Training Log Archive: Dooby

Didn't get to train. Too much time travelling today and with a flight delay it meant I got home too late. Also wrecked when I got home. Holding a sleeping baby in a hot corridor while attempting to board a plane for nearly 40 minutes didn't help I think.

Got breakfast eaten and realised that I just had about enough time to get to Richmond parkun, in hindsight others might have been closer.

Minutes were ticking down and still a bit to go as I crossed the Thames at Richmond. Didn't expect there to be a hill from Richmond up to the park. Steady increase in pace for a warm down the closer I got to 9.

Just about made it for the end of the briefing.

Richmond parkrun

No idea what the course was like in advance apart from it was 1 lap. Ended up a bit too far back at the start which was narrow and on a trail. Puddles and people to negotiate until it widened out before the climb.

4.00
3.31
3.51
4.02
3.50

Not a flat course, climb in the 1st and 3rd kilometres. The 2nd km was fast with a downhill which I pushed. Passing people as I went along. After seeing 3.31 on the lap I did decide that I needed to calm down.

Up the next gradual hill which was on grass I worked towards a couple of lads who I passed. Had counted the people in front as I approached the turn before the grass part. Reckon I was in about 15th then. So those 2 put me up to 13th.

Definitely worked in the 4th km towards the 3 in front. I recognised the tshirt on one of the lads from him passing me on a bike as I was racing up the hill to the park to make it on time. Decided that I needed to beat him. You know how it is, that old competitive gene surfaces when the plan isn't to be competitive!

Closed up on the lads getting the HR a bit higher in doing so. Then with a slight downhill just after the 1km to go I pushed on the downhill to maintain a gap to the finish.

Good bit of fun to be running fast again.

Downhill to the Thames across a park then along the bank to Richmond before crossing the bridge and back down the other side of the river to Twickenham. Would have taken this route to parkrun if i'd time.

Legs were not feeling great. Tired and a small bit sore. Nothing in particular giving trouble, just feeling the effort.

If I was to run to parkrun in Killarney it would be a similar warm up or down to get there from home due to the new location. Huge turnout there this morning but will see what it's like in a few weeks, will the numbers be sustained.

Off to London today for a christening. Did bring running gear and a parkrun barcode but will see what time we get up and the plan for the morning is.

Took longer to get from the airport to Twickenham, 15km, than it did to get from Killarney to Cork airport. Didn’t help that the taxi’s clutch burnt out so needed to wait for a replacement.

Dinis

Did a lap of Muckross lake on what was a humid evening. Got a bit damp too from a shower.

Plenty more people out and about than earlier in the summer.

Improved my PR from the rowing club to Dinis. Felt like I was moving well but thought avoiding people would have slowed my time.

Knockreer & Killarney House

Did a bit on grass where I could plus a couple of trails. Ground was hard and calves a bit tight afterwards, just need to be stretched. Left achilles a small bit sore afterwards too. I'd say both issues related to a lack of running.

Went around Killarney House. Parkrun is moving there this weekend from Muckross. It's going to be a much faster course, minimal climb, mostly flat. Was sussing it out regarding how buggy friendly it will be. A running buggy or the running trailer is definitely something i've been thinking about.

I think the max HR might be a bit off!

Glenflesk-Barraduff

Feeling grand this evening which was a warm/humid one. Bit of a breeze blowing too, had a headwind on the way back from Barraduff and part of the way between Glenflesk and Barraduff.

Biggest problem this evening was a PUNCTURE. Tyre went on the descent down towards Lissyviggeen roundabout. Not sure what caused it, maybe a hole at the end of the Ballaghcommane straight.

Took about 15 minutes to get sorted, most of that pumping the tyre and getting the chain back on. Strava seems to have included the stopped time in the segment.

Gap of Dunloe

Overall happy enough with how the body was feeling, felt in decent shape apart from on the climb to Molls Gap, didn't quite feel comfortable. Had a headwind though through the gap which probably didn't help.

Day off work so needed to get something worthwhile done, especially considering we lost a couple of hours waiting in CUMH. So while Mary went and collected Erik from creche, I went cycling, priorities!

Despite the hilly route I thought it being scenic and on a nice day that it would be a nice spin. Happy with my decision.

Based on the 'Elevate for Strava' extension on Chrome I have lost a bit of fitness in the last couple of weeks.

Better do a plan for the week.

Monday - Bike
Tuesday - Bike
Wednesday - Run (bacon & cabbage this evening instead of Tuesday so changing training to suit!)
Thursday - Bike
Friday - Rest (travel to London)
Saturday - Run (maybe, will bring running shoes but depends on if i'll have time, if I do might try a parkrun)
Sunday - Run (if I don't run Saturday, or else MTB)