Training Log Archive: Dooby

Lisleibane Loop + Lough Callee

Unreal day to be in the mountains, or in this case underneath them. Robrunner joined me for today's mini adventure. Good running throughout and fun. I'm trying to get some diversity in my weekend training.

Set off up the track at a handy pace then downhill to cross the river. From here we turned to follow the looped trail. I was expecting the trail to head further east, the map said it would get close to a stream further east but the marked route didn't go that way. I don't think we missed a marker. Checked Strava/Garmin to see if there were any segments in that area, there isn't.

Mountain here is runnable and there wasn't really much of a path, wouldn't be an easy looped walk to follow in the mist as a result. Last bit before the lake was soft. The lake was calm, no wind. Temperatures were scary hot for the last day of November too. The peaks were reflecting in the lake so I took the opportunity to climb more in order to take this photo.

Maintained the height and then had a crag to climb. After that we contoured around Lough Callle high before dropping down to the lake at its southeastern tip. Easier running now on the turn for home. Had identified the crag that the other time I did this run with Colm that forced us into the lake. Our initial plan was to climb above it but when we got there it was grand to go underneath it and almost drop into the lake, levels were low so used the stones out of the water.

Followed the lake until we hit the track and followed it home. Took the shortcut cross country, the direct route. Plenty of people out walking, both heading for the top and coming down. Numbers on the mountain have increased in the last week as a result of last Saturday's act of vandalism on the summit. I must admit that I was seriously pissed off when I heard and those that did it should be punished severely. Good to see the cross restored as of yesterday.

Some toe pain early in the run but that went away once warmed up. Other muscles behaved themselves. Right knee sore a bit these days when not running, quad issue.

C • stunning 4

Have discovered that the ESC key isn't working on my keyboard. Can't think of a reason why. Will have to work on it.

Torc Mountain

Was thinking i'd not been up here in a while, thought I might get a nice view from the top but no joy today. Phone batter died as I tried to take a photo of the lack of visibility at the top!

Toes are a bit better so i'd see how far I got with them. Decided to wear runners rather than trail shoes for the extra support, and considering the route I didn't really need grip. Legs felt ok pretty much for all the run. Could feel the toes at time but thankfully I prevented any traumatic impacts with rocks today.

Warm enough out today, probably could have worn lighter gear but no harm being warm. Was quiet out and about today. Thought i'd meet more on the mountain but only met 2 individuals on their way down around half way up, dog with the woman.

Was unhappy with my climbing last Saturday so was hoping for a better effort today. HR was consistant enough on the climb and I kept running, that is a goal of mine for Torc. Didn't push too hard though, either on the way up or on the way down. Going down would have put unnecessary pressure on the legs.

Took a gel on the track before getting back into the forest.

Went home the 2nd half of my usual route. As I turned onto the last track that comes out on the road up a woman was running on the track in front of me. I don't normally meet people running, particularly not here. She was 10-15m to start off with and had a dog. I gained quickly enough and went by.

Felt comfortable enough after the hour mark so endurance isn't too bad.

Another run to look forward to tomorrow with Robrunner, more offroad though.

Avg Cadence = 91rpm

Two episodes of My Name is Earl. Got through them fine and cadence back to a similar number to last couple of rides before Tuesday. Quads a bit noticeable but other muscles were grand, including the toes, they could pedal.

Toes felt better when I got up but by the time I'd moved a bit more and got to work they were sorer.

Will refrain from ticking the injury box, the niggles are increasing. Now it's calves (both) + achilles (left) + quad (right) + toes (3/4 on the right). None of them serious and i'm still moving.

Knockreer & Ross Castle

Made sense to run here this evening considering my plans for the evening. Set out with the intention of doing something similar to last time I ran here, around the 10/11km mark, but as I went along and headed in the direction of Ross Castle I decided to take in a lap of the Island and see where that left me.

Did wear my calf skins but they don't stay up very well, need a smaller size if I want to use these in the future. Was unsure of my left achilles as it was sore after yesterday. Stretched a bit at work so was going to run ths evening.

Left work earlier than usual so had the pleasure of not needing to switch on my torch when I started. Still hadn't put it on around Ross Island. Met Tony Harty coming against me here. Stayed on the road and then on the way back turned left onto the path. Was almost back at Ross Castle when next thing I knew I was in a lot of pain and on the ground.

I hadn't put on my torch yet and if I did this incident wouldn't have happened. The only rock on the path and I ran into it. More kicked it with my right foot. Big toe was very sore but the rest of the toes also not feeling great. Took a breather as I assessed what was hurting. Stopped the watch. Got back running and wasn't thinking i'd have to cut it short but as I left Ross Castle heading back towards Knockreer it wasn't pleasant to run. Toes were too sore to keep going with. So just went the straightest route home, running on the grass once back across the river.

Upon removing my sock later I found that there is definitely blood under the big toe. Rest of the toes are sore. Could move them later so unlikely anything is broken but maybe a sprain or two.

At least my calves and achilles were ok after the run. Didn't feel like stretching them later on.

Will decide tomorrow whether the injured box needs to be ticked.

Problem = BIG TOE !!!

Not a bad evening for a run, small bit cool, with some moisture in the air at times. Gloves on too.

Put on the calf sleeves again, just to be careful. As I was approaching where the calf reacted last week I was hoping to get further! Thankfully I did. Right calf was probably a small bit worse. Then achilles were a small bit sore near the end but not too worried. Will run again tomorrow, part of the pupsitting evening. Friday is a day off of sorts, but think i'll fit in some time on the turbo trainer as i'll be on my legs Saturday and Sunday. Have 1 idea for Sunday so will do some research on that, a run I did before with Colm but this time hopefully my lungs will be better.

As for Saturday I'm definitely unsure of what to do:
Option 1 - 3k track race
Option 2 - 5k road race
Option 3 - training run
So will have to decide on one of them

Didn't see much in the Park tonight apart from a lot of deer around the place. Did find it strange that the lad who was going walking while I was getting to run had no torch, was dark out and moon non-existent.

Avg Cadence = 89rpm

Small bit slower than last week but episode 6 of GOT S4 out of the way. Liking the way its going the last few episodes. Quads are starting to get a bit tight so need to give them a bit more attention, I do tend to let some muscles slide when i've been focusing on troublesome ones, i.e. the calves at the moment.

Sweaty afterwards, as usual. Bit late getting going due to work and food shopping, but at least had the bike ready to go so saved some time that way.

Calves need to be minded and I think i'll look at more physio next week. Had been thinking of doing the Feet First 5k on Saturday as a warm-up for the cross country the following week but think that might be a bad idea calf wise. Will monitor the situation later in the week.

Monday - Running
Tuesday - Turbo Trainer
Wednesday - Running
Thursday - Turbo Trainer
Friday - Rest or Running
Saturday - Running
Sunday - Running

Know where i'll run Monday and Wednesday, but next weekend i'm not sure. I managed to come up with an interesting run this weekend so i'm sure something else will come to mind.

Positives: Calves survived & mp3 player lasted 35 minutes
Negatives: Weather was shite

So stuck to the plan despite the mingin weather, miserable crap, heavy drizzle that'd soak ya, and did. Not pleasant. Coming back past Upper Torc car park I started to wonder how many drops of rain i'd see on the run, lots i'd imagine.

Threw on the skins again but they didn't stay up too well. Have 2xu type aswell but didn't like them when I went through my wearing calve sleeves phase a few years ago.

Happy to survive the run relatively pain free, some left ankle issues on the way back, lost confidence in it for a couple of minutes due to going over on it a couple of times in succession, but got over that and was able to run the rest of the way home without issue.