Training Log Archive: grillaIn the 31 days ending Jul 31, 2019:
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Saturday Jul 27, 2019 #
7 AM
Run 1:05:34 [3] 8.98 km (7:18 / km) +236m 6:27 / km
shoes: La sportiva
Pinnacle loop with Nat. Went a different way today - we got a really nice single track section doing this, but it left us at the bottom of a VERY steep hill. My mountain climbing training has had no positive effect for hills :(. Feeling better today but stopped a bit early as a precaution.
Friday Jul 26, 2019 #
9 AM
Run 53:11 [3] 7.2 km (7:23 / km) +139m 6:44 / km
shoes: La sportiva
Jetlag hit me this morning... yesterday was a long day. Feeling absolutely dire on this run, lucky Nat did most of the talking as staying upright was about all I could manage.
Thursday Jul 25, 2019 #
6 AM
Run 33:20 [3] 5.28 km (6:19 / km) +91m 5:49 / km
shoes: La sportiva
Very frosty this morning. Beautiful sunrise, looking forward to lighter mornings!
Wednesday Jul 24, 2019 #
12 PM
Orienteering 31:43 [3] 4.61 km (6:53 / km) +48m 6:33 / km
shoes: VJ Irock 2
Wednesday lunchtime at North Lyneham. Feeling a bit slow after long trio home. Wayward on quite a few legs and ran out of steam near the end. Was catching Eoin up to 13th of 15 controls and he ended up being well in front by the end.
Sunday Jul 21, 2019 #
Walk 30:00 [3] 4.0 km (7:30 / km)
Nothing strenuous, took some alpacas for a walk and then did a bit of an explore through Frrn Hill and found pathway up to Barnaculla.
Saturday Jul 20, 2019 #
9 AM
Run (Parkrun) 26:52 [3] 4.91 km (5:28 / km) +25m 5:20 / km
shoes: Kayano - narrow ones
Marlay Park - running in the park was as good as usual, although as this was a parkrun, I felt compelled to run harder than usual and did not get on my favourite paths. Happy to improve on time from Christmas!
Unsurprisingly, Smashed by both Eoin and Aoife.
Miserable start with misty rain beforehand but it was dry for the run. “Glorious weather this weekend”, apparently!
Unsurprisingly, Smashed by both Eoin and Aoife.
Miserable start with misty rain beforehand but it was dry for the run. “Glorious weather this weekend”, apparently!
Run 25:26 [3] 4.87 km (5:14 / km) +26m 5:05 / km
ahr:186 max:199 shoes: Aoife
Friday Jul 19, 2019 #
Swim 26:00 [3] 1.0 km (26:00 / km)
Swim at UCD. Last year we could not get in here, but Eoin managed to get us a free pass today. I think they were hoping to sell us a membership!
A very nice 50m pool, so much easier than the 25m earlier this week. Felt much better in the water but the recently consumed lunch was a bit close to the surface at times.
A very nice 50m pool, so much easier than the 25m earlier this week. Felt much better in the water but the recently consumed lunch was a bit close to the surface at times.
Thursday Jul 18, 2019 #
10 AM
Walk 2:10:10 [3] 6.85 km (19:01 / km) +319m 15:25 / km
shoes: Kayano - narrow ones
Three Rock mountain via lane above Barnacullia. Manages another failed geocache but got 2 of those that stumped us last year.
The usual shenanigans finding the right path down. Getting very overgrown.
The usual shenanigans finding the right path down. Getting very overgrown.
Wednesday Jul 17, 2019 #
2 PM
Swim 20:00 [3] 0.75 km (26:40 / km)
Swimming on a soft day. Ok indoor pool at National aquatic centre.
Struggled at the start. Improved though and worst complaints at the end were the locker key hurting my wrist and goggles hurting my eye sockets, so all good really!
Struggled at the start. Improved though and worst complaints at the end were the locker key hurting my wrist and goggles hurting my eye sockets, so all good really!
Tuesday Jul 16, 2019 #
9 AM
Walk 3:29:38 [3] 10.26 km (20:26 / km) +834m 14:32 / km
Slieve Donard. Hard work especially near the top. Good to see many people out attempting this. Unlike Mark we stuck (mainly) to the main track. Lots of work has gone into its construction with granite slabs/rocks most of the way.
Not inspired to ever visit this Newcastle again.
Not inspired to ever visit this Newcastle again.
Monday Jul 15, 2019 #
Swim 10:00 [3] 0.1 km (1:40:00 / km)
Possibly the coldest swim ever.
4 PM
Various exercise 23:49 [3] 1.82 km (13:04 / km)
The Peace Maze at Castlewellan. A bit over seeing union jacks on the drive etc but well worth the visit here and the Giants Causeway earlier.
Eoin smashed us doing it in probably less than half the time.
Eoin smashed us doing it in probably less than half the time.
Various exercise 5:28 [3] 0.75 km (7:17 / km)
Second try. Not as great as I intended.
Various exercise (Maze) 4:06 [3] 0.34 km (11:57 / km) +4m 11:17 / km
Exit
Various exercise (Maze) 5:55 [3] 0.79 km (7:31 / km)
ahr:178 max:196 shoes: Aoife
Various exercise 28:23 [3] 3.6 km (7:54 / km)
ahr:161 max:194 shoes: Aoife
Sunday Jul 14, 2019 #
2 PM
Walk 2:19:49 [3] 4.65 km (30:03 / km) +489m 19:42 / km
Walk up Errigal. Quite challenging but there were many walkers far less qualified than us! Most were taking it all in good humour. We made it up and down the scree fine but I had a stack in the bogs about 400m from the car park. Had to get pulled out as was well and truly stuck with my good leg and could not exert enough force through the bad one to move myself.
Injured thumb in the landing.
Injured thumb in the landing.
8 PM
Walk 1:00:00 [3] 3.8 km (15:47 / km)
Aoife is keen to collect a few particular kinds of geocaches and one was located relatively nearby. We set out after returning from dinner on a pleasant evening. Got to the site fine but spent 30 min hunting and getting g bitten by midges before we declared it a lost cause and walked back. A bit sad after long walk on an already long day.
Views made it worthwhile.
Views made it worthwhile.
Saturday Jul 13, 2019 #
7 PM
Various exercise 37:34 [3] 1.08 km (34:45 / km) +34m 30:05 / km
Zip lines at the Grenoble Bastille. These were fun, but a bit windy on the last one. Some pretty challenging climbing/traversing from the first to the second.
This was after the Speleobox caving simulator. Working at my limits in that one. I would not have done it if they hadn’t made me accompany Aoife. Was fun in the end but am very sore next day.
This was after the Speleobox caving simulator. Working at my limits in that one. I would not have done it if they hadn’t made me accompany Aoife. Was fun in the end but am very sore next day.
Friday Jul 12, 2019 #
10 AM
Orienteering 42:39 [3] 4.46 km (9:33 / km) +134m 8:18 / km
shoes: VJ Bold Ugly yellow
A much better day again :) Things were off to a hairy start after the 20 min chairlift ride to the start took 30 minutes... It was then quite a hike down to the actual start and we had to run most of it. In the end Nea and I abandoned Aoife who was struggling to keep up in one section. She eventually caught us just as we arrived at the start, and just in time. Nea had to fight through to the front boxes while I was 30 sec behind. Struggled on 1, went a different way to anyone else I saw, but would go that way again based on the map. It was steep and I got slowed by blueberry bushes so I suspect I was caught by the lady 30 sec behind me. There was another who punched a little ahead but I got the second control first of the three of us. From the splits, it looks like one of them was just behind me for the rest of the race but I was oblivious to that. I think I saw her on way to 9. I was a bit off going to 3 (didn’t climb enough), 5 (climbed too much), 6 (didn’t climb enough) and 7 (stayed too high and had to contour on really steep slope). I worked out there that my shoelace was undone (did not have time to tape at start). From 8 it was a slog to 9 and then easy down to the finish. I was happy enough with the run. Lost some time but not significant.
Enjoyed the event - mainly for the scenery. Courses were not always my favourite, but it was tough with the terrain. French were very welcoming and friendly again. Finished 8th overall. Place is OK but I should not have lost so much time in first couple of days.
Enjoyed the event - mainly for the scenery. Courses were not always my favourite, but it was tough with the terrain. French were very welcoming and friendly again. Finished 8th overall. Place is OK but I should not have lost so much time in first couple of days.
Orienteering 22:01 [3] 2.99 km (7:22 / km) +72m 6:34 / km
ahr:179 max:211 shoes: Aoife
She appears to be outrunning both of us... managed the chaos of the chasing start with no support and kept her head during the race. Results have her finishing 4th on the day and 7th overall. I think this is based on the first control not being included in the time. On true time she made it to 6th overall and improved every day.
Thursday Jul 11, 2019 #
11 AM
Orienteering 17:14 [3] 1.95 km (8:49 / km) +32m 8:09 / km
ahr:173 max:201 shoes: Aoife
7 PM
Orienteering 27:45 [3] 2.8 km (9:55 / km) +126m 8:06 / km
shoes: VJ Bold Ugly yellow
A better day today - it was an easy course but that did not stop me doing dumb things the past few days. Still 5+ minutes behind but that is really just strength and fitness and not too much to do with navigation.
Appreciated having far better stability and grip with my shoes today! First time I’ve worn studded shoes since hip operation (7 years) and no regrets!
Appreciated having far better stability and grip with my shoes today! First time I’ve worn studded shoes since hip operation (7 years) and no regrets!
Wednesday Jul 10, 2019 #
9 AM
Orienteering 56:10 [3] 4.8 km (11:42 / km) +185m 9:49 / km
shoes: Inov8 Mudclaw
Another utterly spectacular day and more insanely steep terrain. Today started a bit higher up the valley and we were bussed up to the start, well ahead of schedule so plenty of time to sit and contemplate the view. Sitting there for 45 min I did not in the least expect to be running up the mountain out of the start but that’s exactly what we did! There was a lot of walking from me again today! Even contouring was at a walk due to precarious situation on steep slopes... still I took time to enjoy the views at various times. 1 and 2 were incredibly easy. 3 and 4 were too but I messed up both big time! Misread ups as downs to 3 and misread contours and vegetation to 4, should have used track for it.... All ok through to 8 except I came into 7 high and could not get down (steep). Was too high on 9 and 10 despite relatively easy legs/ controls- my brain just could not comprehend just how far I needed to descend. Then pretty simple to the finish. Was not happy with my run but better than previous day.
Exstatic to buy new shoes to cope with next 2 days, made a very bad choice in the very old pair I’d brought with me. They are not coming home :).
Exstatic to buy new shoes to cope with next 2 days, made a very bad choice in the very old pair I’d brought with me. They are not coming home :).
Orienteering 37:20 [3] 3.63 km (10:18 / km) +111m 8:56 / km
ahr:177 max:197 shoes: Aoife
Tuesday Jul 9, 2019 #
11 PM
Various exercise (White water rafting) 1:06:43 [3] 9.22 km (7:14 / km) +41m 7:05 / km
Bad weather and thunderstorms were forecast for the event site today and late yesterday the organisers deferred the event by a day (the following day was scheduled as a rest day). We had not pre-booked anything and in the circumstances, rafting seemed like a fair option - rain would not ruin things too much. It was a great idea - the river was certainly fun but not overly difficult for the girls. We had a great guide who was happy for Aoife and Nea to jump out and swim in the quieter sections. He also had a portion where we parked the boat and went back to swim down ourselves. Wet suits worked well and was only briefly cold during the swim part. Rain held off in our side of the mountains too. Just a few sprinkles now and then.
Monday Jul 8, 2019 #
1 PM
Orienteering 22:33 [3] 2.33 km (9:41 / km) +117m 7:44 / km
ahr:180 max:198 shoes: Aoife
9 PM
Orienteering 40:59 [3] 3.32 km (12:21 / km) +197m 9:31 / km
shoes: Inov8 Mudclaw
Hmm, so much for pretty, rolling meadows! This was spectacular, but as I now know the alps are steep, steeper and insanely steep. I thought I was going to break my leg going to the first control! A bit off going to 2, again due to steepness and avoiding it, but also misreading control descriptions - was looking for a spur not a gully. Once I read it properly I went back to where I had been and low and behold - control below! Went well on the couple of short legs and mostly did 5 well but again lost the plot near the control and panicked, ran down instead of up and around the corner.. similar to 6 and 7. Was dead on height for 7 but got nervous 20m from control and nearly plunged stupidly 100m back down the cliff i’d Just crawled up! Luckily I saw Eoin and he saved me from that stupidity. Ok through to 10 and most of the way to 11 where once again I saw something lower that looked a bit like what I was looking for so careered down. I can’t believe I did that. So glad to finish but annoyed that an ok run was made so poor due to not finishing legs properly. On top of that just really struggling with the hills and altitude.
Sunday Jul 7, 2019 #
Event: O'France 2019
11 AM
Orienteering 24:09 [3] 3.21 km (7:31 / km) +55m 6:56 / km
ahr:184 max:200 shoes: Aoife
Aoife’s run. Will transfer later. She did ok after the first...
Orienteering 16:55 [3] 2.59 km (6:32 / km) +28m 6:12 / km
shoes: Inov8 Mudclaw
An error riddled run, starting from the start triangle! Was totally mixed up re up and down it’s the fort ... wayward to 1, overshot 3, did not see the stairs to exit 5 and ran a lot further than necessary, a bit right to 7 so got wrong control ... fell down the hill to last and did a somersault. Lost my map in the process and went back for it. Lucky to make 6th. Field depleted due to WMOC?
Saturday Jul 6, 2019 #
Note
So much for the rest day, it was epic. There is something about us and trains in Switzerland. In 1995 there was the Greve and we could not get to Chamonix. Eoin and I sat in Geneva train station for about 12 hours waiting for the only train to Paris in the next week ( it eventually arrived and departed!). The in 2002 my train was late and I ended up missing my connection and had to walk around Brig by myself in The dark looking for somewhere to stay....
Today, we had to change trains I Lausanne for some inexplicable reason and it slowly dawned on us that we were going to miss our connection to Grenoble. It turned out there were no services to Grenoble at all, but tools us a long time to establish that. We ended up catching a bus to Chambery but got off there as wanted to limit bus time afraid Aoife might get travel sick. Eventually we worked out the train from Chambery was in fact a bus (aka CountryLink and the good old XPT!). We almost missed the bus - Eoin got it to stop for us... eventually picked up our car and the google lady sent us the wrong direction. Getting my lefts and rights right is hard enough for me without driving in the wrong side of the road and having her get it wrong too! ( I failed my first driving test because I could not do left and right...). Finally underway and Aoife eventually did get squeamish so had to take the front seat... a long windy drive. Finally completed by rally driving through the local village following g our host to our apartment. She even had me stop in the middle of the village Main Street to point out the local Boulangerie, pizzeria and Epicurie (new word for me!). Fortunate to arrive before the thunderstorm
Today, we had to change trains I Lausanne for some inexplicable reason and it slowly dawned on us that we were going to miss our connection to Grenoble. It turned out there were no services to Grenoble at all, but tools us a long time to establish that. We ended up catching a bus to Chambery but got off there as wanted to limit bus time afraid Aoife might get travel sick. Eventually we worked out the train from Chambery was in fact a bus (aka CountryLink and the good old XPT!). We almost missed the bus - Eoin got it to stop for us... eventually picked up our car and the google lady sent us the wrong direction. Getting my lefts and rights right is hard enough for me without driving in the wrong side of the road and having her get it wrong too! ( I failed my first driving test because I could not do left and right...). Finally underway and Aoife eventually did get squeamish so had to take the front seat... a long windy drive. Finally completed by rally driving through the local village following g our host to our apartment. She even had me stop in the middle of the village Main Street to point out the local Boulangerie, pizzeria and Epicurie (new word for me!). Fortunate to arrive before the thunderstorm
Friday Jul 5, 2019 #
11 AM
Walk 1:51:13 [3] 4.93 km (22:33 / km) +121m 20:05 / km
A shorter than planned walk after a later than planned start. An early morning blackout left Zermatt without the ability to make coffee or sell train tickets! From Blauherd to Stillensee then back to Sunnegga. A nice and not too challenging walk and I saw my first ever Edelweiss - finally! There was just a small patch along the route, luckily I saw them :)
4 PM
Various exercise 1:23:14 [3] 2.2 km (37:48 / km) +41m 34:34 / km
shoes: Kayano - narrow ones
Celebrating the memory of acroroc, Aoife and I did the Zermatt Forest Fun Park. Good fun, lots of zip lines (complete with spectacular backdrops) and hopefully not too much arm work. Ready for a rest day on the train tomorrow.
Thursday Jul 4, 2019 #
12 PM
Walk 2:16:09 [3] 6.76 km (20:08 / km) +156m 18:04 / km
After a VERY expensive ride to the top of the Kleine Matterhorn we walked back via the Matterhorn Glacier trail. Spectacular landscape. Tough downhill to Schwarzsee cable car station. I knew from previous visit not to walk the whole way down! Enjoyed the return visit here but unlikely I would have come if I’d known the cable car prices beforehand!