Two short walks this week, Downhill & Knocklayd

With 17 weeks to go, I squeezed in two training walks this week, Downhill, and Knocklayd.

Downhill

Irwin H, and a friend of mine, John Kelly, went out on Wednesday evening with me, to put a few miles under the belt. This was a very enjoyable walk, starting at Castlerock Beach, and wending round some roads, through some woodland, past Mussenden Temple and the castle out there, with a great sunset to top the night, and then back to the beach.

This sheep took a good look at me!

(I wonder if anyone could tell me what breed it is )

Knocklayd

This morning I was accompanied by Irwin H and Irwin A, for a trudge up our local mount…near Ballycastle. It was almost reassuring to get drenched again, after quite a few pleasant, dry walks…we had just about forgotten what it was like to be soaked!

Here are the two Irwins for your viewing pleasure!

We are hoping to get as much hillwalking in as possible in the coming months…17 weeks will fly in!

I am trying a new tactic, to try to build some stamina, and leg strength…carrying a bit of weight in the rucksack. Along with a couple of litres of drinking water, I put a 5 litre jar in the backpack…this makes a serious difference.

I read an interview with Alan Hinkes where he was asked what training he recommended for the hills, and he reckoned putting rocks in your rucksack is great for building endurance. I figured it would be slightly cleaner and more user friendly to carry extra water (if I get really under pressure, I can always pour it out!)

Lets just say I was surprised how much difference 5 litres makes!

July 5, 2008 | Filed Under Training | Leave a Comment

Mourne International Walking Festival

A few of us made it down to the Mourne Mountains on Saturday past, to participate in the 10th Anniversary of the Mourne International Walking Festival. And what a day it was!

The Mourne International Walking Festival programme had this hike billed as 20k over 5 peaks with 1400m ascent. However things are not always as they seem.

: Rocky View

: Striding out!

: Otherwise known as "The Crazies"

: Rocky Mountain Summit Cairn

: Kenny and Irwin in front

The walk leader set a tight pace at the early stage of the walk, from Bloody Bridge to Chimney Rock Mountain, by which time everyone was well warmed up (to say the least), and then we were given the option of splitting up into 2 groups…a fast group (affectionately referred to as “the crazies” by the walk Leader, and a more normal paced group.

Challenge!

Well, I like a challenge, so I went for the first group, getting a little nervous when only around 15 headed off. Lets just say I didn’t get thinking much about the few photos I managed to find time to take! It was really good to push the boundaries a bit, great from a training point of view, and a great sense of achievement to almost stay with these folk, until the lunch stop on the summit of Rocky Mountain.

Here, after catching our breath, the other group caught up eventually and we were given another option. Rather than stay with the designated route along the Brandy Path to Commedagh, anyone interested could squeeze in Slieve Donard as well. The four of us thought we would go for it (even though we were pretty wrecked already!) and again only about 15 or 16 I think ventured for this. This was a real slog up Donard, not helped by the knowledge that it wasn’t the last peak!

We made it however, and after a brief breather on the summit, we headed down to the saddle, and up Slieve Commedagh, and the final major push. Conditions turned a bit wet up here, but we dried almost as quickly when the rain stopped, with the weather easing as we descended on to Shan Slieve, on down to the Donard Wood, and back to Newcastle.

The addition of Slieve Donard made it 6 peaks, with a total ascent of 1700m! Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, stands at 1344m, if that puts it into perspective.

A very tough, but satisfying day was capped very nicely by a visit to a great chippy on the way home!

Nicest chips I think I ever had!

July 2, 2008 | Filed Under Training | 2 Comments

Slieve Donard…on May Day!

Here are a few of my favourites from the sponsored walk at Slieve Donard, in the Mourne Mountains…organised by my friends/companions for Kili, raising funds for the BCFC Academy in Kenya.

As you can see, we had a fantastic day…the weather simply could not have been better!

Thirsty work on the way up…and a well deserved rest at the top for the crowd from Aughnacloy!

Looking down

Four of us just couldn’t resist the lure of another peak, when we had come so far, and had to take in Slieve Commedagh (767m), which is beside Donard (850m). This was a great addition to the day, and a chance to use the self-timer

That is Slieve Donard in the background.

Another great day was had by all who came, very memorable and enjoyable (although there were a few stiff legs the next day…or two!)

May 16, 2008 | Filed Under Fund Raising, Training | Leave a Comment

Knocklayde…with a slight difference!

Firstly, we want to say something to those of you who may be following our experiences with wee Keren. We are aware that we are quite long overdue in bringing you the next…instalment (for want of a better word), and we would like you to know that we know that one is needed soon.

It is now two years since Keren was here with us, at this time, then, she was five weeks old, and it hasn’t been easy to think about compiling a post, around this time of year, but we are working on it.

On a lighter note, my training for Kilimanjaro is still ticking away nicely! On May 3rd I had a new walking partner…Jed!

The weather was beautiful, the walkers were willing, and Knocklayde was beckoning! Now, I have taken grown men up this hill, and some have said “never again”, it can be a bit of a slog, if you are not used to it, but I thought I would give Jed a go up it! He is not long past his fifth birthday, so I thought we’ll go at his pace, stop for a break when he wants, and I was prepared to carry him, if need be. I had told him about it often enough, so he was excited about going.

What an achievement at 5 years old!
As you can see…we made it!

What is not immediately apparent from the photograph, is that Jed walked the whole way! That is up and down again! He did really well! It got quite windy on the way down, and we had a lot of fun, with Jed barely able to stay on his feet!

We had great views of Rathlin Island, and Scotland, from the top, and as we were going through Ballycastle Forest, returning to the car, we saw some wild deer, which was a great treat for Jed (and me!)

I’ll have some more hill-walking posts soon!

May 13, 2008 | Filed Under Keren, Training | 6 Comments

In the Mournes with the Bannside Ramblers!

We had another great day walking in the Mourne Mountains, on the 5th April, with the Bannside Ramblers.

Here are a few shots from what turned out to be a day with fantastic weather, and good company as well. We made exceptionally good time travelling down, and we had the rare opportunity of a café, to start the days walking from.

Great Start!

We commenced our walk from Meelmore Lodge, and their café was open when we arrived. Having 45 minutes before the walk was due to start, we didn’t need much encouragement to try out the local cuisine!

Verdict….Excellent start to the day, with real coffee, and a very tasty sausage & egg buttie!

As you can see, we had great weather, with dramatic clouds never far away, leaving you with the knowledge that conditions could change rapidly…reason enough to be prepared for the worst conditions.

The views were fantastic, can you spot James and Kenny waving?

What do you think of this Landrover Jed?

This belonged to the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team! Thankfully we didn’t require their services!

God willing, my next walk in the Mournes will be on May Day, where I will be supporting my companions for Kilimanjaro, as they raise money for the BCFC Academy, in Kitale, Kenya. Details can be found here, if you wish to join us!

It is a great way to spend the day!

April 28, 2008 | Filed Under Training | 2 Comments