My first race report, it’s a bloody long one. If I ever write another one it won’t be this long! I guess the fact that I’m writing one means that I’m doing something right and the training is starting to pay off. It was an eventful weekend to say the least so even though this may not be a master class on how to compete at the highest level it should be good for a laugh and have some good learning points in it, mainly for me though!

Things I’ve learned since last weekend:

1) My Land Rover needs to be a foot longer

2) A race with 6 transitions probably isn’t the best race for bike shoes

3) Running at high speeds downhill across rocks causes my watch to fall off

4) Wicklow is not the place to go if recruiting race marshals

5) Glendalough is stunning but has a lot of hills and wind

6) Running through scenic areas like a maniac really scares tourists that don’t know there’s a race on

I suppose it’s important to say that I’m happy with the overall result of 13th place from Saturday, but there’s a tinge of regret in there as well because I know that I was strong enough to get inside the top 10, 3 minutes better would have done that, and if I had just prepared a bit better, had a few less dramas on the day and a bit more course knowledge I could have been right up there on the tail of the top guys. Having said that it’s another step in the right direction, my big goal isn’t until Gaelforce West in August, and I’m starting to get close to guys that I looked at with awe a couple of years ago, wondering how they achieved the results they did. Also bear in mind a few years ago, when I did my first adventure race and not knowing what one really was, I finished in 797th place and had to be helped over the line by a lady from the ambulance service. And here’s a pic to prove it.

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20 weeks and counting down

Half way   

A week by week account of my training- coaching and journey to father hood

A great week to start this journal.

Jen’s been struggling a bit with low energy and low iron- pregnancy I’m told is like running a marathon every day. I just wish I had a gold medal for her everyday. Hopefully I can reward her and the “surprise” once he comes along. Poor woman – she doesn’t know it but she will be raisins 2 kids anyone remember the Ninja Turtles

It’s hard for Jen doing all this alone in Dublin while I work and train at home in Clare and Limerick but we are making it happen and it’s great to have such a great family and friends support. I had to make the decision to step Down from going away with Con Doherty, which was very hard to do. I must thank Steve Delaney and John Doherty who have been very supportive. Its a team thing I believe and its great to see the young Pup keep his streak going as he deserves all the support he can get.

It’s been a really busy week on the coaching and teams front. We had a hard week of swimming with the Shannon Masters SC. The launch of the Clubrorhaiochta-GoTri training series, athletes preparing for Boru Duathlon and the final of the Clare Duathlon series National Duathlon champs in Wicklow and not forgetting friends racing in Portugal and young guns going for talent I.d day

Racing and coaching athletes to perform is what drives me as a person and coach and what keeps me involved in this sport.

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The weather has timed itself to perfection as we write this Ireland is being battered by Gael Force winds and rain, anticipating the weather on race day is almost impossible with Irish forecastors finding it hard to get things right….. the one thing we do know is that… it is Ireland, we can have any seasonal weather on any day… so always carry a light windproof rain jacket

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March 2012

Where has the time gone, We lost an hours sleep over the weekend as summer arrived with sunburn heat for the GoTri Training weekend. Athletes from the 4 corners of Munster came to Learn and feast on the knowledge that was served over 2 days of joyful survival. A chance to experience full time athletics for two days of full time training. A big thank you to all the partners, wife’s and husbands who allowed there tri-athlete halves to disappear into the early hours of Saturday and Sunday morning, only to arrive back tired, starved and cranky into your arm.

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Are you getting ready to tackle Gaelforce Mike Jones can help you do it!!

Time to get Dirty!!

If I mentioned the words Adventure racing to most people 6 years ago they would have been met with a blank expression and a shrug of their shoulders.  Now they are met with replies such as Gaelforce, WAR, Roar, CLEC, or Monster, Yeah cool when is it on? What bike should I use? [..]