Training Log Archive: conör

Map!

Nav Challenge 3 from the Wicklow Gap. Extremely Windy, rainy and generally wet. Knew the area fairly well, especially around Fair Mountain and Tonelagee, which probably helped a little bit.
Straight to 1, knew the first bit was a bit rough, but once past the forest I knew it would be reasonable enough going and it save some height too. I was pretty much alone straight away and didn't really see anyone during the whole race.
For 2 I decided that it would be best to get onto the track as soon as possible and then just flake it.
Didn't see any other option for 3. Considered cutting through the forest a bit sooner, but I'm not sure it would have been quicker. I lost about a minute in the circle as I came out of the forest too low and wasn't sure where I was.
Lots of options to 4. Could have stayed north of the forest the and gone around to conserve height. Even considered going back down the track. Both of those add a lot of distance though so decided to just go straight. Looking now it probably would have been a bit better to go to the north of Stony Top as there isn't as much climb. Going over the saddle to the south gives a nice attackpoint for the control though, which was nice in such low visibility.
Not sure what the best route to the finish was. West of Tonelegee is an option, but it's not very nice running across a steep slope like that, and I think the heather's pretty thick over there. Some people went round the back of Loch Iolar and over the saddle to the east which saves a lot of climb but it's a long heathery trek back across the slope to. I knew that once on the track it'd be good going to the top and then a really quick run down the path. When I approached the top of Tonelegee I was greeted by a ferocious wind, one of the worst I've ever experienced. Hood up, buff over the face and powered through what felt like wave after wave of ice needles trying to blow off the cliff and into Lock Iolar below. Once I got off the summit it cleared up a bit and it was a simple run down to the finish.