Wicklow 200 Training Plan
Folks, we are now
into April, which means its less than 2 months to our big challenge, the Wicklow 200.
Below I’ve drafted up a cycling plan which is aimed at
building up our stamina and climbing ability, so that come the start of June,
we are at the peak (no pun intended) of our physique.
As well as training hard for the event, I would advise that
you eat sensibly and keep yourself well hydrated. Stick to solid/raw beetroots
initially, switching to the liquid
format in the week before the event itself.
We’ll use the Sunday cycle as the basis for our training,
with the option of introducing the famous "Ascention Monday” runs if deemed
necessary.
Sun 6th April:
2013-Derry Slam route. Maghera,
Garvagh, Ballerin, Dungiven, head for Park but cut off for Moneyneena, then
Draperstown, Tobermore and home. A distance of 50 miles.
Sun 13th April:
The Day 2 route of the Tour of Ulster (ToU).
Maghera to Feeney, Burnfoot, Limavady, Bellarena, Downhill, Bishop’s Road,
Drumsurn, Dungiven and home via Glenshane Pass.
78 miles.
Sun 20th April.
Easter Sunday. TBC
Mon 21st April. Easter Monday. A reconnaissance trip up to the Ballycastle –
Cusendall road so that we can all see where the KOM for the Giro Stage 2.
Route will probably be Ballymoney, Ballycastle, KOM, Cusendall and back to
Maghera. About 80 miles.
Easter week. I’m off
work that week so will probably do another day’s cycling, maybe on the Thursday. TBC.
Sun 27th April.
The Copeland Charity event is on this week and it is traditional for
Carn Wheelers to be well represented. We
will thus use this event as the basis for our training run on this day. So,
cycle up to Cookstown, do the Copeland run, cycle home to Maghera and
then cycle some more so that we do a 100 miles.
Sun 4th May.
ToU is on this weekend so I expect to be marshaling. No formal group training session today.
Mon 5th May.
May Day Bank Holiday. As soon as
we get red up with the ToU today, we’ll
be hitting the slopes -- maybe do Matty’s brae a few times. TBC.
Sun 11th May
Giro weekend. Route TBC
Sun 18th May
Precise route TBC but should include Slieve Gallian, Cullion, Davagh, Birren, Temple Road, Legavalion Road,
Plantation Road, Matty’s, Lagan’s.
Sun 25th May
Ballymena, Carnlough, Cusendall, Cusendun, Torr Head, Ballycastle, Bushmills, Ballymoney, Kilrea, Maghera. 100 miles
Sun 1st June.
This is the last Sunday we have before the Wicklow 200 itself. I will seek advice from my sports physiologist
and mentor, Dr. Google, to see if we
should be gearing-up or gearing-down on this day. Route TBC.