Art O'Neill 2012

TheBody

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone knows if the Art O'Neill challenge is going ahead in January 2012? I know it's a good bit away yet but I'm just curious.

Thanks in advance.

TheBody

Bump!!

keenan110

A quick google showed this:

http://drupal.setantaorienteers.org/news/trail-art-o%E2%80%99neill

It is not yet decided if AON 2012 will take place but if it does I would recommend participation, whether as a participant or a guide.

TheBody

Thanks for that. I've read that article before. It's quite old though (February). I was wondering if anyone had any updates.

Ardennes1944

Sounds cool! Never heard of this before

PositiveNegativ

from the organiser

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=73634951&postcount=220

scottyboy1973

Got a note that YES, it is - 6 Jan 2012

But a bit odd to have sent the note out given that the website is still showing as 'Under Construction'??!!!

I did it last year and vowed I'd never do it again - never say never I guess!! :-)

Hopefully some of the feedback from last year will have been taken on board and acted upon - the changeover at Kippure was a nightmare - too many people, not enough space, the guides process was a bit vague and the food didn't come out quick enough. And at the end, there was nowhere to get changed in Glenmalure - I ended up kitting off in the snooker room (by that point I REALLY didn't care who saw me!) :-)

All in all though, a good event that feels like a real achievement once you've done it

S

TheBody

scottyboy1973 wrote: »

Got a note that YES, it is - 6 Jan 2012

But a bit odd to have sent the note out given that the website is still showing as 'Under Construction'??!!!

I did it last year and vowed I'd never do it again - never say never I guess!! :-)

Hopefully some of the feedback from last year will have been taken on board and acted upon - the changeover at Kippure was a nightmare - too many people, not enough space, the guides process was a bit vague and the food didn't come out quick enough. And at the end, there was nowhere to get changed in Glenmalure - I ended up kitting off in the snooker room (by that point I REALLY didn't care who saw me!) :-)

All in all though, a good event that feels like a real achievement once you've done it

S

Thanks for that. Into the diary it goes!!

Git101

scottyboy1973 wrote: »

Hopefully some of the feedback from last year will have been taken on board and acted upon - the changeover at Kippure was a nightmare - too many people, not enough space, the guides process was a bit vague and the food didn't come out quick enough. And at the end, there was nowhere to get changed in Glenmalure - I ended up kitting off in the snooker room (by that point I REALLY didn't care who saw me!) :-)

S

I realise the people have different expectations of events but considering what the Art O Neill challenge is based on I would consider any food, shelter or assistance as a bonus

I've done several major outdoor events over the last few years, "adventure" races etc. and I can't think of one that had changing facilities at the finish. A snooker room would be a big step up.:D
What the Art O Neill has is a nice pub at the end.
Great way to finish the day, good company and a dirty big creamy pint.

PWH

Can you please advise what the AON 2012 website address is

Gravale

It's happening on January 13th 2012.

http://www.artoneillchallenge.ie/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-ONeill-Challenge/235486523164257

grahamor

Would anyone be interested in doing a recce of part of the course ?

Gravale

Which part are you referring to? I'm presuming you'd want to run it?

grahamor

You have presumed correctly Gravale .

I'd be interested in checking any of the off-road sections, perhaps the 18k route to Table Track and then back (taking a decent break in between).

The route is new to me so any suggestions are welcome.

Cheers.

Gravale

In that case I'd be of no use to you, Grahamor.

While I'm intimately familiar with the section you mention, I am but a mere hillwalker. There and back (36k) would take me 8 hours.

keenan110

Just wondering what sort of training are people doing for this?

Gravale

Walking or running?

keenan110

Gravale wrote: »

Walking or running?

Walking!

Gravale

I've seen people who didn't do anything more than one 18km hike each week for months before the Art O'Neill and who still managed to finish the challenge in about 14/15 hours. However, they would have suffered physically on the day due to the lack of training.

I do two 20k hikes at a good pace (5+km/hr) each week, with the occasional 30k thrown in, and can usually manage around 12 hours for the trek on the day of the challenge. My best was 10hrs 15mins about five years ago. I'm in my 60's now so happy enough to be able to do 12 hours.

mcgratheoin

Due to work etc. it's difficult to do much during the week. Myself and a mate are trying to do one >20km hike every weekend - with a good portion of off-trail walking and navigation thrown in - Saturday we went to Glendalough and did the Spinc to Lugduff, around the top of the valley to Turlough Hill, and back down via Camaderry and a steep descent towards the old mine workings in Glendasan - about 21km in total.
During the week we try to get one or two 10k walks in, even if it's just on the flat. From doing long distance cycles, I think it's more important to get hours into your legs than worry too much about distance - definitely try to build up the time spent on your feet. By Christmas you should be able to go out for a walk that takes 8hrs (even two loops of 4hrs). Remember that you'll be on your feet for anything from 13 to 16hrs for the challenge.
Try also to get hills and climbing practice - If you're in Dublin try to even get out to do some of the Dublin Mountains Way. Are you going to do the off-trail bits on your own or are you hooking up with a guide from Kippure house? If the former, then definitely try to recce the route before hand. Get the east west maps of the moutains - I picked up the Glendalough one at the weekend and it's a huge improvement on the OS maps I had been using up to now.

Gravale

Yes, failure to get hill-climbing work done will impact upon your performance. Some people can walk on the flat forever, but ask them to go uphill and their performance deteriorates rapidly.

Mind you, there's not a lot of climbing on the Art O'Neill Walk. No more than 1300m total ascent. There's the very gradual climb out of the city, the gentle climb from Ballysmuttan bridge to Ballynultagh, the first real climb up to Black Hill and the last tiring climb from Ballinagee up to Art's Cross. Two 'real' climbs really. Climbing statistics similar to those normally encountered on a grade one 24k Sunday hike.

jerby

grahamor wrote: »

You have presumed correctly Gravale .

I'd be interested in checking any of the off-road sections, perhaps the 18k route to Table Track and then back (taking a decent break in between).

The route is new to me so any suggestions are welcome.

Cheers.

Hi Grahamor. Would be interested in doing that recce. Would love to give the ultra a go. Have been running trails only 4 months, but have 10 marathons completed. The last one, last week, was The Causeway Coastal Marathon (04:21). i work "on call" so i only know a week or 2 in advance what i am working. So if you are heading out let us know the date, and if i can make it i will. Thanks. Jerry:)

lab man

hi im a walker, i'm thinking of doing the" art" i do a good bit of climbing have no problems climb carrauntwohill, brandon a few times a year but thats about it would it be in the same league or what should i wait till next year, i can do a 8 hr climbs with no real problem's any help would be greatly appreiciated thanks lab man

Gravale

Most reasonably-fit people can do this walk if they have a decent amount of weekly-walking under their belt. The less fit you are the longer it will take and the more pain you'll have to endure. Remember, it's 53km long, so are you willing to walk over rough ground in the cold of deepest Winter for 14 hours or thereabouts, with six or seven hours of your trek in darkness? This requires serious thinking about.

lab man

sound out G,

coalshed

I'm signed up, but between kids and work have very limited time to get in long walks, looks like I'll have to try and get a few recce's in and grind it out on the day/night.

Gravale

A common cause of failing to finish with less-than-prepared walkers is an over-enthusiastic pace from Dublin Castle to the first checkpoint at Kilbride.

Many years ago before the Walk's present re-incarnation, a brisk pace was deliberately set by the leading group to burn off the unprepared. Ruthless!

The present organiser, however, is much kinder and caring.

Alun

Yes, I could do the mountain part no problem at all, it'd be the slog along the road to Kilbride that'd kill me regardless of the pace. For some reason I can walk forever along hilly terrain but walking on the flat (regardless of surface) just seems more tiring somehow.

Gravale

Head over to here where the main Art O'Neill discussion is taking place:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056395270