Training Log Archive: Dooby

Dinis from home

Will find out later or tomorrow whether this was a good or bad idea. Calves did give out towards the end, but a slightly slower pace helped at that stage. So hoping no pain tomorrow!

Felt a longer run was needed in order to prepare for the Kenmare to home plan, i'll say it's a plan now rather than an idea. For after the holiday.

Nice day today, somewhat humid but didn't bother me, some wind too at times so that was cooling. Plenty of people walking and on bikes around Dinis, but I met more walkers than cyclists while running.

Torc looked very busy, from my view as I passed it looked like there were cars everywhere. Plenty of cars at Muckross House too, so there are tourists around but they are Irish tourists.

My dad was saying some lad he heard about paid around €1100 for a week in a house in Inch last year, this years price, €2500. So if that's the case the idea of a staycation isn't a feasible one for most.

The pacing was spread from around the 4.30 per km downhill at the start out to 5.20 per km passing Muckross. But mainly around the 4.45 or so. Happy with that for the distance. Didn't know what the distance would be like, but can't say it ended up being too far off what I was guesstimating.

Event: CorkO Summer League, Farran Forest Park
 

In Tralee today to visit the office and more importantly get a couple of fillings!

Small bit tired this morning but not too bad. A few parts are sore, like hand & head, but that was more to do with missing a door and walking into a wall of glass than anything else. No footage of the incident, I hope.

Monday - Bike
Tuesday - Rest
Wednesday - Run
Thursday - Bike
Friday - Run
Saturday - Bike
Sunday - Run

Going on holidays Sunday but that will affect Saturday's training, could well be skipped. Might get a cancellation in terms of a physio appointment too this week, but if not i'll have it after the holiday.

Lough Guitane - Glenflesk - Barraduff - Killarney

Time off total for traffic coming onto the N22 and traffic lights at Woodlawn.

Few jobs done this morning but decided to get this spin done before lunch rather than this evening. Still locked out of work laptop.

Saw a lad pass on a bike not long before I hit the road so that was someone to chase. Saw them on the last bit of the Lough Guitane climb, and caught them before the top. Was happy with how I was climbing and feeling at this stage. Some tiredness in the legs later on but nothing major.

Think the wind was behind me at this stage though as had it into my face on the way back from Barraduff, it was from the SW.

Muckross
pushing Erik in the buggy

Lovely morning, stunning really, blue skies and no wind. Perfect for running.

Legs definitely felt tired starting off but did warm up.

The fine weather does get extra people into the park in the mornings. Plenty of people walking, running, cycling and heading to rowing training.

Did see a duck at the river this morning.

Molls Gap-Blackwater-Ballaghbeama-Glencar-Killarney
essentially a ring around the reeks

Damp this morning but stopped raining around 10 so got on the road after our guest departed towards the madness what is the Reeks Skyline. Feeling fine up to Molls Gap, and time up Ladies View was consistent with recent efforts.

Met a good few bikes coming against me at Ladies View, but other than that I didn't meet any from Molls Gap to Beaufort, I think.

There are new signs on Ballaghbeama, giving distance to the summit and the gradient for the next km. First couple were 3%, then it went to a couple of 4% with the last 500m being over 9%. Which I knew. Didn't find the climb too bad but didn't kill myself either.

Took the descent handy enough to start off with. Then sped up a bit. No cars to contend with either from leaving the Sneem Road until almost into the Brida Valley.

The climb from Glencar to Lough Accoose was alright, in a low enough gear which I was comfortable with, then increased the speed near the lake. It was after the climb that the legs started to complain, think it was the distance covered plus the knowledge that I was still 30km from home that had the effect of making it worse. Had a bit of headwind too down from the Board of Works, but not nearly as bad as the last time.

Saw a road closed sign at Kissane's Shop, from Gap X to Tomies X, so had some time to mentally prepare for some extra distance via Beaufort, which it transpired I needed to do.

Actually felt more energetic despite being tired from here back to Killarney. Think it was the extra burst of being close to home.

Derrycunnihy to Lord Brandons Cottage + a loop from there on road/track

At least i've had some better ideas in terms of running at the moment than a few weeks ago. This was a really scenic run. Mostly had the trail to myself on what was nice running in the forest but a bit damp in the open.

Was about the same speed down the hill from Derrycunnihy to the bigger track at Queen's Cottage (that would be Queen Victoria) than I was coming back up the hill. Left ankle still isn't better but grand for running. Also was rocky.

Then was moving nicely until i'd to come back up the hill again with legs feeling ok. They did start to get tired after about 9km but were ok again.

Saw a loop on the map when I was checking this route out from Lord Brandon's cottage, out to the main Black Valley road and then coming back to the north of it. I thought it would be a road but it turned into a track after the B&B. Met an old man trying to guide a sheep in some direction here, I probably spooked the sheep. Then climbed a gate and kept on the track. Had a flock of sheep running in front of me by the time I got back to Lord Brandon's cottage. Also possible to get from the mountain (Purple) from that track.

Met 3 people then running back. Lord Brandon's cottage was very quiet but did spot a boad load of people heading towards landing on my way back. And also met 3 deer at Lord Brandon's cottage, just at the start of the Kerry Way from there. small ones with a smaller one.

Really nice run.

Bray Head

Up to the tower and back for work purposes. Very misty so no visibility at all, couldn't even see the sea from the track. Did lift nearing the bottom on the way down a small bit.

On my own today. No one in the car park when I arrived. But met over 20 people walking up against me on my return journey.

Ballinskelligs & Coomanspic from Portmagee

Since I was down in this part of the world took the opportunity to bring my bike. Coomanaspic from the Glen side has been on my to-do list since i'd done it from Portmagee during the Iveragh 200.

Nice pace leaving Portmagee but slowed behind a convoy vehicle for some roadworks. Generally going well to Ballinskelligs with the average around 31kph. But the climbing was to come.

Didn't feel too stressed on the climb from Ballnskelligs towards The Glen. Entered the mist again nearing the top so no visibility from the top into St Finians Bay, it's a decent view but not today.

Then wasn't really sure what Coomanaspic would be like apart from that it wasn't going to be easy. Actually wasn't too bad from the village as far as the turn off to the pier, thought that might have had more climb, but the climb starts after that. You know you're in trouble when there's one of those car on a steep road signs.

There are 3 hairpin bends on the climb with the sections in between I felt getting progressively worse. Managed to stay in the big ring until after the 2nd hairpin, then needed to drop down. It got a hell of a lot tougher from then on. With the last ramp being very tough. At this stage I wasn't in the mist but in the sun, so it was very warm on the climb as was sheltered from the wind. Sweating a lot now.

8.24 for Coomanaspic. 1.5km with avg of 11% gradient according to Strava.
Definitely a tough climb.
There are 3 part segments on Strava, Part 1 is to the 1st hairpin from after the bridge, 5.4% for 1.2km. Part 2 is between the 1st and 3rd hairpins, 10.4% for 800m. And then Part 3 from the 3rd hairpin to the top, 12.6% for about 400m.

Heavy on my weak brakes then downhill to the car in Portmagee. I think I deserved that icecream in Cahersiveen on the way home.