Wicklow Adventure Race 16th April

[jbodels]

Like Long Course Barry "I'm in"....unlike Long Course Barry "training will start soon..!"

[afoley]

just saw there is a trail shoe/boot only rule in place for this event. having not done any hill running and having no intentions of taking it up, i don't possess such things. reckon they're strict on this???? don't wanna fork out for a pair of shoes for one day.
my mtb shoes are 'dual purpose trail/cycle shoes, http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=46686 but can't imagine running inthose?????........any ideas? then again there's every likelihood that spink would be more a mountain walk than run for me! what kind of shoes the rest of ye wearing?

[DavidF]

well i ain't no adventure racer, but i wouldn't be trying to run in those shoes Aisling, the soles would be far too rigid

[ciara]

I went up the spink the other day, you are right its more like a mountain walk, very steep at the start, no levelling off and a very rocky steady decent with some sleepers. Runners for me, not much mud around. I think its an insurance thing so they conver themselves

[johnd]

I have a pair of trail shoes like these if anyone wants to borrow them:




I also have a pair of these, but there's no cushioning in them so would be suited to muck and grass only



Not sure what the WAR course is like but unless it's all muck grass & heather I reckon I'd chance the New Balance or else a pair of regular road shoes
18k in the innovates is a long way


Both are sized 9.5 but may not be as clean as in the pictures

[afoley]

but i wouldn't be trying to run in those shoes Aisling, the soles would be far too rigid

my sentiments exactly furlong, but that if that crowd who run up mountains are crazy enough to do so, god knows what they wear on their feet!

i'd be happy out doin it in runners but don't want to pay registration and be turned away on the day for not having trail shoes.......

john, thanks for the offer but my little size 5's would be swimmin in those!
we'll see

[DavidC]

I have no business posting on this topic, but why not wear John's clodhoppers while registering and then change into your dainty size 5s when no-one's looking? They might snigger at your big feet but at least you'll be in.

[BShaugh]

A lot of the running is done on the sleepers for Glendalough WAR so if it was dry you'd prob get away with it. In terms of being pulled about the shoes by officals I think
as long as your runners don't look sparkily new bright white runners you'd get away with it, rub a bit of muck on them! Saying that if it's wet and law of averages says it will be
in wicklow mountains in Apoesril you'll have to come down fairly gingerly. What about putting some of those snow grippers on your shoes - might be worth experimenting with those?

[BShaugh]

I asked via the WAR facebook page what do the top bucko's do in terms of shoes - said that most of them don't bring cycling shoes + cleats,
just old fashioned clips, I used clips last year, worked out okay. Hard to know but packing up your shoes 3 times, change and having to carry them on you back might mean
you lost the advantage of having them in the first place. Looks like the course is changed slightly this year, 2nd run is shorter so they've included a short run
at the end.
I also asked about aero bars - the 29km 3rd cycle over the sally gap can be very windy and the road is really bumpy but they said that most of the top lads use them anyway

you have to register and leave the bike up the night before - I'm planning to stay around glendalough the night before for 8am start. What are others planning?

[Tom]

Here is the cheap way of changing your normal runners into cross country/trail runners, and they can be changed back afterwards . I'm sure Jim can supply you with all you need.
http://www.audiofuel.co.uk/our/files/dc ... 7d-126.php

Another link
http://www.teamoregon.com/publication/o ... inter.html