Training Log Archive: Dooby

Iveragh 200

Smiled at the end. The lads cycled past the finish, Garmin said 199km so needed that extra 1.

Nice slow start which was good. Then it kicked off at Ballaghasheen, for others, not for me. Took it handy. Stuck with Pat, Mike & John plus a few more Killorglin lads. Happy with the pace, was where I needed/wanted it to be.

Handy up the Gap too. Quieter up here, thought it would be busier, only a couple of pony men along with other walkers. Food stop at the church in the Black Valley. Big group set off afterwards with the pace a bit quicker than earlier. Group split going up to Molls and I was back with the same crew.

Couple of drags on the way down to Sneem weren’t fun but the drag out of Sneem I found easier than I thought it would be. Derry decided a coffee break was a good idea in Sneem although I didn’t avail.

The route then went down to Derrynane rather than sticking to the N70 at Caherdaniel for Coomakista. Meant a steep climb up from the house but emerged on the N70 not too far from the top. Long descent then into Waterville to complete 130km.

Same group again set off for the last 70km. The wind had increased by now, wasn’t really an issue earlier but was tough going to the Portmagee turn. It became a cross wind at times then but pace was suffering, as were we.

Tough climb on Valentia from Chapeltown up to the high road. Steep. Starting to feel tired at this stage but did help Mike back to the group as he got dropped. Our chase back on wasn’t helped by stopping to pick up one of the lads gilets too.

Another coffee break in Portmagee. Had an ice cream. Tasted good. I lead when we started again and dropped the group on the climb I was most looking for but also most scared of, Coomanaspig. Tough climb on a good day but after 170km it was definitely difficult. Lowest gear for a good bit of it, no option. Using the small ring so much today did actually sort out the issue the lads in the bike shop suggested I try and do.

Regrouped at the top for some photos. Then tricky descent with the hairpins into The Glen. Views were great out to the Skelligs. Definite tinge of white off Skellig Beag, bird shit!

Another climb up out of the glen before down to Ballinskelligs. Legs were definitely struggling. And after Ballinskelligs with less than 10km to go I felt the last gel in my pocket would be better in me than in my pocket. Sensible decision. Few drags between Ballinskelligs and Waterville were torture.

That being said after the church, when all the climbing was definitely done, with the benefit of the wind at our backs, the pace picked up. The bonus kilometre to break 200 was at normal pace.

Really glad I did this. No reason why I wouldn’t have been able for it.

Got fairly distinctive blocks of colour on my arms/legs. Generally red!

Tired but not overly so. Cycling plan with robrunner fell through so took it handy.

Giving my sunburn a chance to recover too.

Busy after work with a few things so training didn’t happen, but can’t say it was a priority, would have happened if I wanted it to. Resting and hydrating before tomorrow’s adventure.

I know my limits will not allow me to push myself. Know what I want to do, find a likeminded group and survive until Valentia. Should I survive it will be my longest ever cycle.

Based on the route tomorrow I’ll be able to see nearly all my settlements in the West Iveragh LAP.

Races today in Killarney so we took Erik. Lovely afternoon. First time i'd seen an ice cream cart there so sampled what they had to offer. Mary stopped for ice cream in Murphy's on the way back and since i'd sorbet at the races I felt it was ok to have ice cream again.

Feet sore in my shoes, but was expecting that to happen.

Glenflesk-Barraduff-Anablaha-Killarney

Not sure about how this went. Legs feeling a small bit tired and head not too keen on pedaling. Think it's distracted by the Iveragh 200 idea with it focusing on conserving energy ahead of Saturday. After thinking about it I reckon I should do it. I've been training away with the intention of being in a position to do something if it came up, now that it has, why not challenge myself.

Bit windy too this evening, strong enough westerly, that didn't help me move either.

Knockreer

Fella and a dog in front of me when I hit the Fossa Way, dog was pulling him away from me, and let them go, and caught up with them as he stopped to walk before the hill. I started up the hill and he came by again but this time I was having none of it so powered on to the top, improved my Strava PR for the hill as a result.

Legs not feeling too bad this evening once Achilles warmed up. Stuck to the grass to side where I could but ground is hard these days.

Lots of colour around Killarney House, the gardens are coming on.

Dangerous this running lark, gives you time to think, and bad thoughts this evening. Robrunner partly to blame as he’s wondering about a spin on Sunday. Looked into what’s on and remembered this evening while running that there’s a Saturday option this weekend......The Iveragh 200......would I dare. Got a few days to talk myself out of it.

C • Iveragh 2

Back to normality this week, of sorts.

Monday - Bike
Tuesday - Run
Wednesday - Bike
Thursday - Rest (off to Killarney Races, horse kind)
Friday - Run
Saturday - Bike
Sunday - Bike

Not sure what the plan for the weekend will be bike wise, wouldn't mind a race if there's one on, or failing that a sportive, we'll see how things work out.

Didn't realise it was that windy until I felt a gust hit me on the way down the hill to the main road. So was a bit more careful from then on. But no other gusts of note.

Was a westerly so more of a cross wind for this spin. Don't think it affected me too much. Took a while to get HR up on the climb, slightly back on what i'd like.

Had a clear run at the descent too.

Happy enough with how I was feeling but wind maybe had more of an impact than I expected.