Training Log Archive: Dooby

Ring of Kerry

Had been wanting to do this in 2015 after missing out on the official spin in July. This weekend turned out to be suitable, nothing else on. A few niggling doubts, particularly regarding a lack of long spins and also not sure if legs were fully recovered after last week. Did a decent training spin yesterday too.

Set the alarm for 6, got up and looked out the window, dark, so back to bed for another half an hour. Hit the road then just after 7.

Put the avg speed up as a field on the Garmin as I hoped to do around the 27 mark. Wanted to be sure that I didn't exceed that early. Checked it every 15/20km or so. In Killorglin it was around 29, and by the end the average was down to 26.8. Not sure what I thought i'd do it in but this is what I managed on my own.

Perfect day for cycling, no wind, and it was cloudy, didn't see the sun until the descent from Molls Gap. Even on top of Coomakesta there was no wind which is at some bit of altitude and on the coast. Can't complain about the weather.

Had my food stops planned, Cahersiveen and Sneem. Also stuck to my usual bike hydration plan.

Some doubts about doing the entire ring entered my head early on. Spent way too much time today thinking about my legs and watching the Garmin to see what distance i'd done, drinking every 5km. Drank about 6 bottles on the bike.

Because I started in Muckross I realised that Cahersiveen was going to be closer to 70 than 60km from home, so reckoned the shop in Foilmore would be a good place for the 1st stop. Was definitely in need of a break at this stage, turned off to the shop and it was closed down, feck. So had another 5km into Cahersiveen. Legs not feeling too bad while off the bike.

After around 15/20 minutes I set off again. The next section of the Ring I wasn't feeling too good, tired, and the road from Cahersiveen was up and down a bit. Was happy enough with how I climbed Coomakesta, just took it handy. Maybe a 5 minute break at the top, had some figs. Then enjoyed the long descent to Caherdaniel.

After Caherdaniel and between Castlecove and Sneem the legs were definitely tired, and still had around 70km to go. Not ideal. Got up the hill before Sneem and freewheeled a bit down into Sneem. 2nd food stop there, no issues this time, shop hadn't closed down. Was not sensible at all in this shop.

Bought and ate:
- 2 bananas
- salt & vinegar crisps
- fruit and nut bar
- chocolate peanuts
- figs (some more of the ones I brought with me)
- can of coke
This combination turned out to not work very well, stomach was not good until i'd say Molls Gap, couldn't contemplate taking any more food on, until on the way down.

I actually felt like I was moving alright until around Templenoe, that combination produced energy, but hurt the stomach. But from Templenoe the legs were really struggling. Molls Gap was a struggle, really felt like I was going no where. Found it very difficult to keep moving, knowing what i'd to face didn't help, knew where I was and what I still had to do.

Eventually made it to the top and then freewheeled a nice bit of the way down. Got up the rise before the lake alright and then the next rise before Ladies View was a bit more difficult. Then onto the familiar descent, they'd resurfaced the bit before the shop, still some loose gravel but alright.

The flatter bit home was horrific, legs really struggling with turning the pedals. Caught up with 2 girls near Torc Waterfall, went by, but had serious trouble getting away from them. Then up the hill home, legs were screaming. Got there.

Happy to have made it around on my own but wondering what possessed me to do it in the first place.

C • Final hill 4

Killarney-County Bounds

Wasn't sure about what to do this morning, saw this spin was on the club Facebook last night so gave it some thought. Ended up deciding to go out with the lads, so 830 at Lidl. Started out with 3 and became 4 on the bypass, Keith was running late.

Roads were a bit wet this morning but stayed dry. Showers going and suspicious that we might have missed on in Killarney while we were up at the County Bounds, win.

Did the hill with Keith as Brendan & Mike took it a bit easier. Not a hill i've done often, but it's a long one. But based on the spin total it's a long way out, going via Lidl would've made the spin longer for me but only by a couple of km at most.

Maintained a conversation for the climb but some parts hurt more than others. Then put the head down for a bit coming back down. Keith kept on going to do Coom and Molls. So I waited for the lads, around 3 minutes.

Going home I put the head down and tried to keep things moving, but slowed a bit beyond Glenflesk. Right prick in a jeep at Lissyviggeen roundabout, lets pass out the cyclists, pull in front of them and brake!

Calves feeling a bit tight at times but nothing serious. Legs feel better in general today.

Will be brave tomorrow and go for a solo ring. Start time of 7 to be home for lunch, or maybe even 6.30.

Legs didn't really like this, particularly later in the run and afterwards. Some soreness in quads, calves and achilles. Also the ankle that I went over on slightly in a bit of discomfort too.

Was moving along nicely, achilles were noticeable at the start but improved once warmed up.

Bit warmer today than yesterday.

Quieter in the park this evening, schools are back so probably impacting on Irish Tourists. But did meet people on the path parallel to the road to Torc which i'd to get around, and also met 3 people after the Abbey. Can't say I meet that many people on those paths.

Thought a bit about weekend plans, park run tomorrow was a thought but the way the legs were feeling after this run i'm not going to run tomorrow. So bike tomorrow morning. The weather forecast is better for Sunday so the ROK idea is still there. But am I brave enough to attempt it?
Also wondering if i'll make it to next Thursday without a rest day, probably.

Beaufort-Killorglin with Jason

Don't think i'd have gone outside on the bike if i'd been going on my own. Happy enough with the spin but definitely some tiredness left in the legs, particularly the quads. But back to training tonight.

Some nasty showers going this evening so i'd say at least half of the spin was wet. Roads were wet too although they were drying out on the way back from Killorglin. Reckon there was a bit of a tailwind coming back from Killorglin which helped too.

Since there was just the 2 of us there was no time to relax but plenty of chat. Spin was probably longer than i'd have liked but went with the flow.

Kept pushing on the way back from Killorglin as I wanted to be home for a certain time. Think this put some pressure on Jason at times. My legs were tired doing it but was able to do it. So eased up when I noticed that he had dropped a few bike lengths back.

Passed a couple of garda cars on the way back before Beaufort, 2 of them were at a motorbike but no side of the bikes rider!

Fossa and back

Was thinking of going a bit longer but considering the pace I was going this was plenty. Felt alright most of the time but HR was low. Bit of a wind at times too this evening.

Definite improvement in the legs since yesterday. Helped by a bath last night with Epsom Salts. Left quad feels slightly worse than the right one.

Proper cycling on the cards tomorrow with one of the lads in the club. So will have to face up to that no mater how the legs are, can only be getting better.

Muckross-Loretto Road-Torc

Bit of a random cycle around the locality on some roads i'd never been on before. Don't think i've passed Loretto NS before. Some hills on the route too which weren't easy.

Starting to get a bit cooler in the evenings.

Legs suffering still.

Not as broken as last year the day after Mangerton so mission accomplished. Legs definitely sore though, and can feel some very tight muscles. Bit of work needed recovery wise over the next couple of days. Left achilles wasn't good last night.

Monday - Recovery (cycling, outdoors or indoors)
Tuesday - Recovery (cycling, outdoors or indoors)
Wednesday - Cycling
Thursday - Cycling
Friday - Running
Saturday - Cycling (maybe ROK solo if weather is good)
Sunday - Running

Avg Cadence = 85rpm

Lowered gears on the bike for easier pedalling and watched telly for a while. Lifting leg over the raised crossbar since the bike is slightly elevated on the turbo proved a small bit of an inconvenience. Got on and off though.

Did 30 minutes as planned and got off.