Quest Glendalough. For many, it will be their first exposure to adventure racing, it was mine. And looking back now at photographs and remember some of the rookie errors I made, I can only laugh. It was all part of the fun. Part of the learning curve. Football socks, the shorts, and carrying enough kit [...]
Getting into Team Adventure Races - All you need to know! So have you ever wondered what is needed to compete in a Team Adventure Race. We spoke to seasoned race Lorraine Horan of the Crafty Divils and she gave us the low down on what you need to get started as well as [...]
There are only weeks to go till you try and knock lumps out of your time from last year. You are training away, hard, trying to prep yourself as best you can for it. But what if there was a way you could actually do the course or chunks of it without actually having to [...]
With all that is going on and races being cancelled/postponed left, right and center, all our best laid plans, training schedules have been thrown out the window...right? Well not necessarily... It's a strange title for a blog but it's something that may be a foreign concept to a lot of people out there. Like every [...]
EIR - Exercise Induced Rhinitis Do you suffer from a continuous runny nose every time you go out for a run or spin on the bike. No matter how much Vitamin C you pump into yourself, it just won't stop. In 2019, I was in the middle of the second cycle of Quest Killarney (Expert route). [...]
With the day light hours getting shorter and the night’s drawing in, we shift our attention towards training and more importantly training safety. If, like us here at Kayathlon, you like to head off into the trails to catch some miles, some peace and some quiet, then you are more than likely going to be [...]
This is a piece I wrote about beating that post Ultra race blues. But let's face it, you don't have to have completed an Ultra to the get the lows of post race come downs! It can happen to anyone after completing any distance. Hopefully this will set you straight :) ======= You have completed your [...]
30 Commonly Used Buzz Words in Adventure Racing If you are a first timer to Adventure Racing, you might be wondering what the hell everyone was spouting on about. Well get ahead of them and drop a few of these beauties into your next AR related conversation...transition seamless ;) Barkley - A course that [...]
Before Christmas, I noticed a new fitness class designed for Athletes being announced on Bookface which made perfect sense and I was surprised I hadn't heard of anything like it before. It was a yoga class designed to build strength and flexibility along with all the other good things you get through Yoga. These are key [...]
Are you new to Adventure Racing or looking to brush up on your skills? If so, check out John Phelan - The Bikefit Physio. He is running a limited spot workshop this coming January. John Phelan BSc MSc MISCP, PS, it’s a non-alcoholic beer! John hails from Dungarvan and is making a [...]
So you have done the training, cut back on the chocolate, and convinced yourself to turn up for that leap of faith...Your first Adventure Race. What you are about to feel next is normal and you will most likely be able to relate to the vast majority of thoughts listed below. Give yourself a point [...]
So, are you one of the many, who gets so wound up the night before a race, that sleep just isn't an option. Check out these 7 methods of getting you race ready. Do not overthink it! OK, show of hands how many of us have been lying in bed into the early hours, [...]
Like the thousands before you, you have tried this Adventure Racing lark and you caught the bug. Only thing is now you want to up the ante and move to the middle distance but haven't a clue where to start! well...read on! We constantly get questions about the different aspects of adventure racing and one of [...]
1. INJURY PREVENTION In order to minimize the opportunity of getting injured, you should really try and get off the hard surfaces. Those high impact surfaces. The ones that batter the joints i.e. concrete, tarmac. Over time these will absolutely crucify the body. 2. A CHANGE IS ALWAYS GOOD Monotony can be killer. Motivation levels can [...]
We receive many questions from people new to Adventure Racing and one of the most popular ones is about trail running. What should I wear, how far do I need to run, is it difficult....So we have broken it down here for you all. Hopefully answers some of your questions...but keep them coming! Go green! [...]
Doing your race home work could be the making and breaking of you! Especially if its your first time competing in that race. Let me elaborate on that. Adventure/multi-sport races are about endurance. Spreading your energy levels out. So not knowing what is around the corner could be the undoing of you. I have seen first [...]
With The Blackstairs Adventure Race, Clare Island Adventure Race & Gaelforce Connemara Adventure Challenge fast approaching, it's important you will not be left wanting at the starting line. Check out these 20 tips to help you make the most of your day! 1. Gear Up If you are a [...]
1. Injury prevention In order to minimize the opportunity of getting injured, you should really try and get off the hard surfaces. Those high impact surfaces. The ones that batter the joints i.e. concrete, tarmac. Over time these will absolutely crucify the body. 2. A change is always good Monotony can be killer. Motivation levels can [...]
Getting on-board This is the first in a series of blogs to help build your confidence and skills around the one bit of the race you probably haven’t trained for! That’s OK though I am sure you have been kayaking before on a school tour or on a summer camp and you ran across the boats [...]
With big calendar races like Quest Glendalough & Shore 2 Summit coming this weekend, the queries have started to filter through again. One of the more common questions we receive is on "Carb Loading" and do I need to carb load and if so how much? So before I answer that, lets see why we need Carbs at all... [...]
For anyone who has ever gotten the heavy legs after transitions, you know it can be very frustrating. But there are ways & tricks to get around it. Before I tell you those, lets get to understand why exactly it happens. Reason 1: When cycling, the blood is mainly directed up into the quads in [...]
Whilst training, it's sometimes easy to get carried away and think you're invincible. Do not get me wrong, it's so important as a self-motivator to be in the frame of mind that no hill is too steep or no distance too long...It's essential that we get in a positive frame of mind to maximize our [...]
So the big day has arrived and you are bursting the traps trying to get out and own that mountain...well take note of the following pointers to avoid disaster. Every athlete at some stage or another has fallen foul to a couple of these...no matter what level they are at. Rest There is an old Irish [...]
Your first steps into the world of multi-sport/adventure racing may be daunting but fear not. I will admit when I first decided I was going to give it a go, I was intimidated, not least by the race itself, the training involved to get me up to speed but from a financial side of things. What [...]
Until late last summer, I would equally look forward and fear the 2nd day pains...You always knew that in order to get those pains, you have been doing something right. As the old wise ass in the dressing room would gleefully proclaim "Sure that's just weakness leaving the body". And to a point he would be [...]
