Wicklow Adventure Race 18/6/2011

Gear Freak

Hey,

Is anybody doing the Glendalough race this year?

Jewelsmousey

Hey - I might do it but its not til the end of the year isn't it???

ThisRegard

4 stars (good)

It's one of the earlier ones this year, April 16th.

Jewelsmousey

is it this one?

http://glendaloughtrail.com/race-info.php

You should have a look at the Wicklow Gaol race too - the course looks challenging enough

nerraw1111

This is the WAR site.

There are three WARs this year, April, June and September

http://www.wicklowadventurerace.com/

Q7

Doing WAR Glendalough this year. Never did this course before but looks challenging especially the 2nd run at Djouce mountain. 2nd cycle looks tough too but is short (8km). The cycle will take a lot of the legs for the mountain run.

Did WAR Glenmalure last year - Glendalough looks something similiar. Found Glenmalure slightly tougher than GFW last year - all hills - if your not going down you going up!

Rinker

Definitely doing this race. It was my first adventure race last year and it got me addicted. Each of the runs are challenging both climbing and descending and the cycle from Lough Dan to the second run at Djouce is a killer.
However, the scenery is fantastic throughout. Of the adventure races I did last year (WWR, GF, Achill Roar and WAR 2) my OH and kids reckoned it was the most spectator friendly.

GoHardOrGoHome

Signed up for WAR Glendalough. Had a shocker of a run around Djouce last time which was supposed to be where I'd pull back a few places from the cyclists/triathletes. Don't know if I was just wrecked from the climb up to Lough Tay or just sh1te in general on the bike. Big plan this year was to start cycling with some regularity. Hasn't happened yet. 3 months of training left I suppose!

Have a score with an IMRA rival to settle!

Oryx

I will be sad to miss this one, as I have different aims this year. Both war events last year were brilliantly tough. The runs on this one were killer but I hear the djouce has been softened slightly. Totally recommend it, and dont be afraid to go expert.

Daithi BC

I'm in - after eight years of just running, I'm in need of something a bit different, so I'm getting used to a bit of cycling now. Must try and find some proper hills to train on though.

Slogger Jogger

If I can get running again I'd definitely like to sign up.

elchupanebrey

Myself and one of the lads did the sport last year. We're going to chance the full thing this year, It'll be tough but hopefully well worth it. We've done GF twice so hopefully this won't hurt too much more.:o

Fi H

Q7 wrote: »

Did WAR Glenmalure last year - Glendalough looks something similiar. Found Glenmalure slightly tougher than GFW last year - all hills - if your not going down you going up!

I thought the cycle on the glenmalure race last year was like the inverse of that Heineken ad where the guy cycles down the hill to buy beer then leaves the shop and cycles down hill home Didnt help that I was on a mountain bike!

Have entered the sport class for WAR Glendalough. Think I will probably have a heart attack on the steps up the spink!

I have to say though I am dissappointed that theres no discount offered for entering more than one race and also dissappointed in the €4.40 booking charge on the €55 entry. Entering races is becoming v expensive and its making me think of entering less!

Oryx

The support on the Glendalough race last year was good (powerbar sweets and drinks), less so on the second one in Glenmalure, but they did say they were deliberately doing less hand holding that time. The shirt was good too for both events. For an event which can take anything from 3.5 -6 hours the entry fee is about right, I thought. But agree once you plan a few events the cost gets a bit much.

ThisRegard

4 stars (good)

They have discounts for their Hellfire Duathlon series. I did the Hellfire last year and found it great fun, less so on the cycle back to the Hellfire carpark second time around.

As for Glenmalure, I did the sport after doing expert Achill only a couple of weeks beforehand and Gaelforce before that so wanted something handy. I remember thinking as I peaked Shay Eliot that the cycle wasn't that bad at all actually, doubt the same applies for the expert cycle.

Oryx

ThisRegard wrote: »

They have discounts for their Hellfire Duathlon series. I did the Hellfire last year and found it great fun, less so on the cycle back to the Hellfire carpark second time around.

As for Glenmalure, I did the sport after doing expert Achill only a couple of weeks beforehand and Gaelforce before that so wanted something handy. I remember thinking as I peaked Shay Eliot that the cycle wasn't that bad at all actually, doubt the same applies for the expert cycle.

No. Stronger cyclists didnt mind Sliabh Mann, but I found it awful, just bloody endless. And I bonked on the last one coming back.

Mr Freeze

Just did the short WAR last year,Great Event, returning for the full main event this year.

Looking forward to it, well except for this CAT 1 climb in the second cycle leg.

thehamo

Oryx wrote: »

No. Stronger cyclists didnt mind Sliabh Mann, but I found it awful, just bloody endless. And I bonked on the last one coming back.

Funny how ya never hear a word in your life and then ya hear it about 10 times in the one day! Ive never experienced "bonking" before and from what ive heard, I never want to either!!!

c montgomery

This race along with the west wicklow roar were my 2 favourate last year.
Its really well organised, beautiful course and at 55 euro is much better value than GF. Having some of the best weather of the year for WAR glendalough also helped, it was baking:)

Last year they had free tea/coffie/sports drinks/sandwiches/fruit at the end and they also had a team of physios doing massage. Hopefully they will all be there again this year.

Ill be doing this WAR again anyway, all i have to do now is start training:)

ThisRegard

4 stars (good)

The tea and sambo people are always a welcome sight at the end of the ROAR and WAR events aren't they ! Unfortunately I'll miss the West Wicklow ROAR this year due to a wedding, was looking forward to it lots too.

Fi H

I have a wedding the same day as the Achill Roar - Was my favorite race last year so v dissappointed!

thehamo

I have one same day as gaelforce! I'm doing it and driving back for the wedding!!! Not missing out on this one!

GoHardOrGoHome

ThisRegard wrote: »

They have discounts for their Hellfire Duathlon series. I did the Hellfire last year and found it great fun, less so on the cycle back to the Hellfire carpark second time around.

As for Glenmalure, I did the sport after doing expert Achill only a couple of weeks beforehand and Gaelforce before that so wanted something handy. I remember thinking as I peaked Shay Eliot that the cycle wasn't that bad at all actually, doubt the same applies for the expert cycle.

I did the Achill Expert and died on the bike. Slowed down horrifically towards the end. In contrast I had no expectations for WAR Glenmalure but actually had a great second cycle (Slieve Mann (sp?)). Just took it handy the whole way around instead of going off too fast at the start.

ThisRegard

4 stars (good)

GoHardOrGoHome wrote: »

I did the Achill Expert and died on the bike.

You and I think everyone else bar the winners, the cycle was horrific because of the wind and there was no respite on the downhill back towards the finish. I was out on my own for most of it with nobody to help or hide behind for a while until close to the finish, and what a difference it makes being in a group, so much easier.

I intend to tame that beast this year, but I'll probably cry if it's windy again.

Rinker

[QUOTE= I'll probably cry if it's windy again.[/QUOTE]


SNAP

Timmaay

Are the cycles for the Hellfire races all on the road? What bike is normally used, cyclocross?

ThisRegard

4 stars (good)

The Hellfire last year was on road, I don't think the course is up for the other two are up on the site at the moment but I would say they're also on road.

tommysparks

the cycle maps are on the website. all 3 are road cycles

http://hellfire.wicklowadventurerace.com/

ThisRegard

4 stars (good)

But they show the same cycle for each one, I just wasn't sure if that was correct or if it's just the run that varies but the cycle remains the same for each race.

nerraw1111

ThisRegard wrote: »

But they show the same cycle for each one, I just wasn't sure if that was correct or if it's just the run that varies but the cycle remains the same for each race.

The cycle is the same for all three. The trail runs all start/finish on the same cycle loop

Mumford

Did this last year. One of the best races of the year. Signed up for this year. Really well organised. Weather was amazing - clear blue skies and cool. Running along Spink and through the Miner's Village was the highlight for me. The cycle up to the Djouce car park was murder. The Djouce run was tough but again the scenery up there was fantastic. Cycle through Glenmacnass fantastic if a little hairy dodging the potholes. The finishing line at the Upper car park at Glendalough had a great buzz at the end - family, friends etc there. Well worth travelling up from Cork

Mr Freeze

How does the Djouce run compare to the Spink run?

Which is worse?

nerraw1111

Here are the profiles.

http://glendalough.wicklowadventurerace.com/index.php/course/djouce-run/
Distance: 9.5km. Meters climbed: 450m.


http://glendalough.wicklowadventurerace.com/index.php/course/spink-run/
Distance: 8.6km Meters Climbed: 575m

Mumford

CKWPORT wrote: »

How does the Djouce run compare to the Spink run?

Which is worse?

The seemingly endless steps up the Spink are tough going, but I found the Djouce run harder because of earlier exertions

Mr Freeze

Cheers lads, did the sports one last year, so I know how bad Spink is, I found it torture in the heat!

Djouce will probably end up feeling a lot worse doing the full, as I will be well tired by the time I get there.

guapos

CKWPORT wrote: »

How does the Djouce run compare to the Spink run?

Which is worse?

Unless youre a strong runner youll more than likely be walking up both hills so a bit of hiking in training will help. I'd say Spink is tougher but your start of race excitement will get you to the top in no time then its the fun part, downhill on the sleepers followed by a rocky zig zag path down to the mine. I'd recommend doing a bit of downhill practice as you could easily go over on an ankle here.

Oryx

CKWPORT wrote: »

How does the Djouce run compare to the Spink run?

Which is worse?

The steps were hard on the spink, but youre fresh going into it. The 'technical' descent I found hard because Im not used to doing stuff like that. On the djouce, the first forest road bit was easy. The next off road bit was fine, but the slog up the flank of the mountain was killer. It was a long hard drag, quite steep in parts. Once at the top youll fly along the sleepers, I found that bit great.

nerraw1111

What are people's training plans for WAR? Following triathlons plans etc?

At a bit of a loss what running training I should be doing mid week, besides the hill running at weekends.

I was thinking of following a half marathon running plan with plenty of hills.
I figured half marathon is close enough to the total running distance, throw in some tempo/interverals etc?

I'm running four times a week but it is a bit of a headless chicken approach so far. Plan for the cycling is just to get out the bike as often as I can.

Slogger Jogger

nerraw1111 wrote: »

What are people's training plans for WAR? Following triathlons plans etc?

At a bit of a loss what running training I should be doing mid week, besides the hill running at weekends.

I was thinking of following a half marathon running plan with plenty of hills.
I figured half marathon is close enough to the total running distance, throw in some tempo/interverals etc?

I'm running four times a week but it is a bit of a headless chicken approach so far. Plan for the cycling is just to get out the bike as often as I can.

If you do most of the imra races you'll be well sorted for the hill run stages of WAR. You could make them into brick like sessions by cycling to and or from such races if you are a real sucker for punishment.

nerraw1111

Yeah will look to cycle to some of the races.

Just wondering what to do during the week on the road, away from the hills to add a bit of speed etc. So that's what I was thinking of following a half marathon plan. Or maybe even a 10k plan

Mr Freeze

nerraw1111 wrote: »

What are people's training plans for WAR? Following triathlons plans etc?

Not going to follow any particular plan in training, I have a duathlon next month and another in March, so those should be good prep!

Running wise I will probably mostly be running flat 12kms till then, maybe longer, my shins play up big time on hills so I avoid training on them! Will try get 2 hill sessions in before WAR tho!

Cycling, will just keep spinning away with the local club and try get a few brick sessions in at the weekends if possible!

This cat 1 climb is a worry tho! Nothing where I live that tough to train on, except for the Maam, which some of you will remember from sea 2 summit!! But that's only a cat 4!

Rinker

This cat 1 climb is a worry tho! Nothing where I live that tough to train on, except for the Maam, which some of you will remember from sea 2 summit!! But that's only a cat 4![/QUOTE]

The really steep sections are actually quite short so if you're struggling you could always hop off and jog with your bike. It's unlikely you'd drop back too many places. I had to do this at one point last year (for bout 200m) and wasn't overtaken by anyone.

Nem_e

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

If you do most of the imra races you'll be well sorted for the hill run stages of WAR. You could make them into brick like sessions by cycling to and or from such races if you are a real sucker for punishment.

Oh God i've just realised how much of a grip running and multi_sport races are having on me after reading your post Slogger. A year ago seeing people arrive at IMRA races on the bike i taught they where mad. After reading your post i was thinking thats a great idea , AHHHH

fishboy1974

Did War Sport last year at Glendalough, full WAR Glenmalure and the Sea 2 Summit in Westport, all about survival last year, this year the plan was to get the times down, reading these posts i'm going back to survival mode.

Don B

Looking to do the WAR Glendalough event on April 16th, going to be my first
event of this type. Have done half marathons in the past, but nothing similar
to this.

Can a mountain bike with slick tyres be used effectively, or should I look into
getting a racing bike for the event. Obviously not going to be setting any
records with it being my first event, just want to be able to manage the
cycling section.

Thanks for any suggestions

Q7

Don B wrote: »

Can a mountain bike with slick tyres be used effectively, or should I look into
getting a racing bike for the event. Obviously not going to be setting any
records with it being my first event, just want to be able to manage the
cycling section.

Did WAR Glenmalure last year - WAR Glendalough has even longer cycle and some hills are even steeper. All of WAR Glenmalure was on tarmac roads except a small section that you had to walk with a road bike. Assume Glendalough is the same. I'd get a road bike if you could. Pushing a mountain bike even with slicks will add to the pain of hills - even on a road bike last year I found WAR Glenmalure cycle very tough.
Only 10 more weeks before this race :eek: - time to start upping the training I think from this weekend.

Enduro

Don B wrote: »

Looking to do the WAR Glendalough event on April 16th, going to be my first
event of this type. Have done half marathons in the past, but nothing similar
to this.

Can a mountain bike with slick tyres be used effectively, or should I look into
getting a racing bike for the event. Obviously not going to be setting any
records with it being my first event, just want to be able to manage the
cycling section.

Thanks for any suggestions

A mountain bike with slicks will certainly be enough to get you around the course comfortably. However, if you want to get your best possible result/time, then a road bike would be a lot better. It's your choice as to whether being somewhat faster on the bike is worth the expense of buying another bike (or the bother of borrowing one). I'm assuming its a reasonable mountain bike (proper cross country bike, not a freeride bike, not a cheapy heavy as a tank bike-shaped-object!).

For reference, there are no off-road section in the Glendalogh WAR. A road bike can be cycled over 100% of the course without a bother.

Fi H

Took a spin around spink today and I'm just wondering is it my imagination or has the path down along the mines changed a bit over the winter? Lovely day for it

greenplain

Hi,

Just looking for some information and thought on the race in Glendalough. I was looking at the website for the race and i am thinking about doing and i am wondering could some of you help me out on some questions I have :

1. I did Gaelforce last year, is this a comparable race in terms of the cycle ?
2. What is a CAT 1 ?

I haven't done any cycling since Gaelforce as I just have been concentrating on my running. Is there any program available for training for the cycling, or is it a case of just get out and do it.

I am not too concern about the running as i have done a fair few mountain races.

I have no finish time in mind either. (as of yet)

Q7

greenplain wrote: »

1. I did Gaelforce last year, is this a comparable race in terms of the cycle ?
2. What is a CAT 1 ?

Did WAR Glenmalure & GaleForce last year. WAR Glendalough is something similar to WAR Glenmalure. I have to say I found the hills much tougher in WAR than Gaelforce. Only one real hill to talk about in Gaelforce cycle - though the off-road bit was worse on Gaelforce but you won't have that problem in WAR. The cycle is also a bit longer that Gaelforce but most of the last 20km is downhill. Suggest you just get out there and do a few cycles over the next few weekends. Just extend the miles each time and you'll be ready for it. Try to do routes that have hills.

CAT 1 refrers to the catorgy of the mountain cycle climb. Parts of the 2nd cycle are 10% gradient (i.e. very steep to cycle) which the organisers have classed as CAT 1 - but it's only for a couple of kms (could even walk it if needed) and the total assent is 284m. For Tour de France a CAT 1 climb would about 1000m climb over a steep gradient so we're a long way of that level

Enduro

Fi H wrote: »

Took a spin around spink today and I'm just wondering is it my imagination or has the path down along the mines changed a bit over the winter? Lovely day for it

The real experts on that trail tell me that it landslided a bit over winter. Presumably the National Park will put all the pieces together again. If they don't, then all the better