Connemara Rough Diamond - obstacle course

Animella

Just thinking about entering the Sport version of Connemara Rough Diamond this year.

Looks like great craic but just how tough would the assault course be for moderately fit female vet with a slightly dodgy shoulder? Not out for a podium finish or anything but don't want to be out all day either.

Thanks!

woody1

youtube video, not sure how up to date it is though

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO-JiIJhw_Y

might give you some idea.. i did it in its first year and that definitely wouldve been fine for you , think its changed a bit since then, the lads were easy going enough, id say if something is gonna hurt your shoulder theyl let you go round..

Animella

Thanks, I watched a few clips there and definitely want to do it now! Anyone else here doing it?

dakar

I'm signed up for the sport course. Happens to be on my birthday, which happens to end with a zero this year so thought I'd give it a go. It'll be my first adventure race and it looks good craic

I have a question regarding footwear. I normally cycle in clipless pedals, but with five transitions, I'm not sure whether I'm bothered changing over and back each time. The pro is obviously that I have the proper footwear for each element. The con that I have to cart my running shoes with me on the bike and I'm not sure I want to lug around a backback.

Time is going to be of fairly minimal importance to me (I'll be happy to finish anywhere other than last) so time spent in transition is pretty insignificant.

What do people normally do?

Animella

dakar wrote: »

I'm signed up for the sport course. Happens to be on my birthday, which happens to end with a zero this year so thought I'd give it a go. It'll be my first adventure race and it looks good craic

I have a question regarding footwear. I normally cycle in clipless pedals, but with five transitions, I'm not sure whether I'm bothered changing over and back each time. The pro is obviously that I have the proper footwear for each element. The con that I have to cart my running shoes with me on the bike and I'm not sure I want to lug around a backback.

Time is going to be of fairly minimal importance to me (I'll be happy to finish anywhere other than last) so time spent in transition is pretty insignificant.

What do people normally do?

People differ but personally I wear runners or trail shoes and have toe clips on the bike. I'm lazy and couldn't be bothered changing shoes.

I don't think it's worth changing in and out of cycling shoes twice for a couple of short cycles though.

Animella

Great way of celebrating your birthday though - enjoy! :-)

Frosty McSnowballs

This looks like a bit of fun, il be there myself

stampydmonkey

Did the expert last year. Was great craic. Obstacle Course is more fun than strenuous and you can walk around anything you don't want to do. I changed shoes at each transition. Was grand. There was a nice headwind on the cycle so glad for clips.

dakar

How rough is the terrain on the run sections? Trail runners needed or would regular running shoes be ok?

stampydmonkey

dakar wrote: »

How rough is the terrain on the run sections? Trail runners needed or would regular running shoes be ok?

The first run is on a gravel track and boardwalk and gets very steep fast so unless your a mountain goat you'll be stuck behind whoever is infront you. The assault course is on forest floor with loads roots knocking about and a bit of boggy terrain. The third run has changed this year and includes a beach traverse..haven't seen the beach run route but would imagine its fine. I did all of last years one with normal asics so you'll be fine

dakar

Thanks for the advice.

I have both (probably comes down to a choice between wearing Brooks pure grit or pure flow) but I find the road shoes more comfortable so I'll probably go with them if the terrain's not too rough.

Frosty McSnowballs

All signed up.

I just have normal runners and pedals, be grand <_<

I'm at a wedding in Wicklow the day before so I'm not expecting a quick time. Be happy just to complete it.

Animella

All signed up too, and looking forward to it! Hope the weather will stay nice.

I have new trail shoes so looking forward to getting them dirty :-)

Best of luck everyone!

Frosty McSnowballs

Are we doing the 'boards.ie secret handshake' before the start?

Animella

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

Are we doing the 'boards.ie secret handshake' before the start?

Ehhhh... .!! You'll have to show me! I will have very new looking , completely untested purple Salomons on.

You, presumably will be attired as your name suggests?!

Frosty McSnowballs

Animella wrote: »

Ehhhh... .!! You'll have to show me! I will have very new looking , completely untested purple Salomons on.

You, presumably will be attired as your name suggests?!

If you have a cup of tea waiting for me at the end, you have yourself a deal! Il be the one in 6 year old Nike runners and fancy shorts.

New Salomons on race day :eek:.....be grand!

Anyone know if there's shower facilities at the end?

stampydmonkey

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

Anyone know if there's shower facilities at the end?

Cant remember.

Looking forward to it now. I'll be in the blue brooks or disgracefully silver cycling shoes falling around at each transition.

Just back in galway and its a bit windy....please please dont be windy Saturday

dakar

stampydmonkey wrote: »

please please dont be windy Saturday

+1, went for a spin today and remembered how much I hate cycling into headwinds. I really hope it's not blowing us back to Leenane!

I'll be there in a skeleton print cycling jersey. Probably, depends on the weather...

Animella

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

If you have a cup of tea waiting for me at the end, you have yourself a deal! Il be the one in 6 year old Nike runners and fancy shorts.

New Salomons on race day :eek:.....be grand!

Anyone know if there's shower facilities at the end?

You could be waiting a fair while for that cup of tea!

Should we have some cake for the birthday boy?!

Rough Diamond FB page says they have showers.

Can cope with bit of a breeze but please no rain.

Animella

dakar wrote: »

+1, went for a spin today and remembered how much I hate cycling into headwinds. I really hope it's not blowing us back to Leenane!

I'll be there in a skeleton print cycling jersey. Probably, depends on the weather...

You should be easy enough to spot so. But why not wear a nice big birthday badge too so there's no mistake ;-)

dakar

Animella wrote: »

You should be easy enough to spot so. But why not wear a nice big birthday badge too so there's no mistake ;-)

I could claim to be keeping a low profile, but I'll be pretty visible...

Frosty McSnowballs

dakar wrote: »

I could claim to be keeping a low profile, but I'll be pretty visible...

I'm just going to walk around and say "boards boards boards boards" and whoever looks at me will probably be one of you guys!

Frosty McSnowballs

Animella wrote: »

You could be waiting a fair while for that cup of tea!

Should we have some cake for the birthday boy?!

Rough Diamond FB page says they have showers.

Can cope with bit of a breeze but please no rain.

Jesus, I'd rather rain than a breeze! Tea and cake sounds deadly...make it happen

dakar

I did a recce on the sport course today. It's a truly beautiful spin in a gorgeous part of the country. The first two cycle sections are pretty flat, but there a few nasty little drags in the last cycle before a nice downhill bit to finish.

If the weather's anything like today, we're sorted. It was almost perfect except for a headwind on the coastal sections.

Really looking forward to it now

Frosty McSnowballs

I'm on the way

Best of luck folks!

dakar

So the weather was crap but the skeleton jersey proved visible!

Hello to those of you that said hi on the way round, I'd love to have caught up at the end but a pint and a hot bath back in the hotel were calling me

I actually enjoyed it, the weather certainly made it, eh, interesting. But I really felt like I'd done something. Not sure what, but definitely something...

I'll be back.

stampydmonkey

dakar wrote: »

So the weather was crap but the skeleton jersey proved visible!

Hello to those of you that said hi on the way round, I'd love to have caught up at the end but a pint and a hot bath back in the hotel were calling me

I actually enjoyed it, the weather certainly made it, eh, interesting. But I really felt like I'd done something. Not sure what, but definitely something...

I'll be back.

Yep. Made it interesting to say the least. Missed the start of the expert by 20 mins somehow so we just took off on our own. Caught a few on the way round so did well. Really enjoyed the beach traverse and great banter all the way round. Marshals were full of encouragement. Conditions weren't great but everyone got on with it. Didn't notice any of ye as we were scrambling from the start but well done everyone.

...now wine pints pizza and some relax time. See ye next year.

Frosty McSnowballs

Lads I'm bolloxed .

Spotted Dakar as I was on the return route from the beach. I kindly said "fcuking Dakar!". Sorry man, that's all that would come out!

I found that tough tbh. No sleep since Wednesday, no food before, no cycling shoes/cleats, no trail runners and was at a wedding yesterday.

Iv learned my lesson! Expert course took me just over 4 hours and I'm just glad I finished it tbh. That last cycle broke me, just hill after hill. Had a bit of a panic when I pulled the brake going down the hill and the bike went sideways. Don't know how I didn't come off it.

Very well run, volunteers were excellent throughout. I might be back next year!

Well done folks!

Animella

Well done guys! I loved it all - the obstacle course was the best craic ever :-)

Shattered now though. So much for the weather - I take it all back now about not minding the wind. I was nearly blown in front of a car on a bend shortly before the beach. But once you're wet, you're wet and it kind of added to the whole experience.

Loved the jersey Dakar! Hope you enjoyed your birthday with a difference. Don't know if I met the rest of you. I was bedraggled and haggard looking with a dripping wet purple headband.

Will be back next year for a bit more punishment :-)

Frosty McSnowballs

I think I passed you by at the beach. Dark hair, purple head band and purple runners. I'd say Dakar would have passed you on the opposite direction at the grassy bit on the beach?

Well, that's if it was you. I had il luminous green socks on, cos I'm fashionable like!

stampydmonkey

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

I think I passed you by at the beach. Dark hair, purple head band and purple runners. I'd say Dakar would have passed you on the opposite direction at the grassy bit on the beach?

Well, that's if it was you. I had il luminous green socks on, cos I'm fashionable like!

Think I passed you on le beach too...black shorts and top?

Frosty McSnowballs

stampydmonkey wrote: »

Think I passed you on le beach too...black shorts and top?

Ah they would have been at that stage. Started out grey though I kept my eye out for blue brooks but they were everywhere.

Did you have a blue Zip top on?

Man, I suffered on that beach. Some wind out! How did you find it altogether?

stampydmonkey

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

Ah they have been at that stage. Started out grey though I kept my eye out for blue brooks but they were everywhere.

Did you have a blue Zip top on?

Man, I suffered on that beach. Some wind out! How did you find it altogether?

Yeah me brooks got a good cleaning running through the stream on the beach. Had blue astana cycling shirt on but black and red gillet on top at that stage. Loved it but was seriously cramping on the bike after the beach. Face is seriously windburned/sandblasted now. Thought the course was alot better than last year.

Animella

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

I think I passed you by at the beach. Dark hair, purple head band and purple runners. I'd say Dakar would have passed you on the opposite direction at the grassy bit on the beach?

Well, that's if it was you. I had il luminous green socks on, cos I'm fashionable like!

Yep that was me - struggling big time so didn't really notice people overtaking me. (How dare you pass an old lady out like that?? ) And yes, met Dakar coming down just as got off the beach. He was flying but I got my birthday greeting in!

Are there results anywhere?

stampydmonkey

Animella wrote: »

Yep that was me - struggling big time so didn't really notice people overtaking me. (How dare you pass an old lady out like that?? ) And yes, met Dakar coming down just as got off the beach. He was flying but I got my birthday greeting in!

Are there results anywhere?

Haven't seen them yet. They only announced the winner's cause there was a problem with the times. Might be a few days

Animella

stampydmonkey wrote: »

Yep. Made it interesting to say the least. Missed the start of the expert by 20 mins somehow so we just took off on our own. Caught a few on the way round so did well. Really enjoyed the beach traverse and great banter all the way round. Marshals were full of encouragement. Conditions weren't great but everyone got on with it. Didn't notice any of ye as we were scrambling from the start but well done everyone.

...now wine pints pizza and some relax time. See ye next year.

Awful you missed the start. I'd have been really annoyed- they said they wouldn't start till 10.45 but they actually started it at 10.32 ( by my watch anyway).

Didn't know there was a problem will results. Will have to quell my curiosity a few days so :-(

stampydmonkey

Animella wrote: »

Awful you missed the start. I'd have been really annoyed- they said they wouldn't start till 10.45 but they actually started it at 10.32 ( by my watch anyway).

Didn't know there was a problem will results. Will have to quell my curiosity a few days so :-(

Ah no bother really.we were dropping our bikes down so missed it. We started at 10.50 after a bit of confusion. Tbh its our own fault for messing around at the start and not paying attention. Made for a lonely climb up the diamond but how bad. He said they'd have the results sorted asap so hopefully sooner rather than later.

Animella

Results are up guys!

Happy with my F vet placing - it's all relative! :-)

Micilin Muc

Results up on Red Tag Timing http://www.redtagtiming.com

My second adventure race - did the Sport - only registered on Friday due to an incomplete team representing my club. Had a running injury entering the race so wasn't supposed to do any racing, hills, trails, or anything above 5km! Unchecked all the boxes. Very well organised, didn't have any issues at all.

I started off a few rows back, gradually made my way up, did the first two stages at >95% max HR! Kudos to two solos who let me draft behind them for a few km before T3. Beach was good fun despite the headwind. I missed my clipless pedals on the final cycle. Finished in 13th place overall

Heard a few reports of one guy drafting behind a van Bad form and sad if true!

Frosty McSnowballs

My results aren't up

I dabbed at each checkpoint, wtf like!

Animella

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

My results aren't up

I dabbed at each checkpoint, wtf like!

That's disappointing (and moves me one more place down!) Did you email redtagtiming?

Frosty McSnowballs

Animella wrote: »

That's disappointing (and moves me one more place down!) Did you email redtagtiming?

Yeah, it was all my fault. I gave the chip to an organiser instead of the tag people. They are sorting it out for me

Ah I did the expert route, your placing is safe

dakar

Got a text from my cousin on Saturday evening wanting to know if I was still going to be in Connemara on Sunday morning.

'Yeah, sure, meet up for coffee, be grand' I thought.

'We're climbing Diamond Mountain as part of the Climb a Hill for Jack and Jill' she said. Considering that she was doing it in memory of her wee daughter who had need of their services, well, I couldn't say no. So back up the mountain on Sunday morning we went. All the way up this time. Fairly blew away the hangover that I'd worked hard on acquiring on Saturday night, I can tell you. And boy do I have a deeper respect for what you guys who did the expert course put yourselves through...

Animella

Well done Dakar. One way of clearing the head. Would actually love to climb to the top of Diamond mountain - minus a hangover though!

The Jack and Jill Children's foundation do amazing work, we had some support from them when my own daughter was a baby.

Hope you get your results soon Senor Fancy Pants.

Delighted I did the Rough Diamond anyway. Roll on Sea2 Summit now :-)

sconhome

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

Yeah, it was all my fault. I gave the chip to an organiser instead of the tag people. They are sorting it out for me

Ah I did the expert route, your placing is safe

In fairness if it's RedTag they are good at sussing out results. They'll use video to place you at the finish line and work from there.

TJGer

I was probably one of those 2 Micilin Muc. You're Trisport? I'd the Achill Roar top on. We worked hard to catch ya!

Micilin Muc

TJGer wrote: »

I was probably one of those 2 Micilin Muc. You're Trisport? I'd the Achill Roar top on. We worked hard to catch ya!

That was me! Very much appreciated, even if I did lose a place or two!

How are the legs? I'm still recovering!

TJGer

Legs are sound now. Took a day or two though! Back training, looking forward to Sea2Summit. Ye have a good club there. Pat and Maries young lad will be a force to be reckoned with before too long!