Training Log Archive: Dooby

Mangerton IMRA Race

No Garmin, went to get it out of the bag this morning and it was dead, no idea why, so no data apart from a time from todays race. Not sure of climb but will add it later when I get it off Brian or Sean, I presume they'd their watches in use.

My plan for the start was to stick to the leading pack, and then take it from there. Knew a couple of the lads to see from Carrauntwohill so reckoned they were of a similar pace. Tom Blackburn gave the route talk and then he lead the race off. I tucked in behind to see where things went. As time went on and we went up and up, it was only myself and Tom. Let him do the pace work. I also started walking a few bits and then running to keep in touch. Not too sure how smart this was but it was what I was comfortable doing. After a long slog we hit the flatter track contouring around the hill. Tom upped the pace and I stuck with him. I reckoned that he definitely was faster than I was, my legs didn't have any speed. Stuck with Tom and then at the turn off by the wall up towards the lake I took the lead, and took a few metres. The route got a bit boggy after this and I slowed down. After a while I ended up to the left of the wall and Tom to the right. Out onto the ridge overlooking the lake and I tucked in behind Tom. There was a few rocks here but it was nice running. Around the lake and then the last steep section to the top of Mangerton. Again I ended up walking bits but kept in close touch to Tom. When we got out onto the flat summit and the track along the edge I was maybe 10 metres back. Pace was nice along here and at the summit cairn my time was 39.23. All downhill from here...

The first part of the downhill was on a track and then it got steeper. On the steep section I ate up the distance to Tom and went past at speed:-) Was ahead at the lake. I knew at this stage that I was in big trouble after earlier. Looked over my shoulder a lot to see where my pursuers were, but thankfully no sign. Tom started to get away from me on the track but I couldn't close the gap. After a few more mins on the track the legs gave up. Quads were sore and they had nothing to give. At this stage I was trying to hold onto 2nd, no way was I going to catch Tom unless he made a right balls. Off the flat track and onto the steep section by the gully I saw Tom ahead. He was taking a straight route which I followed, not on the path, but on the grass to the side. I reckoned his route was too straight, was not close enough to the path, so I took a line to hit the path further down. Think I gained a bit here as Tom had to come back across when it got a bit messy for him, but the gain was minimal. Was finding it hard to keep my legs moving, was using gravity to get me down and was suffering big time. Still regular looks over my shoulder but no sign of anyone, even if I saw someone catching there was nothing there to give if needed. Then I saw Donncha ahead walking down and wondered if he was ok, gave me a slight boost to see Donncha struggling, but I was concerned regarding how he was (turns out he died a complete death, cycling training taking its toll). Through the gate we passed on the way up, was tempted to close it in an attempt to slow the chasers but in the end decided not to, would have been a bit sneaky! Then onto the more gradual path with the finish in sight. The legs really were dead, I was just hoping that i'd make the finish line. Hit a marsh which ended up being wet, lad who was 4th lost a shoe here and finished with it in his hand, close to the end though. Finally I crossed the line 1 minute down on first but maybe 2-3 minutes ahead of 3rd.

Very pleased with the race but am lacking speed, I suppose intervals are needed. I hadn't run in a few weeks so that didn't help and based on the way my quads went during the race I reckon that the legs havn't recovered fully from the Tour de Munster yet. Uphill went better than the down but that was mainly due to the failure of my two legs. Best result for me in an IMRA race, and a bug improvement on the other occasion I did this race when I DNF'd as I got a bit sidetracked in the mist.

C • Nice 2

Have running gear in the car but going to leave it there! Can still feel a bit of a niggle in my right calf. My plan for the weekend is to go out on the bike tomorrow for 50-60km, maybe more since last weekend means any cycle less than 150km isn't worth doing! Then on Sunday I reckon Mangerton and the hill race is calling to me. So by resting the calf today it hopefully means it can race on Sunday. Will have to shave my ankles so I can tape them for that, had been getting used to having hair on all of my legs recently.

Also going to the Rose Ball tonight in The Dome. Last Friday I was finished Day 2 of the Tour de Munster there, and this week i'll be in a tux at the same venue!

Tralee-Ballyroe-Abbeydorney-Kilflynn-Tralee

Thought about heading out and back to Castleisland but chose this route on the cycle out to the main road. Once out and going the legs felt very eager for road, wanted to ride fast! So my body was trying to play catch-up with my legs, even uphill to Ballyroe they wanted speed. Kept a decent pace going for most of the cylce with avg mins/km consistent. Next cycle I might try taking autolaps every km to see how that goes.

Downhill from Leath Cross into Tralee was good fun. This evening was humid but dry so biking was safe. Wouldn't have minded rain but only near the end if it did happen.

Worst thing about tonight was the head-on collision I had with a bee or wasp near the junction into the estate on my way back. Pretty much hit me on my forrhead, between my eyes. Was a fair smack to start and then the pain from the sting hit. If it hadn't been close to the house it would have been a very uncomfortable cycle home, it was bad enough as it was. Once home I iced it for a few minutes and after my shower I put Anthisan on, it said to use it on insect bites, don't know how affective it is on wasp/bee stings. Still hurts a couple of hours later.

Blennerville-end of fields-Blennerville

Started running and my legs were sore, particularly in my quads just above the knee, but I knew they were tired anyway! Set off at a handy enough pace, was thinking about how far I was going to run, decided on not going to The Spa, but would see how I felt about into the Basin and back.

As time went by the feeling in my legs didn't improve, even felt a bit sore in my left calf too. Think the hard ground is not helping either. On the way back I decided that i'd stop at the car, a short run is enough to ease back into things. Next run will be Tonevane and hoping for a softer surface.

The second of my planned rest days, why is it that on days I'm not training the evenings turn out to be perfect training weather. Last night I would have gone for a cycle if it wasn't raining, but not on the agenda tonight as i'd scheduled a physio appointment.

Got my legs checked out, iron out any kinks from the weekend, quads are tired, but possibly in better shape than before last physio session!

No surprise that i'm resting today. Plan actually did include a cycle but weather after work was unfriendly, raining, so no short recovery ride.

I survided the Tour de Munster on training i'd done so very pleased. Definitely an achivement. Was very concerned that I wouldn't even finish day 1 not to mind the Tour at lunch on Thursday with cramp trying to take me out, but I won that battle for a change.

"Pain is weakness leaving the body" is a motto I was told by Danny and Brian when they mentioned doing the Tour to me. After doing it I see the truth in this statement.

My head is fairly wrecked after it though, both driving home last night and around Kerry this morning I was nearly swerving around potholes, and calling out. Brain is still in cycling mode, hope it's better tomorrow.

Got physio tomorrow, and i'm hoping that she goes easy on my battered body. Quads are really the only sore things, but need my right achilles checked, it was very painful yesterday, think it could be shoe causing the trouble rather than anything serious being wrong.

C • Well done 2