Training Log Archive: roar

Mourne Mountain Marathon Day 2. B class with Eoin.

Mass start day. Got up too late and we were in a mad rush to get to the start. Made it just though! Punched at the back of the group with Conor and Kev just in front. They were finished with the map just before us and took off up the road. We set off but they were running faster. We decided to go for it and went over the hill. The going was good and the distance was less but they had very good speed and put a good tranch of time into us really. Again I was going a bit faster than Eoin in the rough. We met up with the 3rd overall guys here and were basically with them for the rest of the course. I looked behind many time to see Eoin 2-3 metres behind with the other pair right on his shoulder.

Went around for 2 to save on climb and then the rough started. It was really hard going. Saw Conor and Kev in the distance leaving 2. More rough until the track where I had a veritable meal before the roughest cluster ever. We took the slightly less climb option and saw Conor and Kev at one of the controls. I was up for powering to catch them but the terrain was too much. Falling about until we left the cluster. We then messed up the control on the path bend running around, dropped maybe 1 min here?

Back on track up the hill we were trying to lift the pace. Could see Conor and Kev in the distance and felt like we were gaining (we weren't actually!). the other pair passed us on the descent towards Knockshee and Eoin got some new life. He flew past me saying "come on we can run up this!" I took about 3 running steps before I came to a standstill. Struggled to the top, gel + high 5 drink and I was back.

Lovely descent and I saw the boyos going mad, way up the hill for 12, completely not where it was. I enquired after their intentions to Eoin and he thought they were good. I had the control in very very much the wrong place. Phew! Some life back in the legs for the climb the 3rd pair a little ahead of us. Concentrated on control flow and then we knew the actual climb was done.

Sheep track around the side of the hill. I spotted a nice high track just where we wanted to go and we went for it. Could see C+K really low and I thought they were going low high on the cluster like a pair of madmen. When we reached our height, me with my energy back had put like 15m into Eoin and I had to wait a bit. We then saw C+K faffing on the hill. I knew they were too low and we started to push. Spiked the control perfectly. As I punch it I hear a noise. Look up to see Conor, holding his shoe, saying "Kev it's here!" while looking at me. Very blatantly leaving out an important point. I then said "S!@? EOIN, RUN TA F@?@!" We tore out of the control and I saw Kev's morale visibly drain when what he thought was Conor leaving the control was actually me flying towards the next with Eoin hot on my heels!

We stayed high for this one and dropped into very nicely. the hammer was down now and we ran as hard as we could along the sheep track above the gorse, bags and tired legs forgotten. Down the rocky steep hill to the finish was mental and we took a few risks really. Eoin fell and just shouted at me to keep going. He caught me up as I punched. The run in was a hammer fest with no idea how long it would last, just that it was downhill and every second mattered.

Put 2:30 into the guys but it wasn't nearly enough. Really fun weekend and fantastic weather to boot. Lost it all at the start of day 1 from lack of experience but we know now.

Event: Mourne Mountain Marathon
 

Mourne Mountain Marathon Day 1. B Class with Eoin

Nice start to the day, was worried I might be a little cold but all was well. We headed off and took our time taking down our maps and set off to number 1.
Not being experienced we opted for shorter distance in the first cluster over less climb. Turns out this was the wrong choice! looking at routegadget Conor and Kev punched their 3rd control at almost the same time we punched our second. Then a poor routechoice to the 4th, going down and up the valley lost us more time.

We recovered well and felt strong for most of the rest of the day and were mostly very clean. Eoin got a bit tired around 8 and was struggling to keep up with me in the rougher terrain. My longer legs helped a lot as well. Missed 9 a bit too low but not a serious time loss. We were strong for the run home then from the top of the hill and gained back a little time on Conor and Kev.

After day 1 were we happy enough but would have liked to be in the lead. 9 mins behind Conor and Kev, ~40 mins ahead of the next pair.

Hmm appears I mis-planned a bit. Have to do some last minute mournes shopping so will have to see how much time I have to get out.

Decided to move the rest from tomorrow to today as body is feeling pretty rough. Should get a chance to do something easy tomorrow to flush out the legs a bit.

It was 6 x 800m 90s rest. So same distance as last week but more rest! Thought I was feeling a lot better after the weekend than I actually was and went out reasonably, which turned out to be too hard. Dropped the pace after 3 down to something I could actually manage.

2:48
2:44
2:44
2:54
2:54
2:50

Need to do a bit of work on the consistency of the times in these sessions. Will be easier once on the track and can have splits and and when I get a grasp for the times I can do again.

Cool down with Garret, who I know from DUHAC.

Monday - am gym, run to climbing, climbing, run home
Tuesday - crusaders intervals
Wednesday - cycle/run depends if Conor is still stayng in my house or not.
Thursday - rest?
Friday - rest!
Saturday - Mournes MM
Sunday - Mournes MM

Take it easy Thursday Friday as I have the Mournes to do.
Should be good craic.

Bit of bouldering in Gravity. Didn't run today cause I was feeling pretty knackered after the Nav challenege. Combined with I was late in work and got a haircut and needed to sort out my CV for applying to an internal job thing tomorrow I cycled so as to have more time.

My strength is back that I can do most flags again. Arm was slightly sore when one arm hanging from it after a big dyno to a really high hold. Seems fair.

60s plank
45s side plank
25x calf raises
20x side leg raises each side
20x inside leg raises
10x push ups - wrist is still at me
2x10 15kg squats
2x10 15kg lunges
2x10 one legged squats
1x20 2 legged bridges on gym ball
35x back ups

Skipped the following due to my hip adductor being at me:
60s one leg lifts
32x crunches
20x air cycling
1x20 2 legged bridge

3x chin up holds
3x 20kg assisted pull ups
5x 30kg assisted tricep dips

Wrecked today! This time it is not surprising. Will have to do some good recovery before the Mournes at the weekend!

Getting a new mattress delivered today so that should help. Will give it a good test this week.