Another great record of the even in video
100 Mile Club–Miles of Fun for Lots of Kids!
4 days ago
Nov 9, 2009
Sep 23, 2009
Sep 8, 2009
And finally....
The race is done, the pains forgotten but the memories are forever.
I am wrapping up this blog on my preparation and successful completion of the Gael Force West 2009 challenge. It served it's purpose very well.
Thank you for reading, I hope it was of help to you if you were preparing for GFW or a similar adventure.
Thank you all for your support, it was a huge help, I don't think I could have done it without you
Until the next "Rookie" challenge
Piaras
I am wrapping up this blog on my preparation and successful completion of the Gael Force West 2009 challenge. It served it's purpose very well.
Thank you for reading, I hope it was of help to you if you were preparing for GFW or a similar adventure.
Thank you all for your support, it was a huge help, I don't think I could have done it without you
Until the next "Rookie" challenge
Piaras
Sep 4, 2009
Sep 2, 2009
Gael Force 2009 - Race in Words & Pictures - Part 2
The Gael Force West 2009 Race in words and pictures continued
Once across the fjord it was more bog running for 1 KM and then some nice flat road running for a further 4KM
The views on the run to Delphi are inspiring. This river shot brought me back to my youth when we would fish the river in my grandads on a flood
At Delphi we transitioned to the bikes. Chance to grab some food and change to a cycling shirt. After the run you are sweaty and the change is vital if you are not to get cold.
The 30+ KM cycle was a welcome relief as you could take it at your own pace and refuel as you went. There were some steep hills (like the one in the picture) but in general you didn't have to be a pro.
To be honest I really enjoyed the cycle which was just as well considering the next transition.
The road up to Croke Patrick is steep and there is a time check at the bottom but the clock still runs. The box of infamous biscuits are also here. There's a water spot where I refilled and loos. Take a moment, the next hour is tough!
The ascent up Croke Patrick starts with a boggy run, as you can see from picture. You are then presented with a delema: go left with the crowd or go straight up (zig-zag). What will decide it is how strong your legs are. I went straight up and it was faster but took a lot out of me.
No picture or words can describe the pain of this ascent. It feels like it goes on forever.
My only advice, just put one foot on front of the other until you run out of mountain
Upon reaching the summit you get your coloured band to prove you made it and I took a moment to enjoy the view. An aside, if you face the lakes you get mobile phone signal.After that ordeal you'll want to tell someone!
You would think the ascent would be easier but it is the most dangerous part of the race. Your are tired, there are people in your way and the terrain is slippy. It will also be cold and wet. The trick is to avoid the stones as the will slip and stick to the edge where there's grip.
Once you are at the bottom it's onto the bike for 5 KM into Westport. 2KM of this is off road and if it's wet you'll be carrying your bike for this bit. A word.
Warning, even where there is tar road it's in poor condition, several bikes failed at this point.
The finish at Westport House is a great buzz with the crowds out to meet us. It was great for some of my family to be there
Happy to be finished.
Gael Force West 2009, what an experience.
Once across the fjord it was more bog running for 1 KM and then some nice flat road running for a further 4KM
The views on the run to Delphi are inspiring. This river shot brought me back to my youth when we would fish the river in my grandads on a floodAt Delphi we transitioned to the bikes. Chance to grab some food and change to a cycling shirt. After the run you are sweaty and the change is vital if you are not to get cold.
The 30+ KM cycle was a welcome relief as you could take it at your own pace and refuel as you went. There were some steep hills (like the one in the picture) but in general you didn't have to be a pro.
To be honest I really enjoyed the cycle which was just as well considering the next transition.
The road up to Croke Patrick is steep and there is a time check at the bottom but the clock still runs. The box of infamous biscuits are also here. There's a water spot where I refilled and loos. Take a moment, the next hour is tough!
The ascent up Croke Patrick starts with a boggy run, as you can see from picture. You are then presented with a delema: go left with the crowd or go straight up (zig-zag). What will decide it is how strong your legs are. I went straight up and it was faster but took a lot out of me.
No picture or words can describe the pain of this ascent. It feels like it goes on forever.
My only advice, just put one foot on front of the other until you run out of mountain
Upon reaching the summit you get your coloured band to prove you made it and I took a moment to enjoy the view. An aside, if you face the lakes you get mobile phone signal.After that ordeal you'll want to tell someone!
You would think the ascent would be easier but it is the most dangerous part of the race. Your are tired, there are people in your way and the terrain is slippy. It will also be cold and wet. The trick is to avoid the stones as the will slip and stick to the edge where there's grip.
Once you are at the bottom it's onto the bike for 5 KM into Westport. 2KM of this is off road and if it's wet you'll be carrying your bike for this bit. A word.
Warning, even where there is tar road it's in poor condition, several bikes failed at this point.
The finish at Westport House is a great buzz with the crowds out to meet us. It was great for some of my family to be there
Happy to be finished.
Gael Force West 2009, what an experience.
Sep 1, 2009
Gael Force 2009 - Race in Words & Pictures - Part 1
It all started at the car park at Westport house, 6.30am. Waiting around for your bus to the start.
On the road,what a beautiful morning.
Some "relief" before the start. Look to the right you'll see 50 blokes doing what blokes do after drinking a litre of water on the bus
The Start on the beach
The first 5 KM is on road. The buzz is good, jokes & chat. All ahead of us.
Then we go off road and up a steep slippy hill and on to a bog track
Bog road for 3-4 KM. Very wet.
Transition to Kayak. The clock is stopped so time for a bite to eat, refill water and rest.
After Kayak which was relatively easy it's 5 KM to bike transition. More great views. See next post for more
On the road,what a beautiful morning.
Some "relief" before the start. Look to the right you'll see 50 blokes doing what blokes do after drinking a litre of water on the bus
The Start on the beach
The first 5 KM is on road. The buzz is good, jokes & chat. All ahead of us.
Then we go off road and up a steep slippy hill and on to a bog track
Bog road for 3-4 KM. Very wet.
Transition to Kayak. The clock is stopped so time for a bite to eat, refill water and rest.
After Kayak which was relatively easy it's 5 KM to bike transition. More great views. See next post for more
Aug 31, 2009
Video Clips of the race
On the day I took some video shots at different point of Gael Force West.
Here is a link to a playlist
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=850DFB53072C302C
Here is a link to a playlist
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=850DFB53072C302C
Aug 23, 2009
Mission Accomplished - Gael Force West 2009
6 hours of running, kayaking, running, cycling, hill climbing and more cycling.
What can you do but smile.
What can you do but smile.
Aug 20, 2009
Game on
Final preparation, a bit nervous.
My next post will hopefully be a picture of me crossing the finish line.
Thank you to everyone who has helped, encouraged and supported me to this point. Now it's all up to me.
One day left
My next post will hopefully be a picture of me crossing the finish line.
Thank you to everyone who has helped, encouraged and supported me to this point. Now it's all up to me.
One day left
Aug 18, 2009
Fear of unknown - Kayak stage
The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. - NELSON MANDELA, Autobiography
I was a little concerned about the kayak stage of Gael Force West, mainly because I have never used a kayak. I need not have worried. After a 10 minute tutorial and an hour of practice on the water I feel confident I can complete the Kayak stage. I am not saying I will be very fast but it's a short stage so it just need to be completed without falling in.
Like most challenges in life it's the unknown that we fear. My advice is to "just do it". In the words of Henry Ford "whether you think you can or can't, you're right"
Thanks to Fingal Sailing School for the lesson.
2 days to go
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