Training Log Archive: Dooby

Mount Leader

Was sceptical that an Irish forest in August would be overgrown, maybe other forests are but Mount Leader isn't one of them.

Not a bad bit of forest.

Nice leg to 1 around the hill but green by the fence wasn't there so that was distracting. Back to the road for 2, other options though, but nice AP on the road. Uphill to 3 but ended up right of it.

Then there was a disaster. Did the first 3/4 of the leg fine, knew where I was and what I wanted to do but missed the control. By the looks of things I was very close and after that i'd trouble relocating. Eventually went around to the fence, worked out where I was and came back through the green to it. The controls were small kites and I think I just didn't see it, 7 minutes lost!

Struggled on 6 too and by the looks of things I was in the darker green going across rather than the lighter green, it was slow going. Overshot and then came back. Didn't really get the area fully. Should have just attacked from the track junction and taken the hit on the climb.

Drifted right on 9.

The crag for 11 was maybe 20cm high at most but was ok for it. 12 was in a lovely bit of forest. Didn't realise what as coming after 13 though, a big climb!

GPS a bit off for 15, was low for it before climbing up. Think it was also off for 16. Straightforward to the finish from there going over parts of the forest i'd been before.

Was happy enough with my running but 4 was a real disaster. I can't do that. I didn't concentrate enough and should have just stopped. Basic stuff as despite not thinking it at the time, there was some big stuff to relocate off.

Left shin sore afterwards, banged it in a fall. Hoping it's just a bang anyways.

Results
QuickRoute Part 1
QuickRoute Part 2

Left via Loretto Road and home via Mangerton Road in order to avoid the traffic lights on my road, will be worth it for the the 800m of new tar.

Legs felt tired for maybe 20 minutes or so then improved.

Weather a bit iffy, heavy shower on the road up to Torc, which was localised as Mangerton Road was dry.

Had a few thoughts on how to get to Mangerton Road but decided to go to Torc, back via Killegy House and on to Mangerton Road. Hand has definitely improved a lot, no real issues on the bumpier stuff.

A lot of washing required when I got home, both the bike and me.

Kenmare-Molls Gap-Gap of Dunloe-Killarney

Joined Roar, Graeme & Brian for the last leg of their cycle tour around Kerry. Got a lift to Kenmare.

The rain fell before we got started, so got lucky. Some nice weather after Molls Gap. Hand was ok, not better, but definitely didn't cause trouble.

Handy enough pace, all kept together up to Molls Gap. Then Roar & Graeme went straight to Killarney while I detoured via the Black Valley to the Gap of Dunloe with Brian.

Hadn't done the Gap this direction before. Descent into the valley was a small bit sketchy, but road from there as far as the Black Valley is alright. A couple of camper vans came against us which I felt was unnecessary.

The climb up from the Black Valley was easier than I expected, tougher at the start and end, but bit in the middle was fine. Did take a quick break in the middle, sheep had it's horns stuck in the fence, so Brian managed to free it.

First part of the Gap of Dunloe was quiet, but got busier further down with ponies and walkers, so a bit of dodging and weaving.

I hit the front from the Gap X back to Killarney, put the head down and got us back.

Enjoyable to have some company for a spin.

Collected lawnmower yesterday, basically got it down the side of the garden and it broke! Wasn't happy, massive coincidence, but issue unlikely to be related to the service.

So went out for a run on the way back from dropping it off to be repaired. Road works by the church so didn't fancy being stuck there a couple of more times.

Damp, sort of, but stayed dry while I was running. Rained heavy just as I got home :-)

Legs felt ok, ran comfortably. It's not often I run 2 days in a row at the moment, went ok though, so won't be put off from doing it.

Old Kenmare Road

Out and back. Some lad beat a CR that I didn't know I set in 2015 so felt an attempt to get it back was warranted. I did!

Run was longer than what i've been doing recently but ok afterwards. Left calf felt a bit tight after around 8k but was ok after that. Took the running to the segment and back from it easy. Had been thinking of giving the hill on the way back a go but with the calf letting itself be known before it I decided to take it easy.

Turned around a bit later than planned, passed 2 lads coming against me on the boardwalk so felt i'd give them more time before I had to upset their walk.

Humid conditions, definitely sweated a lot.

Car park at Torc was busy, think the way people park their cars is an issue.

1st run in the new Salomons, laces, and probably heavier than pair they replaced. Felt ok and no feet/blister issues for a first run.

Body glad of the rest but not feeling too bad, no DOMS after Sunday.

Did some gardening after work but then it started to rain:-)

Short spin before breakfast, recovery ride in theory but legs are feeling only a small bit tired.

Definitely less people around at this hour of the morning.

Considering it rained from around 1030 for the rest of the day, I did well to have a dry spin.
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Last week went to plan so hopefully more of the same this week. I've a lot of bike in the plan for this week, down to the way things are happening as opposed to an avoidance of running. Maybe i'll change Wednesday to a run but will need to think about routes, some chap has taken a KOM on the Kerry Way beyond Torc from me this evening so that could be something to attempt to fix.

Monday - Bike
Tuesday - Rest
Wednesday - Bike
Thursday - Run
Friday - Bike
Saturday - Bike
Sunday - Orienteering (might as well go to the BOC event in Millstreet since it's close and forest is alright)