Training Log Archive: Dooby

A bit of running around the field before the cross country. Feeling ok but didn't run too fast. Course looks like its got a few muddy patches.

Kerry Novice Cross Country

My plan for the race, stick with the leader and then pass them at the finish for the win. Plan executed perfectly, Freddie Murphy Memorial Trophy is residing on my mantle piece for the next year:-) But it's a trophy you are not allowed defend. It's bigger than the MOC trophy too.

Decent number on the start line, with a few U18s aswell, their race was combined with the Novices. And there are some good U18s. Start was delayed for around 2/3mins, we'd lined up and then there was a shout to say hang on for a lad, i'd no problem with the delay, it was for a clubmate, which was important at the end of the day as he counted for the team, we'd only 4 runners.

So when we finally got started, a lad in a blue singlet, not a club one, took the lead. This lad looked strong and he had the balls to run in his bare feet. I wasn't sure if he was novice or not, but reckoned he was. I just stuck to his shoulder with an U18 gneeveguilla lad for the first lap. Same again for the 2nd, with a small gap to the chasers, maybe 5-10m. On the 2nd lap we were joined by 2 U18s from Tralee Harriers. They tried to push on, I stuck with them, but bare feet man pushed a bit to regain the lead at the end of the 2nd lap. I stuck to his shoulder. Same story for the 3rd lap. I'd been keeping an eye on my watch, wanted to see what my HR was doing, was hoping for a lower number than 180 but that's where it was hovering.

On the 4th lap George McCarthy came up and took the lead, near the end of it. George knows that ever since he beat me at the Intermediates last year that my aim is to beat him! So when George came past I stuck to the plan and just tagged onto his shoulder. We were together for the 5th lap. At times I was wondering if I could hold on, my mind was wavering, I knew that if I was dropped then I felt that i'd just get passed by everyone, so dug deep to hold on. I think George upped the pace when he took the lead too which impacted on the rest of the chasers, the U18s felt it, as did bare foot man.

Onto the last lap I was still in 2nd position. I knew that I had more top end speed than George but would I be able to keep with him long enough to use it. Pace was upped slightly at the start of the lap which I could handle. George then made a move on the back straight as you could call it, with around 500m to go. Dug even deeper to stay with him. Then when George had finished with his little dig, I attacked and made the decisive move, probably 200m to go. Put around 5m into George before the turn to take us past the playground. There was nobody catching me now as I ran that 100m before the last turn towards the line and victory. George finished 2nd and then I think it was one of the U18s, barefoot guy was 3rd novice.

My HR graph steadily rises after the initial start towards a max at the end. It really took off when George made his move on the last lap. Very happy that I was able to do what I did today. Also pleased that no niggles during or after the race surfaced. To top it off we also won the team prize, so Ríocht did good today. Having the U18s in the race is a good incentive to do well, you don't want to get beaten by lads who are close to being half your age, damn that makes me feel old!!!

Roll on the Intermediates next Sunday...

Short warm-down, interrupted by having to hand out the team medals to my clubmates:-)

Beaufort loop

Woke early and couldn't get back to sleep, not what I was hoping for. Alarm set for 9 as I need to get into Killarney early, had to take Marys car last night as mine wouldn't start!

Cool morning, delayed my departure by a small bit as there was fog down on the lake, so decided it'd be a warmer spin if I didn't have to cycle through that. Fantastic morning, sun shining, but as I mentioned it's getting cool.

Body didn't co-operate for the entire spin, didn't feel great around Beaufort golf club. Didn't really feel tired, more couldn't be bothered. That was only a spell, picked up again on my way home. Spotted a few Chain Gang around the place, some early heading towards muckross and more stopped at the shop at Beaufort bridge.

Nearing home my right knee started to ache a small bit. Reckon I've a touch of patellar tendonitis. Not too bothered as long as the pain doesn't increase too much. Not sure what i'll do to cure it. Doing plenty stretching will probably help, must be as a result of some tight muscles but nothing on the right leg feels tight.

Strap on my watch fell apart taking it off, did more taping to it on Thursday night. Reckon it'll have to get through tomorrow before the new strap I ordered arrived. Not sure how to approach the fix, will worry about it in the morning.

Upper Torc - usual loop

Felt ok this evening but time was slower than last time by nearly 2 mins. No idea why as I felt ok today. Cool evening, and also dull. So definitely feeling autumnal. Legs felt alright, not too many aches, right calf near the end and right knee.

Avg Cadence = 91rpm

2 episodes of The Big Bang Theory.

Legs felt a bit tired this evening, needed to push myself a bit more to try and turn the pedals. Felt like I was doing something this evening. Bit more time spent on the bike and it'll get easier.

Stuck having pizza again for dinner, the problem of being able to get a DVD, pizza, ice cream and 12 cans of diet coke for €20 in Tesco. Would have put the pizza in the freezer but it's too big fit in. Left with no alternative but to eat it! Ice cream did fit in so have no excuse to eat that.

Glanageenty (middle lap)

Went running with James from work so an easy run for me. James was suffering from having a recent calf injury and also sinusitis. Knee felt ok so happier about that. Really didn't need to try hard. We didn't do the new bit as James was up there last weekend and it was very wet. Makes some bit of sense to do a run where you aren't worried about killing yourself on.

Lovely evening to be out running, getting cooler in the evenings but sun shining.

Muckross-Killarney-Glenflesk-Barraduff-Killarney-Muckross

Evening looked alright, roads were damp after a shower so I decided a spin on the road was on the cards. Bit windy though and temperatures dropping so threw on a few layers.

Didn't feel too bad starting off, but on the hill up to Lissyvigeen from Woodlawn it started to rain, not for long though, but enough to cast seeds of doubt into my mind. I continued.

Approaching the Lissyvigeen roundabout I heard a tractor behind me, which passed me out after the roundabout. I tucked in behind, but then had to pass him out down the hill towards Minish and the level crossing as i'd the fall of ground. After the level crossing I slowed as there was a small bit of wind. Tractor caught me up again so I tucked in behind. Got a pull off him for a small bit until he turned off. No brake lights working on the trailer either so lucky I was paying attention.

After that I just kept on pedalling, didn't check watch for HR/speed at any point. Struggled a bit through Barraduff up the hill but legs didn't feel too bad. Wrong gear selection on the hill up home caused a small bit of trouble, pedals turned very slowly up the steep gradient, but managed to get to flatter ground. After that I just took the last couple of steep bits handy and in a lower gear.

Pleased with avg speed this evening, 31kph moving speed. Havn't been on the bike in weeks, since before Finland. Will try and get out on Saturday too if the weather is good for an hour.

1st day having to clock-in at work!
At least i'll have the opportunity to work up some flexi time which might come in handy for training/racing.

Monday - Run, think i'll go longish since I went fast yesterday, up Torc so that'll be 80odd minutes
Tuesday - Turbo Trainer
Wednesday - Run
Thursday - Turbo Trainer
Friday - Run
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Novice Cross Country, must find out if i'm elligible

If the weather is appropriate I'll probably swap turbo trainer for cycle.

Torc Mountain

Calves felt tight today but big problem when I started running was my right knee, took around 20 minutes to warm up. But once warmed up it was fine. Quads felt the hill, particularly close to the knee. At least the legs don't have to run tomorrow.

Just tried to cruise, especially on the hill. Just ran easy and it didn't feel too hard. The descent I really didn't like, think it was a bit darker due to failing light, it was slippery in places, and the loose rock. That resulted in a very tentative run down the mountain. Didn't really bother me too much as the aim was to take it easy.

Legs felt a bit tired near the end but got up the hill to home alright. Happy to have finished this run, I was considering bailing due to knee pain at the start, mainly concerned what impact the sleepers would have descending.