Training Log Archive: Dooby

Picked my 'RUNNING SUCKS' tshirt to wear to work today, kind of the way I feel the way about running at the moment. Achilles feeling a small bit better this morning but foam rolling and massaging it last night wasn't fun, sore. Hopefully it gets better for the weekend. Will get some physio next week.

It doesn't help my feelings on running when I race on the bike yesterday for a similar length of time to the orienteering last week and body feels so much fresher this morning than it did last Monday morning. I appreciate they are very different but can feel like I can train today rather than recover.

My original thoughts for this week would have been a run this evening but with a sore achilles that's not going to happen.

Monday - Cycling
Tuesday - Cycling
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Rest
Friday - Orienteering (IOC - Sprint)
Saturday - Orienteering (IOC - Middle)
Sunday - Orienteering (IOC - Long)

C • Foam roller 3

Beaufort

So there was some tiredness in the legs which wasn't helped by a headwind all the way out to Beaufort. But I was looking forward to appreciating the tailwind on the way home.

They really should have lined the Port Road as parking rather than a cycle lane since that what it always seems to be used for when I cycle back in that way. In front of the cottages.

No parking either opposite the cathedral all the way up to the playground, coned off, wonder why's that.

Few bikes out and about on this fine evening.

Event: Kingdom League, Ross Castle + Island
 

What's with the sore Achilles (right) this morning???
Was hurting once out of bed so iced it over breakfast. Wasn't expecting it.

Drumm Cup (Currow)
A4 - 11th place

Felt a bit nervous before this, big adventure on the bike to go racing, especially with lots of other bikes around, more worried about the actual group riding though than the racing part.

The Over 50s got around a 2 minute head start and the Over 40s got a similar head start over the main A4 bunch, think they got a few extra seconds as some chap had a mechanical on the start line! So once going it went off fast but I was expecting this to happen. I moved up heading over to Dromultan and actually was at the front for a small bit. Then moved backwards. Pace was high as the group was chasing.

It took us until between Dromultan and Castleisland to catch the Over 40s on the 2nd lap. Before the cross I was cycling at the back of the group, said hello to Ed Murphy, and after turning onto the Castleisland road the pace really ramped up so had to work hard to maintain contact.

After the groups merged into 1 that's when I started not to enjoy the race. The cycling part was fine but it was the reckless riding that upset me a bit. Because of the pace and the size of the group, lads were moving up on the outside across the white line. Roads weren't closed. There was a very close call with a lorry on the Farranfore Road. That sort of behaviour was definitely off putting but I concentrated on staying to the left hand side.

On the 3rd lap there was a crash behind me, heard it but didn't see it. And on the last lap i'd a closeish call nearly slamming into the guy in front of me as the pace dropped all of a sudden but avoided it. I worked hard on the hill at the end of the 3rd lap, wanted to move up and be near the front as expected there to be some action on the last lap. And there was at the start. After leaving Currow village there were a couple of half hearted attempts to get away, was never going to happen though given the size of the A4 group. I got myself into these little breaks. We never had any time though. One lad came through and said if we take 10 second turns we'd get away as there was a gap. I was on the front as we headed back towards Castleisland for the last time but got swamped on the main road by the bunch.

Pace was then calm enough heading back towards Currow. Wasn't happy with my positioning though, but getting further forward wasn't easy given the numbers and not wanting to cross over the road which would have been difficult with the number of other riders doing that too. So hitting the climb back towards the finish I had some work to do. Worked the climb and then bridged over to the leading group of riders.

The climb was short but you still had lads going backwards. Was actually dangerous as you had to try and pass lads who were virtually stopped on the road. I can't understand why they would position themselves at the front as they surely knew what was going to happen to them on the climb. So it was an interrupted hill.

So got across and made my way up the right hand side. A killarney lad had a gap. But the group were chasing him down. At this stage we were in the final km. Gave what I could but maybe opened up too early. I don't have a good sprint anyways so lost places that i'd gained earlier near the line. But 11th in the end.

Good start to my serious racing career. Next up the county league race next week where i'll be recovering still from IOC.

Down to Muckross House.

Despite having tons of time since I was up early for breakfast I was a bit rushed heading out the door.

Nice morning.

Checked out the rear wheel too again this morning, ran the wheel through a sink of water but no sign of air loss. Not sure how effective this method is with the tyre on but would assume some air loss would be visible as can't imagine the tyre is air tight.

parkrun

Not really sure what the plan was for this, wanted to run at a decent pace ahead of next weekend but scared to run too fast as concerned how my legs might react. But happy with how it went.

Think 1st km was a bit faster than I wanted but settled down for the rest. 4th km is also a bit faster than the 2 before but had to try and get past a couple of jarveys.

This parkrun is struggling with regards to volunteers, not sure where they are going to come from.

3.42
3.54
3.51
3.44
3.14 (it is a short km, pace faster though but it is the flattest section of the course)

Slow home.

Legs tired but calves ok I think.

Glenflesk-Home-Dinis-Home

Another f***ed up bicycle ride. Punctured again, to say I'm pissed off is an understatement, but approached the tube change in a philosophical manner.

When changing the tube I went whole hog and took the tyre off too. Spent a while going over it to see where there might be a problem. Really struggled to find something but eventually found the tiniest of wires, maybe 2 mm in length of less, and very narrow sticking through. Not sure where this was relative to where the punctures have been happening but it was in the centre of the tyre so is where the tubes have been puncturing.

Did my best with the pump, maybe I should invest in CO2 cannisters. Cycled back home and pumped the tyre properly. Then continued on to Dinis to get some extra distance in and to see if i'd cured the puncture problem.

Feel like it's been a very frustrating week. Not good for confidence on Sunday either with the tyre. Will check it again tomorrow.

Didn't really feel in the mood beforehand but went ok.

Home to cut the grass then before dinner, was hungry by the time I ate.

Fossa (or nearly Beaufort Bridge)

Another flat, this time I changed it on the road since it was in Fossa, tried pumping it since it wasn't completely flat, got back as far as Lackabane, and decided it needed to be changed. Also an issue with the spare tube but it got me home. Spent ages later trying to find anything wrong with the tyre but can't see or feel anything. Reckon there might be an issue with the new tube too I put in later on so will have to check that again later. Not happy.

Spin was going well until then, although a decent tail wind was helping.

Legs definitely better for their rest yesterday.

Was going to run but decided before leaving work that the legs didn't feel up to it, they needed some TLC, i.e. foam roller, to help them feel better. Only copped what was affecting the left hamstring, it was the cramp I suffered during the race on Sunday, definitely causing trouble. Quads not so bad. Rest will do them good.

Went painting instead.