Training Log Archive: MagicIn the 31 days ending May 31, 2016:
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Tuesday May 31, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 30:39 [2] 13.03 km (2:21 / km) +37m 2:19 / km
IW. Following wind - smashing. Driver pulling out in front of me without looking, not so much. Luckily I had predicted what she was about to do and was prepared to take avoiding action.
4 PM
Bike - Road 32:11 [2] 12.65 km (2:33 / km) +49m 2:30 / km
HFW. Quite a stiff head wind but also able to move okay at times. Rear a bit soft again so taking it easy over the bumpy bits.
6 PM
Run - Trail 1:08:53 12.18 km (5:39 / km) +448m 4:47 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (4)
MDC run around the Coity race route, well sort of. Took a few detours to check out the local scenery (including Big Pit) and even nipped across the road to play on the spoil heaps in Pwll Du. Legs were tired but moving okay. Really enjoyed it.
Monday May 30, 2016 #
12 PM
Run - Terrain 1:09:16 [2] 9.36 km (7:24 / km) +212m 6:39 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 11
Checking a bit more the terrain and the map on Llangynidr. Another stunning day, although there was a bit of a wind up here. Had the hills to myself, an empty wilderness with big sky - it really doesn't feel like the type of place that will be improved with a racing tack along side it.
Sunday May 29, 2016 #
4 PM
Run - Trail 1:08:24 [3] 11.34 km (6:02 / km) +347m 5:14 / km
shoes: Asics Trabuco 12 WR
Again not very motivated - I get lazy when it's so sunny and warm. As usual,I enjoyed it once out and felt really comfortable running along. Considering how nice the day was there was a notable absence of people everywhere apart from the cafe and pub that I passed! Took 15 minutes to myself on the top of Craig yr Allt to enjoy the moment.
Saturday May 28, 2016 #
6 PM
Run - Trail 1:14:01 [3] 12.2 km (6:04 / km) +405m 5:12 / km
shoes: Asics Trabuco 12 WR
Long sunny evenings mean that you can put off getting out for a long time... Did eventually get out and once warmed up, was glad that I made the effort - even found a few paths around Pentyrch that I didn't know existed.
Friday May 27, 2016 #
1 PM
Run - Terrain 1:05:21 [1] 7.23 km (9:03 / km) +100m 8:28 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 11
Very easy around Llangynidr, first with Roger checking potential start locations and junior courses and then a sloe run to check the existence of some paths. Legs really not up for much today.
Thursday May 26, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 33:19 [2] 13.06 km (2:33 / km) +35m 2:31 / km
IW. More air required again.
5 PM
Bike - Road 32:10 [2] 12.99 km (2:29 / km) +47m 2:26 / km
HFW. Beautiful evening, the type that makes you just want to get out and do something special. Only I was dead tired so didn't.
Wednesday May 25, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 34:27 [2] 13.14 km (2:37 / km) +38m 2:35 / km
IW. Got annoyed with traffic and traffic lights meaning that I was in a bad mood arriving into work. Luckily I'm not the stressful type and the shower had me sorted.
5 PM
Bike - Road 33:00 [2] 12.76 km (2:35 / km) +48m 2:32 / km
HFW. Tyre held out for the day again. Will sort it tomorrow. Body feeling tired all over.
Tuesday May 24, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 31:59 [3] 13.22 km (2:25 / km) +37m 2:23 / km
IW. Left to discover that my rear was soft, so turned around to get it back to full psi. Will have to see if it lasts the day (haven't repaired my spare tube after the puncture from two weeks ago yet).
5 PM
Bike - Road 29:41 [3] 12.65 km (2:21 / km) +48m 2:18 / km
HFW. Wind was an odd direction, mostly unhelpful but occasionally useful. Tyre just about held enough air in to get me home.
6 PM
Run - Trail 1:01:26 [3] 10.55 km (5:49 / km) +261m 5:11 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (4)
MDC run from St Brides, new route across the Vale farmland rather than the traditional coastal route. Pleasant enough but was feeling exhausted and didn't enjoy the running much. Did enjoy the nice weather and great feed afterwards.
Monday May 23, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 32:44 [2] 13.1 km (2:30 / km) +38m 2:28 / km
IW. Shorts and cycle top but a bit nippy as well. Sunny and dry though.
5 PM
Bike - Road 36:52 [2] 13.38 km (2:45 / km) +45m 2:43 / km
HFW via P2C. Again a bit of a nip going on but a lovely evening aside from all the flies.
Sunday May 22, 2016 #
10 AM
Run - Trail warm up/down 11:18 [2] 2.04 km (5:32 / km)
shoes: VJ Falcons 14
11 AM
Run - Orienteering race 34:07 5.78 km (5:54 / km) +208m 5:00 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 14
Scottish relay Championships, Balmoral. Open, Leg 2.
Quite possibly my best chance to ever be in a winning team for this. Almost was, but not quite.
Jamie ran well on first leg to set me off in second behind Clyde (never saw them) and with about 45 seconds on Harrison and Will Rigg. Needed this to get up the big hill to #1 as my body was tired from yesterday. Running better after that but three small mistakes in a row (10 seconds each) was enough for Harrison to pass me and for Will to catch up.
Had fun running will Will for a few legs and managed to keep just ahead ahead of him after a slightly longer gaffle. Also ran the hill quite strongly to the spectator but was then a bit cautious descending and got caught. Going the wrong side of a fallen tree to the penultimate control meant Will got ahead for the finish.
Pleased enough with my performance, especially as I was the only one in the first two teams who'd done a full length race yesterday. Also much better planning than yesterday but a shame that so much of the forest was familiar.
Mark and Sasha had a good duel on the last leg, but identical forking for them left little opportunity for Mark to try and make a break, so we finished in second just a couple of seconds down.
http://www.marocscotland.org.uk/documents/results/...
Quite possibly my best chance to ever be in a winning team for this. Almost was, but not quite.
Jamie ran well on first leg to set me off in second behind Clyde (never saw them) and with about 45 seconds on Harrison and Will Rigg. Needed this to get up the big hill to #1 as my body was tired from yesterday. Running better after that but three small mistakes in a row (10 seconds each) was enough for Harrison to pass me and for Will to catch up.
Had fun running will Will for a few legs and managed to keep just ahead ahead of him after a slightly longer gaffle. Also ran the hill quite strongly to the spectator but was then a bit cautious descending and got caught. Going the wrong side of a fallen tree to the penultimate control meant Will got ahead for the finish.
Pleased enough with my performance, especially as I was the only one in the first two teams who'd done a full length race yesterday. Also much better planning than yesterday but a shame that so much of the forest was familiar.
Mark and Sasha had a good duel on the last leg, but identical forking for them left little opportunity for Mark to try and make a break, so we finished in second just a couple of seconds down.
http://www.marocscotland.org.uk/documents/results/...
Saturday May 21, 2016 #
Event: Summer Park Series 1
Note
Daniel Hubmann unable to retain his Scottish championship title today...
12 PM
Run - Trail warm up/down 21:15 3.55 km (5:59 / km) +87m 5:20 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 14
1 PM
Run - Orienteering race 1:41:38 13.75 km (7:23 / km) +708m 5:53 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 14
Scottish Championships, M21E, 12.2km, 610m, 34 controls.
Somewhat of a mixed bag this, the area was really nice, actually much cleaner than I was expecting although quite stony, but the planning was poor (34 controls in a 12km long race???) and I found the rock and vegetation mapping quite inconsistent.
Issues at #1 and #3 due to significant but unmapped boulders (my compass also wasn't working properly so couldn't rely on it), about a minute on each. Got better after that, wasn't running very quickly but it felt effortless, which was very nice and I was enjoying the terrain.
Lost time due to unmapped stones and veg at #10 (0.30) and again had issues with boulders at #13 (1min +) - lovely forest for that section. Several brutal legs followed, either pretty much straight up or down without being difficult. Kept running but only just.
Quite a nasty loop from #22-24 (did we have to go in here?) and then a struggle back up the hill again at the end. Was pretty hungry by this stage as had had an early breakfast and not much to eat thereafter.
Not a spectacular run by any means and not worthy of a Scottish Championship win, but I'll take it as none of the others seemed to want it (and it will be amusing to see my name on the trophy after GG and Mr Hubmann!).
http://www.soa.routegadget.co.uk/rg2/#51&course=1&...
http://www.marocscotland.org.uk/documents/results/...
Somewhat of a mixed bag this, the area was really nice, actually much cleaner than I was expecting although quite stony, but the planning was poor (34 controls in a 12km long race???) and I found the rock and vegetation mapping quite inconsistent.
Issues at #1 and #3 due to significant but unmapped boulders (my compass also wasn't working properly so couldn't rely on it), about a minute on each. Got better after that, wasn't running very quickly but it felt effortless, which was very nice and I was enjoying the terrain.
Lost time due to unmapped stones and veg at #10 (0.30) and again had issues with boulders at #13 (1min +) - lovely forest for that section. Several brutal legs followed, either pretty much straight up or down without being difficult. Kept running but only just.
Quite a nasty loop from #22-24 (did we have to go in here?) and then a struggle back up the hill again at the end. Was pretty hungry by this stage as had had an early breakfast and not much to eat thereafter.
Not a spectacular run by any means and not worthy of a Scottish Championship win, but I'll take it as none of the others seemed to want it (and it will be amusing to see my name on the trophy after GG and Mr Hubmann!).
http://www.soa.routegadget.co.uk/rg2/#51&course=1&...
http://www.marocscotland.org.uk/documents/results/...
Friday May 20, 2016 #
1 PM
Walk 1:00:00 [1] 11.6 km (5:10 / km) +901m 3:43 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (5)
Up Ben Vorlich from Loch Earn with Mark and Alice. A few wee showers on the way up but otherwise a respectable day. Steady pace all the way up with a 15 min stop for lunch, walking about 3 hours all in (which included a detour around the rhododendron garden on the way down). Munro #5 I think...
Thursday May 19, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 29:58 [3] 13.04 km (2:18 / km) +37m 2:16 / km
IW. Turns out it was my front brake that was causing the friction. How I didn't notice this and why it was fine when freewheeling and not while peddling I don't understand. Anyway, flying this morning.
4 PM
Bike - Road 30:07 [3] 12.88 km (2:20 / km) +47m 2:18 / km
HFW. In a bit of a rush to be able to get going on the drive up to Scotland. Moving so much today (apart from the uncooperative traffic lights).
Wednesday May 18, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 35:04 [3] 13.04 km (2:41 / km) +41m 2:39 / km
IW. Felt like cycling through glue, made more enjoyable by some added rain. A numpty on a moped have driven into the back of a van in Tong holding everything up - not sure why as both the numpty and the can were grand.
5 PM
Bike - Road 37:12 [3] 12.96 km (2:52 / km) +58m 2:48 / km
HFW> Rain gone, but replaced by wind = even more of a struggle. Hard on the quads as it's like cycling up an Alp for half an hour.
Tuesday May 17, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 33:57 [2] 13.11 km (2:35 / km) +40m 2:33 / km
IW. Another two cyclist passing by. The second being Nick D on his fold up commuter bike... Worked out the problem: something not working in the rear hub so it feels like I'm cycling with the brakes rubbing = very hard work for little return, especially when I'm in such a big gear anyway.
4 PM
Bike - Road 34:53 [3] 12.85 km (2:43 / km) +48m 2:40 / km
HFW. And another two... Also not helped at all by the wind. Had to work really hard to go slow. Took nearly 4 minutes longer than it should have.
6 PM
Run - Trail 1:14:17 13.02 km (5:42 / km) +575m 4:40 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (4)
MDC run up Sugarloaf from the south-west. Massive group so lots of stopping to regroup, until we split into two on the way down. Unfortunately Alan failed to mention that he changed his mind about running with the faster group so after waiting for him for several minutes, we retraced our steps for 2.5km to see if he was lying in a pool of blood somewhere... He was in the pub by the time we got back. Really fast terrain and the climb quite easy from this side, the race will be swift.
Monday May 16, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 30:51 [3] 13.14 km (2:21 / km) +37m 2:19 / km
IW. Not in a hurry but rolling along okay. Tailed by a guy on a road bike for about 5km, he initially tried to pass but then changed his mind. Eventually passed at Blackwier only to sit up in his saddle 30 seconds later and then turn off 100m after that. Another weird cyclist.
5 PM
Bike - Road 36:38 [1] 12.85 km (2:51 / km) +56m 2:47 / km
HFW. Realised that I didn't get enough sleep last night and that I had done a long run yesterday, feeling shattered so took this very slowly. Think the same cyclist sat on my tail for several km, again. Before passing me, again. And turning off, again.
Also passed a bit further up the road by a guy who was actually trying. First time I have been passed twice in one cycle and three times in one day. In fact first time that there have been 3 in a week, maybe even a month...
Also passed a bit further up the road by a guy who was actually trying. First time I have been passed twice in one cycle and three times in one day. In fact first time that there have been 3 in a week, maybe even a month...
Sunday May 15, 2016 #
Event: Pontypool Park
9 AM
Run - Terrain 3:00:48 [2] 21.83 km (8:17 / km) +1233m 6:28 / km
weight:66.4kg shoes: Jalas 2012
An off trail route (mostly) with Ake around the eastern Beacons, mostly because I haven't explored that way very much yet. Ground was amazingly dry and the hills were pretty much empty (didn't see anyone until Fan y Big). Nice and mild with a cool breeze made lovely running conditions and it was all rather enjoyable. Pretty slow pace as we were both a bit tired. Also ran with a (light) bag for some MM prep as I haven't done in many a while. Nice day out.
Saturday May 14, 2016 #
3 PM
Run - Terrain 1:10:34 [3] 11.53 km (6:07 / km) +218m 5:35 / km
weight:71kg shoes: VJ Falcons 11
Easy run around Llangynidr getting a bit of an idea for Croeso planning (Day 4 moved to here due to birds). Despite it being a stunning day i wasn't feeling it and just plodded around - going to be a major issue getting a junior course in here. Found the Chartists Cave (accidentally) for the first time.
Friday May 13, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 33:14 [2] 13.06 km (2:33 / km) +38m 2:30 / km
IW. On a Friday, what a ridiculous concept, this is part of the weekend. Not helped buy being a glorious morning.
4 PM
Bike - Road 30:59 [2] 12.91 km (2:24 / km) +46m 2:21 / km
weight:67.6kg
HFW. Tyre flat again and not wanting to be pumped up this time so had to change the tube. People everywhere on the Taff Trail, including in the river. Grass cut #3 of the season.
Thursday May 12, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 31:37 [2] 13.02 km (2:26 / km) +39m 2:24 / km
IW. Damp under tyre but dry in the air. Faster than I was expecting.
6 PM
Bike - Road 33:47 [1] 12.89 km (2:37 / km) +59m 2:34 / km
weight:67.1kg
HFW. Flat tire, pumped it up and notice some very lose spokes, so took it very easy. Lovely evening.
Wednesday May 11, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 33:24 [2] 13.1 km (2:33 / km) +38m 2:31 / km
IW. Wet in TW but actually quite nice once towards the city. Taking it easy but shifting okay.
5 PM
Bike - Road 30:53 [3] 12.88 km (2:24 / km) +47m 2:21 / km
weight:67.1kg
HFW. Just about dry when I left work. That lasted a good seconds. Proper wet for the next 15 minutes before clearing as I approached TW (unusual). Quite damp upon competition.
Tuesday May 10, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 30:45 [2] 13.05 km (2:21 / km) +39m 2:19 / km
IW. Weather warning for rain. It was dry. Lovely still morning in fact with just a hint of moisture in the air.
5 PM
Bike - Road 29:29 [3] 12.85 km (2:18 / km) +47m 2:15 / km
HFW. The promised deluge still yet to arrive, a slightly stronger hint of moisture than this morning but still mild and calm.
6 PM
Run - Trail 1:00:21 [3] 9.01 km (6:42 / km) +286m 5:47 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (4)
MDC run from Penderyn. The promised floods appear to have put people off as there were only 8 of us this evening. Shame as it turned out to be a lovely run in great conditions. Explored the silica mine near Pontneddfechan which was cool inside and very strange to come out of to warm humidity, almost like being in the tropics! Enjoyed this a lot and was glad of the easy pace.
Monday May 9, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 35:01 [1] 13.16 km (2:40 / km) +27m 2:38 / km
IW. Fat tummy from eating too much too late last night. Also a wind. Very slow. Almost ran over a squirrel.
5 PM
Bike - Road 33:46 [3] 14.41 km (2:21 / km) +57m 2:18 / km
HFW via P2C. Pissing rain for the first bit but quite nice later on, though pretty muggy. That atmospheric kind of weather when mist just hangs in the air and nothing moves. Feeling really good rather oddly.
Sunday May 8, 2016 #
1 PM
Bike - Mountain 1:31:57 28.14 km (3:16 / km) +478m 3:01 / km
Was expecting a nice easy ride with MarkP and Katie. At a disadvantage as on the mountain bike but Mark had selected a route with hills and I didn't much fancy that with my road bike gearing.
First hill was as steep F-off bastard, struggled up behind Katie whereas Mark was clearly walking around yesterday as he set off to set a new Strava segment (presumably to try and beat Clare?)... Second hill was just the same. Cracking day to be out and it did me good.
First hill was as steep F-off bastard, struggled up behind Katie whereas Mark was clearly walking around yesterday as he set off to set a new Strava segment (presumably to try and beat Clare?)... Second hill was just the same. Cracking day to be out and it did me good.
Saturday May 7, 2016 #
Event: NGOC League 4
10 AM
Run - Trail 3:28:30 [4] 37.56 km (5:33 / km) +1437m 4:40 / km
Preseli Beast: what a lovely day out, helped by great weather but also one of the best organised, marked and most friendly races that I have done. Nice route as well, mostly on mountain and trails and the climbs and descents weren't too viscous (and some great motivational signs along the way as well). Great prizes as well.
Didn't know how the body wold respond as it was tired after last weekend and I've taken it very easy all week. However as soon as we started running (accompanied by a quad sounding its horn, a drummer and loads of locals cheering) no one came with me and I was alone from about 100m.
Felt really comfortable for the first hour and a half, taking the ups and downs relatively easy. Felt good on the big climb out of Newport and probably pushed a bit harder than I should have here - had forgotten that there was an extra climb after this one and struggled a bit up this into a head wind and with a stiff right hip (2.5 hours to the top).
The route joined the short race (Beast Bach) at the bottom of the final climb and I must have met it near the front as the guys were running pretty quick. Couldn't match them for speed but passed most of them on the steep bit. This really hurt and I was starting to suffer but my head wouldn't let me walk!
The last 4km were downhill and flat and although I was still running reasonably well, I got passed by quite a few guys on the Bach. Thought I had a reasonable lead in the Beast but it was difficult to know which course they were on as their numbers were only a slightly different colour and hard to see. Also got out-sprinted (I didn't try and respond) by the winner of the Ultra Beast (another 13km) at the finish.
Very enjoyable run in lovely conditions (hardly got my feet wet and got sun burnt shoulders). Also good performances from MarkP and Oli to get MDC the team prize.
Didn't know how the body wold respond as it was tired after last weekend and I've taken it very easy all week. However as soon as we started running (accompanied by a quad sounding its horn, a drummer and loads of locals cheering) no one came with me and I was alone from about 100m.
Felt really comfortable for the first hour and a half, taking the ups and downs relatively easy. Felt good on the big climb out of Newport and probably pushed a bit harder than I should have here - had forgotten that there was an extra climb after this one and struggled a bit up this into a head wind and with a stiff right hip (2.5 hours to the top).
The route joined the short race (Beast Bach) at the bottom of the final climb and I must have met it near the front as the guys were running pretty quick. Couldn't match them for speed but passed most of them on the steep bit. This really hurt and I was starting to suffer but my head wouldn't let me walk!
The last 4km were downhill and flat and although I was still running reasonably well, I got passed by quite a few guys on the Bach. Thought I had a reasonable lead in the Beast but it was difficult to know which course they were on as their numbers were only a slightly different colour and hard to see. Also got out-sprinted (I didn't try and respond) by the winner of the Ultra Beast (another 13km) at the finish.
Very enjoyable run in lovely conditions (hardly got my feet wet and got sun burnt shoulders). Also good performances from MarkP and Oli to get MDC the team prize.
Friday May 6, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 33:30 [1] 13.1 km (2:33 / km) +42m 2:31 / km
IW. I like it when it doesn't rain.
5 PM
Bike - Road 30:49 [2] 12.91 km (2:23 / km) +47m 2:21 / km
HFW. Another lovely mild evening and the body is starting to feel like it's recovering from last weekend. Tomorrow is really going to test it.
Thursday May 5, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 35:14 [1] 12.98 km (2:43 / km) +46m 2:40 / km
IW. Attempted to go via the polling station but didn't find it. Otherwise a successful cycle.
9 PM
Bike - Road 31:03 [1] 11.84 km (2:37 / km) +59m 2:34 / km
HFW. Too late to find the polling station on the way home. On the bonus side, there was no wind at this time of the evening - although I don't plan on making it a habit.
Wednesday May 4, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 35:04 [2] 13.15 km (2:40 / km) +36m 2:38 / km
IW. Still feeling very tired. Need more sleep. Lovely morning again.
5 PM
Bike - Road 31:21 [2] 12.65 km (2:29 / km) +46m 2:26 / km
HFW. Beautiful day, mild and sunny, fortunately there was a nippy northerly to keep me cool...
Tuesday May 3, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 32:03 [2] 12.9 km (2:29 / km) +37m 2:27 / km
IW. Sun and a head wind. Slow.
4 PM
Bike - Road 33:41 [2] 12.69 km (2:39 / km) +59m 2:36 / km
HFW. Sun and a head wind. Slow.
6 PM
Run - Trail 1:10:11 [3] 11.79 km (5:57 / km) +437m 5:01 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (5)
MDC run around Sirhowy and Machen mountain. A good choice of run for tired legs, although a few too many hard paths. Lovely sunny evening.
Monday May 2, 2016 #
10 AM
Run - Trail warm up/down 15:29 [2] 1.61 km (9:38 / km) +61m 8:06 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 14
11 AM
Run - Orienteering race 35:38 [5] 5.47 km (6:31 / km) +238m 5:21 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 14
IOC Relays, The Towers, Open Premier.
Second leg in the "we once were young" Cork O team with Dooby out first and Boyzone bringing it home. Was expecting a lot of track running and as I don't have the speed of the others I thought that it would be best to hide me in the middle.
The forest turned out to be much better than I was expecting, especially after the the long track leg to #2. Legs were dead today and struggled to get up to any sort of speed, but just about managed to keep it going. Lost time in two places: 30 seconds on a control that was clearly in the wrong place (on the wall on the edge of a field rather than in it - ran past it without checking it) and when I tried to find a white strip in green, it didn't exist and it took me a minute to extract myself from the branches and brambles.
As well as the above I also appear to have had the longest gaffle, which is no bad thing on the second leg. Although it was great to have proper gaffling for once, there was probably a bit too much difference between the various options.
After a great start from a fresh Dooby (rested yesterday) and a steady last leg from Shane (who lost more time due to another misplaced control) we easily held off the main competition of DUO, a few others teams also ran but were never going to challenge the mighty Cork O ;-)
Second leg in the "we once were young" Cork O team with Dooby out first and Boyzone bringing it home. Was expecting a lot of track running and as I don't have the speed of the others I thought that it would be best to hide me in the middle.
The forest turned out to be much better than I was expecting, especially after the the long track leg to #2. Legs were dead today and struggled to get up to any sort of speed, but just about managed to keep it going. Lost time in two places: 30 seconds on a control that was clearly in the wrong place (on the wall on the edge of a field rather than in it - ran past it without checking it) and when I tried to find a white strip in green, it didn't exist and it took me a minute to extract myself from the branches and brambles.
As well as the above I also appear to have had the longest gaffle, which is no bad thing on the second leg. Although it was great to have proper gaffling for once, there was probably a bit too much difference between the various options.
After a great start from a fresh Dooby (rested yesterday) and a steady last leg from Shane (who lost more time due to another misplaced control) we easily held off the main competition of DUO, a few others teams also ran but were never going to challenge the mighty Cork O ;-)
Sunday May 1, 2016 #
11 AM
Run - Terrain warm up/down 16:54 [2] 1.83 km (9:13 / km) +50m 8:07 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 14
A bit of messing around in the bog adjacent to the finish/start - proved to be the wettest I got all day. Fortunately the morning mist had lifted.
Run - Orienteering race 1:29:21 [5] 14.23 km (6:17 / km) +672m 5:05 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 14
IOC Classic, Mahon Falls, M21E,
As always, this was my main focus for the season, so was really looking forward to it. However, not everything went to plan today. However, the area was much better than I had been expecting (although not rough enough for my liking) and again the map was pretty decent. In most places. Also not really a fan of trying to work out which bounder in a sea of boulders that your control is going to be behind when there are no other attackpoints.
The main place I had issues with the map was at the start, where the moraine contour detail was both difficult to read and hidden by stony ground. Dropped about 90 seconds on #1, which is never a nice way to start a race. Clean but often hesitant through the rest of the technical loop until I stupidly turned my brain off at #10 and dropped another 90 seconds by looking too early and too low.
Good for a while after that and please with my running and lines but again a miss at #10. Thought I took a safe approach but passed the crag without seeing the control and ended up 25m (vertical) further down the hill before I saw it. A minute lost on that leg and probably another 30 seconds over the next two due to the effort required to get back up the hill.
Another good section until #27 where things just didn't fit for me, ended up overshooting and relocating on a sheepfold, though I dropped about 30 seconds but it was closer to a minute when comparing splits. Pleased with how hard I was able to push from there to the finish. it wasn't enough though, Conor won again (with a cleaner run), ending up about 3 minutes ahead.
Again, reasonably pleased with the performance and the result, was running better today and attaching well in places. Could easily have done Conor's time today, but I think he lost some time as well. Also a shame it wasn't a rougher/steeper area as it was too fast for me. I can't expect to stay ahead of all the kids for much longer though.
As always, this was my main focus for the season, so was really looking forward to it. However, not everything went to plan today. However, the area was much better than I had been expecting (although not rough enough for my liking) and again the map was pretty decent. In most places. Also not really a fan of trying to work out which bounder in a sea of boulders that your control is going to be behind when there are no other attackpoints.
The main place I had issues with the map was at the start, where the moraine contour detail was both difficult to read and hidden by stony ground. Dropped about 90 seconds on #1, which is never a nice way to start a race. Clean but often hesitant through the rest of the technical loop until I stupidly turned my brain off at #10 and dropped another 90 seconds by looking too early and too low.
Good for a while after that and please with my running and lines but again a miss at #10. Thought I took a safe approach but passed the crag without seeing the control and ended up 25m (vertical) further down the hill before I saw it. A minute lost on that leg and probably another 30 seconds over the next two due to the effort required to get back up the hill.
Another good section until #27 where things just didn't fit for me, ended up overshooting and relocating on a sheepfold, though I dropped about 30 seconds but it was closer to a minute when comparing splits. Pleased with how hard I was able to push from there to the finish. it wasn't enough though, Conor won again (with a cleaner run), ending up about 3 minutes ahead.
Again, reasonably pleased with the performance and the result, was running better today and attaching well in places. Could easily have done Conor's time today, but I think he lost some time as well. Also a shame it wasn't a rougher/steeper area as it was too fast for me. I can't expect to stay ahead of all the kids for much longer though.
1 PM
Run - Trail warm up/down 17:00 [2] 2.16 km (7:52 / km) +23m 7:28 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 14
Out to the falls with ColmM and Eoin (I think - my memory is failing), Ciara joining us on the way back.
2 PM
Run - Orienteering 12:22 [2] 1.61 km (7:42 / km)
shoes: VJ Falcons 14
A few controls to collect. Got a lift to the top of the hill and was met at the bottom. That's the way to do it. Mad warm while moving.