Gaelforce 24 hour cycle-future traing plans RAI

I finally managed to do a 24 hour cycle.The gaelforce provided a great opportunity to test myself on a 25km loop over 24 hours to see where I was at in my training of which I wasnt too sure at all.I hadnt done much cycling in the last 2 weeks and practically no cycling in the last week.I had a small twinge on the insertion point of my tendon on the side of my right knee and so was keen to rest.Looking back on my training I had been doing a lot of hard sessions and pushing big gears hard consecutively.I havent been getting any massages either.I had been working in Wicklow for 2 weeks close to the mountains and so for the week before the 24 hour I did some hill running on Lugniquilla,Table Mountain,Camara hill and Keaden during the week.This gave my knee a rest but still got some great 2-4 hour workouts.I burnt a lot more calories also during these sessions and lost a little weight during the week.I did no training in the two days before the 24 hour cycle,arrived in Newport Co. Mayo on the Friday night and stayed in a B and B in Newport.I registered for the race Saturday morning and went back to the bed in the B and B until 12.I felt well rested and strong before the race.The race started at 2p.m. and the aim was to cover as many 25km loops as possible in the 24 hours.I had drove the course the night before and it was a tough course.Much of the course was narrow roads with a significant amount of gravel in the middle and on the side of the road with many potholes.As a result one had to really concentrate throughout the race to avoid braking on the gravel and falling. There was some steep short climbs in the first half of the course.
My friend and crew member Brian was there to provide me with a constant supply of food and drinks throughout the 24 hours.
We started with a one mile run with the mountain bikers along a track before the cycle.I was towards the front getting on the bike and got off to a quick start.The first few laps naturally felt easy and I kept the intensity low doing the first few laps in around an hour. Brian supplied me with fresh water bottles each time I entered the tranistion to record my time.Beautiful weather and scenery. The 25km loops were great because the laps were not too long. Drivers were not allowed to drive behind the rider as in long distance races-It would have been a hindrance to cyclists with the narrow roads and looped circuit.By half way stage I was a lap up.Having Brian there to provide me with hot food such as pasta with tuna and chicken made a significant difference in how I felt and was great for morale.
It was only dark for about 3 hours as it got bright again around 2.30am. I rode conservatively at night due to the road conditions.I took no sleep breaks throughout the ride.On the 13th and 14th lap there was no sign of Brian with a change of water bottle and some food.I went to the back of my car which was just inside the tranisition area and quickly snatched and scofffed at whatever I could lay my hands on before heading out on the 15th lap(Brian said it was like a bear had rumaged through everything)I felt really sleepy on this lap and contemplated taking a sleep break on the side of the road for 30 mins.I also contemplated asking one of the marshalls standing at one of the crossroads could I hop into his campervan on the side of the road for a quick snooze.I was barely moving at 9km per hour and felt really bad with 8 hours left to go in the race.All sorts of thoughts went through my mind as I slowly wobbled towards transtion.I really could'nt see how I was going to feel any better and decided I would need a sleep break if I ever made it back to transition. When I finally made it back in a very slow lap time of 1hr 25 mins Brian told me later I had looked dreadful and since he had slept through my last two laps he thought he had ruined the race for me.My lower back was really stiff and sore from the constant rattling on the bike from hitting bumps and potholes.I sat down in the large tented area where one could check lap times and placings and Brian gave me some tea and some fruit and fibre which was brill.After a few minutes Keith Heary in second place came into the tent and went out on the course.This gave me a great incentive to go out and catch up with him and so after a few minutes rest and more food I felt much better and continued on the 16th lap.It was'nt long before I caught Keith.I had only been introduced to him before the race.We cycled the lap together and chatted away and I completed the lap in a much faster time than my previous lap in 1hr 7 mins.Keith took a break and I proceeded directly into my 17th lap.Its amazing how things can change in long distance racing and the decisions one has to make during key moments when one is struggling.These are the decisons we make that define us. Within one hour I had gone from been absolutely wrecked and demoralized to feeling strong and confident.I was keen to push it on and get as many laps as possible hoping for 20.However I did slow on lap 18 and Keith passed me bringing the gap back to 1 lap again.He called it a day after 17 laps and I did one more very slow lap in 1hr 37 mins to bring my total to 19 laps and 500km(the laps were a little over the 25km).
My recovery has been very good and I had no problems with niggles etc except the usually muslce stiffnes in my rhomboids and neck muslces which I need a lot of work on-massages etc.
My friend Brian really enjoyed the experience and has been enthusiastically drawing up plans of my projected pace timings for the Race Around Ireland, food plans etc. which is brilliant. My next big training event will be in appox 4 weeks time when I will do half of the Race Around Ireland route. Kilkee-Limerick-Tralee-Sneem-Mizen Head-Youghal and onto Wexford,Wicklow and Navan - 700 miles I will do it in two 24 hour legs with 3-4 hours rest in between with the crew.