iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

50 laps round the sun done. ☀️ I’d like to say I understand what I’m doing, but that seems unnecessarily dishonest. Tolkien was right about unexpected journeys. Extraordinary people, improbable plot twists & the very best travelling companions. Today I’m just grateful. #Sásta

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Arrived in Auvers sur Oise this evening. The place where Vincent Van Gogh spent his last weeks and where he and his brother are laid to rest side by side. Really moving place....And when I came out I saw a cornfield that looked just as if he painted it. Truly beautiful.

A photo of a cornfield with blue sky that looks like van Gogh painted it

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Noooooooo! Kenneth was a real gentleman and had so much time for the fans. He always was so engaged and answered every question at comicons! Here he is with my son about 8 years ago. Legend!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

I'm back! 1st run in 45 days! Injury, crazy work hrs but mostly my mental health hasn't been great & 0 motivation. Hardest part was getting out the door. Wasn't pretty but not the slowest either. Comeback has to start somewhere so for the 1st time in 45 days I'M STILL SMILING 😁

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Either - - Spies have gotten sloppy - it's a massive double bluff of reverse psychology - Someone has come up with a smart way of stopping people trying to hack their network 😂😂😂

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

This man is happy with his run! Not b/c of distance, time or speed...but b/c I got off my ass to do it. Lots of early mornings, late nights & 4 events this week (& out for another work event tonight) meant I haven't trained & I am wrecked. But I did it & I'M STILL SMILING 😁!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

My first was in 2019/20 and I was almost 130kg.... Was 1 hour 45mins but I was determined to finish....fastest was at Ghent 2 weeks ago.....

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

My first was in 2019/20 and I was almost 130kg.... Was 1 hour 45mins but I was determined to finish....fastest was at Ghent 2 weeks ago.....

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Me when I realise it's Monday tomorrow......

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Hear me out....if I had to buy a horse......

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

I've been going to Maroles flea market for 3 years every time we have visitors (part of the tour we do) & have not once found anything I wanted...until today... I got these 1920s art deco cufflinks for €20! Bargain! I know this pattern from somewhere & can't think where. Anyone?

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Saturday sprint/recovery intervals done! Very happy with that top pace & AVG heart rate & I'M DEFINITELY SMILING 😁! 48.5KM/30 miles this week! I'll take that as a win any day! #RunStrong Enjoy your weekend you crazy kids!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Stressful week & will be for the rest of it so needed to get a recovery run & some headspace. Slow pace zone 2/3 for 2hrs 14.5k. loving the 146 AvgHR. So much easier at 5° instead of 21° at the W/end 🤣. 35k / 22 miles done & its only Wednesday! #RunStrong

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

For me it's Grand Poobah or nothing.....

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Bashir's run 1/2✅ started & kept going too fast & didn't stick to my plan which was there for my ability & for the 19° heat. Was on for a comfortable 2.19 but pushed for 2.16. so had cramps at 19k. But still 2.24! My second fastest half. Bank it I'M STILL SMILING 😁 #RunStrong!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Ok Bashir's run half marathon in Ghent! Let be having you! Hot day already. But sure I'll give it a go. Thanks for all your support! #RunStrong

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Here we go again! Gear ready for race 4 of the year! Bashir's Run 1/2 Marathon in Gentbrugge. It was a rough week with stress & no sleep so not expecting miracles but feel I have a decent run in me. Will work on breathing & keeping the heart rate steady everything else is a bonus #RunStrong

Pic of my running gear with my race number

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Seen on a train.....in Gare du Midi ...in Brussels 🤣

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

So this is how my running year is shaping up! Aiming for 12 to 14 half Ms this year depending on what else I do like the mad trail runs and of course 1400kms. Anyone got any other suggestions in Europe, UK or Ireland to fill in the gaps or add to the single half marathon months?

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

16k slow pace (race pace +1 min) today. In 2° air it was glorious. Happy with that HR for 2 hrs running. Will do a wee zone 2 recovery tomorrow. Supposed to do another 15k trail run today but after a week travelling I needed some head space not race pressure. #RunStrong

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Wee headspace 10 miler/16k down at home in Portadown. SO MANY HILLS and race pace +20secs. but I'M STILL SMILING 😁 Last time I ran this it did it in 2hrs 38.... Today 1hr50 & I still had loads in the tank. Stressful week so needed it! #RunStrong

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Another day another run. Making the most of the sunshine at beautiful Abbé de la Cambre for a zone 2 recovery run. Does anyone else find zone 2 recovery or long hard? I mean for me it's a slooooooooooow jog & I'm dying to go faster. Either way....STILL SMILING 😁 #RunStrong

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

I have much more respect for trail runners! That was tough! Can't get a rhythm going, always looking ⬇️, have to really lift your legs, no grip, mud, core always engaged,slips &slide, &who knew Flanders had hills!but.....I'M STILL SMILING! 15.5K in 2hrs4. I'll take it! #RunStrong

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Anyone who has gone hiking with me knows my pet peeve is hiking or running on uneven ground so this year I'm going to push myself to get used to it ... starting with the 15km Driven trail run today in Flanders! Wish me luck!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Saturday long easy pace run done✅. Nice wee 10 miler. Couldve easily done 3more but had to get home to make dinner. Loving the AVG heart rate! Training paying off. Didn't think I would get out as terrible knee twinges on Thursday after treadmill running. Anyone else get that?

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

1st run since Sunday. 2 days recovery after 1/2 marathon PB on Sunday....Then dosed with the flu 🤧 & banjaxed Wed Thurs Fri. Still stuffed up but I needed the head space! Wee 5k...& I'M STILL SMILING 😁! Especially since I realised easy pace is my old half marathon target pace!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Got myself a cryin', talkin', sleepin', walkin',

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

So...unexpectedly...It all came together on the day at Vicky Park & I knocked 6mins off my 1/2 marathon PB with 2:20:26! Still in shock & starting to get sore but delighted &STILL SMILING 😁! My goal for the first half of the year was 2:25 & 2:20 by the end! So on track! #RunStrong

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

This is the face of someone who thought their second half marathon of the year was going to be a balmy 7 degrees not -2° 🥶! Anyway up and at em! Come on Victoria Park half marathon let's be having you! Wish me luck!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Thanks to @theguardian.com for making me feel old of a Saturday morning..... Surely the 90s were just a couple of years ago....

Headline in the guardian which says "Bridget Jones Britpop and no internet: How gen z fell for 90s nostalgia"

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

1st 1/2 marathon distance of 2025 & I'M STILL SMILING😁! Pushed it as @rachaelburke is a hard training partner so around 2hr30. But really happy with heart rate! This yr I want to work on fitness, up my weekly distance & may look at longer races. But 1st 1/2 race next weekend!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Sure what else would you do on a relaxing weekend in Paris...... but a 15k run around Paris including under the Arch de Triomphe! IM DEFINITELY STILL SMILING! Very cool mid pace trail run round the Bois de Boulogne & back up to Montmatre. Trying to get back ready for half marathons in 2025!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Mach6.... Got them to replace the carbon X which are done. Carbon X gives a better spring but Mach 6 is lighter and I found I've more left in the tank for the last 3 or 4k push

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Also got to try out these bad boys....my new Hoka Mach X....felt weird at first as quite high, slightly heavier than my race pair & not just the same cushion feel..... But oh mama do they help you shift when you are doing pace 🤣! For a 1st run they were great. Good looking too!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Back to porridge....& pace runs in Brussels! In -2° without the wind chill🥶 but I'M STILL SMILING 😁! 42/1400k in 25 done! Thanks to everyone who supported our runs for @actiondeafyouth We raised £2935 so far! Still time to help us get to £3k! gofund.me/ea85b2f9

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

First biscotti of the year....cranberry and pistachio....fresh out of the oven after their second baking!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Run 2 of the New Year with an absolutely beautiful dusk up at the North Coast. 7k at race pace done and dusted. Love this part of the world.

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

So 2024 running season is over. How did I do? Run 1000km-I ran 1221km Beat last yrs Dec 172km for Charity-Ran 221km Run 12 half marathons- I ran 13 1/2 marathon under 2hrs30- I ran 3 under with a PB of 2:26:45. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me. Here's to 2025!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

25/25 runs to Christmas done🎄. I've now ran 221k since 1 Dec. Over 5 marathons! Exhausted but happy Jim Blee @janinemaher.bsky.social @colincperry.bsky.social @rachaelburke.bsky.social & I have raised almost £2.5k for ActionDeafYouth! Support if you can! gofund.me/63c50e5a HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

24/25 runs to Christmas✅! Coast 1/2 marathon &no13 in 2024. I've now ran 214k from 1 Dec.That's over 5 marathons! Jim Blee @janinemaher.bsky.social @colincperry.bsky.social @rachaelburke.bsky.social &I are running for ActionDeafYouth. We've raised over £2k! Support if you can! gofund.me/63c50e5a

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Aodhán Michael Connolly @michaelaodhan.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

15km done and dusted. Sore calves but I think I can do it! Please donate if you can. Link below gofund.me/63c50e5a

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