Training Log Archive: Dooby

Gougane Barra, Cork League 1.

First control went fine until we hit the rough shite in the open, ferns and very tussocky grass. 2 was not perfect, eneded up climbing too early and ended up too high, but worked out ok. 3 was ok, contouring and then uphill to 4, which I ended up being slightly left of. I also expected 5 to be further away than it ended up being. To 6 I ended up to the right but nothing serious and 7 went ok. Then downhill into the forest for 8. Next few controls were easy enough. 16-17 could have been faster, should have stayed in the forest than taking safe path option, and then my route into the control was slower than if i'd continued on the path a bit further. 18 was further back the spur than I expected so lost a few seconds hesitating. Then a long path/track run to the last control and finish.

Overall I don't think I was at 100% but was pleased with my orienteering. Could have saved time here and there but happy with how body felt.

Garmin distance was 7.22km.

Gougane Barra

Course after the training today, used the short techncial course that I planned for last years event, so I had the advantage of knowing all the control sites, but not the best routes to get between them. Since i'd done nothing all day I tried hardish.

First 4 controls were uphill after a flat first, all went ok, found that my tags from last year were still out for some of the controls. Didn't do 4-5 as I wanted to but didn't work out too badly, rough descent. It was very rough between 6-7. After 10 I took a route to the left going around on the path but maybe straight would have been better. Then up the hill to 12 I was a bit hesitant but spotted the control before i did anything too crazy. Was also very hestitant going into 13, not sure why, then the run to the last and the finish.

Garmin distance was 4.42.

Collecting controls.

We won't talk about the search later for the missing SI box. It turns out the box was never missing, the lads took in a control that was being used in the Sunday event which was close to the control they should have brought in. They never realised that the control they brought in wasn't the one they visited an hour earlier!!!

Just a note to myself really, "expect to be bollocksed next week!!!". Went out last night and it's possible my clock said 4am when I got home. Was a good night though. Think i'll reconsider my plan to go out tonight too, since i've a bit of training planned over the weekend.

Glanageenty, long loop with James Morris.

James had a target of sub 40 today and we just managed to achieve that, but it took me pushing it to around 75% on the descent to achieve that, but was comfortable doing it. We were moving faster today but were a bit slower getting up to pace at the start and I reckon despite the stop last week that James pushed harder up the second climb. I think he knew what was ahead so took it a bit easier.

Was happy that my legs were feeling better today than yesterday and that I wasn't feeling the ill affects of 4 hours sleep last night. Still not in bed tonight and it's nearly 10, and lots of running still to do over the weekend, better go to bed then...

(forgot my HR strap so no results)

Just out and back along the big track to warm-down, acutally went a bit further than last week so James must be feeling better. Bit of walking and easy jogging.

Blennerville to end of fields then back to car at the bridge.

Bit damp this evening! So wasn't able to go cycling, well nothing to stop me apart from a dislike of getting soaked and being cold.

Set off at a steady pace which pleased me, none of the fast pace that my legs have been wanting to do last couple of nights! But after a while my calves as usual were niggling me. They really are wrecking my head at this stage, nothing, physio or stretching seems to help.

Anyway at the end of the fields I did some stretching, but didn't feel much. Legs felt a small bit better when I started running but that feeling only lasted a few minutes. Then on the path I also stopped to do some more stretching. Watch was stopped for both breaks.

Picked up the pace along the canal, water in it was very high, must be spring tides, it was pouring over the lock gate. At this stage my head was not up for more running so I called it a night. Despite the legs being a small bit tired it was the calves that made me stop. Got to run for next 3 days so no point pushing it.

Have training/races planned for next 10 days:
Friday - Glanageenty
Saturday & sunday - Gougane, training and racing
Monday - Rest :-) or maybe a cycle
Tuesday - orienteering race at Fota
Wednesday - cycling
Thursday - cycling or running if weather is poor
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 150km cycle
Sunday - Orienteering, Ross Castle, on fixtures list
Monday - Rest and/or physio

Tonevane, out to bridge and back, then around the loop.

Nice evening for running, couple of drops of rain during the run and a headwind for trip out, but other than that it was pleasant. Legs actually felt alright when I started running and I felt the pace was quick enough. Hadn't planned on pushing it, didn't really, but I wouldn't call it an easy run. No real calf problems apart from the usual feeling at times. The hill at the start of the loop did hurt, legs are tired, but got up alright. Came down the end of the loop at a nice pace too.

Forecast for tomorrow afternoon is for rain to arrive in the late afternoon, by late afternoon I hope they mean after 7! I want to cycle and won't if it's wet. Would have to run then, and don't want to, since i'll be doing a lot of running between Friday and Sunday. Need to give legs a bit of a break, hence the preference for a cycle tomorrow.

Short Mountain, from Tralee side.
Planned on a hill interval session, 4km uphill, with the downhill as recovery. Things didn't go to plan this evening though as got stuck in work until after 5, and then had to go procure some provisions. So got on the bike later than i'd hoped, and I wanted to be home for the match.

On the way out from Tralee up to Ballyard I pushed the uphill to wake up the legs to realise that my legs weren't feeling too good! Felt tired and that was not good news since i'd a lot of uphill planned today.

Set off up for the 1st interval, and in the open area near the top it was windy. Time = 18.18

Then down to the bottom for another go. I felt that the lower part of the second go and the mid-section went better than the 1st time, but on the open section it felt windier for the last km. Legs actually were feeling stronger this time and I actually was more up for it. Time = 18.12

Went back down to the bottom and checked the time on my watch, and it was gone 7, so abandoned my 3rd run up the hill. Original plan was for 4 but revised that down to 3 due to time constraints. Next time I think i'll change things to only doing 2km up, the 3rd km is actually flat enough, so can get more intervals done, on a steep enough stretch of road.

Blennerville + out to the Spa

Evening turned out nice after a crap day at times, showers. Bit of a headwind out but was at my back for the return. At times my legs felt tired during the day after yesterday but was still going to stick to my running plan.

Set my watch for 4.30 min/km pace but after 100m I realised that was a bad idea, way too fast! So switched views on the watch back to time/HR. But despite this I still felt that I ran a bit too fast today. Should have been more controlled. Did slow things down for last 500m, trying to cool down, but it started raining a small bit then!

At the start of my run, the right calf was feeling a bit iffy, but not uncomfortable, and as things went on the feeling moved to my left leg. Afterwards it's my left leg that's feeling tight, but i'm sure a bit of stretching later while lying on the couch watching tv will help matters.

Plan for tomorrow, cycling if weather is good, but might throw running gear in the car just in case.