I can’t believe it’s been January since I have blogged here. It has been such a busy year which I will go into below. And that’s not to mention the disruption we’ve all encountered due to covid restrictions. Hopefully we’re over the worst of that now although I feel that it will be next summer before we are truly over the restrictions.
So what have I been up to?
Training and Races
So, as far as training went, this has been my best year yet. Having a coach has really made me commit to riding in a way I never have before. I’m on target for a 10,000km year which is by far the furthest I have ever ridden in a year.
The result of this training has shown in the main event of the year. The Donegal 555. This was an epic event and I highly recommend anyone to give it a go. (The Race Around Ireland (RAI) was cancelled due to covid.)
In the past, when I rode an event of this distance and difficulty I would be suffering badly by the end of it. I would always question my sanity half way through and it would take me a few weeks before I would feel I enjoyed it. Real type 2 fun.
However, during this ride I loved every minute of it. I had energy throughout and was able to keep good power on the pedals. I put this down to having a personal cycling coach to properly prepare me for the event. The only problem I encountered was trying to stay awake in the middle of the night.
That was the only event I entered this year mostly due to covid. I recently rode a 417km ride in a total time of 17hrs 50min. I was very happy with this as it put me right on target on completing one of next year goals
Plans for next year
The original plan was to ride the Race Around Ireland ultra challenge. This would be my main event of the year.
This is a supported event meaning I’d need a team with me to drive behind me with food and gear. I had played with the idea of doing the Donegal 555, supported, as practice for my team but for some reason they moved the event to the same month at the RAI so I can’t do that and have time to recover.
This led me to come up with the idea of riding Malin to Mizen, Ireland’s most Northerly and southerly point, in under 24 hours, supported. The route I will follow is 562km with nearly 5000m of climbing.
This is why I was so delighted with my 400km time earlier this year. It would have put me right on target to beat the 24hr deadline. And I still have a lot more training to do before then. I plan to do it in late April/ early May.
So that was the plan until about 2 weeks ago when I saw Audax Ireland are doing the Mile Failte 1200 in 2022. I wasn’t sure what way everything was due to covid.
I did this back in 2018 and absolutely loved it. I’m only starting to realise that it actually had a big impact on my life in general. So I have to do it again. The RAI can wait until next year. The Mile Faile 1200 only comes round every 4 years.
Off the bike
With next year’s exercise goals in place I also have another venture that I want to get going. I have started coaching a few of my cycling buddies (motivated by my own coach) and they are getting great results. It’s early days yet but so far everyone I have coached is happy with their improvements.Â
I don’t know where this will end up but my dream is that I will be able to help others take part in races that they once thought were impossible.
There is also another venture in the pipeline that I can’t talk about yet but if it takes shape then 2022 is going to be a very exciting year.
I can’t wait.