slippy underfoot especially on the Quay which is part of the Parkrun course. Sensible decision to cancel though I am sure Finns and Norwegians would probably disagree 😁

Boats in marina on River. Sky mostly grey with some blue.

Tree lined promenade on Derry City Walls. Canon on right hand side.

Ca ons at Double Bastian on City Walls. View over city to Donegal hills.

St Columbs Church of Ireland Cathedral. Black Gate in foreground with gold ornate design on top with coat of arms.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

No New Years Day event in Derry this year so went over to the Buncrana #parkrun for the first time in ages. Beautiful coastal path run. Rain stayed away until the end too. Haven't run since Edinburgh Holyrood in September as I have been volunteering since then. Will get more runs in 2025.

Beach at Buncrana in early morning looking out to Lough Swilly. Mainly cloudy sky.

Lough Swilly at sunrise. Large cloud and blue sky.

Statue of Tip O'Neill on shorefront. Lough Swilly in background

Me at Buncrana beach wearing black t-shirt and maroon hat.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

I should add that they are still very much a big part of my life now that I am 61. Happy New Year.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

Thank you for being part of helping Rush being discovered. In my teens Rush were the greatest band in my life and you were part of making sure that was the case

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

Yeah I saw an interview with him online recently and ordered the book after that. Looking forward to reading it.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

I've lost patience with him but realistically I feel we have to give him a chance. However we were told on his arrival about his ability to improve players and get the best out of them. I don't think he has delivered on that so far. I'm just hoping he surprises me and comes good.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Final marshalling duties for 2024 at the halfway turn on the Derry City #parkrun. Very mild today and a big crowd of runners. Again, I had Honey for company. She is happy as long as a regular supply of treats is part of the deal.

View of the Peace Bridge looking across the River Foyle to the city.

Beige coloured dog in blue coat beside steel statue of Amelia Earhart. Path leading down through trees.

Steel statue of Francis Ledwidge. Trees and River in background.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

We are so easy to play against. Opposition managers must tell their players to just let us have the ball as we do nothing much with all our possession. Allowing them to conserve their energy. We are badly in need of pace.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

When he got the job we were told he had a reputation for improving players. I haven't seen much evidence of this. We cannot say we weren't warned though. What I read on the Blackpool fans forum has unfortunately turned out to be true so far.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Marshalled at the half way turn on the Derry City Christmas #parkrun this morning. So got a 5k walk out and back with my loyal helper Honey. Huge turnout today and such mild weather. Great way to start the festivities. Merry Christmas everyone.

View on Peace Bridge looking towards city.

Path towards bridge. Sun starting to rise in sky.

Dog in bright coloured coat with steel statue. River in background.

3 steel statues. Trees and River in background.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Solo. No pressure to run faster or slower. Just run at the pace I feel comfortable with.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Mornings for me. Sets me up nicely for the day.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

The problem with our style of play this past while is that it is so pedestrian. It is very hard to get enthused about, so I understand how easily negativity is generated in the crowd.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Sunshine and rain on the Derry City #parkrun today. Had my trusty friend, Honey, with me again today to marshal at the halfway turn.

View looking over River Foyle. Boats in foreground.

View of River Foyle looking towards Peace Bridge. Sun breaking through clouds.

Beige coloured Lurcher dog in blue coat. Lead tied to steel statue. Trees in background.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Very reasonable. You're more positive than me. I'd have Forrest, Boyce, Grant and Dhanda joining McKay on 0. Beni down to 6. I feel he is by far our best player but doesn't play enough. Also Devlin too high for me. Would rate him a 6 also. To me his lack of creativity is an issue.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

Yeah we will have trouble offloading them. Can't see a rush to take them off our hands. I would add Dhanda to that list too. He's been a major disappointment.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

Cheers. I have been mainly volunteering since July as was training for Derry Half Marathon in September and did a long run every Sunday. Really love the marshaling stints so stuck at it, but will get back to running parkrun a bit more regularly in the new year.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

Volunteered today as a marshal at the halfway turn on the Derry City #parkrun. Grey old day but nice and calm. Had Honey for company who made sure no-one cut any corners. She's prepared to assist as long as treats are involved.

View over River with boats and feint sunrise in the background.

My lurcher Honey wearing blue coat standing on path.

Tail Walker on parkrun wearing orange coat walking on path through trees.

Bridge across river looking towards city.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Yeah one of the cons of living here for sure. But I will order some to coincide with our next trip over.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

They look amazing but unfortunately they don't post to NI. Will order some to deliver to my daughters place in Edinburgh next time we are over. Thanks for sharing.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Amazing view. You're so lucky. I had the privilege of visiting back in the 80's. Incredible trip! Not sure how approved the tour was, I think it was one of the first. I found some photos of that time. Then 1 from last Dec looking across to Whakaari from Moutohorā. As close as we could get now.

View of Whakaari looking down on crater. Volcanic gas emitting from crater.

A youthful me with hair standing at the edge of the crater on Whakaari.

Old ruined buildings on Whakaari. Volcanic activity in the background.

Looking across the sea to Whakaari from Moutohorā. Vegetation with red flowers in foreground.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Nice wee run in the woods and by the River Faughan today. Great sculptures in Oaks and Kilaloo Woods. Very peaceful. Finished with muddy wet books and a clear head.

Sculpture of deer made from bark in woods.

Fungi sculptures at River flats. Trees in background.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Congratulations, much deserved. 👏

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Marshaling was my first role and is my preference. I like to marshal at the halfway turn on my local course shouting encouragement to all. Sometimes I've done Tokens but never Timekeeping. Big respect to the Timekeepers, too stressful for me.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Spotify tells me these are the main artists/songs that have got me through runs, drives, and dog walks in 2024. My no 1 song is a bit of an outlier. Heard it for the first time in years at the end of our amazing trip to NZ in Jan. Multiple listens since to bring me back to that wonderful time.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

I got my PB on my 5th parkrun and have now done 210. I won't get close to my PB again but now I try to keep my age percentage up. I find now that I am no longer looking for a PB I am more aware of my surroundings and have way more conversations and enjoy it more.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Our wee part Whippet does this when travelling in the car to the woods or beach. She pokes her head in between driver and passenger and does this. Glad to know it's a good thing.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Cheers. I am volunteering for the remainder of this year. Really love my spot at the halfway turn.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Volunteer credit number 103 today on Derry City #parkrun today. Had Holly for company today. Took a wee dander along the river and into St Columbs Park, so she could chase grey squirrels, beforehand. That tired her out so she stood patiently with me.

Replica cannon with view over Peace Bridge to Derry cityside.

Ruins of St Brecan's Church in St Columbs Park

View across River Foyle to parkrun start by the marina.

My dog Holly with statue of Francis Ledwidge. Trees and river in background.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Some mornings it's a joy to let the dogs drag me around on our walk.

View looking down street at sunrise. Streetlight on left.

Sunrise through trees at the bottom of the street

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

First of all I've only ran at 6 different events but here goes: First: Derry Last: Holyrood Home: Derry Favourite: Holyrood Bucket List: Lake2Lake, NZ #loveparkrun #parkrun

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Moreton Bay Fig known as Old Albert, Devonport, Auckland. Taken on our trip there in Dec/Jan.

Moreton Bay Fig. Tree with large trunk in park.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Wee dander on Five Fingers Strand, Malin, County Donegal to walk away the football blues. It worked! Beautiful part of the country. We had 2 impatient passengers who couldn't wait to get there.

View of beach looking southwards with blue sky and hills in background

View of beach with hills at the north end.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Volunteer credit number 102 at Derry City Parkrun today. Grey old day at the halfway turn but at least the rain stopped. Feeling the effects of a few pints last night. It helped clear the old head though. Now have my 100/100 t-shirts. Another 40 runs to my 250, so hopefully sometime in 2025.

3 steel statues with bench in foreground. Trees and River in background.

Me beside steel statue of Francis Ledwidge. Trees in background.

Path covered in autumn leaves through trees.

Two Parkrun black 100 milestone tshirts. One for running and one for volunteering.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I have voted for you. For me, as a member since the beginning and living in Ireland, I have always found the communication from the Foundation somewhat lacking. Wishing you all the best!

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Lovely wee run around and beyond the Foyle this morning. My Strava is playing up making me seem like a prime athlete. 😁 In reality I took around 38 mins to run this. Still taking it very easy.

Screenshot from Strava showing running route.

River View towards Peace Bridge. Seagull in flight and a bit of dawn breaking in otherwise grey morning sky.

Boats on River Foyle at daybreak. Small patch of pale orange from sky reflected on the water.

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Not with the current state of my knees 😁

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Lunchtime dog walk at Burntollet and Ervey Wood. Always good to see the constant between these as Burntollet is a young wood only planted around 15 years ago.

Dog walking on grassy track with trees with Autumn foliage in the background

Path through wooded area and trees with Autumn foliage

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IanG @iangderry.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Dragged myself out on this grey old morning in Derry for my first run in 3 weeks. Just glad the old knees coped OK.

Grey skies over steel bridge. Lights on left hand side of bridge.

Old replica cannon on walls of old military base. Looking across river view bridge and city scape in the background.

Old renovated military buildings with aqua blue ground lights on them.

Wide path with buildings on right hand side. Looking down to bridge and over to city.

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