Running 1:27:04 [5] 15.35 km (5:40 / km) +1000m 4:17 / km
shoes: Asics Gel-Fuji Fellrunner
Powerscourt Ridge Hill race - 8th (I think)
Can't really complain, endurance is alright which is good news. I was/am strong in the places I should have been strong (flats, rocky areas, little trails, gradual climbs, descents), but I was weak in the places I'm usually weak (tough climbs).
It's good to have done this so I get a good indicator of what I need to do. When I'm strong enough to win these I'll be in pretty good shape.
Went out pretty hard to see if I could stick with the leaders, was fine until the turn off up to Maulin, it got steeper and I hung on for a bit, eventually fell back a bit. Gained a little back on some flat, then lost a little more on the final ascent of Maulin.
Gained some back on the descent, and climbed back to 8th, could see the leaders climbing, not too far ahead. Suffered on the not so bad climb towards Djouce after pushing myself on Maulin, and the 2 boys went straight past me. Battled a walk up Djouce, hit the top, a bit uncertain of the route but Paul Mahon came up behind which helped.
Ran relatively hard on the downhill and almost reeled back in the 2 in front, caught one on the last climb off the dargle, was feeling strong and confident, the next one took a while but I eventually got him on the flat near the end.
Running 20:29 [1] 2.11 km (9:42 / km) +50m 8:41 / km
shoes: Asics Gel-Fuji Fellrunner
Long slow warm down with Róisín and then a bit with jonnyq.