Training Log Archive: Dooby

Muckross
pushing Erik in the buggy

Lovely morning, stunning really, blue skies and no wind. Perfect for running.

Legs definitely felt tired starting off but did warm up.

The fine weather does get extra people into the park in the mornings. Plenty of people walking, running, cycling and heading to rowing training.

Did see a duck at the river this morning.

Molls Gap-Blackwater-Ballaghbeama-Glencar-Killarney
essentially a ring around the reeks

Damp this morning but stopped raining around 10 so got on the road after our guest departed towards the madness what is the Reeks Skyline. Feeling fine up to Molls Gap, and time up Ladies View was consistent with recent efforts.

Met a good few bikes coming against me at Ladies View, but other than that I didn't meet any from Molls Gap to Beaufort, I think.

There are new signs on Ballaghbeama, giving distance to the summit and the gradient for the next km. First couple were 3%, then it went to a couple of 4% with the last 500m being over 9%. Which I knew. Didn't find the climb too bad but didn't kill myself either.

Took the descent handy enough to start off with. Then sped up a bit. No cars to contend with either from leaving the Sneem Road until almost into the Brida Valley.

The climb from Glencar to Lough Accoose was alright, in a low enough gear which I was comfortable with, then increased the speed near the lake. It was after the climb that the legs started to complain, think it was the distance covered plus the knowledge that I was still 30km from home that had the effect of making it worse. Had a bit of headwind too down from the Board of Works, but not nearly as bad as the last time.

Saw a road closed sign at Kissane's Shop, from Gap X to Tomies X, so had some time to mentally prepare for some extra distance via Beaufort, which it transpired I needed to do.

Actually felt more energetic despite being tired from here back to Killarney. Think it was the extra burst of being close to home.

Derrycunnihy to Lord Brandons Cottage + a loop from there on road/track

At least i've had some better ideas in terms of running at the moment than a few weeks ago. This was a really scenic run. Mostly had the trail to myself on what was nice running in the forest but a bit damp in the open.

Was about the same speed down the hill from Derrycunnihy to the bigger track at Queen's Cottage (that would be Queen Victoria) than I was coming back up the hill. Left ankle still isn't better but grand for running. Also was rocky.

Then was moving nicely until i'd to come back up the hill again with legs feeling ok. They did start to get tired after about 9km but were ok again.

Saw a loop on the map when I was checking this route out from Lord Brandon's cottage, out to the main Black Valley road and then coming back to the north of it. I thought it would be a road but it turned into a track after the B&B. Met an old man trying to guide a sheep in some direction here, I probably spooked the sheep. Then climbed a gate and kept on the track. Had a flock of sheep running in front of me by the time I got back to Lord Brandon's cottage. Also possible to get from the mountain (Purple) from that track.

Met 3 people then running back. Lord Brandon's cottage was very quiet but did spot a boad load of people heading towards landing on my way back. And also met 3 deer at Lord Brandon's cottage, just at the start of the Kerry Way from there. small ones with a smaller one.

Really nice run.

Bray Head

Up to the tower and back for work purposes. Very misty so no visibility at all, couldn't even see the sea from the track. Did lift nearing the bottom on the way down a small bit.

On my own today. No one in the car park when I arrived. But met over 20 people walking up against me on my return journey.

Ballinskelligs & Coomanspic from Portmagee

Since I was down in this part of the world took the opportunity to bring my bike. Coomanaspic from the Glen side has been on my to-do list since i'd done it from Portmagee during the Iveragh 200.

Nice pace leaving Portmagee but slowed behind a convoy vehicle for some roadworks. Generally going well to Ballinskelligs with the average around 31kph. But the climbing was to come.

Didn't feel too stressed on the climb from Ballnskelligs towards The Glen. Entered the mist again nearing the top so no visibility from the top into St Finians Bay, it's a decent view but not today.

Then wasn't really sure what Coomanaspic would be like apart from that it wasn't going to be easy. Actually wasn't too bad from the village as far as the turn off to the pier, thought that might have had more climb, but the climb starts after that. You know you're in trouble when there's one of those car on a steep road signs.

There are 3 hairpin bends on the climb with the sections in between I felt getting progressively worse. Managed to stay in the big ring until after the 2nd hairpin, then needed to drop down. It got a hell of a lot tougher from then on. With the last ramp being very tough. At this stage I wasn't in the mist but in the sun, so it was very warm on the climb as was sheltered from the wind. Sweating a lot now.

8.24 for Coomanaspic. 1.5km with avg of 11% gradient according to Strava.
Definitely a tough climb.
There are 3 part segments on Strava, Part 1 is to the 1st hairpin from after the bridge, 5.4% for 1.2km. Part 2 is between the 1st and 3rd hairpins, 10.4% for 800m. And then Part 3 from the 3rd hairpin to the top, 12.6% for about 400m.

Heavy on my weak brakes then downhill to the car in Portmagee. I think I deserved that icecream in Cahersiveen on the way home.

Old Kenmare Rd from Upper Torc, 5k out and then turned

Went for the segment from the carpark to the edge of the forest, thought the segment ended sooner than it did so could have put more in after the climb, still for the KOM by 1 second. The previous holder i'm sure won't be impressed.

Then calmed things down and headed out into the wilds. Met a couple of people walking and then 2 runners coming against me on the climb after the waterfall. Kept on climbing and turned at the top of the hill which was just over 5km.

Back the same way. Next time out this way i'll push the climb back towards Torc from the waterfall, there's a segment to get there. Reckoned I might see the lads in the distance around Torc. I thought I did, maybe 2 minutes ahead, then all of a sudden they were very close. Looking at Strava flyby, they'd a couple of breaks between when I passed them and I caught them.

As a result of them being in front coming back into the forest and my usual competitive legs taking over, I ran a sub 4 km downhill. Didn't pay the price for it. Had a quick chat with the lads and they'd come from Kenmare.

When I was running out from Torc the thought did occur to me that with Mary working in Kenmare I have a lift over in the morning, so all i'd need to do then is get home. From Kenmare to Upper Torc based on what those lads ran it's 16.5km. So just need to figure out which way home, keep on the Kerry Way to Muckross Abbey or go for a more direct route home.

6km using Mangerton Road or 7km via Muckross. So that puts the run at around 24km. That would be a long run for me, probably even my longest. Will see how I feel in August.

More rest today. Head in books.

Will run tomorrow morning before lunch and have a plan for the bike on Thursday, with bring the bike down south with me and do some climbing!

This week is going to start easy. Also MTB has headed back to Cork so will have to I think source a new one. Have tubes to get for the road bike this morning so will enquire in the bike shop.

This week is very up in the air as might have a trip to Bray Head Thursday/Friday which affects the plan.

Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Rest (unless I run latee)
Wednesday - Bike/Run
Thursday - Bike
Friday - Run
Saturday - Bike
Sunday - Run