Training Log Archive: grilla

Event: Galtee Crossing
 

Second rogaine training done and dusted.

This seemed like a crazy idea when Eoin entered me but I didn't really have time to think it through. The drive from the finish to the start took a ridiculously long time and when we got there I was madly scanning the map to confirm the hill I was looking at was not part of the race (no such luck). The race was to cross the Galtees from east to west, 32 km across open hills/mountains with7 checkpoints along the way. It was an amazing day out, perfect weather and stunning scenery, but well beyond my ability. The first big hill (Temple Hill) would be close to the steepest hill I've ever been up! Was at the back of the pack starting up but caught a few of the stragglers near the top. They put a big gap on me going down but I got that back on the flat. A pattern through the day was me catching time through good route choice and navigation And then losing it going down and up. The day got easier with shorter hills but I did not get any faster getting more and more tired. Was really happy to overtake people by reading both the terrain and my map. One really beautiful down hill run that was great fun. Took a fall at around 15 km on a gravelly hill top. Took skin off both hands and a knee. Glad we had taken a drive over the last 3km on road so I knew what was coming. Got to the end of the mountain with 6 kn down hill to go. That took 50 min and I got passed by 8 people in that section! I did repaid one of them who made a wrong turn in the village, 290m from the finish. We'd just had a discussion about the massive mistakes he'd made out on the hills - not surprising with that!

C • race or just for fun? 8