Connemara Adventure Race 2012

stevire

Apologies if this is the wrong section or if there's a thread on it already (couldn't find one).

Planning on doing the Connemara Adventure Race this year, but was looking for some info on the gradients on the course? The only info I saw on the website was the 342m climb in the Mountain Hike section, I was looking more so for gradients in the running and cycling sessions so I can target my training sessions a bit more.

Thanks in advance (any other advice/info on the course is more than welcome!!)

siobhanb79

Hi Stevire,
Siobhan here one of the race organisers.
The gradient of the rest of the course is pretty flat. Alot of the road cycle is actually down hill. The run to the kayak is down hill and the run to the western way is flat.
The one part that is up hill is the last run back to the finish line. This is along the Western way and has a slow uphill for about 3 kms.

I hope this helps

Amz

I've been roped into this, as a bit of fun and as moral support for a friend.

Just a quick question Siobhan, maybe you can answer: On the site it says my entry fee includes "post event food", yet the mandatory kit list states that competitors must bring enough food for the entire day, as you will not be providing food. Can you clarify this please, will there be post race food?

siobhanb79

Hi,
We will be providing homemade soup at the finish line but you need to bring food with you for while you are competing, as it may take you 2hours to finish of 6 hours to finish so you will need food along the way.
Hope this helps
Siobhan

stevire

siobhanb79 wrote: »

Hi Stevire,
Siobhan here one of the race organisers.
The gradient of the rest of the course is pretty flat. Alot of the road cycle is actually down hill. The run to the kayak is down hill and the run to the western way is flat.
The one part that is up hill is the last run back to the finish line. This is along the Western way and has a slow uphill for about 3 kms.

I hope this helps

Spot on, just what I was looking for. Thanks Siobhán

Steamer

What do you need to bring with you on the day? It's my first ever adventure race and I would like to prepare properly

Whistlejacket

Hi Steveire

You can find the mandatory equipment list here:
http://www.gaelforceevents.com/connemara/en/event_detail/kit_list.html

Gaelforce will also send you out a final email today with lots of useful information in it.

It's not an overly long event so you don't need to bring a whole lot extra beyond what's on the mandatory list - a bottle or 2 of water/electrolytes on your bike and something handy to eat will get you around. Last year I brought a homemade flapjack to eat on the bike and some jelly babies to help me up the hills on the last run.

There is no point bringing much in the way of extra clothing as you will be destroyed with peat/bog water 50 yards from the start and then you'll keep yourself warm the rest of the way by moving. The registration kit includes a technical top so I'm just going to wear that with a pair of shorts and put a light rain jacket in my kit.

This was my first ever adventure race last year and I loved it - great atmosphere on the way around and a fantastic feeling of achievement at the end. Relax, soak up the scenery and have fun!

Whistlejacket

Sorry, post was in response to Steamer's query, hope both you and Steveire have a good race!

Steamer

Thanks Whistlejacket. Did you wear a backpack with all your gear? Any type to recommend?

Whistlejacket

I have a 20 litre berghaus backpack that I use. It has a light frame that keeps if off your back, so you don't get too hot/sweaty under it, and adjustable straps. I find it great - you'd hardly notice you're wearing it.

However it was one of the dearer bits of kit. The adjustable back packs are usually between 40-80 euro (maybe more if they include a drink bladder) but check out the bargain bins and TK Max. I got mine at half price in 53 degrees north. It's actually bigger than it needs to be - 15 litres would be plenty, but I find it comfortable to wear and never got around to getting a smaller one.

Any back pack will do but the dearer brands are more comfy to wear for several hours and you definitely need to be able to run/jog without your kit jiggling around constantly and the straps rubbing.

A bum bag is another option, especially if you plan on wearing your jacket. Does limit you a bit in terms of what else you can carry though.

vasch_ro

Steamer wrote: »

What do you need to bring with you on the day? It's my first ever adventure race and I would like to prepare properly

in the same boat as you, should be a bit of craic !

murrayp4

How did everyone get on? I took 43mins off my time from last year...very happy with that

goalie2

Hey Siobhan, I dont see anything about the kayak section here http://www.connemararoughdiamond.com/en/crd_2012/2012_event_format.html, wwhat part does it come in at and how logn is it?

ThisRegard

The Connemara Adventure Race and the Rough Diamond are two different events.

Haven't done the Connemara AR but the Rough Diamond is great.

siobhanb79

HI Goalie 2,
Like Thisregard said, we dont organise Rough diamond but I do know that they dont have any kayaking in their event.
siobhan