Training Log Archive: ndobbs

I should also log my 4/5 OOcup races this past week. And I probably ought to train before marathons.

Trail Delle Orchidee.
route

I guess one should do a marathon every 19 or 18 years. The last one was in Dublin in 1999, 3:51. It was more painful. This one turned into a mighty struggle though after km 30 or so. Thanks Shane, who ran away from me after 17km or so and did an excellent 6h38.

An interesting section of the course -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtEFsT1Zeic&t=309s

Ham and cheese and bananas for breakfast in the gym hall, 4.50ish. Packed up and on the shuttle from Ampezzo up the hill to Rifugio Tita Piaz at Passo Pura (1417m) at 6am.

Light raincoat, water, sports drink, peach, 250g prosciutto, 100g chocolate, cereal bar, thermal, o-pants, socks, space blanket, whistle, bandage, phone... in the bag and we were ready to go.

Photo of Shane and Neil to be inserted here!

But was the mountain ready for us?



Gentle pace out from the start, running until the first climb began. Strolling up, Shane and I found fine walking sticks that would serve us well. The first 580m of climb to Passo Zauf (2000m) went fine. We overtook some people on the controlled descent to the first drinks station at around 10km.

The ascent of Clap Savon began. 800m up to 2462m. After a moderate part and a peach, it got steep. Everyone walking here, we were slightly stuck in a rain, difficult to overtake. Shane pushed and did, was a bit ahead before we hit the ridge at around 2200m, where I overtook a few and got some space. Ridge running was lovely, could open up the legs a bit and caught Shane after the wee downhill. My shoulders were cold and upper back all a bit stiff by this stage. Up a scree slope to THE ridge. Alpine rescue were out and ropes were in place, so across we went, crouching and a little nervous. I kept the blinkers on, especially across the gap with a rescueman roped in to catch us if we slipped. Made it through alive and then it was an easy 50m climb up to the summit where Shane was waiting to ring the bell.

The guts of 800m down again, the first part on scree where, once one recalled one's skiing technique, wasn't too bad, then a bit on rather slippery mud... Shane dropped me on this, saw him one last time at the food and drink station at km17, 1700m. I gobbled cheese, bread and jam, cheese, must remember what else.

Slow leaving the aid station, but felt completely fresh. Others around seemed a bit faster at least on the gentle uphill road. Then we got back to some trails, rolling, no views with the cloud that had set in.

End of part I.

C • holy moly 4

OOcup Day 5, Open A. 4.9km

Took a while to decide a route to 1, Shane was 30s faster than me out to the end of the start corridor. Then a big mistake inside the circle, guts of 2mins. Confused by re-entrants masquerading as depressions to 7, so hesitated a bunch. Not ideal to 10 or 14 and hesitated on the path beside 15 (15s each). Besides that, pretty good. Slooow to 18 and fast on the run-in ;)

Lignon loop. Railway bridge was closed, so a little longer.

Stopped to devour blackberries halfway.

Muggy.

When I grow up, I want to be a university administrator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMZKc4Zw3T8

C • Aspirations 2

Tempo run today. Two minutes before the end, I blinked and saw Nigel ahead of me perpendicular on the trail. His foot had clipped a root, landed on his head, nice gash on forehead and nose and he'll have a serious black eye tomorrow. Didn't seem woozy, so we strolled back and he's presumably fine.

collecting canes before departure

Lovely how rock merges into bog and marsh and pond and back again.

http://www.attackpoint.org/sessiondata.jsp?session...
http://www.attackpoint.org/viewlog.jsp/user_5771/p...

Gorgeous session. Tried not to upset too many cormorants. Followed by a proper swim.

Out by Cromwell's fort.

Lethargic. Stopped a couple of times to gather some energy. Good view of Achill from some points. Lovely out.

Next time I spend a week here I'll bring ocad.

east end o

Jog around NE Bofin with Darren. Pretty.

8*400m, av 79s maybe, with Nigel and Shea

ucd chat with susan!