The Race '18 - Getting to the start line

19/04/2018

A few pics from the day

23/02/2018

A week to go 😱 and it's taper time...and phantom ache and pain time and panic about gear and food time.....and then this fun weather news...will be grand 😆😂...does this event count as an unnecessary journey I wonder 🤔

Training is done, just trying to not get any silly injury at this point and get the food and prep sorted out over the next week....looking forward to getting going now....I think!!!

https://www.facebook.com/metalertireland/posts/1654366294655841:0

ADVANCED WEATHER ADVISORY (WARNING)
TIMELINE: MONDAY 26TH FEB 2018......ONWARDS
AREA: NATIONWIDE
CONFIDENCE: 100% Minor disruption.
CONFIDENCE: 70% Severe disruption.
This our first "warning" advisory for very cold temperatures setting in from Monday the 26th of February. We have already upgraded through 50% general advisory to a 70% be prepared advisory, this is a readiness and be prepared warning. The next level we will issue (If required) is a "severe" warning.
At this time it looks possible that the cold outbreak will last until the end of next week at least?
We recommend and urge the public to keep a close eye on Met Eireann and your local forecasts over the coming days and week ahead. We expect our national forecaster to begin rolling out advisories over the coming weekend.
AVOID ALL UPLAND ROAD NETWORKS REGARDLESS OF LOW LAND CONDITIONS.
From Monday and throughout the course of next week we expect to see temperatures drop back each day. The threat of wintry falls of snow will increase as we proceed through the week.
Latest guidance suggests that by mid week temperatures will struggle to highs of or stay below 0c/-2c by day -4c/-9c by night with an increasing risk of widespread snow accumulations across the eastern half of Ireland from Monday night through to Saturday. Wind chill or feel like temps will be exceptionally cold in a brisk easterly wind from Tuesday.
The snow threat from a nationwide aspect will also increase as the week goes on. There is a 70% risk of very heavy snowfalls leading to widespread disruption. Putting that into a perspective there is a 1 in 3 chance that a severe outbreak will not occur.
We continue to urge the public to check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours and family. Please make them aware of the weather outlook next week. Do they have enough medication, food and fuel?
100% Confidence: Very Cold Outlook 5/7 days as of Monday, minor disruption.
70% Confidence: Severe to Widespread Disruption in Ireland.

08/02/2018

3 weeks to go 😱 and swinging between panic and thinking it's going to be grand!! Would have liked a bit more training, a few more long cycles, a few paddles in the kayak but overall it's not too bad right now. Training is still good and varied, indoor bike, outdoor bike, road runs, trail runs....need to get another long cycle or 2, a good long run and at least 1 kayak session done in the next week and a half!
Lots of prep underway as well on the logistics side, figuring out what gear to wear on the different stages, what food to prep...so much will be dependent on the weather....torn between hoping the weather is nice and mild.....and hoping the weather is the worst in the history of the event just to make it more interesting 😁
Looks like about 70 or so will be taking part this year I think...and outside of the 3-4 who have a chance of winning it the rest of us are fairly in the same boat and it's a really supportive bunch, we all just want to get through it👍🏼😁

02/01/2018

2018 training off to a windy start with a trip to Donegal to do the first bike section on New Years Day. Storm Dylan provided a brutal headwind all the way around but good to do the route and make a few mental notes for March (including why the hell am I doing this😂).
2017 finished off with a good mixture of training, some night cycles, some mountain running, Christmas Day ocean swim and even an indoor mile with Sonia!!
8 weeks to go now, 6 weeks of training so it's knuckle down time. Still a few minor kinks to iron out (the goddamn frozen fingers and toes☃️😭) but all is on track. The trip to Donegal and a look at the different stages is fairly sobering, going to have to dig fairly deep in the day to get around it, going to be as much mental challenge as a physical one 😳

05/12/2017

It's all about the bike these days, trying to get as much mileage as possible and with the lack of daylight it's lights and night spins! Great to get out on the mountain bike too, still getting the bike time and it's a bit more fun that the road stuff!!

27/11/2017

Run The Line on Saturday was the last event I had signed up for before The Big One in March. Organised by the Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team this years event was particularly poignant as it was dedicated to the late Kevin Hallahan, a member of DWMRT. I had the pleasure of working with Kevin for a few years and his enthusiasm and love of the mountains and all things outdoor was infectious....he was an outstanding asset to DWMRT and a really nice fella. He was obviously looking down to the event this year as it was one of the nicest mornings I have been up in those hills....cold and crisp but clear and spectacular views. I was doing the shorter 13k course, but still over 500m of climbing in it! I finished in 66 minutes...good enough for 12th place I think (still waiting in updated results **update...11th 😁***). Now time to get back in the bike for the next few cold months!!

24/11/2017

Started to add a few strength sessions a week to the training plan. Strength training and lifting weights will make you a stronger, faster and more injury-proof runner apparently!!!! Also need to strengthen the core for the 24hrs on the move 😨....a bit fun monkeying around on the ladder bars at the end 🐒

22/11/2017

About 13-14 weeks to go until The Race so decided on one last bit of fun before the long bike rides completely take over! Went down to Ballinastoe mtb trails for a few hours and even the rain couldn't dampen the spirits!

19/11/2017

Took a little trip up to the Mourne mts today...parked up in Newcastle and started off with a little run up Donard (850m climb)...about 8k or so...then hopped on the bike for 56k loop from Newcastle, up and over Spelga Dam, down to Kilkeel and back in to Newcastle... (650m climb). Legs not in bad shape from sea2summit last week....focus on bike now for next 4-5 weeks....only 13 week training time left 😨

12/11/2017

A good run out on the Sea 2 Summit Supreme course in Westport on Saturday...finished 20th overall on a very fast course (except for the climb to top of Croagh Patrick!) so very happy with that 😁