Training Log Archive: Dooby

Tonevane. Went east from the car-park on the track towards the masts. The track was the wettest i've ever seen, there must have been some amount of the rain the night before. Made the start of the run a bit tricky trying to avoid the water. Wasn't pushing too hard today anyway. Stopped a couple of times to assess what direction to go next, didn't really have much of a plan. Turned off the road in the turf cuttings at the highest point and contoured in a westerly direction back towards the car. The mountain in this area is very runnable, but I wasn't pushing as not that confident in runners as due to the amount of marshes and water it was slippy. Grass was a bit longer on the descent to the car.

Banna Beach. Out the back beach and home along by the sea. I find running on beaches so BORING! Started off on the main beach but found the very strong headwind a distraction so I cut across onto the road behind the dunes and then onto a track. The run back along the beach was easy enough as the wind was at my back. But still could see the car park from a long way off and felt like I was getting nowhere. Went for a short paddle afterwards in the sea, definitely warmer than when I did the same thing in April/May. Not liking running too much, various pains in my legs all stemming I reckon from my achilles or compensating for it. I know that running on a road would do damage.

Tralee-Reanagowan Cross-Castleisland-Tralee. Legs felt tired tonight after only 15 minutes on the bike. Was heading out the Dump Road at the time and my mind started to consider bail out routes from what I was doing. The only alternative was to head up the road that comes out at Leath Cross but that involved a short but steep climb. Somehow my body decided to go on and the rest of the cycle was fine, steady pace. There were some light rain showers which were annoying. Some of the roads got greasy so had to be careful on a number of corners.

Feedback on Scottish 6 Days. I went to Scotland knowing that I was fit, but didn't know if that fitness which has been gained from cycling would work orienteering. I felt that it would take a few days to get back into the swing of things. The first 3 days all went ok, the legs did what I wanted them too. The rest day was important, spent the morning reading and then did a small bit of walking around Perth. Did end up playing a 5-a-side match that evening but once I got moving the legs felt better. Legs felt very tired before Days 4-6. Once I started each of those races I was able to run. On Day 5 I was 35th and on Day 6 I was 32nd. Those were my best results of the week and they came on the last 2 days. The 32nd place on Day 6 really did surprise me as the terrain would be something I don't really like, heather, hate running in the stuff. My ambition that I mentioned before I went was to beat 15 people. Not very ambitious but in 2005 I struggled for the week and only beat 1/2 people, I think. With every day to count the results worked out in my favour. On Day 4 I started with no. 43 on my chest but on the last day it was no. 40, so picked up 3 places. I finished 35th out of the 45 people who finished every day, of those who didn't complete the week there were between 25-30 people, so I achieved my results goal for the week. My other goal to not injure myself was also achieved.

Tonight only 10 lads showed so it was 5-a-side. The pitch was shortened. After the teams were picked some of my team including me thought that the other team was better. We kicked off anyway and we started well, I got the 1st goal. We kept a couple of goal advantage for the first two thirds of the match but then the other team got ahead by 2. With only minutes remaining we closed the gap to one and with the last play of the match I scored the equalizing goal from a very fast counter-attack. Did some fast sprints but struggled with what turned out to be blood sugar problems at the end of the match. Legs didn't feel the affects of the previous week.

Tralee-Ardfert-Fenit-Tralee. Went out for an easy cycle tonight to get back into training after Scotland. Was only going to go to Ardfert and back but felt that was too short. Legs were feeling fine anyway.