Training Log Archive: shotgunmcos

Day 2 of the course and we were to head up into the Maamturks basically on the ITERA route last year to where CP 4 would have been (if it had not been cancelled due to poor weather). It was a windy, grey, wet morning and when its windy in the west, its windy! The plan was basically to take the spur up to Letterbrackaun 667m but it would have been too wet to risk. One of the 2 other lads from the previous day had not showed up. Also we had news that some poor guy lost his life on the Maamturks the previous night , not too far from where we had been. He was in his 50s, an experienced hill walker and was training for the Maamturk Challenge this spring. It was a bit of a grey start all round.

We elected to take a more circular route onto the ridge and picked off a couple of peaks up there. By the time we summited the wind had abated and the clouds disappeared to reveal a stunning panorama of Connemara in all its beauty. It is one of the most incredible scenic views I've had in Ireland and I can see why ITERA wanted to take the race up here. It would have been a real memory.

I was really enjoying being on the hills again and learning a few things. The pace was slow, dictated by the stops, questions etc. The other guy had lots of mountain experience in lots of countries but all following a guided tour or group. He had difficulty with the map and concepts in general.

What was also interesting about this route is that it encompassed a lot of what Sean and I did in the dark last year (my only time on the Maamturks) and I could see with clear visibility the choices we made on the night and what I'd do differently. Its quite a lunar landscape up on top with few features. I began to see the map in a whole new way

C • Go Caz with the awesome birthday present 3

What I learned most was how to descend, how to pick out the best routes down. Worth the course alone as this is where I've historically taken the most risk. I think the XA Pros have had their day too as 500m descent on wet heathery, rocky, grassy slopes had me sliding over and constantly stopping myself from sliding over. I was sweating trying to keep my balance. The Lugs, particularly on the outside edge are bare. Too much sideways stepping down hills last year! Overall I'm glad I went along. I learned that I don't need the compass as much as I thought I did, how to be more accurate with everything and how to assess the options for different situations. While I enjoyed it I left with a touch of sadness for the family of that guy who died up there the previous night. RIP

I mentioned last year that I was going to do a Mountain Skills course as I want to improve my navigation and Caz went and got me one for my birthday. Level 2 as level 1 was basic enough and you need to do 1 or both to eventually sit the Mountain Skills Assessment (a prerequisite to starting the Mountain Leader course). Its run by the Irish Mountain Assoc.

Day 1 was a bit of classroom stuff and then out onto some small hills for pacing and map reading stuff. The objective was to Nav off contours more than anything else. I found it all easy until darkness fell and the wind kicked up. It was already windy and wet. We took turn leading and stopped a lot for chat about what was going on, approach etc.. Our main peak on day 1 in the northern Bens was just 333m but as we reached it on the West side the wind was so strong blowing up from the saddle that we could barely stand. The Instructor called it back and we skirted around the sheltered side. In the dark and pretty brutal conditions we were on compass bearings to get off the hill.

Nice evening out but I missed the daylight by the time I had Evan down. 4 laps of the block, pushing the pace for laps 2 and 3 before an easy last lap. The fact that 4:42 is my threshold pace is ridiculous. I have a 10k in a few weeks as our Company run it. It a big one in Dublin and right now the goal is to run it all without stopping! Oh how it falls off

20 chin ups (10,10) and 40 push ups (20,20) after
1,115/2,230 done YTD

Any training is sporadic lately. Life is hectic with toddler, baby, new job and study. This dusted off some cobwebs...