Training Log Archive: shotgunmcos

Ooh legs! A midnight marathon. Full backpack. It was dry and calm but cloudy. Started off same as Monday only at Midnight. Up the "Step" and down the other side on the off road track. The Goal was to find the Sliabh Felim Way and follow it around the southside of Keeper Hill. It was easy enough Nav but still an opportunity to practice attack points, listening to rivers and use of the altimeter to constantly know where I was on the map. The terrain was mostly solid so I made good progress. I've never been up Keeper on this route and its easily missed from the road. Mostly hard rocky forest trail or single track and some soft earthy sandy bits which became welcome relfief for the quads and feet. It involved one river crossing too but small and easy. At 2 points the trail presented a fork and with waymarks about 1km apart it needed a compass decision. The compass was right each time :-). It was 18km from the car up to the summit of Keeper so the Silvermines Ridge was questionable by return.

3.5hrs in and I was trekking back up the back of the Step and was feeling it. I noticed a new track created for tree felling so I explored it for bit curious if it would be a steep but short cut to the parallel track 150m above. No Joy the line of trees were like barbed wire.

Once out onto the Ridge I knew the West Peak was not on. I didn't have time. I figured I'd make the East peak though. There was one steep hill to negotiate en route. I knew that Silvermines East would be 1km right in front of me from the top but as I crested this hill a cloud blew in and almost instantly enveloped everything. I could see maybe 8m in front of me so I called it and turned back. Threading my way very carefully back down. It was hard to see the track but I had a barbed wire fence as a handrail. I had intended for the boggy direct route through the woods back to the road but with visibility adding to that challenge I opted to run around it on the open forest track. Longer and harder on the feet but safer. I thought daybreak would be shortly after 5 but the clouds were holding it back. The road descent down the Step for a finish killed my aching quads.

I took a 10 minute power nap before driving home. Another 1hr sleep then up to have breakfast with Zoe until the Child Minder arrived and it was off to work.

My CP for this one. It was cold and dark up on Keeper Summit

C • Nice going 4

Light Calisthenics. Body stiff enough after last night. Easy intro to strength again

Almost didn't get out of bed. Mad dreams. Smaller window to get a swim in. Forgot to pack my work shoes so I'm in Bike shoes for the day

Felt clunky in my bike shoes in work. Not that were not uncomfortable but just a lot of senior heads around so I can't hide at my desk. Comfy but out of sync with suit! So, belted hom in a light misty shower to fetch work shoes..

I was up and down the Motorway to Dublin for work during the week and each time I passed the Silvermines Ridge I wanted to be up there instead. I plotted the route one night and got a pass to fly out once Caz got home yesterday evening.

There are 4 peaks along the Ridge 475m, 479m, 489m, 460m, not anything like the AR stuff that some posters train and race on here but you have to work with what you got. My "CP" was a Cairn on the furthest peak, Silvermines West.

I got to the little village of Silvermines for 7pm. Sunset was 8:38 so I knew I had 2hrs of light which would then fade fast. The trek on the local walkers site from the village estaimate is 4hrs+. I told Caz I expected to be home for 10:30 so I had a 3hr window.

Full backback with Bothy, Space blanket, change of clothes, waterproofs, water etc.. and I set off.

The initial 3km is on a narrow steep road called "The Step" and 300m of ascent was already done. I had my new Silva Ranger compass and Columbia Rainstormer Jacket on. It was cloudy to start but looked like it was turning into a clear dry night. Perfect.

At the Step I dived into a small woods. Overall it was easy Nav but I practiced my attack points. I chose the direct route to the first 2 peaks. It was leg sappingly boggy in parts but mostly solid heather. Once clear of the woods it was across the undulating Ridge. The first peak at 489m was after a severly steep 50m drop and rise. I remember getting to this point on a #TriHarder nighhttime MBTO and backing out of descending on the bike. It was a good call as it would take real skill to pull it off in daylight and serious balls to even attempt it.

Once over that peak I caught sight of the Cairn in the distance with the sun starting to set. It was a descent rocky, heathery trail for the most part with the whole North face of Keeper hill to my left and the Arra Mountains in the distance to the right. It was simply stunning and I felt as though I had it all to myself running along the ridge. True to Irish terrain though my leg disappeared up to the knee at times. I told myself to stop taking pics as I had limited time. I was prepared to nav back in the dark but the rush of trying to get it done in the light was motivating.

I reached the Cairn just before 8.20 and it was beautiful. I had a quick snack and got going again. The colours on the ridge stretched out in front of me with the setting sun dropping behind my back was amazing. I made good time getting back to the woods and opted for the longer forest road loop around it with fading light.

The hardest bit was the run back down the step. My calves! My knees! Happy to get it all done in under 2.5hrs and it was just sooo enjoyable. I loved it and I'll do it again by day and night. I have to bring my teamies up here.

Running toward the CP on Silvermines west


My CP :-) The Cairn on Silvermines West


Looking down the valley between Keeper and The Ridge


CP Selfie at the Cairn


Looking back towards Silvermines East with the sun setting behind me


North side of Keeper hill, 695m en route

C • Photos 1

C • Cracking light 4

Down to get the paper via a lap of the park with Zoe as luggage. Lovely chilly calm morning. Stiff after the paddle yesterday. Looser by the time we got home

Had to run an errand so backpack on and ran to and from. 3hrs DIY afterwards.

Body just not up for it after all the DIY. Got to half hour and thought I'd make an hour only to bail a few minutes later. Earlier night so I'll get my ass out the door for a swim in the morning

Dropped Kayak above the weirs, parked below and jogged back. Good warm up actually instead of hopping in cold

Lovely morning. First on the water pre dawn and paddled up and down the river to Parteen weir holding a steady aerobic clip. 10k round trip with nothing but swans for company. The second lap saw the rowing crews hit the water. Regatta soon approaching so it was busy. River etiquette meant we had to hug the bank. A breeze blew up a little chop too. I wanted to hold the same pace as the first lap which we did at a higher energy cost due to wind and more steering. Had stroke rate on the watch so prompted Kate every once in a while and she kept a good rhythm throughout. The last 2km was over the weirs and again great fun depute scraping the bottom of the boat again. Very solid spin our longest and fastest. 6.2kmh may not seem much but it's a 38kg double sit on top and I sat in a pool of water at the back for the spin. Happy with the spin and the progress

C • Paddle 3

We were pretty cold exiting the kayak. Quickly emptied it, racked it and set off running with wobbly legs. Slow fun run exploring each side of the bank via a footbridge. Some trail, some field and a little road at the end. Very enjoyable though Kate was just as cold after it. Watched a big group of kids getting kayak lessons before tackling some of the rapids we had just done. Their little piranhas looked so tiny!

Waist 94cm

Targets
Weight 78kg
Waist 85cm

Been a write off so far this week but enough is enough. Gloves are off. I will be fit for ITERA. Race fit!