Training Log Archive: conör

Checking out a bit of the last route choice.

IMRA Leinster Champs Drumgoff - 1st

Set off at a nice pace down the road, in front of the pack and just keeping pace with Colm. Got a wee bit of a gap going up the hill and I decided to try and open it up a bit now we were in some decent terrain. I was about 40s ahead at the top of Fananierin and figured I could gain a bit more on the descent and then try and keep it going along the ridge.

The ridge was nice in the mist, I looked back once or twice and could see no one so just ran my own race for a bit. Going up to Croghanmoira I had my eye out for a potential shortcut for the descent but I couldn't quite see it through the mist. The climb up Croghanmoira went quicker than I'd expected which was nice and I decided not to risk the the shortcut, though looking at the flyby it would have been a bit quicker.

I was happy to have the gap now, I was a bit worried that I'd lose a bit of time on the track
I did miss another shortcut going into CP3 which lost me a but of time to Adrian. I spent a small bit of time faffing in the forest looking for it and then had a bad line going down to the track as well. He was closer than I expected when I hit the road and had me a bit worried. I reckoned if I could get to the top of the next hill just before CP4 before him I'd be faster through the bits of wetter boggy stuff at the end. Pushed hard up the boardwalk and through the reedy stuff but I was feeling a bit rough at this stage. I felt like Adrian was gaining a bit and he disappeared behind lumps in the hills a few time so it was hard to keep track.

Hit the top eventually and tried to keep up the pace on the ride. I started feeling ok again just past CP4 and pushed hard on the bit of downhill. Glanced behind a few times and I was glad not see anyone.

CP5 was the one I was most worried about finding without dropping time, but Ruth had given me a good description of where to cut into the forest. I had a moment of panic when I came into the open patch and saw no control, but luckily I saw the glimpse of orange to my left.

Took a second to make sure to get my bearing right and went for the ride going down the hill. Went straight across the track and enjoyed the nice descent through the felled stuff before hitting the road. Had another look around but it looked like I was alone, I was glad not to have to race on the last bit road.

I thought it was really nice new route with a some good variety. I definitely could have done with a recce but it worked out alright in the end.

WD shuffle with Colm