Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Time for a New Adventure

12223242628

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 3,355 ✭✭✭Bungy Girl


    So, after a long trail run in the morning, you rock up to a hilly 5K and podium as well as a PB....? Wowzers ! Imagine what you could do with a bit of a taper...on a flat course...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,070 ✭✭✭Baby75


    Bungy Girl wrote: »
    So, after a long trail run in the morning, you rock up to a hilly 5K and podium as well as a PB....? Wowzers ! Imagine what you could do with a bit of a taper...on a flat course...

    Totally agree ! nice going Neady :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭hillsiderunner


    Well done on the sub-23, Neady, quite envious. And of course all the other stuff!

    Good luck with the Wicklow trails. IMRA page is showing some nice pottery coming your way :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Flying it, long and short distance!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,359 ✭✭✭peter kern


    congrats on getting married

    one little point while tyrol was brielfly occupied by the germans in 2n ww the reason they speak austrian german in south tyrol is that this used to be a part of austria even up today aobut 2 thirds of people in south tyrol speak austrian german.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    Bungy Girl wrote: »
    So, after a long trail run in the morning, you rock up to a hilly 5K and podium as well as a PB....? Wowzers ! Imagine what you could do with a bit of a taper...on a flat course...

    Cheers G, I'm begining to think that I race better on tired legs, there's no pressure on me and my legs just don't know what's going on :)
    Baby75 wrote: »
    Totally agree ! nice going Neady :)

    Thanks N :)
    Well done on the sub-23, Neady, quite envious. And of course all the other stuff!

    Good luck with the Wicklow trails. IMRA page is showing some nice pottery coming your way :)

    Cheers HSR, I got the second last mug, phew. It's a really nice momento to have.
    diego_b wrote: »
    Flying it, long and short distance!

    Thanks D, I think the speed sessions are definitely helping the cause this year.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    peter kern wrote: »
    congrats on getting married

    one little point while tyrol was brielfly occupied by the germans in 2n ww the reason they speak austrian german in south tyrol is that this used to be a part of austria even up today aobut 2 thirds of people in south tyrol speak austrian german.

    Thanks Peter, not quite married yet but July won't be long coming around and we're heading back to Bolzano for our honeymoon which coincides with a trail race in the Dolomites wouldn't you know.

    Tyrol is a beautiful area in Italy and I like the mix of cultures, it's quite unique.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    April 2nd to April 8th

    Monday:
    Rest

    Tuesday:
    AM: 2miles warm up on the treadmill (17mins)
    AM: Circuits
    PM: Club session: WU, drills, 5/6x800m off 2mins, WD, drills
    Paces: ??, 7:16, 7:13, 7:27, 7:25
    Coach said to do 5 to 6 x 800m and I had in my head that with the racing at the weekend and a 50km next weekend, 4x800s would do me just fine so I headed out after Michelle for the 800s. I can’t stick with her, she’s just too fast but I kept the gap to about 50m and tried to close. Gave these socks and thanked her each time for leading out. She was doing a fifth so I decided to stick around and do it with her though I was fading terribly. Gawd 800s are so hard.

    Wednesday:
    AM: 30mins Wattbike & 2miles on the treadmill @ 10:00 for recovery
    AM: 20mins S&C
    PM: Yoga
    All done in an effort to flush the lactic acid out of the legs

    Thursday:
    AM:2miles @ 8:30/mi on the treadmill (17mins).
    AM: Circuits.
    PM: Picked up the engagement ring (it couldn’t be anything but a Claddagh ring) and went for celebratory dinner with friends. Wine, lots of food and desert ☺

    Friday:
    AM: 30mins on the Wattbike (15km) including 5x30sec all our sprints
    AM: 3miles @ 9:18 off the bikes on the treadmill (28mins)
    PM: Another celebratory dinner with friends. Only had the one glass of wine this evening and managed to get into bed by 11:30pm with the alarm set for 5:15am.

    Saturday: Maurice Mullins Ultra
    32.2miles @ 12:19/mi +circa 2,000m (6hrs 37mins)
    Picked up Lonan and John S and headed for Wicklow in the AM. The Ultra didn’t start until 9:30am so it was great to get to sleep in my own bed before heading to Johnny Foxes for this one. There was an option of an 8:30am early start but I was fairly sure that I’d make the cut-offs on the 9:30am start.

    We arrived at Johnny Foxes and checked in at Glencullen just as the early starters were heading off and a nice bunch of them there were too (at least 40). There was a hand thrown mug by Hilary from Crannmor pottery on offer for the first 100 people to register on Saturday morning and I was lucky enough to get the second last one. It’s a beautiful keepsake so I was dead chuffed to be early enough to get one.

    The Maurice Mullins Ultra follows the Wicklow Way from Johnny Foxes, over Djouce, through Curtlestown woods, Crone woods and into Ballinastoe before we turn around and head back the same way. The cut off at Ballinastoe is at 13:00 giving us 3hrs30mins to cover the 25km from Johnny Foxes. The Maurice Mullins is one of the biggest races in the IMRA calendar and it runs concurrently with the half which starts at Ballinastoe at around lunch.

    Dermot, the RD, was very quick to send us on our way and wouldn’t ya know it, my buddy Lar, from the Clover, was right beside me. Nuff said, I had my running buddy for the day. It wasn’t long before we were climbing and we kept a nice steady jog, I’d usually walk these section in long race but for a 50km, jogging is ok.

    Before I knew it we were heading for Powerscourt waterfall, I really felt we were were pushing the pace but was quite enjoying the challenge. It was breath-taking to see the views today as I tried to recall this section last year in the dark. Next up the stony track at the start of Djouce, we hiked this super fast. I was without poles today as they’re not allowed in Scotland for the Highland Fling so I was getting used to going without. I was surprising myself at how fast I was hiking this, I wouldn’t have been any faster at a jog.

    Over Djouce at a nice trot and onto the boardwalks where, before long, we started to meet the front runners on the half and the Ultras. This section was slow as I was hopping on and off the boardwalks as much as I could to give the faster guys the chance to keep momentum. Lots of people out walking were incredibly kind and wishing us well. Down down down and we meet the bulk of the half runners and I say hello to Denis_b and high 5 a few other runners. Everyone is in incredibly good form.

    We get to the turn around in 3 hours, I top up with water and pop a Tailwind into one bottle and off with me. Lar is a little slower to get going but I know if I keep moving, he’ll catch me. I’m powering up the hill and before long I meet the one and only AGYR who comes to jog some of this incline with me. It’s perfect timing too as Owen had told me to try to get up this quickly as it can drag on. Had a great catch up with AM, discussing doggie school and wedding plans. Thank you AM, as always, you are a legend and I’m beginning to think, my good luck charm too. We’ll hike these hills together very soon.

    The rain started to come down now and I’m debating putting on my jacket, Lonan said we’d get some shower while another guy this morning said it’d start bucketing at lunch and be down for the day. I’m heading up the sleepers and it’s milling and I’m starting to get cold. Onto the single track at Djouce and it’s muddy, slippery and has a few inches of water on it.
    I’m not close to the top yet and I decide to take the time penalty and stop to put on the jacket or I could be facing hypothermia as my hands are freezing. It was a good call as I instantly warmed up. In front of me I see people, slipping left right and centre so I take my time. I’ve a long summer of racing ahead of me and I ain’t letting a 50km take me out. I wait up for Lar so we can negotiate this together and we stick by the heather.

    We meet a guy searching for his dog around Powerscourt waterfall, he’s been there since we headed out. We tell me that we saw his dog at the top of the waterfall on our way out but haven’t seen him on the track since. Poor man is beside himself but I read later that he found his dog.

    Down to Crone woods and I’m surprised to see Owen at the checkpoint. He fell and hit his hip on a rock so he’s calling it a day to avoid further injury. It’s still raining but I’m really enjoying this race. On we go, the rain stops and the sun comes out, we have the banter with a few other peeps. I’m passing people out now on the ascents and I feel my climbing has improved from the Clover. Lar is getting cramps so I make him drink my Tailwind and either the Tailwind worked or it’s a mental thing but the cramping stops.

    We’re labouring up the last climb of the day and I’m wondering where the hell it ends but it does and some nice stone stops. Nice section of technical flat and we’re heading for home. We come across a runner sitting on a rock, he’s knackered but in good spirits so we stop for a minute to make sure he has enough of everything. He’s nearly there and we know he’ll finish it off.

    Trotting down the hill and we’re loving it, one last b**ch of a climb on the road to the GAA pitch, where I think the race ends, but it doesn’t so we power on. Neither of us talking as we’re really motoring and we cross the line together. What a race. 37 minutes slower on the return leg – can put some of it down to the mudfest on Djouce as I didn’t think we slowed that much on the return but definitely room for improvement. I catch up with Baby75 from around these parts who played a blinder on the half and the IMRA crew from Wicklow that I’m beginning to get to know very well.

    Hop into the car and away home with us. I took a sachet of Tailwind rebuild as soon as I finished the race and I feel like it’s helped the recovery. 17th lady out of 29 ladies on the Ultra and 108 out of 165 finishers (9 DNFd).

    Sunday
    Sonny Murphy 10mile road race in Kilnaboy @ 8:17/mi (1:23:37)
    Kieran was travelling down to this and I’d pre registered for the series so I figured I’d make it a recovery run (and this is one of my favourite races of the year). It wasn’t until lunch time either so I’m the bones of 24 hours recovery at that stage and after some initial trouble getting my heels to touch the ground when I woke up, my calves loosened out.

    Off we went on this lumpy but very pretty course on a stunning day and after 2 miles of easy running (8:41, 8:36), my legs started turning and I moved up the field. I wasn’t looking at the watch but picking people out in front and closing the gap, not putting too much pressure on myself but enjoying the thrill of the chase. (8:17, 8:13, 8:10, 8:11). I feel like I’m slowing a little coming into Corofin village before we turn right for Kilnaboy (8:21) as there are some long drags coming into the village and mentally I’m preparing for the slow down after Corofin as the last two miles are mostly uphill.

    I see two ladies about 300m ahead of me, Ennis track and Kilmurray-Ibrickan AC and I wonder if I’ll push on, tough call as if I go for them, they might have more left in the tank for the last two miles but I decide to gamble. I pass them just before the 8mile sign, they tell me to go for it and I start to push and hope they don’t bridge the gap. Mile 9 is 8:17, I’m pushing as hard as I can now and I see two people on the last climb, I catch them as we cross the 500m mark, another guy is slowing at the 400m mark. The final 400m feel like the longest 400ms ever (7:56) and finally I cross the line and collapse. I think I’m getting addicted to racing. 17th lady home.

    Totals for the week
    Running: 10hrs 30mins (58.5miles)
    Circuits: 2hrs
    Wattbike: 1hr
    S&C: 1hr 50mins


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,831 ✭✭✭Annie get your Run


    Ah here, you raced a 10 miler the day after the 50k Mountain Run??!!! :eek::eek: that's incredible. How you do those ultras with the accents as steep as they are I do not know. Massive well done on Maurice Mullins and tons of extra kudos on the 10 miler!!! Lovely as always to catch up on Saturday, I had lots of fun getting lost otherwise I'd have made it to more locations :D.

    What's involved in the highland fling?


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭hillsiderunner


    What's involved in the highland fling?

    53miles along the West Highland Way iirc (#jealous)

    Well done on the racing Neady but you're mad to be doing two races in a row!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,070 ✭✭✭Baby75


    Thanks Neady I am still on a high and feeling good legs are not as sore as I thought they would be! I need more practice on my uphill climbing loads catches me there.
    Cracking report Neady I was reliving it with you esp that last hill and then you went and raced a 10 miler :D well done and I love the idea of your honeymoon with a race as well :D

    I missed my tailwind so much on Saturday, we have some left but I am saving it for hubby this weekend! I have seen the recovery drink do you find it good.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    53miles along the West Highland Way iirc (#jealous)

    Well done on the racing Neady but you're mad to be doing two races in a row!

    Yup, 85km and 2,300m in new money from Tyndrum to Glasgow :) with 860 other people :eek: I was bowled over by the amount of people in the race on Saturday, I won't know what to do with myself in Scotland :) Really looking forward to a different adventure.

    Cheers HSR, I know, I'm probably on a hiding to an injury the way I'm going :eek: but I feel ok and I'll take it easy this week. Hopefully it'll stand to me in Wicklow in June.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    Baby75 wrote: »
    Thanks Neady I am still on a high and feeling good legs are not as sore as I thought they would be! I need more practice on my uphill climbing loads catches me there.
    Cracking report Neady I was reliving it with you esp that last hill and then you went and raced a 10 miler :D well done and I love the idea of your honeymoon with a race as well :D

    I missed my tailwind so much on Saturday, we have some left but I am saving it for hubby this weekend! I have seen the recovery drink do you find it good.

    I need practice on the downhills as all my hard work on the climbs was being undone there. When I see people taking spills, I tense up and slow down.

    It was my first time using Tailwind recovery on Saturday and I don't usually use recovery drinks so I've nothing to compare it to but it took the hunger away and meant I could get on the road straight away after the race. Would I have felt as fresh on Sunday without taking it, I'm not sure.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,070 ✭✭✭Baby75


    Neady83 wrote: »
    I need practice on the downhills as all my hard work on the climbs was being undone there. When I see people taking spills, I tense up and slow down.

    It was my first time using Tailwind recovery on Saturday and I don't usually use recovery drinks so I've nothing to compare it to but it took the hunger away and meant I could get on the road straight away after the race. Would I have felt as fresh on Sunday without taking it, I'm not sure.



    judging by how good tailwind is, the recovery drink has to be good :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭hillsiderunner


    What's involved in the highland fling?

    For AGYR:
    https://www.facebook.com/flingrace/videos/1134951989912259/

    Had just been having a little watch of this myself.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 2,831 ✭✭✭Annie get your Run


    For AGYR:
    https://www.facebook.com/flingrace/videos/1134951989912259/

    Had just been having a little watch of this myself.

    Ha ha thanks, that looks amazing, some ridiculously fit people in that video!


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,585 ✭✭✭nop98


    Well done on the racing Neady but you're mad to be doing two races in a row!

    Don't tell her about your plans for July :rolleyes::D


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    For AGYR:
    https://www.facebook.com/flingrace/videos/1134951989912259/

    Had just been having a little watch of this myself.

    Thanks HSR, wow, that looks incredible. Now that I can finally taper, I better start swotting up on the course. What kind of trail runners do you think they're wearing? They don't seem to have big lugs so maybe I can go for something more cushioned. or swap between the Salomon and road runners at some checkpoint.
    Ha ha thanks, that looks amazing, some ridiculously fit people in that video!

    I certainly won't be running at that sorta speed at any point throughout the race.
    nop98 wrote: »
    Don't tell her about your plans for July :rolleyes::D

    Ha ha the WW? that's early June .... you need to get training ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,070 ✭✭✭Baby75


    For AGYR:
    https://www.facebook.com/flingrace/videos/1134951989912259/

    Had just been having a little watch of this myself.

    That looks amazing :)

    Neady, I am hoping to make it out to help out for the WW or at the very least support :)

    Oh and The Race :eek: after seeing first hand the brilliance and enormity of it anyone who takes it on is amazing!!! we helped one poor lady who was frozen after her kyack it was scary how bad she was! I would hate to see what it is like in bad weather :eek:


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭hillsiderunner


    Neady83 wrote: »
    Thanks HSR, wow, that looks incredible. Now that I can finally taper, I better start swotting up on the course. What kind of trail runners do you think they're wearing?

    Ah, I'm clueless and I can't advise on that. Quite a bit of the WHW is gravelly/packed trail, so road runners might do for many segments - of course there probably are other patches where a bit of grip would help. Or if it's wet .....

    Ask an expert and not myself ;). You could discuss on their fb page maybe....

    I'm not really telling you off on the races, I'm just envious that's all!


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    April 9th to April 15th

    Monday:
    The stiffness form the Maurice Mullins has definitely set in so 25mins S&C and 20minutes in the sauna for me this morning.

    Tuesday:
    AM: 1.5miles warm up on the treadmill (15mins)
    AM: Circuits – took it easy and laid off the lunges & squats
    PM: Club session: WU, drills, 5/6x1km off 3mins, WD, drills
    I opted for easy running for the session but joined in with a girl who found herself in no mans land for the 1km efforts and tried to run them consistently with her.

    Wednesday:
    AM: 20mins Wattbike & 25mins S&C working on the feet and glutes
    AM: 20mins in the sauna to warm up the muscles
    PM: Yoga
    Kept this easy day very easy as still feeling the pinch from the weekend.

    Thursday:
    AM:1.6miles @ 9:18/mi on the treadmill (15mins).
    AM: Circuits.

    Friday:
    AM: 4.4miles @ 9:32/mi (42mins)
    Easy run around the pitches before work to keep the legs ticking over and prepare them for an assault on the mountains tomorrow.

    Saturday: Maamturks Mountain Challege
    17.4miles +circa 2,500m (7hours)
    The Turks, as this challenge is affectionately know as is probably the toughest hillwalking challenge in the calendar in Ireland. This was my 7th year hitting the hills to do the traverse from Maam Cross to Leenane. John S offered to navigate and pace me on the challenge so I couldn’t refuse his offer. Lonan decided he’d join us for a training day and so I picked the guys up in Galway at 5:30am and we headed for the base of Corcóg hoping that we’d have given everyone a head start and registration would be relatively pain free.

    Heading to registration, we bumped into MCOS from these parts, who was close to the top of the snaking queue that didn’t seem to be moving at all. Delighted to see M back on the circuit. We waited about 20 minutes and the queue wasn’t moving too fast so when M had been given his route card, we decided we’d head on without route cards and we were delighted when M joined us. How blessed I was to be heading out on this adventure with three top guys.

    The first climb of the day is always the hardest for me, I find it quite difficult to get my legs going but we motored on up through the fog and I greeted the hikers that I know from various clubs around the country. John S knows the Turks like the back of his hand, Lonan was using his Suunto watch to nav and M was keeping an eye on his map while I just concentrated on not falling over and keeping up with the guys as we hiked the uphill’s and trotted the flats and downs. We checked in at the various checkpoints (or at least told them we were together with only M carrying a route card), had a brief chat with the super friendly volunteers and headed on our merry way. Down the steep decent to the Holy Well and the fog is starting to clear somewhat opening up the most beautiful views. Every time I’m here, the landscape is a different shade of green and brown and it’s never ceases to amaze me.

    I’m feeling good, legs are happy and they’re able to trot along when the ground is runnable. I enjoyed this middle section of the Turks, once you gain height from the Holy Well, it’s pretty runnable until you get to Loch Maam Óige and the next check point. I’m kind of disappointed to see the huge erosion on the scree that leads down to the lake but happy to see the checkpoint. Here is a picture take on this middle section (credit: John U)

    Turks%202018_zpsqzidmmp5.jpg[/URL]

    And here's a pic of the four mad wans at the checkpoint at the lake (Credit: Kevin F)

    Maam%20Oige%20Turks%202018_zpsf0jegzdf.jpg

    The volunteers here tell us that though we started late, there are only 10 people ahead of us. Though this isn’t a race, it’s nice to know that we’re making good time. This last section is a bit of a ball breaker. There are two tough climbs, Maam Turk Mór, which is literally a wall of grass, and the formidable Col of Despondency. M pulls back a bit here as he’s starting to cramp but he’s done incredibly well to push himself to stay with us until now – he tells us that he’s not fit but really he’s a machine.

    On the decent off Letterbreckaun, I spot two hikers and I vaguely recognise the backpack of one of them, it’s my buddy Ger S. John and myself bound down the mountain. It’s sooooooooo much fun coming down it as the grass is dry and you’re literally skiing down at nice clip. We start to zig zag up Maam Turk Mór and at the top we meet Ger S and my other buddy from Kerry, Billy H, who I met on my second ever traverse of the Turks. A brief chat and we belt on.

    At this point Lonan has had enough of us and belted on and there isn’t sight nor sound of him ahead of us ☺ Another incredibly fun decent to the checkpoint at the Col, enjoy the views, thank the girls for standing out in the cold weather to punch the route cards that we don’t have ☺ and on we go up the Col. I’ve a love/hate relationship with the climb at the Col. It has three false peaks and it’s a leg burner – but it allows you to zig zag up it and savour the pain knowing that when you’re at the top, all the hard work is done for the day.

    Once at the top, we follow the fence to the checkpoint at the top of Leenane hill and look out over Killary Harbour as Leenane emerges below us. Today the water is so blue it’s piercing and the sun shines through the clouds casting a patchwork of shadows over the surrounding mountains. I can't put into words how great it feels to be right at this spot on such an amazing day with such great people. We drop to the lake and take a right, making a beeline for the corner of the fence close to the Leenane hotel. Again this hill is thankfully dry and such fun to zig zag down.

    John and myself trot into Leenane and John looks at his watch. 7 hours. Over 30 minutes off last years time and what’s more, we really enjoyed our day out. The Volunteers give us certificates of completion when we explain that we didn’t wait for the route cards but they know that we said hello at the checkpoints and the people at the checkpoints have been radioing in that we were out there. First girl home on the Turks again and happy to still be able to do this challenge and savour every minute of it in such brilliant company. Thanks in no small part to Lonan and John for hauling my ass around the hills once again.

    Get the bus back to the base of Corcóg to pick up my car. I hop off the bus and have a brief chat with a guy I know before trotting to the car where the guys are waiting for me to unlock it so they can change into warm gear. I’ve briefly forgotten that I untied my shoe laces on the bus to allow my swelling feet expand. My shoe laces tie together, my feet lock and I go splat on the ground. Oh dear god, the absolute shame. Thankfully my arms and knees broke the fall and my face remains unscathed however I’m now black and blue and my knees are ripped to shreds. Seriously, you just couldn’t make it up. 7 hours on some of the toughest terrain in Ireland without a slip or a fall and I face plant on the road!!!!

    Check out Lonans blog here and MCOS has a more eloquent account of the challenge here.

    Sunday
    Tuamgraney 10mile road race @ 9:18/mi (1:32)
    Fourth race in the race series, I’ve registered, Kie is going so I may as well make a recovery run of it. Lovely race though it fairly gave Achill and Connemara a run for their money in terms of hills with almost 350m of height gain. I enjoyed the hills and despite an incident with a fella who threw a bottle over the ditch, I really enjoyed it. The skinned knees and hands and bruising on my arms are the only give away that I was on the hills yesterday.

    Totals for the week
    Running: 10hrs 40mins (40miles)
    Circuits: 2hrs
    Wattbike: 20mins
    S&C: 2hrs 15mins


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,831 ✭✭✭Annie get your Run


    Neady83 wrote: »

    Once at the top, we follow the fence to the checkpoint at the top of Leenane hill and look out over Killary Harbour as Leenane emerges below us. Today the water is so blue it’s piercing and the sun shines through the clouds casting a patchwork of shadows over the surrounding mountains. I can't put into words how great it feels to be right at this spot on such an amazing day with such great people.

    First girl home again!! Congrats on that, I remember how thrilled you were last year with that particular prize :). Another fab report, I've been in Killary at the water looking up at the mountains all around, the photo I took was my screen saver for a few years (must dig it out!). I can only imagine what it's like to be looking down at the water on a clear day, fabulous!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,208 ✭✭✭shotgunmcos


    I love that you put that mountain challenge into your summary update as RUNNING miles!

    It was a pleasure to be out in the hills with you guys. Just love your attitude

    A 10 mile road race the next day, you are mad! I couldn't walk!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,070 ✭✭✭Baby75


    I love the pictures !congrats on first girl home and you poor thing falling sounds ouch! but did not stop you running the next day how do you do it my legs would be hanging off me :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Nice update there S and great shots, you can only laugh really when you think of a fall like that...as you say 7 hours on mountains et al and then danger occurs when back on level ground....you could hardly believe it would happen.
    Agree with you on the incident with the bottle there, you see absolute morons flinging bottles into fields and ditches well off the likely clean up path during races. Just staggers me the ignorance you see in this world at times. Either keep it with you, if you must drop it then leave it beside a mile marker...surely you can hang onto the bottle for 5 mins or so. I usually race in shorts with pockets in them if I know I might have stuff I want to carry or keep. Then leave the empty bottle at the next water station. See also gel wrappers on the ground!


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    Baby75 wrote: »
    That looks amazing :)

    Neady, I am hoping to make it out to help out for the WW or at the very least support :)

    Oh and The Race :eek: after seeing first hand the brilliance and enormity of it anyone who takes it on is amazing!!! we helped one poor lady who was frozen after her kyack it was scary how bad she was! I would hate to see what it is like in bad weather :eek:

    Paul and his team did amazing in Donegal :) Go team Kelly :) I hope you enjoyed it, it's a great buzz. My other half really enjoyed supporting last year.

    The WW is being run in the opposite direction this year so will hopefully make it easier for supporters/volunteers to get out on the latter stages closer to Marley Park. It also means that we'll have daylight going over Djouce and get to see those views again :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    First girl home again!! Congrats on that, I remember how thrilled you were last year with that particular prize :). Another fab report, I've been in Killary at the water looking up at the mountains all around, the photo I took was my screen saver for a few years (must dig it out!). I can only imagine what it's like to be looking down at the water on a clear day, fabulous!

    Some fine day, we'll head up that hill from the Western Way side and enjoy those views from above AM :)
    I love that you put that mountain challenge into your summary update as RUNNING miles!

    It was a pleasure to be out in the hills with you guys. Just love your attitude

    A 10 mile road race the next day, you are mad! I couldn't walk!!!

    Anything that I qualify as training for the Wicklow Way is being labeled running M :) Though I know we were only able to run sections of it but I'll be using a similar strategy in Wicklow.
    diego_b wrote: »
    Agree with you on the incident with the bottle there, you see absolute morons flinging bottles into fields and ditches well off the likely clean up path during races. Just staggers me the ignorance you see in this world at times. Either keep it with you, if you must drop it then leave it beside a mile marker...surely you can hang onto the bottle for 5 mins or so. I usually race in shorts with pockets in them if I know I might have stuff I want to carry or keep. Then leave the empty bottle at the next water station. See also gel wrappers on the ground!

    I've seen people do it with the bottles so many times and I've said nothing and the one time that I open I mouth I got a tirade of abuse :rolleyes: but I felt better for saying it and I was faster than him so I was able to run away :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,355 ✭✭✭Bungy Girl


    Neady83 wrote: »
    I've seen people do it with the bottles so many times and I've said nothing and the one time that I open I mouth I got a tirade of abuse :rolleyes: but I felt better for saying it and I was faster than him so I was able to run away :D

    Good for you ! Both for challenging him on it and being faster :D. Honestly, what goes through someone's mind - nothing probably :rolleyes::rolleyes: - when they do something like that :mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,070 ✭✭✭Baby75


    Neady83 wrote: »
    Paul and his team did amazing in Donegal :) Go team Kelly :) I hope you enjoyed it, it's a great buzz. My other half really enjoyed supporting last year.

    The WW is being run in the opposite direction this year so will hopefully make it easier for supporters/volunteers to get out on the latter stages closer to Marley Park. It also means that we'll have daylight going over Djouce and get to see those views again :)

    They did Fantastic and I was esp proud of Paul he bounded up and down Muckish and surprised a few people ( they think we are mad because we love trail running) but he also helped other competitors whenever he could. we had 5 other guys doing the solo including Alva who was amazing one of our guys had an awful time in the kyack he was trying to eat and was very sick and ruined his food. the crossing went from calm waters and no wind to very choppy and high winds he never made it past the first cycle but he was great and came back to cheer everyone home. I loved supporting it was surreal we met some amazing people and I can safely say I offered words of encouragement to every single person competing. we stayed until the wee hours of the morning cheering all of guys and gals home and one lovely man who was alone. he helped 2 of our group in transition only to need help from them during the last run to the finish.

    I hope it is a nice clear sunny day for the WW the views around Djouce are amazing but even better when you can see the sea ah I would love to be fit enough for that maybe next year :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    April 16th to April 22nd

    This week is both a recovery (Turks) and a taper week of sorts with the Highland Fling only two weeks away. I’ve a good block of long runs done and the ol body is feeling pretty tired so a step back is badly needed.

    Monday:
    AM: 30mins S&C & 30mins stretching in the sauna after. I’m really feeling the benefits of hitting the sauna on Monday mornings after a long run at the weekend.

    Tuesday:
    AM: 1.2miles warm up on the treadmill (12mins)
    AM: Circuits – mucho squats and work on firing up the glutes
    PM: Club session: WU, drills, 6x3mins @5km pace off 90secs + 4x200m, WD, drills
    This was a different format to what we’re used to so I was interested to see how I’d do on my own for this one. I reckoned 3mins would take me to roughly 600 or 700m so I knew how far into the second lap I’d get when coach Sean blew the whistle. Sean blew the opening whistle and we were off. My pacing was totally unscientific as I find it hard to run my true 5km pace on this loop as there are 4 corners in the loop and we run sections on grass so I ran at what I considered to be my km pace based on effort.

    Paces were: ??, 7:01, 7:04, 7:14, 7:13, 7:14
    Went out too hard in the first one and figured with my heavy breathing that I’d never sustain that pace in a race. No data as I didn’t hit the lap button. Was on my own for the second & third and paired up with two lads for the last three which felt much better and more like a pace that I could sustain for 5km. 4x200m after and I was cooked, nothing left in the legs for them and fell way off the group. Good tough session though and gave me some confidence for next weeks 5km in Caltra.

    7miles in total for the session.

    Wednesday:
    AM: 30mins Wattbike & 30mins S&C working on the feet and calves
    Headed to Dublin to give a presentation to the powers that be so late home and no time for a PM session.

    Thursday:
    AM:2miles @ 8:58mi on the treadmill (18mins).
    AM: Circuits.
    Wedding dress shopping after work so no time for a PM session. One shop, 12 dresses and one chosen and ordered. Not a bad 60 minutes of work. Of course my friend and I had to go for dinner and a glass of wine after to celebrate. I’m pretty sure I’ve spent more time debating over the purchase of a rain jacket for running :D but the lady in the shop and my friend were delighted with my decisiveness.

    Friday:
    AM: 3miles @ 10:06/mi (31mins)
    Easy run around the pitches before work. My legs, quads and hamstrings are in bits from the gym yesterday, we did a lot of squats and glute work and my glutes are most definitely feeling it. Barely managed to get around 3 miles.
    PM session was out ad we’d to do our marriage course.

    Saturday
    No AM session as was stuck in the marriage course all day however we are now certified to get married in the church.
    PM: 8miles @ 8:44/mi (70mins)
    Rachel was about so we hit the trails around Dangan for a catch up and a run. It’s great to have friends who run, running and talking about life is magic ☺ Legs still incredibly stiff.

    Sunday
    AM: 12.35miles on trail @ 11:38/mi (2:23)
    I’d promised some French students that I’d take them somewhere nice for the day but I also wanted to go to Connemara to cheer on my club members taking on the half and TBO doing the full so I devised a plan to head out to Maam bridge early, take the French up to MaumEan (while getting a nice run in myself) and be back at the bridge in time to see the runners and decant my jelly beans and coke.

    Up and out early and we were parked up and ready for road at Joe Keans pub at 10:30, the French were kitted out in running gear so I was hopeful they’d be able to run a lot of it. I carried water and supplies for all of us. Off we went and of course we started climbing straight away, the two girls started to walk but the guy was able to jog along with me. We waited for the girls at the first gate as we entered the first section of trail and told them to keep going straight and we’d turn around at the Lough Inagh side and pick them up on our way back.

    There was a nice headwind heading out and I wondered how the runner would cope with this wind on the Hell of the West. The ground was much wetter than I’d anticipated and I felt bad for the French in their runners, it must have rained a lot since last week. I stopped to try and pet some cute little lambs but they had no interest in being cuddled or being made pets of. These little balls of wool are tough Connemara lamb don’t ya know!!!

    Really enjoyed the wet technical section by the little chapel, running through the streams and rivers and taking it all in. Turned around and back the way I went, caught the French group, gave them some supplies and told them to take their time and I’d see them back at the pub for tea and toasted sandwiches.

    Just back to the car in time to see the front runners from the half pass by. I offered out my jellies and they were snatched out of my hands. I’d 12 250ml bottles of water and they were taken in seconds. These peeps really needed supplies. I filled some cups with 2ltrs of flat coke and again, gone in seconds. Cheered on my club makes who were running effortlessly. Took shelter in the pub when the French returned and we warmed up. The 4:30 marathons runners had just passed when we emerged to drier weather.

    The students helped me to offer out cups of my last 2ltrs of flat coke. People were so grateful and the last of my jelly beans were gone in seconds. The students really enjoyed this and were able to rally the French runners in their native tongue. A cracking day with all targets achieved ☺

    Totals for the week
    Running: 5hrs 40mins (33.5miles)
    Circuits: 2hrs
    Wattbike: 30mins
    S&C: 1hr


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,070 ✭✭✭Baby75


    Yay on picking your wedding dress :) exciting that is the hardest bit done now LOL
    I escaped that marriage course just by the skin of my teeth our priest said we did not have to do it, I think it was still optional at that point.

    Sunday sounds so much fun I am missing the trails and hills and great you were there to give out much-needed supplies
    Good luck in the 5km when is it on :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,110 ✭✭✭Kurt.Godel


    Neady83 wrote: »
    I’m pretty sure I’ve spent more time debating over the purchase of a rain jacket for running :D

    He's a lucky man, you have your priorities right!


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    Kurt.Godel wrote: »
    He's a lucky man, you have your priorities right!

    A rain jacket is for life, not just your wedding day :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    Neady83 wrote: »
    Kurt.Godel wrote: »
    He's a lucky man, you have your priorities right!

    A rain jacket is for life, not just your wedding day :)

    Haha brilliant!


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭hillsiderunner


    Very well done, S :)

    Have been tracking.....


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    Very well done, S


    Have been tracking.....

    Thank you so much M. My god, the Scots know how to put on a race. I'm blown away by the organisation, support and kind heartedness of the volunteers and locals.

    You live in a stunning country.

    It's left me fairly battered but really happy with how it went. No friends made out there today, just head down and raced hard.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭hillsiderunner


    Neady83 wrote: »
    No friends made out there today, just head down and raced hard.

    Clearly a serious racing effort if no new friendships were formed.

    That is a really good result to get 20th out of 180+ women, there were some really strong runners in that race. Enjoy the recovery :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    April 23rd to April 29th

    A week of racing. Grab a cuppa :)

    Monday:
    AM: 30mins S&C
    Absolutely wrecked – stuck to the bed, cannot keep eyes open. Hello taper, I’d forgotten exactly what you feel like.

    Tuesday:
    AM: 30mins Wattbike with 5x30sec sprints. Wake up legs
    AM: 3.5miles on the treadmill. Averaged 8:38/mi but threw in some sprints @ 7:00/mi to wake the legs up. No circuits as I’m shaping up for a race this evening :)
    PM: Caltra 5km: 3miles @ 7:05/mi (22:08) and a PB of 40 seconds whoop whoop
    Grabbed a lift off Lonan and headed to Caltra after work for the first race in the 5km series. Delighted to see so many club members here and we all warmed up together as per coaches instructions. I did 4/5 strides and lined up in my club colours for the first time.

    Started much too far back in the pack, but where I thought I belonged, and got stuck in a lot of traffic in the first km but was able to maintain a steady enough pace. Kept pushing up through the field and raced this off feel. Kept pushing and passing and keeping my breathing under control (for the first 4km anyway). The road was quite rough from the 3 to 4km mark and I thought it was akin to trail. Met a few road blocks here with people three a breast but got around them. Pushed hard. Nearing the finish line, I could hear a guy shouting to come on and you’ll be sub 22:30 so I emptied the tank. Was in a heap at the finish line so happy that I’d pushed it. Watch read 22:09 but not sure if that was accurate. Results show: Gun time: 22:33, chip time: 22:08. Would have been 11th girl home if I’d pushed up in the starting crowd so a lesson learned and I need to grow a pair of ballz and start further up. Splitz: 7:04, 7:03, 7:09 (6:55). 7miles all in for the evening and so proud to be part of a club and wear Club colours, it makes the world of difference and most of us got PBs.

    Wednesday:
    AM: 10mins Wattbike & 4.3miles recovery on the treadmill @ 8:58 (30mins)
    PM: Yoga

    Thursday:
    AM:3.1miles @ 9:27mi around the pitches
    Tried out a new pair of Salomon Speetcross 4s. My old ones were 3s and I loved them but the Turks made toast of them. They owned me nothing though, they’d some amount of mileage on them and the rough terrain on the Turks was the final nail in the coffin. This run started out quite comfortably but 3km in I started to feel heat on the arch of my right foot :( loosened them, tied them tighter but no good, ended up walking most of the way home so as not to cause any blisters. Usually these shoes don’t require much breaking in but there’s high arch support in the 4s that take a bit of getting used to it. Only one option left for the Highland Fling on Saturday – the Saucony Xodus or road runners if it’s a wet day as the Sauconys are lethal on wet rock.

    Friday:
    Rest and travel to Milngavie for the Highland Fling ultra trail race. I had to enter a draw for the Highland Fling and luckily my name got pulled, Lonans too and a few lads from Donegal that I got to know after the Race last year. Lonan pulled the plug on this race very soon after signing up as he’s decided to concentrate on a race in La Palma in May and the radio silence from the guys in Donegal worried me so I made arrangements to travel on my own. Flew to Glasgow, bus to the city centre and train to Milngavie, all seamless. Susan, from the Air BnB, where I was staying, kindly offered to pick me up from the train station and take me to her place.

    Check in for the race was a five minute walk from where I was staying so I checked in, showed my identification, got my wrist band, timing chip for my ankle and race number. Grabbed some pasta and Cajun chicken in the pub where registration was and headed back to the Air B&B to hunker down for the night.

    Saturday
    Ding Ding the Highland Fling: 53miles (2,300m) in 10hrs 33mins
    The race kicked off at 6am from Milngavie train station and the start of the West Highland Way. It was only a 10 minutes walk from where I was staying so I left at about 5:10. Got to the start and handed in my drop back with dry clothes for the finish & one drop bag for the 44km checkpoint at Rowardennan. There was an option to leave drop bags at 32km, 44km, 55km and 66km however these were for food only, no clothes or change of footwear, so I opted for one small zip lock drop bag with jellies, two sachets of Tailwind & a picnic chocolate bar in case I’d fancy chocolate at 44km. As there were 860 registered for the race, we were corralled, sub-10 hours, 10 – 12 hours and 12+ hours (15 hours cut-off). I chose the 10 – 12 hour corral as I’d done 80km in Wicklow in Feb in 11:20 so I was hoping for sub 11 on this one. My plan, to race hard from start to finish and run every section that was runnable, make all those long runs count.

    Section 1: Milngavie to Drymen: 12.6miles
    The first few miles flew by, this section is all on relatively wide forest track and roads with only some rolling hills – nothing that would stop you in your tracks. In fact I was starting to get a bit worried as this was a lot or running, normally in Wicklow, we’d have met a massive hill at this stage that would warrant some hiking and have the relief of a downhill at the other end. I was hoping that a hill would come around very quickly but it didn’t. Exchanged pleasantries with some guys from Dublin, was glad to hear a familiar accent but left them to it as I wanted to push on today. Mandatory kit-check just before the first check-point, working mobile phone and a foil blanket, incredibly efficient and quick to get through. I top up with water at this checkpoint, spending less than 60secs there. Crikey, 20km of straight running with 65km left. This is going to be an interesting day.

    Section2: Drymen to Balmaha: 7.2miles (19.8 in total)
    Out of the first checkpoint and finally we meet a hill where I can hike & get a breather :D It’s a climb up into Garadhban forest and I power up it, passing quickly by a lot of people as I plough on. Next up was the climb up to Conic hill, it’s a long and winding climb on single track but the views out to the right over a Loch are breath taking and I don’t forget to take them in.


    Conic%20Hill%20drop_zpspkywd2ig.jpg

    I enjoyed the decent off Conic hill so much, it was epic. With fresh legs, the large jumps off rocks, the technical bits and switchbacks were so much fun and I felt like I flew down into the next checkpoint.

    Decent%20Conic%20Hill%202018_zpsj1j7j2pf.jpg

    I top up both bottles here and pop a sachet of Tailwind into one bottle. Less than 60 seconds in this transition and I think that I’ve made up a few places here.

    Section 3: Balmaha to Rowardennan: 7.4miles (27.2 in total)
    This is where the fun begins and the elevation really starts. It’s very runnable but technical and skirts around a beautiful beach. All along the way we pass hikers and lots of locals out supporting and cheering us on. There are marshals at all major junctions, keeping gates open and helping with road crossing and every one of them have a kind word to say. I make a point of thanking every single one of them. There is a nice sections of steps before the next checkpoint that keep you on your toes and remind you that this ain’t an easy race. Again, head down and keep running as hard as I can, I just need to get to the next checkpoint and I’ll reassess after that. I start supplementing my tailwind with some jellies from here, just to keep my sugar levels up. Into the Rowardennan checkpoint and the volunteers hand me my drop bag so quickly. They grab my bottles and refill them with rapid speed. It’s like being in a formula one pit stop. And I’m off out the gap again picking up another few places.

    Section 4: Rowardennan to Inversnaid: 7.3miles (34.5 in total)
    There’s a nice hill that puts manners on you coming out of Rowardennan. I take the opportunity to drink lots and eat some more jellies keeping an eye on my watch to remember to eat and drink every 30mins. Next up is about 6km of quiet technical running with Loch Lomond just to our left. I’m in my element here and pass two to three girls and a few guys. There’s a guy right behind me and I ask if he’d like to pass, he says he’s good but asks would I mind if he gets a tow over this section, I don’t mind and tell him to push and we’ll work together. I’m buzzing here and probably running it a bit too wildly, dodging roots, jumping off rocks and bounding over stones. There’s no time to think of anything else but your next step and where your foot will land, it’s thrilling. Before we know it, we’re coming into the checkpoint at Inversnaid and the guy behind me thanks me for helping him over that sections so quickly, telling me that he’d never have covered that ground so fast on his own. I thank him for his help in pushing me on. Again, a marshal takes my bottles and fills them lightening quick. I’ve one sachet of Tailwind left so I ask for help from a supporter to open it. My hands are so swollen now that I can’t really use my fingers.

    Section 5: Inversnais to Beinglas: 6.4miles (40.9 in total)
    Leaving this checkpoint, I’m in awe at the absolute carnage around me, I pass three or four guys puking and ask if there is anything I can do, they don’t even have the energy to shake their heads, I move on. Ploughing up the next hill, I pass quite a few people here. It’s at this point that people are starting to suffer. I am too but I concentrate on getting through the next 10km, that’s all I have to do. The next 5km is incredibly technical and a pain in the backside really. It’s slippy rocks, tree roots just wanting to trip you up and river crossings. It’s not much fun really but I come upon a nice lady with blond hair. She tells me that she hasn’t seen a girl in quite a while so is happy to see me. She asks if I want to pass but I’m getting tired now and don’t think I’ll get over this section much quicker than her so I tell her to take the lead but say that I’m happy to go in front if she’d like a break. She knows this course well so she’s best placed to lead the way. With fatigue setting in, we both have some near misses and you begin to realise that there is potential to end your race here. There are 3 or 4 guys behind us - we ask if they’d like to pass but they don’t. I should say that all day, if you want to pass someone on single track, you politely ask and vice versa, offer up a pass if there’s someone on your tail. We’re nearing the end of this horrible section and there are some rocks that we bounce down and the guy just behind me goes down on his ass with a serious thud. He’s wincing but I pull him to his feet and get him to keep moving in case he ceases up. He seems ok so I move on.

    The next bit is more runnable but quite technical with lots of rocks and roots just waiting to trip you up. I take the lead from the blond girl but she doesn’t stay with me. We must have come into a checkpoint here but I cannot remember it.

    Section 6: Beinglas to Tyndrum: 12 miles (53 in total)
    There are some nicely difficult ascents here and a really cool tunnel to stoop down and go through – stooping and going over styles at this stage was becoming problematic. Out of the tunnel and up some steep stepping stones and I’m smiling at a spectator sitting on a rock, I ask him how he is and he tells me that I’m smiling too much so I can’t be pushing too hard. He tells me that I should make it to the finish before the rain comes. The next section is rolling hills that you can see stretched out in front of you. I don’t like to see for miles in front of me, I’m getting tired so I vow to run as much as I can, every step that I run brings me closer to the finish line.

    People are really fading on the track now so it’s getting easier to catch people and pass them. I don’t see any girls ahead of me though. Next up cow poo alley. I’d heard of it but didn’t think that it’d quite live up to it’s name. It’s about a km of a couple of inches of cow s**te!!!!! It’s slow going trying to negotiate it and I ended up with my hands in it once or twice. The blond girl catches me here, she’s faster on this stuff and I let her go, I need to finish this race at my pace as there’s still plenty of time to fail.

    Finally we get to the end of Cow poo alley and there are some supporters and first aiders here at what they call “the big gate”. They offer me coke and I guzzle a cup of it before bounding on. Through the gate and up into the forest, I hear the sound of accordions and see two ladies nestled amongst the trees playing away and wishing me well – these people are incredible. This forest goes on for what feels like forever, I come upon two or three guys all carrying sore knees or ankles but well able to finish – we exchange pleasantries.

    Across the A82 and onto single track that’s very runnable with only 3 miles to go. I’ve mixed feeling. This is very runnable and I’m so incredibly tired, my legs and feet hurt so much and I can barley lift my feet to run anymore. I remind myself of all the 10mile road races that I’ve done in the past month after doing long runs the day before, how tired I felt and how I was able to finish – it works. I summon the energy to keep on running (or shuffling at this stage). I can see a farmyard up ahead that we have to run through, there are only 2 miles left and I see 3 guys ahead of me, they’re walking. I consider just sitting back and letting them go but I want to finish this strong so I push on, congratulating them as I pass, they say the same thing back. I push on through the trails and meet a guy with a dog, he tells me that I should start to hear the bag pipes soon. I really hope I do, there isn’t much left in these legs. I push on, I see the guy with the bag pipes and it’s sheer joy, I turn the corner to the finish line and I’m gob smacked!!! There’s a red carpet finishing shoot, I’ve never seen one of these. It’s lined with flags from every country and people on both sides, kids wanting high 5s, cow bells ringing and the announcer calls my name. Unbelievable. I see 10:33 on my watch and I’m so chuffed with myself but also with all of these people so I start clapping them :D Can you tell that I'm happy to be finished?

    FlingFinish2018_zpsdpfkoivq.jpg

    A first aider comes over to me to take me to the tent, someone takes a quick pic of me with my medal with a backdrop, it’s all a haze. She takes me to a bench and sits me down, I tell her I’m fine. She kindly takes the timing chip from my ankle and gives me a goodie bag. There’s a bottle of Cava sparkling wine inside with a Highland Fling label. She goes off to get me my drop bag and I keep thanking her. She grabs me tea and chats for a while – she’s really making sure that I’m ok and then encourages me to take a shower before getting the bus back to Milngavie. She did this race last year and wants to give back to the competitors. It’s just unbelievable, I feel embarrassed with all this attention but they give it to every single runner. If only she knew that back in Ireland, we’d be hopping in the car to drive 2.5 hours back to Galway at this point :D There’s mobile hot showers and they are amazing. I’m just blown away by all of this kindness, I don’t know what to do with it :D

    Into the food tent to be greeted with soup, baked potatoes etc. I grab some bread and opt for Tailwind recovery as my tummy will be a while returning to normal. Onto the bus and legs up to let the fluid drain. One of my goals this year was to travel abroad to do at least two races and I’m so very glad that I chose this as one of them. If anyone wants to do an ultra – this is the one to do.

    Overall: 146/673 Finishers (just over 80 started I think)
    Gender: 20/186 ladies and 13th in my age category

    Sunday
    A day of rest/full day travelling back to Galway.

    Totals for the week
    Running: 13hrs (70miles)
    Wattbike: 40mins
    S&C: 2hrs


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,585 ✭✭✭nop98


    Super pictures and report! What a race! To borrow a phrase from aquinn: "well-jel"! The joy on your face is priceless. Great going!


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 2,601 ✭✭✭Wubble Wubble


    Smashed that sub-11 target, congrats! Great race and report.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭hillsiderunner


    The poor guys puking at Inversnaid ...

    You look so happy at that finish line :).
    Well done again and that 5k result is very impressive too!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,110 ✭✭✭Kurt.Godel


    Great report Neady, love the finish photo smileyface:D That looks like a spectacular part of the world, for swimming as well as running!


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,831 ✭✭✭Annie get your Run


    Fantastic report S, it sounds like an amazing race!! Agree with Norb, well jel...

    I hope you’ve nothing else lined up for at least a week!!!!?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,070 ✭✭✭Baby75


    wow, wow, wow I was so looking forward to that report after I saw your finisher picture on facebook. I knew it would be good and it lived up to my expectations epic report and excellent racing well done Neady and I love the picture it just sums up what it all about and how alive you feel when you achieve a fantastic goal :D
    plus congrats on the 5km race as well great running!

    so yea after a wee rest ;) what is next


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭diego_b


    There really can’t be too many people around who can pull off a 5K pb run like that and then a proper epic challenge like the Highland Fling definitely reads to be in the same week. Great report and a big well done!


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,435 ✭✭✭joey100


    Well done, that sounds like a mad race! Any idea what caused the hands to swell? In a race like that is the course marked out at all or are you navigating as well?


  • Registered Users Posts: 375 ✭✭Pmaldini


    Great race report Neady, sounds epic! i must add it to the to do list. What tailwind do you use? caffeinated or standard?, i just got the 7 sample pack from them to try out. is it easy on the stomach? by the way belated congratulations on your engagement:)


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    nop98 wrote: »
    Super pictures and report! What a race! To borrow a phrase from aquinn: "well-jel"! The joy on your face is priceless. Great going!

    Thank you Nop, put it on your list. It's not too expensive either, flights were about €50 and accommodation is cheaper than what you'd pay in Ireland. I forgot to mention that you have to enter a draw to get into the race. I entered early in October last year :)
    Smashed that sub-11 target, congrats! Great race and report.

    Cheers WW, I was soooooo happy to get in under 11 hours.
    The poor guys puking at Inversnaid ...

    You look so happy at that finish line :).
    Well done again and that 5k result is very impressive too!

    Thank you M, I know, my heart went out too them as they'd a long way to go but anyone that was sick had someone with them so they were being looked after at least.
    Kurt.Godel wrote: »
    Great report Neady, love the finish photo smileyface:D That looks like a spectacular part of the world, for swimming as well as running!

    Cheers Kurt, you'd love it. Hike for a few hours, set up camp by the Loch, bit of trail running or swimming and sleep under the stars for the night :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    Fantastic report S, it sounds like an amazing race!! Agree with Norb, well jel...

    I hope you’ve nothing else lined up for at least a week!!!!?

    Thanks A - loads of people hiking with their wooflies and dogs seem to be welcomed into every hostel and pub over there so you and Woody could have an awesome time on the trails.
    Baby75 wrote: »
    wow, wow, wow I was so looking forward to that report after I saw your finisher picture on facebook. I knew it would be good and it lived up to my expectations epic report and excellent racing well done Neady and I love the picture it just sums up what it all about and how alive you feel when you achieve a fantastic goal :D
    plus congrats on the 5km race as well great running!

    so yea after a wee rest ;) what is next

    Thanks N, yea, my legs are demanding a rest this week but I've plans for fun hill running with friends at the weekend so I'll need them for that.

    My next big race will be the Wicklow Way and hopefully the hay is in the barn at this stage. The goal now is to do some easy paced long runs, break in new runners and stay injury free :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭Neady83


    diego_b wrote: »
    There really can’t be too many people around who can pull off a 5K pb run like that and then a proper epic challenge like the Highland Fling definitely reads to be in the same week. Great report and a big well done!

    Thanks D, eh looks who's setting all kinds of PBs in his 10 miler :) No that's some feat :)


  • Advertisement
Advertisement