Training Log Archive: Dooby

Decided to take it easy after a long spin yesterday on the bike. Legs didn't feel tired though, so that's a positive as another long spin on the cards next weekend but not as long or as much climb as yesterday. Hoping to get more running done in the coming week with less pain, fingers crossed.

Muckross-Killarney-Molls Gap-Caha Pass-Healy Pass-Molls Gap-Muckross

6 of us out from the Chain Gang, nice group. My plan for the day was to take it easy on the climbs in order to save the legs, and save them I did, HR was low on all the climbs and legs felt comfortable.

Bit of messing on my way into Killarney, 2km down the road I realised i'd forgotten to take my inhaler so turned around and went back up the hill. Then met the lads on Port Road. We'd stewards helping us through Killarney, they thought we were doing the Hardman.

Up Molls was grand, cycled with Ken, not pushing. Then nice descent into Kenmare and on towards the Caha Pass. On this climb i was again with Ken and had Chalkey i think to keep us company. Weather was turning at this stage, starting to get damp.

Had tea in Glengarriffe, was quiet this morning. Was very damp when we started again, lads were regretting not having jackets with them but I'd mine, sweet.

Took the climb between Glengarriffe and Adrigole easy too, so that was grand, then nice long gradual descent from there. Chatted with Ken again on the ascent of the Healy Pass, felt easy, but then again that's what happens when you don't try. The road was drier on the Kerry side which was good, one dodgy bend.

Climb again out of Lauragh, put a small bit more effort into this, and once we'd regrouped in Tuosist we moved very nicely back towards Kenmare. Ass was getting sore after 4 hours in the saddle at this stage. Took a few nice turns on the front on the way to Kenmare as we hammered along. Damp again in Kenmare.

Met a few of the Cannonball Run cars in Kenmare, some american police cars, a few Ferraris, Lambos and the coolest car of all, an A-Team van.

Stopped at the garage for more provisions. Legs were feeling ok here but needed fuel, more coke and chocolate plus another gel. Some unwise food choices amongst the others.

After over 120km my legs felt good, tiredness there, but could still get out of the saddle. Did a few turns on the front heading up Molls and was told to ease off so did. After a few km I was again on the front and Barry said he'd see us at the top. I took that as a sign to attack so ramped up the speed bringing Colin with me. Kept pushing despite the legs starting to complain. Colin did some work then, and with maybe 1km to go he attacked me, I let him have a few metres as I increased my pace and once onto his wheel I was prepared to attack him. As I passed him he said it was mine, his attempt to break me had broken himself. Kept on going to the top and waited for the others.

The descent from Molls Gap wasn't too bad, passed out a BMW doing the Cannonball Run, no match for my speed, but it stopped as there was sheep across the road which I was able to weave through. Was concerned about Ladies View descent after Tuesday's spin, but road wasn't as wet as I thought it would be. Had one dodgy corner but the rest were fine. Pace again incrased after Muckross House, I did a turn around there as I wanted to do my bit before I turned off. Legs felt alright going up home.

Overall very pleased with how I coped with the spin today, longest by a good bit of 2013. Also had nearly 1900m climb and we averaged 28.8kph. Pity about the weather at times but lovely route.

Back in Kerry after a tiring trip to cork, traffic was mental in Killarney. Comfortable spin home in the new car, very nice.

Need an early night, cycling at 830 in the morning, lots of climb predicted.

C • Chain Gang 4

Tralee-Castleisland-up to viewing point-Farranfore-Tralee-Bypass-Leith-Tralee
Chain Gang Thursday Spin

Nice group out tonight. Headwind to start off with out to Castleisland, had a few solo attempts off the front so they were caught eventually. Didn't have the legs for the climb, quads were sore, so paced Chalky up the hill after his epic solo behind a tractor. He was tired after it.

Struggled to keep up back down the hill but group got together again for spin to Farranfore. Nice pace back to Tralee, not killing it, comfortable. Did pick up at times but the group calmed it down when necessary. Took in the new bypass, lost Ken at Gallys, then more of the lads at Ballygarry but myself, Canice and John went all the way up. Some tough climbing as the road is open and gradient is awkward. Then a headwind down the hill, lost Canice at the top and John on dump road.

Struggled a bit on the flatter sections into the wind on my own. Overall a pretty decent spin, avg speed of 34.9kph! Might have a plan for Saturday too, a few of the lads are heading south from Killarney for the Caha and Healy Passes so might join them. Resting tomorrow as i've the new car to get in Cork. Legs are tired after tonight so the rest will do them good.

May have to postpone Friday's run, depends on if I go to Cork after work or wait until Saturday to collect my new car, it's red.

C • New car 5

Muckross

Set out for another 40ish run, and did alright with my route. Took in some of the mountain bike trails near Upper Torc, then home again. Same story, left knee sore throughout with right knee ok for first bit but felt it later on. Achilles were grand this evening.

At least I felt I was running better this evening, actually moving at a comfortable pace, even if it hurt my legs to do so.

Rubbish I spotted dumped the other day is still there, Irish people are so ignorant, so many reasons why.

Ladies View

Knew it was going to be minging but still went. The higher I got the wetter it got. Nasty light stuff, don't like it. Was dry down low but once climbing seriously I got very wet. Shoes also were full of water by the end, or at least felt like it.

Legs weren't good, left knee was sore starting off pedalling and right quad wasn't fantastic either. Was able to cycle alright though. Didn't kill myself on the ladies view climb, just went easy. Didn't feel tired but just with the rain I wasn't arsed to try hard.

Descent was poor, road was very wet so corners were tricky, no near misses so that was good, but was slow. It was also windy today, felt like it was a headwind going up, tough on exposed sections near the top, and then coming home I didn't really feel like I got the benefit of it.

Slept badly, woke up around 2.30 in a small bit of pain from the bee sting earlier. Got up to find some ointment to put on the sting. Took a while to get back to sleep afterwards.

Monday - Running
Tuesday - Cycling
Wednesday - Running
Thursday - Cycling
Friday - Running
Saturday - ?
Sunday - ?

5 sessions, wonder if i'll manage all 5, and looks like running is back being the dominant form of training. Thinking that running for maybe 30-40 minutes at a time is probably best at the moment, let the legs adjust. Will see what the weekend has on offer before deciding what to do.

C • Weekend 4

Poulnaderka

Again starting off the legs weren't fantastic, need to get over that but I suppose that's what a warm up is for. Once in the forest I was more comfortable over the ground. Then things got tougher, serious fern invasion in the woods, head height in lots of places so the path was pretty overgrown. Did most of a lap, then cut across and did a shorter lap, before doing some of the paths around the holes. Did a loop around the bigger hole and followed the path back around thinking i'd end up to the left of where i'd exit, but went around in a circle and ended up climbing the hill for a 3rd time.

Ok back the road. Keeping the runs around this sort of time for the week. Due to the ferns I got a few briars across the legs, wasn't expecting that. Next run i'll have to be more careful in where I chose to run.

Had to stop for a pine cone in my shoe, and found one when i finished too.