up Donard in an hour?

[LandyLiam]

i'm itchin for another go at this soon, very soon, maybe thursday, i like to do donard on my birthday 

[LandyLiam]

1hr 8mins    (PB is 1hr 7m)  although i'm quite pleased with that as i've done no training in 2 weeks and i had a small rucksack on. Got cramp just when the summit was in site so couldn't go for a sprint finish to beat my PB, although i still wouldn't have broken the hour. Maybe next year 

[twentyclicks]

You'll get there yet...and it'll be all the sweeter.

[LandyLiam]

Had another go this morning

1st checkpoint @ 3rd bridge: 15 mins - on schedule

2nd checkpoint @ river crossing: 37 mins (section time 22mins, 7 mins behind schedule)
[I really really struggled on this section and thought about giving up many times, the wind was in my face and twice stopped forward walking never mind jogging]

3rd checkpoint @ saddle cairn: 47 mins (section time 10 mins)
Got a 2nd wind, i quite enjoy these steps now, it makes a great change from the windy valley and i get a chance to walk for a while to regain my breath and let the legs to the work, 11 mins is my usual time, so I regained a minute.

4th checkpoint @ the summit: 1hr 5 mins (section time 18 mins)
woohoo, a personal best    no cramps to slow me this time, even managed a wee jog on the very last bit, a tail wind really helped though.

So I now have the hour well withing my sights, I have to knock 4 mins off between 2 and 3, and 1 min off the last leg, doable with the right weather (calm and misty day)

[Oisín]

Very good, you'll get there eventually.

Wasn't that handy that there was a camera positioned perfectly and took a picture just as you arrived at the top. What are the chances

[LandyLiam]

Wasn't that handy that there was a camera positioned perfectly and took a picture just as you arrived at the top. What are the chances

you have to make your own luck, i left the camera up there, set it on a 2hr timer, and ran down and up again 


here's the proof!

[LandyLiam]

another attempt completed this afternoon, weather was great and my wife went shopping leaving me with a few hours to avoid gardening    managed to get my time down to 1h 2mins, nearly there 


1st checkpoint @ 3rd bridge: 14.5 mins - 30 secs ahead of schedule and feeling good

2nd checkpoint @ river crossing: 33.5 mins (section time 19mins, 3.5 mins behind schedule, still feeling fairly strong and aiming for the hour)

3rd checkpoint @ saddle cairn: 45 mins (section time 11.5 mins, strangely slower than last time, don't know why  )

4th checkpoint @ the summit: 1hr 2 mins (section time 17 mins)
so another personal best    no cramps or stiches, lost time going up the steps, i think i got a bit too complacent there    but i wasn't busted at the top so fingers crossed for the next attempt, soon hopefully.


a little messing around with the camera at the saddle 

[Mourneman]

You're so close now Liam,,you could almost smell it maybe now it's just down to pure technique,ie-foot placement,breathing.I'am sure you'll crack it 

[whoRya]

Just give up Liam, you'll never do it.  Your whole life is a disappointment and you've let everyone down.

Are you getting angry enough yet?  Go get that bad boy

[LandyLiam]

[Rusty Madra]

Keep er lit! 2 mins is so close: at the risk of sounding boring try resting for a week and doing it with fresh legs, carb load the few days before and maybe try sports drinks while you'e on the way up. Gonna try this again over the winter myself

[Rumblebum]

Just give up Liam, you'll never do it.  Your whole life is a disappointment and you've let everyone down.

Are you getting angry enough yet?  Go get that bad boy

I've peed my pants reading this, you tell him how is is Graeme!!!

[LandyLiam]

he'a a very naughty boy 

Keep er lit! 2 mins is so close: at the risk of sounding boring try resting for a week and doing it with fresh legs, carb load the few days before and maybe try sports drinks while you'e on the way up. Gonna try this again over the winter myself

Got to work around the good weather so will take the first available opportunity, my previous preparation was a few beers the night before  i did bring 500ml of lucozade sport up with me, don't know if its any better than water but i make it think it gives me a little boost each sip. My body can do it, just have to convince my mind to make that extra push to run a bit more on the 2nd stage, then i can walk the rest of the way.

[Oisín]

carb load the few days before and maybe try sports drinks while you'e on the way up. Gonna try this again over the winter myself

No no, don't carb up, they'll bloat you up and leave you with no energy.

Get the fruit and veg into you a few days before hand, they'll give you all the macro nutrients that you need. Then have a few beetroots the night before, for some nitrates. Sorted.

[Rusty Madra]

Can anyone with relevant knowledge settle the carb loading debate? I thought carb loading was pretty much scientific? (glycogen levels in the liver etc) I don't know enough about it but conflicting scientific advice always annoys me: I'm pretty open minded either way but someone give us a definitive answer!