Another Run On The Kerry Way.

March 23rd;

Yesterday myself and Kevin took the opportunity to have a run in the wilds of Kerry. It had been a while since our last outing and I was really looking forward to it. We had hoped to have a run along a section of the Kerry Way, starting in Couneemduff in the shadow of the mighty "Reeks" and running over the gap between Broughnabinnea and Carrauntoohil into the Bridia Valley and incorporate a climb of Caher on the way before returning to the start via the "Lack Road". Alas the weather was rubbish and while the rain wouldn't have been a problem the gale force winds that were forecast would have made traversing the high ridges on Caher too dangerous, so we were forced to rethink our route. Fortunately a ready alternative was available so we were able to start at the same place and opt out of Caher and run via the "Lack Road" and Lough Acoose into Glencar and from there to the Bridia Valley and back to the car. All told this involved a distance of 30 kilometers and still involved over 900 meters of climbing despite leaving out Caher.

If you say you can run up a hill that steep I believe you

The Bridia Valley

The start of the Lack Road

You want the zip lower yes??

What a dynamo, not.

We met in Killarney at 10.20 and after picking up some supplies ( sweeties) we set off for the start of the route. This is still quite a journey an bad roads so it was bang on 11.30 when we left the car. There was no incentive needed to get started as the wind and damp ensured that we were anxious to get moving to stay warm. Despite the cloud covering the mountain tops and the inclement weather this is still a wonderful place to be so we were in great form as we set off. The route starts along a rough road and then goes around the back of the isolated farmhouse that rests in the end of the valley before it crosses the rough, stoney, wet ground and winds its way gently to the gap. Care was needed here as it would be really easy to have a fall on the slippery rocks. Along the way we were discussing the merits or otherwise of using Gore Tex in trail runners and I think we quickly dismissed the idea as a bad one when we frequently found ourselves sploshing through deep puddles and bog. While there are occasional efforts made to make a proper track on the route the norm is that there is only a succession of marker poles and the route follows the best possible way between them. By the time we reached the gap we were well into our stride and our first views down into the Bridia Valley were a joy. Not that we could stay looking up for too long as the steep descent was rocky and slippy and required our full concentration.

Eventually we reached the little road that winds its way into the back of the valley and we ran easily to the start of the "Lack Road" where our next climb awaited us. There is on the lower section a vague track that winds back and forth up the steep slope before petering out and once again you have to hop, skip and jump, if you are able, along boggy rough ground. Eventually after a 300 meter pull we crested the ridge and it was from here we had intended to climb the long ridge to Caher but the wind which at times was really buffetting ensured we had no regrets in heading instead steeply down into the beautiful Derrynafeana Valley. Again great care was needed here but eventually we reached flatter ground and we ran along by the stream in the valley. It was our first time here and I was struck by the beauty of the place. Soon we reached another little lane that twisted, rose and dipped before eventually reaching the Glencar road. We had been on the go for nearly ninety minutes by now so we stopped briefly for a rest and a bite to eat. The weather was showing some signs of improvement and even the odd ray of sunshine appeared. The road here while a bit wider than the others is still twisty and later in the season can be busy with tourist traffic. Today however we only encountered a few cars on this stretch and the four or five kilometers to Glencar were quite pleasant  Along the way Kevin showed off his deep knowledge of all things equine when he pointed out the extremely rare "Horsey Pony Thingy" standing in the rough paddock alongside the road. Astonished and excited I turned to get a look and was disappointed to only see a sad looking donkey looking back at me.

The beautiful Derrynafeana Valley

Typical scenery near Lough Acoose

Perhaps it was this that brought on the "Paula Radcliff" moment.

Heading back with the end in sight

My excitement must have gotten the better of me because the Climbers Inn arrived none too soon and I only just avoided having to do a "Paula Radcliffe". Still the chance to sit and rest for a while was welcome and I emerged refreshed and ready to face the return leg of our journey. The route now leaves the road and follows a "green road" for a couple of K. Here Kevin was determined to redeem himself and showed off his "Cow Whispering" skills by stopping and stroking the nose of an unsuspecting young heifer. Suitably impressed I pressed on. We soon reached the little road that stretches into the Bridia valley and begun the final section of the trip. My lack of long runs and the fact that we were now running directly into the wind told against me and as the nine kilometers to the roadhead passed I struggled more and more. Short sections where I walked helped and eventually we arrived at the stile that marked the start of the climb that would lead back into Coumeenduff. Surprisingly I didn't find the 200+ meter pull too bad and when we eventually crested the gap I was able to enjoy the next downhill section and the return to the car. We were back at 15.05 and while we were tired we were elated with our efforts. It had been a great experience in one of the remotest and wildest places in the country and while there were long sections on the road, these didn't take in any way from the overall feel and experience. Its always such a pleasure to be out and about but when you have good company with fun and laughter added to the mix, lets just say I am looking forward to more.

Mallow 10 Mile Run 2013

Yesterday I ran the Mallow 10 mile road race for the third time. This year due to injury and a trip to Scotland I hadn't really done much in the way of meaningful training before this one so I was quite apprehensive before the start. The sum total of my runs in the previous month amounted to two 10 Ks the week before. So I guess you know where this post is leading, I struggled big time in the race.
Anyway,  there was a superb entry of 1200 runners and the weather was perfect and as everybody gathered at the start there was a mounting sense of occasion and excitement which was infectious. I left the nerves behind and started to look forward to the challenge. My best time was done last year when I just went under 70 minutes. I had trained well for that but I was determined to try and emulate that time again this year. So from the off I stuck with the 70 minute pacers. This was a bit of a shock to the system as I found the pace really quick. Still I persevered and after the first mile there is a lengthy gentle downhill section and I was able to relax a bit more at the pace. The two, three and four mile markers passed and I was still with them but then I found that I just didn't have it in me to keep up anymore.

Feeling the pain.

 Slowly and almost imperceptibly the balloons bobbing above the pacers moved further and further in front of me. At around five and a half miles I made an effort to try and bridge the gap to the pacers who were now two hundred meters ahead and I did a little bit but the effort put in jeopardy my ability to actually finish the race and I had to just concentrate my efforts at just keeping going. Slowly and increasingly painfully the mile markers passed until I returned to the town and I knew I would actually get to the end. In the last mile I was passed by many runners as they were able to put on a burst of pace while I was getting ever more sluggish. Still despite the pain I couldn't help but feel a certain satisfaction that I had kept going and I had persevered. About four hundred meters from the finish a small child shouted out "Look there's Santa" and I couldn't help but have a big grin on my face for a while, I still do now. The finish line at last arrived and I was a bit gutted to pass through in 72 mins 40 seconds. Now I see that it wasn't really such a bad time considering the lack of training I had had but I am determined to break the 70 minute barrier in another run this year. Finally a big thanks to everybody for organizing such a great event. I have no doubt that it will go from strength to strength in the future. Well done to all.

Curve Gully Ridge in Winter

Yesterday I went with Frank to The Reeks in Kerry in the hope of having a possibly last hurrah winter climb. It had been quite cold  the previous few days and there had been a dumping of snow so I was hopeful that high on the mountain there would be decent winter conditions to be found. Alas when we left the car at 09.15 it was quite warm and it was evident that a substantial thaw was under way. Still we were in good spirits and looking forward to exploring. I reckoned that the best option and chance of good conditions would be Curve Gully Ridge IV 4 high on the north face of Carrauntoohil. The route is a really nice summer outing graded at HS and this would be my first attempt at it in winter so I was a little apprehensive but excited as well. It is always a pleasure to climb with Frank and on an outing such as this it felt good to have someone as solid as him for company.

Looking tempting but soft and cruddy.

Frank looking keen but the mountains east side disappointingly  snowless

At the start of Pitch One

Looking good higher up.

As we got higher we reached the little snow that still lay and what was left was soft and sugary. Still we persevered and eventually when we reached the third level things started to look more wintry. The route starts at about about 800 mtrs and finishes almost at the summit. We arrived at the start and I set off up the first pitch. This was black and provided a stiff opener to the route. Blank rock and precarious foot and axe placements made for some tough going but soon enough I was past the difficulties and up to easier ground where I set up a belay and Frank followed. This set the pattern for the day and the next test came on Pitch 3 which gave some vertical sections and required some committing axe hooks and placements in barely frozen turf. It kept us entertained and time flew by. We opted to keep the pitches short as there were plenty of decent belays to be had and it also meant communication was easier. We entered the cloud and continued in lovely atmospheric conditions. At the start of I think pitch four I checked a sizable rock near my right foot to see if it was loose and it immediately tumbled off and fell  fifteen feet before hitting a rock and bounced out and flew through the air for a couple of hundred feet before landing in the gully and bursting spectacularly with a loud bang and spraying the ground lower down with smaller stones like shrapnel.Sobering.

Heading up Pitch 3

A true Scot.

Some quality climbing

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Definitely having a good time

Nice conditions

We were enjoying ourselves immensely by now and each pitch got better as we rose higher. In the occasional clearing I could see the icy summit cross getting nearer and nearer. Eventually we arrived at the crux of the route. This is a wide corner just above the belay  that give two exit possibilities. Both are tough and its this section that gives the route a HS summer grading. From the belay it is possible to go straight up the vertical wall for about eight meters before you reach easier ground or take the right hand side (which I did) where a shorter but no less committing option presents itself. A couple of easy moves and then a slightly overhanging shift to the right and then pulling on hopefully bomber axe placements up and over and then followed by a short vertical couple of steps before the exit. Short as I said but I was pleased to be over it and we were left with easy ground to the top of the route on which we moved together. We enjoyed a bite of late lunch and descended the Heavenly Gates. It was amazing to see how much of the ice had disappeared  by the time we had reached lower ground. The thaw was doing its worse. Still we didn't care and we were really pleased with our day out. It is rare to get any winter climbing done in these parts and we were delighted to have experienced a proper climb so late in the year. Who knows what the next few weeks will bring.

After the tricky section of the crux

Up and over.