2011 a look back.

In late 2010 the weather went nasty and this was a picture i took on one ride up in the Mealagh valley, mad day out,




Around this time i also was reduced to running laps of the park, like alot of laps, i have in the past done 20 miles of laps (80 laps!!) during this spell the most i did was 'only' 36, i persevered and with the help of basketball really taking off on the monday nights, got a good fitness going, i had really hurt my ankle in sept 2010 and it changed things, most notably i went to a phsyio and finally started trying to sort out my groin problems of 4 years, and she recommended running as as therapy (to balance my one side leg muscle's from all the hard cycling!) well that really caught on and in nov of 2010 i headed to westport for the innaugural sea 2 summit, in a hope to salvage something from the year and it was a great experience, really setting me up for a great and varied 2011, thats why i include it in the 2011 review,

Sea 2 Summit Adventure Race

November 23rd, 2010

Dubbed as the last race of the season, the inaugural sea 2 summit race held 2 weeks ago in beautiful Westport was a tough but beautiful race. Consisting of a 4.5km run, then a flat 8km, then an all out effort up and down the famous Pilgrim Mountain of Croagh Patrick, then onto the bikes again for a 35km jaunt back around the mountain and up the infamous Maum climb with the aptly named “ramps of hell” ! and a final 4 km run which included an obstacle course for good measure. Course designer Padraig Marrey was even on hand to roar encouragement on the last energy sapping section.
2 members of the mountain bike team from the EDGE traveled up, new signing Anthony Cornforth and myself Donncha O Brien.
The gods were on side as the day was clear and dry albeit very cold, but considering the weather that we had in the 36 hours before the event it was a small miracle that the day turned out as pleasant as it did. All assembled at the Castle court hotel for a briefing and away we raced at 9.15 am to rapturous applause from a good sized crowd for that time of the morning. There were 2 races the supreme event as described above and a sprint event which would be half the distance approx. The initial run was along the excellent new green path (the old railway line) and it was a lovely experience to be trotting along with 600 hundred other competitors for company.

Start line

Onto the bikes for what was a sprint to the foot of Croagh Patrick, as i started the run up i could see former World Hill running Champion Robin Bryson in the lead up ahead, and my team mate Anthony flying up not far behind behind him. As i hit the shoulder ridge on the mountain i glanced back and it was some sight to see hundreds of ‘ants’ crawling up behind me. I dibbed at the top and turned to go back down the same route conscious that i better be cautious with my ankle only out of plaster 4 weeks. One man that certainly was not having these thoughts was Mr. Cornforth the flying Man from Kealkil, Westcork, recorded the fastest time down the mountain, top to bottom in 18 min flat!!

Eventual winner Colm Staunton (3hr3mins) mastering the Cargo Net.

At this stage we were all strung out all over the course and the cycle was tough but coming from the heartland of hilly cycling we faired very well on the hilly bike leg. I sank 2 gels near the end of this phase as we were 3 hours in and the energy levels were dwindling, these perked me up a little but i still found the last 4 km shore run very difficult, i am a mountain biker after all, (something to work on over the winter) anyway i soldiered on and crossed the finish line in 3hours 28 mins for 14th one minute behind my teammate Anthony in 13th.

The top section of Croagh Patrick

The legs were sore for a couple days after this one but the happy endorphines it released in me lasted for days, this was due to the race itself and also the excellent meal  and after party in Westport that night. Full marks to the organizers, truly a brilliant weekend, looking forward to next year already.
Anthony Cornforth Powers up Croagh Patrick.
Donncha O Brien spinning up the Maum Climb

After sea 2 summit i kept tipping away at the running, just bit by bit and by early 2011 5 or 6 miles was still a good run for me, i had done very little cycling so in an effort to address this and include a bit of craic and community into my training i came up with the idea of an off road duathlon series, no entry, no fuss, short type events. The numbers were small but enthusiastic, making a great 3 race series.The 2012 series is starting in january (on a flatter,faster and more fun course) so get training, here is a look back at what i wrote about the very first one, almost a year ago!

Off road duathlon, Westcork, 29th jan 2011

January 30th, 2011

A big well done to all who competed in the duathlon this morning, it was cold but the course was in immaculate condition, so despite the pain! it was excellent.
The winter cobwebs were there in abundance but at least the first hard effort of the year is out of the way, the next event in 4 weeks time should be a little easier! Time to start picking up the training as the days hopefully will be a little warmer and the evenings are already stretching out noticably.
As all triathletes and multi sport competitors know, the transtion from the bike to the run can be tough but today having to do it 2 times was brutal, i for one had a tough time getting the legs moving quickly for the last leg, the heart rate was soaring and i was only going a little faster than walking pace! I guess thats the way it should be in January! Close racing is the goal of most event organisers as it makes for great excitment and the athletes usually push a little harder as a result. Podge and Adrian had fairly close racing and if podge works on the bike , it will be much closer in 4 weeks time.
Here is what Adrian had to say after,
“Well ya could say its a great way to start the weekend but I’m sure I am now fucked for the rest of the weekend! I must say there is no way I would ever do a work out like that for the sake of a work out but the bit of competition really makes the difference, It was good crack and I’m looking forward to the next one for some sick reason, Need a while to recover though, Ouch”
James and i were, basically clung to each other from start to finish, i pulled out a 40 second lead on the last run but he managed to speed his single speed along the single track to cause a sprint finish, which i barely managed to win by half a wheel! Super racing to be fair. Anthony pushed hard for 3rd with adrian in 4th, podge a close 5th and a anti-biotic taking Ken in 6th. Tom P took the photos and a stomach sick Alex turned up to do the timing, fair play.
All round it was fun and a great workout, in short the perfect saturday morning in January!
Results Off -Road Duathlon 29th Jan 2011,
Off road Duo Run 1 Bike 1 Run 2 Bike 2 Total
1st Donncha 7.58 11.41 9.01 12.43 41.07
2nd James 8.27 11.32 9.48 11.22 41.07
3rd Anthony 8.29 13.36 9.09 13.54 45.08
4th Adrian 11.15 13.33 12.31 13.04 50.20
5th Podge 9.55 15.53 12.12 17.43 55.43
6th Ken 11.49 17.36 13.00 17.30 59.55