Not quite running but Hills nonetheless :) and some music

Marathon Training in the Hills

After discovering the joys of hillwalking earlier in the year and the wonderful scenery that Kerry has to offer, I decided that it was time to check out Ireland's fourteenth Munro in Tipperary - Galtymore.
(A Munro being a peak or summit over 3000 feet).
Galtymore is Ireland's only inland Munro.
With just under a 2 hour journey, leaving a grey Tralee, I heard 'Lifted' by the Lighthouse Family for the first time in ages.  Would I be lifted today?

The Norwegians, www.yr.no had predicted a good clear day in Tipp. The spirits were good and I look forward to getting some work done, in preparation for my next marathon, without pounding the pavements.

I switched the Radio to 'Marty in the Morning' on Lyric FM. Maybe it's an age thing, but, hey, the music is good.  Hitting the county bounds, the greyness turned to wet as I drove Kishkeam and Boherbue. Had the Norwegians got the weather wrong or were these Cork boys just being Rebels?

Entering Mallow, Marty played Blue Skies by Ella Fitzgerald - and the sun broke through for the first time. Class.
And then a little further on 'Oh, What a Beautiful Morning' from Gordon MacRae.

Today is going to be a good day.

Mountains and Sun

Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber had me nice and relaxed as I entered Ballyhoura Country.


Note to self. I must check out the Mountain Bike trails in Ballyhoura.

But Ballyhoura Country was playing on my mind. A country within a country? What are the citizens of Ballyhoura called? Ballyhoorians? Bally-hoors?

Anyway, before long, I was in Mitchelstown and heading towards the three counties village of Kilbeheny - given it proximity to Cork, Limerick and Tipperary.

The day was brightening up and the Galtee Mountains were in full view. I passed a small sign for the Galtymore climb but the one I was looking for was after the wonderfully named village of
 Skeheenarinky. Turning off the old Dublin - Cork road, I drove for three kilometres until I ran out of road - and reached a small car park.
.

Fair dues to these weather boys and girls, this was the view that greeted me when I stopped.  


The Knockmealdown mountains on the Tipperary Waterford Border.

And Galtymore straight ahead













All set to go..... before Marty played this from Ennio Morricone.  You can't beat a bit of Ennio Morricone.  - La Tenda Rossa.
I had to wait for the phone to fully charge but didn't complain when I had Michael Nyman's - The Heart Asks Pleasure First.  Just great.


A very rocky road lead me through a field,  before hitting the mountain trail.  It looked like I would have to pay a toll in order to pass.

What wonderful creatures!

The sandstone road, which was quite uneven continued for about 3km.  The views were just getting better as I traveled higher.

 South Tipp and Waterford

Cork

Then up ahead was Galtymore

Some more of the natives

The wooded area in this picture is the starting point for the first Galtymore climb signpost that I passed near Kilbeheny

And it leads more directly to the back of Galtymore

As I came to a fork in my rocky road, I headed for the Col between Galtymore and Galtybeg

What views await when I reach the ridge?

This is the Glen of Aherlow
Galtymore on the left, Galtybeg on the right and Cush in the middle distance.

I headed left to Galtymore
Lough Diheen

 A precariously perched sheep

Looking across to Galtybeg

Of course, as I arrived at the top, so did the mist.  It wasn't cold so I waited for it to clear before heading across to climb Galtybeg.  The phone decided it had 'had enough' at this stage and went to sleep.
 
Still, wonderful views. so well worth it.  I will come back and climb it from the North side (Glen of Aherlow) soon.

A round trip of about 11km, with a break on top, took me about 4 hours.

Before I got back to the car, the phone decided it was now well rested and started working again.  Technology!!

Some pictures on the approach to Galtymore via the wooded area.

On my return to Tralee, it was off to Mazza to be fitted up for our appearance in the Rose of Tralee 10km on Sunday next.  A great evening's work.

And yes.  I was Lifted

What a great day!
Den