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Gaelforce West 21/8/10
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Heard there were TV cameras at the elite run - does anyone know if the event will be televised...and if so when?
There was a TV camera doing some promotional stuff on behalf of Bord Fáilte. Another miniDV camera at the finish, not sure what it was for but would suspect Gaelforce's Youtube channel.
A short clip of the race on Nuacht TG4, starts at 3:51 in. I'm to be seen descending Croagh Patrick gracefully
at 4:21! 0 -
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Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 16,724 Mod ✭✭✭✭
Join Date:Posts: 15163
Not a picture of me in sight
Probably not a bad thing that though. I remember seen a camera at the top of CP and 1 on the first run but outside of that I didn't see anymore. 0 -
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Fitzilicious wrote: »I look like a psycho in the photo on top of CP!!
I'm smiling and giving a thumbs up but my eyes look crazy...not good!!
The one of me on CP isnt too bad, but by jesus the one of me crossing the finish line is HILARIOUS, i look like a 90 yr old woman in need of a serious dump! I'm smiling on CP, but at the finish i cant even pretend, i look awful, absolultey shattered!
great pics, but they're woefully expensive :eek:0 -
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Well, GFW 2010 done and boy am I glad to see the back of it, for the moment anyway.
Found it hellish :mad: and much tougher than I could ever have imagined. Really struggled in the first cycle and CP and wanted to give up so many times but thankfully kept slogging away.
Didn't hit my pre-match target of sub 6 hour but came home in a respectable 6:21 which for a first-timer and a 17 stone rugby prop at that!!!
Things I learned from this year:- Don't bring so much sweet food (gels, bars etc). My stomach was sick of sugar by the time I got to the finish line.
- Bring more food you like
- Run your own race and don't wait up for friends who you will ultimately have to leave anyway later.
- If you feel good, go for it! I felt great on the first run but held back thinking that I needed all the energy.
- Take a few more risks on the bike. My gear was spot-on (Cyclocross bike with Gatorskins) so why did I walk so much? Nerves. Will go for it more next time....if there is a next time!
- Wear a cycle jersey next time. The pockets are so handy.
- Train for Croagh Patrick!!! This nearly killed me.
Thanks for all the help and assistance from everyone on this thread and well done everyone!
btw. heard a great story on Sat night about a friend of a friend buckling a wheel on the first big descent (about 10k into the 1st cycle), dropping the bike into a nearby house and running the rest of the race.......I don't know who this man is but he has just become my new hero........doing about 60k of GFW on foot.........legend!!!0 -
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ManFromAtlantis wrote: »Yeah, i reckon it was 80% men for defo. Not surprised at that tho, women arent as tough as men. QUOTE]
i knew giving birth was over rated
i tell ya , i never said id go again for more kids within a day of givin birth but im up for GF 2011 already
was wonderin bout the female turnout and i dont know if it will ever be that popular cause it is so tough ! added strenght of men ha to be an advantage0 -
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Well I’ve been reading this thread for months and asked enough questions along the way so thought I might contribute on my own experience on Saturday. Like many who’ve posted on the thread, I’m (was!!!) a first-time adventure racer for GFW this year. I think that makes it even more of an adventure, given that my training was limited to running/cycling around the Phoenix Park and my first glance of CP that I can remember was on Friday afternoon!!!
I've downloaded the Excel results and ranked them by the various sections to see how I did, but unfortunately the file is too big to attach to my post. If someone can put it somewhere online for me let me know or I could send you on how you did if you post your number/name or seomthing! Maybe try this link it might have worked..... LINK
In simple summary, it was an incredible experience! I thoroughly enjoyed the entire event – well organised and the scenery was absolutely fantastic along the way! I had no idea on targets so just hoped for sub-6 hour and was delighted to finish in 5:14:23, nearly in the top 300! http://connect.garmin.com/activity/45801406
For anyone who cares, here are some of my thoughts about the experience.
Equipment – thankfully everything I used worked perfect. The Camelbak Octane XTC was a dream and fit so well, and my bike (Halford’s finest – Boardman Hybrid Comp!) didn’t give me the slightest bother all day. As recommended I had the tyres at 110 PSI and the only time I was off the saddle all day was about 100m of the downhill in the last section. Anyone know how to clean manky road running shoes!? Assume washing machine isn’t the best idea? I wore them through the shower but they’re still grubby enough!
Registration – was glad I took the day off on Friday. Very smooth in Killary and then at Delphi, although it was a little strange abandoning my 2-month-old bike in a big field without a lock on it! Never done bike race either so this was new for me!
Westport – what a welcoming place for the event! Stayed in MJ Henehan’s which was a perfect location. It was slightly noisy above the bar but they did ring to warn me about that in advance. It was a lovely touch to get a bag outside the room on Sat with energy food and gels from them!
Food – Kept it simple in the end and that worked perfect for me. 2 bottles of diluted lucozade sport on the bike, water in the camelbak, a pack of jellies and 3 snack size mars bars kept me going for the day. Ages since I used gels so I stayed clear of that!
Bus Out – great atmosphere on the bus to the start. A bit cruel driving past people almost reaching the end of the first run and seeing the pain on their faces, knowing that was ahead of us!:)
Start – love the starting location on the beach. I was 2nd-last wave so we had the last guys to clap us out. That was nice but I was sorry for them having no one!!
First Run – The first big hill nearly killed me – even that was beyond my normal training and gave me an idea of what was to come! I have to say the toughest part of the whole day for me was the famine trail run (if that’s what it’s called?). I just couldn’t believe how technical it was and how much you had to concentrate. My road shoes were constantly slipping. With people running right in front of and behind you I think you feel pressure to keep running fast along there when nearly every stride you could be about to go over on an ankle or something. It was so challenging from around 5-7 km if I remember right. Being towards the end of the start times we were also (even on the first leg) passing a fair few walkers which made it even messier. Lovely to finish on a downhill to “relax” before the kayak.
Kayak – 20 minutes wasn’t a bad wait. Felt sorry for one kayak I saw capsize twice before even getting 100m out, the poor people! Paired up with a randomer and he was fairly nifty so we flew across (09:34).
Bog – Jaypers it was a mucky run until the road to Delphi. Again being further down the field I assume means it’s messiest for the poor people who start later!
Bike – It absolutely lashed down when I got to my bike for a few minutes and I was soaked to the bone, but again I guess that’s part of the experience! Really enjoyed the cycle (despite losing my $ 5.00 dealextreme Oakley's!), although as someone pointed out I was expecting it to be tougher hill-wise. My only near-miss was just that stretch where you rejoin the main road for a while – came down the hill so fast I nearly couldn’t make the left turn – ended up right over the wrong side of the road but thankfully no traffic coming at me! The crappy road to CP went on forever. I was surprised by the amount of people walking from the start of this – it must have taken them hours on foot. Am I right in saying there are lower gears (the ones where you can pedal fast and move really slowly) on a hybrid vs a normal racer? The road bike guys seemed to run out of gears quicker than me. Last part of that section was tough and nearly came off bike with wheelspin!
CP – Well I knew it would be tough, but it really is so hard getting off your bike and knowing you have to go the whole way up there! I just put the head down and marched. Ended up in the top 200 for that section so was delighted with myself! Pity there was no view while I was at the top, but at least that kept me moving and I didn’t stop! I was much slower coming down the mountain (750th-ish) – I stuck to the main path rather than chancing my arm with the shortcut! It was scary stuff I have to say anyway – that last section up/down at the top of CP is lethal!
2nd Bike – God that rough part of the cycle was tough! I stayed on my bike as long as I could, then finally knew I should give up. It was just in time as I nearly went over the handlebars while coming to a stop! It was easy to see who the locals were on the next stretch down to the mainroad. I had to be careful due to potholes and whatever else, but some people bombed past me like I don’t know what! The last part of the cycle was enjoyable and then the run to the finish.
Finish – So impressed to receive results print-out on the line and to have soup with buttered bread, but I was surprised they didn’t have some sort of energy drinks!
Prizegiving – I went along later on the cheer the winners. Have to say it was a bit disappointing not to see both more competitors and more winners there for the event. I realise people might have needed to go home, but it seemed like quite a lot of prize winners were gone and the only ones there were locals!!!
Overall – Thoroughly enjoyable weekend – a well-run, challenging event and a very welcoming town! As many mentioned, the people along the route really help you along the way! Am I right in saying we even ran through someone's back garden between the kayaks and rejoining the road!?
Lastly, thanks again to all on here for the info / advice / support that has been shared around! I've enjoyed reading the other reviews!0 -
Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 16,724 Mod ✭✭✭✭ Join Date:Posts: 15163
Fitzilicious wrote: »TMI is right!!
Left my bike in Mayo as home for long weekend coming!
I feel weird not having her with me!!
I was thinking of going to circuits but everyone that i've mentioned it to seems to think this is mad!
Perhaps a short run might be better.
You've Louisburgh breeding, madness is already there
I still can't walk so getting out of the office stairs and down the M50 without cramping will be perfect training for me tonite 0 -
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Yeah... the advantage in being actually last is that all the marshalls know they can go home when you come through so they were very enthusiastic also my really impressive friends who finished hours before me went home showered changed and drove the car down to support me and to drive me back to the hotel.... i LOVE them so much!!
I do think the cycle back into town at that hour of the night would have killed me....esp cause people would have been...where the hell have you been til now:D
10 + hours.. very well done.. you must have the determination of a terminator ! it aint over til it's over .. you're a true heroine !0 -
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