Training Log Archive: Dooby

Kerry Intermediate Cross Country
Kenmare

Ran in conjunction with the Masters, so i'd the old guys to cause trouble today. Same plan as last week, although this week since there were a few less of the faces from the Novices my plan was to stick to George, and I did, like glue!

The apple cart got upset a small bit around halfway through the first lap, when Willie Reidy took off, had been warned about him. Rob also went past myself and George too, but he didn't last long there before we passed him out again. Was happy enough with the pace for the first couple of laps. Then things started to increase slowly. Willie had around 20-30m on us, but that gap started to fall on lap 3 before we passed him on lap 4.

During the 3rd lap I don't think I felt too good, stomach felt a small bit like cramping, but that feeling didn't last long. My HR graph shows a steady increase from the start towards the end. Was wondering what sort of plan George would work today since he knows i've a faster finish. The young lads forced the pace last week so it was more controlled this week.

During the 4th lap we overhauled Willie and put maybe 5-10m into him. I moved to the front at the very start of the last lap, thinking I might be able to slow it down, think it had the opposite effect, things might have speeded up. Then George came past again before I went ahead again. Chopped and changed with him for the back bit of the last lap.

The course was 5 laps of a 1.5km course (slightly shorter than advertised). The course was flat and had a few bends but nothing sharp as the course weaved through gaps in ditches. They'd straw down at the gaps too as they were muddy. So overall it was a nice course.

At the top of the course before the last maybe 400m back to the finish I again moved into the lead and opened up a 2-5m gap. I then tried to maintain this towards the finish. I'd identified warming up where I was going to sprint but changed my plan. I kept George back so when he upped it I matched him. He finished only a couple of metres back but I still had gas in the tank for more speed.

So Intermediate title now added to my Novice title. We also won the team prize so another successful days cross country.

Compared to the Novice this race was definitely run at a slower pace, 3.42/km was the avg pace this week compared to 3.29 last week. Longer course this week has to be factored in. Not much of a difference in avg HR though, only 1bpm less today.

C • Epic 2

Short warm-down, and carried back a few signs too from the course.

94 rpm

So Blodslitet was on, decided to watch the GPS for that while on the bike. Bit slow to watch since it's real time, but from a technical point of view it's interesting to see route choices in real time. Watched from the start of the common course. Olav lundanes and Johan Runesson had a massive lead over everyone else. They ran together, varied their routes at times, but only at a micro level. Big hill between 9 and 10 is where Runesson got dropped, Lundanes just kept on going. Runesson had an iffy route choice between 10-11 but I reckon his legs were gone. Lundanes owned the race today.

Muckoss, usual loop

Cool evening, so starting to need more gear running, will need to cover my legs some day soon. Started handy enough, didn't feel too bad running, some niggles in the legs but nothing to slow me down. Tracks were very wet tonight.

After turning the hairpin on the descent down towards the car-park I saw a person in a camoflage jacket in front of me and a deer further down the track. The person had their back to me. As I approached them I saw something long and thing sticking out from under their arm, and all I thought was GUN. But once closer I realised the woman had her walking poles under her arm as she was aiming a camera (not a gun) at the deer.

About the only thing of interest to happen running this evening. Run was same as 2 weeks ago, faster than last week, so not sure what I was doing out there last week.

Muckross-Ladies View-Muckross

Sun was shining so hit the road on the bike, it was either that or sweat buckets on the turbo trainer.

Didn't feel like I was moving too good early on, but after a while and once warmed up a bit things felt better. Once the climbing started I felt grand. Pushed it a small bit, not 100% but maybe 80%. Give myself a workout after missing yesterday. Nice descent on the way down. And felt ok on the spin home and back up the hill.

Back to the plan tomorrow with a run before something bike related on Saturday.

Don't have full data for session, battery died after 51.24, so missed out on a good bit of the descent. Did note time when I got home so have accurate time for the session.

Pretty shattered after Dublin trip, tired, so decided to give training a skip, leave the body alone when it's not at 100%.

Good gig, didn't know much about Joan Rivers, but now I know that everyone and everything is open for ridicule.

Heading to Dublin on the train this afternoon, seeing Joan Rivers in Vicar St tonight, then back on the train in the morning. So don't think training is on the cards.

Car going to the garage today, it's sick, so not sure what impact that'll have on training this week, probably a bit on Wednesday, but hopefully things will be back to normal by Thursday.

Monday - turbo trainer
Tuesday - rest (going to Dublin for the night)
Wednesday - running, hopefully
Thursday - turbo
Friday - Running (usual loop, 50mins)
Saturday - Bike/turbo trainer, similar plan to last Saturday
Sunday - Cross Country (Kerry Intermediates)

More bike this week would be good I think, give my knee a rest, a bit sore today.

Avg Cadence = 90rpm

Just a short recovery spin today, legs a small bit tired.
A couple more episodes of The Big Bang Theory.

Roll on a rest day tomorrow, have had a nice run of consecutive days.