Trails race 46:04 [5] 9.79 km (4:42 / km) +358m 3:59 / km
shoes: Inov8 X-Talon (Yellow)
Glanageenty IMRA Race
Race 1 of Munster Championship 2017
Position - 1st
Went from the gun and got a small gap which I maintained to the top of the road before turning onto the single track path back around to the start. Didn't push too hard here as wanted to save quads for later. Think the chasers gained on me a small bit.
Upped the pace once back on the road. Didn't have a huge gap. Again tried on the hill up from the river but wasn't getting away. Surprised to have to go back down to the road before coming back up the path again after the 1st hill, just meant more climb. Then on to the steep bit. Pushed this and was definitely hurting at the top. Once at the top I tried to get the legs moving as fast as I could but it was hard. Then up to the high point on the course before the nice running across the bog.
Lad in clear 2nd place at this stage behind me and seemed to be gaining. Wasn't too worried, but body wasn't feeling fantastic, maybe a small bit tired with still more than half the course to go. A gate was shut before coming back on the road. Felt it was fair to close the gate after me rather than leave it open!
Then onto the road again before dropping down to the river. This is still a rollercoaster of a path, up and down, with gaps in fences to negotiate. Had to avoid a few dogs too. The lad in 2nd had caught up to me along here, but I didn't leave him by, not that it seemed he was trying to get by. I was going better up the hills so reckoned that the last hill would be the place where I'd make my next move. Wasn't really at full speed but still moving fast, the path does have a lot of switchbacks.
Over the bridge and on to the climb. I didn't get as much of a gap as I hoped up here. Got one then the lad got it back. It was only over the stile that I gained a few metres, maybe 10-20 at most. Tried to up my pace once onto the flatter part at the top of the felled area.
The descent is fast, and was easier than I was expecting, we were brought across onto a track sooner than I expected, think that avoided another stile. Maintained the gap for the descent and through the forest. Was looking for the forest and getting back to the single track as I was confident that I would not be passed on the finishing straight back on the road. The guy was there until the finish so I did have to sprint.
Legs tired and sore afterwards, but think the muscles didn't deteriorate.