Racing 795

Race Report by Frank Burke

The Muddy Cup

The two David’s and I headed for Cashel on Sunday last. Arrived in good time to register and warm up. Race due to start at 12.10 so headed off on bikes at 11 to reccie the course. Seemed straight forward but tis amazing how any course at an easy pace can be so differ when “the pedal is to the metal”!

Returned to start line to find out race would be delayed til 1.30 so they could let off A and B together. Comprises was reached. We were all off at 1pm! So back to the car for awhile and then warm up no. 2! DC went behind a few bushes and was spotted doing a pose best described as a cross between Mr. Myiagi of Karate Kid fame and a shootout pose from High Noon. Details of why can be found in. “The New England Journal of Medicine”. Anyway the sun was shining so how bad.

We were off at 1 an the two boyos got off to a flier. Conway lead the first lap, DF not far behind an I was a few places back. Race settled down an we were strung out. Lap 4 of 9 seemed to cause all of us to slow down as the course cut up an very few could stick the pace we set in the first three. It’s so hard to count these laps when tired so not exactly sure when I passed DF and then DC. Held this order for a while until early in second last lap, DF went by me on a long uphill grassy drag (against the wind), like I Was Standing Still!! Head down trying to close the gap but there was no injection of pace left in the legs. DF (we found out after) timed his big push thinking it was the last lap! However the man on the black rose finished strong while DC an I fell away, yet we ended up on a sprint finish with nothing between us.

We’ll done an congrats to DF who was full value for his win and came 5th into the bargain. As with all the other races the healthy competition between club members means we left everything out on the course and I can honestly say that if the other red jerseys were absent, I would most definitely finish further back the field.

So in the four races, the order of where we placed was different in every race with us all getting at least one win over the other two. DC shaded it with more wins. Cyclocross is unpredictable and you need to be in top form on the day as it’s flat to the mat for an hour.

It was my first season an what attracted me to it was a comment made by DC. Fun Fitness and Improved Bike Handling! The shite talk on the way to and the what ifs on the way home along with a little more shite talk always makes the journey shorter an more enjoyable.

I think we will have at least 9 travelling to cyclocross next winter so get your bike sorted in time. The 2 David showed me the ropes over a few tues nts and was a huge help……another reason to be a member of Racing795. Someone make a list of the range of events we compete in….you will never get bored.

Roll on 2015/2016 season an sur we might even run a race….min no of Marshall required an 2 muddy fields required an a few temporary electric fence poles.

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River’s Edge Bar, Bunclody8pm, Saturday 7th February 2015
Interested in running, swimming or cycling?
Fancy having a go at triathlon? Or mountain biking?
Come along and have a chat with us
And hear the inspirational story of our special guest Marie Casey Breen
Let us know at racing795@gmail.com if you’re coming

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Race report by Mick Foley

Great day out in Punchestown Sunday, arrived up with a friend who was competing in his first duathlon and was glad to see Nigel and Trish had made it into the race. After registration and setting up the bike we started to try warm up in the bitter cold using the lessons learnt on Saturday during the run coaching. After the race briefing it was off with the tracksuit and a quick jog up to the start and off we went.

I started off grand, trying to concentrate on the technique. Was thinking to myself this running stuff is easy. Then the usual happened, all the runners were flying past including Nigel and Trish running side by side. I asked were they running together and Nigel replied “Don’t go there”. Made it through the first run with a constant stream of people passing me.

On to the bike and as Nigel said the wind was all over the place, got into a nice rhythm all the way to Blessington and thought I would have the wind behind me on the way back, this wasn’t the case, the wind seemed to be face me again. Met Nigel and Trish on the way back both looking fresh. Continued back to Punchestown, picking up a few places along the way.

Into T2 and off on run 2, technique was out the window at this stage. I did my usual impression of a 3 legged baby giraffe taking its first steps with legs flying in all directions except forward. Shuffled my way along with the stream of people passing me again, tried to inject a bit of pace for the last km but the legs said no. Crossed the line in 1.14.35 with Nigel and Trish and my friend coming in just behind. All smiling after completing their first duathlon.

Was happy enough with my first race of the year, its off to Narraghmore on 15th February for more pain and laughs.

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Race Report By Nigel McCord

Well that was an experience . Myself and Trish and her sister completed in the first of the Naas Duathlon yesterday . We met Mick Foley up there in the bitter cold .
Extremely nervous at the start …where to leave the bike ..and shoes ..what to wear and what not to wear . Anyway up to the start line and bang away we went , sat in behind Trish for the first run and we crossed the Transition line together ( I learned my lesson after the Ferrycarig 5miler ) up to the bikes and we trying to change into our shoe’s and Jacket and we noticed everyone flying past us including Mick . We lost alot of time in Transition . Trish told me to go on and after all I said to her and her sister about rules etc I  thru me leg over the bike and clicked in one shoe and then like a slap to the head I realised what I had done . Anyway no one seen it so off  the bike and tried to run in my SPDs ….not a hope of this happening , so decided on a quick walk . Out of trans and up on the bike and away like the clappers trying not to get caught up in the Red Mist . Had a great aul ding dong with 4 other lads on route to Blessington where we met Mick on his return trip flying he was too !
On return back to Naas with the final 10k ahead of me I decided to push and push hard the Feckin wind was all over the place I met Trish on route to Blessington and we cheered each other on as we passed each other she was looking good also . About 2k left and left calf started to cramp . Pushed on again trying to stretch as I rode . Back into Trans and off the bike into the runner’s and started to run with a gentle jog and then both calves cramped . I stopped and stretched and noticed another lad beside me knackered also . We both looked at each other and laughed . We decided to jog on and as Mick said to me earlier that morning …… ”its like trying to run with 2 small kids hanging off your legs ” and so true he was , my legs just would not work . We jogged on and eventually they freed up and the pace quickened a little . I kept looking over my shoulder looking for Trish as I knew she’d slaughter me on the run . Seen the finish line and crowd cheering and over the line I went with Trish a few minutes later finishing strong with her run .
In a nut shell we loved it and look forward to doing the next one and improving our times . The event was fantastically run and brilliant for the beginners like me with the Marshalls cheering you on and giving you instructions as what to do . The run was great as you could see the whole route ahead of you .
I would highly recommend the Naas Duathlon series .

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The training coordinator sub-committee have put the following programme together. As you will notice the events are top-heavy in the first three months of this year. The idea being that it will help motivate people to get going early in the year and once race season comes along, you are ready for battle/participation. We feel that an MTB league will suffice during the summer as everyone is so busy competing, going on holidays etc. and we have two big race events to run in May and August.

While we have had swim coaching as part of the training activities for many years now, we felt that some new run and bike specific coaching might add some value for our members. The Club Committee have kindly agreed to supplement the cost of enlisting expertise in Cycling and Running and in return, we ask that everyone supports the marshaling/helping at the two big events – Tri795Carlow on May 17th and MTB Event on August 30th.

Both the cycling and run coaching is for everyone, regardless of experience. We hope to group people based on experience etc. so please don’t feel intimidated and sign up.

To aid with your training plan, we have prepared a Google calendar that can be accessed by phone/pc/website, so you won’t miss an event.

https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=racing795%40gmail.com&ctz=Europe/Dublin

SWIM
We have just started the second block of swimming in Enniscorthy and have a post on the forum asking others to sign up for Mt Wolseley swimming on Friday nights. A swim coach will be present and will help you get going. You don’t have to be able to do lots of lengths to begin with, so please consider this if you are considering getting more proficient at swimming.

RUN
We have three run sessions planned with a run coach during the next three months. Hopefully this will appeal to all the recent/new members who have taken up running again along with the long term members of the club. Some coaching tips might fast track you past the mistakes that some of the us have made and/or still making. We can all learn from these sessions, so it is hoped that there will be a big interest from all in participating in the 3 coaching days. This kicks off on January 17th. More details in Don’s post called “Run Coaching”

CYCLING
The mtber’s are in their element in this cold wet weather and hit the mountain on Wed nights and Sunday mornings. Road biking is a slow burn at this time of the year, but occasional spins take place depending on weather. However, we have enlisted the services of a bike coach for January 10th. It is hoped that all those who cycle (mtbers, roadies, sportif cyclists will sign up. More details in Nigel’s post called “Watt Bike Test and Training Tips”
While we have endeavoured to avoid date/event clashes, it’s nigh on impossible, as we have such a diverse group doing so many different activities, so apologies in advance to the cyclocross last who might have to miss the second day of cycling coaching weekend. Those that choose the Enniscorthy 10k will miss Day 2 of the Run Coaching (however, we will facilitate those on a Monday night under lights – details once again on Don’s post called “Run Coaching”.
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