Sense The Adventure – Wicklow Adventure Race 2012

Wicklow Adventure Race 2012

So, I’ve just arrived in Glendalough, the clouds are looking ominous!!!

I pop my bike into transition and head over to the race breifing – 15 minutes before the start.

It’s so cold – I decide to put on my rain jacket and as I do it starts snowing!!! We line up on the startline and the horn goes off….. I look around to see where I’m to dib in to start my time, I’m panicking and ask a steward, he points me to registration so I run back while everyone else heads off up the spink! I nip back to registration and dib in, I’ve lost a few minutes. I head off and begin the climb up the spink. The first few minutes I’m pushing hard to make up the time I’ve lost, I soon catch-up with the group but I’m soon at walking pace as we’re on the steep path up the spink and it’s only made for single file so I know I’m loosing time. I try to pass where I can but it’s not until I get to the top of the spink that I can really get going, by that stage I’m well down the field. We reach the top of the spink and the whole way up it’s been really tricky underfoot.

Sense The Adventure - Wicklow Adventure Race 2012

On the descent down to the bridge I spot a deer, we both pause before both running in opposite directions! Down to wooden bridge and now I turn towards the lakes and begin descending fast but my lack of downhill running tells as I’m passed by a few competitors. I try to make up time by cutting a corner but this nearly results in me falling over so I decide to avoid that course of action again. I reach the bottom of the descent and begin to pick the pace up, I soon start to reel in the people who have passed me on the descent. I’m moving well coming into the first transition. As I come around the corner before the first transition I go the wrong way – I turn left instead of going straight ahead. No signage…..

I finally get to dib in and move to get my bike, I’m quickly on the bike after taking a quick drink and a gel. I’m off and on the way to Lough Dan, I push hard and I’m in and out of Laragh in no time. I’m soon on the drag up to Lough Dan. There’s a nice sweeping descent into Lough Dan and I enjoy the restpite I get by freewheeling down.

Off the bike and I make the short run to the kayak, “over here, over here” I hear as I get near the lake. I jump in the back of the kayak with God knows who! We move off quickly and we’re making ground on the crews ahead of us. The weather at this stage has completely changed, it’s still cold but the sun has come out:) We get around the kayak course with ease. As we come into the finish of the kayak section I jump out of the kayak and drag the kayak out of the water and up onto grass. I take the life jacket off and say good luck to my kayak partner. I run as fast as I can back to the bike but my feet are soaking!

Sense The Adventure - Wicklow Adventure Race epic.jpg

On the bike and I have another gel and some more fluid. The cycle back up the hill is brutal and the cyle in general up to Djouce is hard going. My legs are beginning to feel it now and my feet are cold from the water at Lough Dan. I get into the Djouce transition and begin the run up to Djouce. The run is scenic and I know some of the route as I’ve mountain biked up here before. But soon we begin the climb to Djouce. At this stage I’m walking. It’s tough on the calfs. I just keep moving one step at a time. I get to the top and the view is stunning. I stop and take it all in before looking behind me to see a few competitors coming up fast. I take off and push hard down the hill. The trail is slippery on the way down so I take my time as now is not the time to fall over and do an injury. After about 15 minutes I’m back on the gravel and nearing transition. I’m praying that there’s no more hills on the bike! I’m also looking at my watch and I’m thinking that it would be great to break 5 hours! But knowing I’ve 26km and a 3km run left to do in just over an hour I know it’s going to be tight.

On the bike I give it everything, I soon begin to pass a few competitors on the road, I’m feeling it. I keep telling myself that I’ll soon be heading downhill…. I reach the turn at Sally’s Gap and begin to head back towards Laragh, I put the pedal down and I’m really moving. It’s not long before I come into Laragh, I can’t believe it. Into the GAA club and I look at the watch, I’ve just under 25 minutes to break the 5 hour mark. I drop the bike off and begin to push on, it’s only 3km! But it’s a hard 3km after a long day cycling,running and kayaking. Fatigue is setting in. My legs are feeling it but I just keep going. I pass the small lake and I know I’m getting close. Soon I see the car park and the turn right - the finishline is in sight. I’m on time to break 5hours. I push on down the home straight and cross the line. It’s 4hrs 55mins by my time sheet. But I clock it closer to 4hrs 52 mins.

So Wicklow Adventure Race is in the bag – it’s dubbed the toughest adventure race in Ireland and it arguably is the toughest. 73km of hard graft. Great race and nice scenic course. I would like to have received a momento though for finishing such a hard course. Maybe the organisers would look at a medal or something for those who complete the course in the future.

Gareth- Presch

Gareth Presch Fitheads

Join the next Challenge

Moxie Adventure Challenge – Go Moxie 2012.

Sense the Adventure, Fitheads – Are supporting Kops4kidz, Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Tania McCabe Foundation in May 26th 2012 – Enter now and €7.50 per entrant goes to the charity of your choice!

http://www.moxieadventurechallenge.com/, Brian Keogh from Total Experience gives insight into The Moxie Adventure Challenge – this course has been designed in collaboration with Bruce Duncan top UK Adventure racer.The challenge starts and ends in Tulfarris House on the shores of the Blessington Lakes and includes: 1.5K Kayak, 30K Cycle and 8K Hill run.

http://www.thedayinthegarden.com/ ,includes fun for adults and children, takes place alongside the adventure challenge and as competitors cross the finish line they are rejoined by friends
and family for food and beverages.

Go Moxie!
soundscape and film created by http://www.tonystledger.com/ for TTV © 2011

Moxie Adventure Challenge, Sense the Adventure, Fitheads – Are supporting Kops4kidz, Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Tania McCabe Foundation in May 26th 2012 – Enter now and €7.50 per entrant goes to the charity of your choice!

Moxie Adventure Challenge, Sense the Adventure, Fitheads - Are supporting Kops4kidz, Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Tania McCabe Foundation May 26th 2012

Moxie Adventure Challenge, Sense the Adventure, Fitheads – Are supporting Kops4kidz, Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Tania McCabe Foundation Blessington, Co Wicklow on May 26th 2012.

The Day in The Garden

Moxie Adventure Challenge - Enter now and €7.50 per entrant goes to the charity of your choice!

Enter now and €7.50 per entrant goes to the charity of your choice!

Join visiting International
Adventure Racers from UK, France, and South Africa…the Irish National
Adventure Team as they prepare for the World series… and 1,500 other Irish
adventurers for the challenge of the season.

The Moxie Adventure course design is a joint collaboration between Total Experience the Irish events management business run by adventure racers and specialist Moxie course consultantBruce Duncan Team adidas TERREX the elite International Adventure racer.

The course – 1.5K Kayak, 30K Cycle and 8K Hill Run. The challenge is
capped at 1,500 competitors for all to fully enjoy the adventure.

No long drives, and no costly overnights, the Moxie Adventure challenge is ONE day in the garden.

The Fit Head Challenge – Sense The Adventure 7th April 2012

9.20 am and we’re all ready to set off – the weather looks ominous as the clouds look like they could open up at any minute! There’s a group of about a dozen of us setting off. All determined to complete the 30km of trail ahead of us. Some more than others, as one of the group had a bit of a late one last night & turned up for the trek having had just 3 hours sleep! This could be interesting!

We set off through Marlay Park and everyone is in great spirits, I can hear cries of “are we there yet?” from the messers at the front! Back packs full with fluid, food and extra clothing in case the weather changes. It’s about 2km before we reach the back entrance of Marlay Park, out the gate and we turn right down towards the M50 flyover. Once we get through the flyover we start our 1st climb of the day and it’s going to be a long one. About 5 minutes into the climb and the chat between the group has somewhat receeded. A clear sign that people are working the legs. We’re still on the road at this point and the road just keeps getting steeper and steeper…… We finally reach the 1st ridge and it begins to level off. I can see the relief on people’s faces!

Sense The Adventure -Fit Head Challenge 2012

We take a short stop and take on some fluids – some people start swapping clothing for jackets they were carrying in their bags – it’s very hot clambering up the hills! First hurdle over – we’ve about 1km before we start the next climb. The view from this point is stunning. The city is so close yet so far at the same time. Most of the group get the cameras out & discuss what they would normally be doing on a Saturday morning – taking in the view of the four walls of their bedroom!

Sense The Adventure - Fithead-Forest Trek

Sense The Adventure - Fit Head-City View

We hit the 2nd climb and manage about 400metres before we actually take another short break, again fluids, but this time we all grab a quick snack. Important to keep the calorie intake going on such a long trek – it’s going to be over 5 hours before we finish.  We push on and the climb just keeps going, one step in front of the next, with groans from a few! We finally reach a point where it levels off and the view of the city is superb – we start spotting the landmarks of the city – the Aviva Stadium, the Convention Centre glistening in the sun & the mass of green space over to the far left that we identify as Phoenix Park. One of the gang commented that the sea & view of Howth could have just as easily been somewhere in the Carribean! Maybe the exercise made her halucinate! But it was breathtaking. The Sun has come out and it’s perfect weather conditions for trekking.

The top of 3 Rock – we sit down and relax for a few minutes and take it all in. The view out to Howth is spectacular and the sea is reflecting the sun.

We soon begin our 3rd climb of the day and move up to the very top of 3 rock mountain. We reach the highest point of our trek and turn right and move completely off road – beautiful rolling hills and forest-covered mountains either side of us – civilisation suddenly feels much more out of reach, which is actually a nice feeling. The surface is tricky underfoot and you need to watch every step. The group is in good shape and we’re moving briskly.

Sense The Adventure - Fithead-Fairycastle

We can now see into Wicklow from the back of 3 Rock. It’s just a stunning view. Plenty of smiles all round as we grab a few snaps. Next stop is the Fairycastle.

We’re now nearing the Halfway point and everyone looks in good shape. We reach the Fairycastle. We look over our shoulders and we can see the TV masts on the 3 Rock where we’ve just come from. It’s quite a trail.

It’s mainly downhill now and we’re moving at speed. No-one is showing any signs of fatigue at this point. We reach the back entrance of Cruagh Wood and decide to stop for lunch. We’re caught in a sun trap and I can feel my face burning from the Sun. The sandwiches are out along with some well deserved chocolate. We’re a little over half way now. A small climb ahead, viewpoint and then down to the Hell Fire club.

We come out of Cruagh Wood and move towards viewpoint. It’s road for a few Kilometres now. We get to viewpoint and there’s some much needed refreshment sought from the local Ice Cream Van! It’s the one time I saw one or two members almost jog! We gather for a quick photo, most of the ice creams are gone by the time the camera has been taken out. The smiles tell a story – people are enjoying themselves.

Down towards the Hell Fire club we go. It’s about 1km down and we move into the left and begin the last and final climd of the Challenge. This is where it begins to hurt. It’s a nasty climb. People begin to feel it. Eimear and Krista pick up big branches in the hope that they can use them as walking sticks to help them up the ascent, but it turns out it just added to the weight they were carrying up the hill, so they were quickly disgarded! Eimear looked in pain, but to be fair, she was out until 4am! A true legend….. We all reach the top and sit down and enjoy the view. The group checks out the Hell Fire club from the inside and out.

We take in the view from all angles of the Hell Fire club, seeing where we’ve come from and where we need to go. It’s all downhill now to Marlay Park. Not one person looks like they’ve just been walking for 5 hours.

The road down is windy but we’re moving a pace. It’s not long before we’re passing Mt Venus cemetary and soon after we’re walking in the back of Marlay Park!

We can all smell the finish at this stage. We finish up at the main house and just in front of another ice cream van! We’ve done it – the Fit Head Challenge 2012 is complete.

Sense The Adventure - Fithead-The Finish

Smiles all round, Mr Fit hands out the finisher medals along with the t-shirts. One final photo of the group is needed before the day is complete.

Well done to everyone who took on and finished the Fit Head Challenge 2012 (30km Trek).

Mr Fit!

Moxie Adventure Challenge TV Commercial – As seen on TV

Over 150,000 miles of adventure racing has inspired this TV spot!

Sense the Adventure and Total Experience present

Moxie Adventure Challenge – The Day in The Garden

26th May 2012 – Starts and ends in Tulfarris House on the shores of the Blessington Lakes and includes: 1.5K Kayak, 30K Cycle and 8K Hill run.

Limited places available – Book Now

Like Sense the Adventure on Facebook

Post Production at Lotus Media – TV commercial Music and Film created by Tony St Ledger © 2012 – Sense the Adventure.com

Moxie Adventure Challenge – Brian Keogh gives an insight into the 2012 Moxie Course

Moxie Adventure Challenge , Brian Keogh from Total Experience gives insight into The Moxie Adventure Challenge – this course has been designed in collaboration with Bruce Duncan top UK Adventure racer.The challenge starts and ends in Tulfarris House on the shores of the Blessington Lakes and includes: 1.5K Kayak, 30K Cycle and 8K Hill run.

The Day in The Garden ,includes fun for adults and children, takes place alongside the adventure challenge and as competitors cross the finish line they are rejoined by friends
and family for food and beverages.

Go Moxie!
soundscape and film created by http://www.tonystledger.com/ for TTV © 2011

Moxie Adventure Challenge – Go Moxie 2012.

Moxie Adventure Challenge starts and ends in Tulfarris House on the shores of the Blessington Lakesand includes: 1.5K Kayak, 30K Cycle and 8K Hill run.
The Day in The Garden, includes fun for adults and children, takes place alongside the adventure challenge and as competitors cross the finish line they are rejoined by friends
and family for food and beverages.

Film created by Tony St Ledger for Sense the Adventure.

Join visiting International Adventure Racers from UK, France, and South Africa…the Irish National Adventure Team as they prepare for the World series… and 1,500 other Irish
adventurers for the challenge of the season.The Moxie Adventure course design is a joint collaboration between Total Experience the Irish events management business run by adventure racers and specialist Moxie course consultant Bruce Duncan Team adidas TERREX the elite International Adventure racer.

Follow Sense the Adventure

Moxie training weekends in South Dublin go to Fitheads.ie

Kops4Kidz.The Gareth Presch Story.The fight of your life!

Where do I start!

kops4kidz-Feb 10th 2012 in the Wright Venue Swords_Photo Tony St Ledger

Fantastic night – Boom!!!!

KOPS 4 KIDZ- The Wright Venue before the Bell -Photo Tony St Ledger

So, I arrive at the Wright Venue and the nerves are building (4pm), 3 hours to showtime, I work away sticking up posters and helping out setting up. The lads from White Collar are as chilled as a cucumber!

KOPS 4 KIDZ This is round One - Card Girl- Photo Tony St Ledger

6pm, the rest of the lads arrive – the atmosphere is building. This is going to be special. Fight briefing over we head over the road to the waiting area. I look around and every boxer is in the zone – in particular, Conor Gleeson! I’m on 7th so I just relax and head back over to the event to see some of the bouts. I soon realise that might not be the best prep as I see the bouts and the nerves set in! 4th bout down and I head back across to get changed. I’m in the zone now. I do some pad work and loosen up. I feel good, Like all the boxers I’ve trained hard for 6 weeks for this fight.

I move over to the Wright Venue – I’m nervous! I move into the back room and the lads are top notch, hats off to them. They really motivate me. Boom,Boom….. Move….

In the Red Corner…. I’m out next! The crowd is just unbelievable. I walk in and the nerves are gone. It’s showtime, a few words from the ref and I focus on the opponent. Dave O’Brien gives me some valuable words and I’m off!! Boom…..

Round 1: I hear the crowd but that’s in the background now – it’s fight time. Alan comes out like a train… my tactics are to move etc. They’re out the window. I just go for it…. Boom,boom, pow! We’re really at it…. I feel good and just keep pounding away. Ding,ding… round one over!

I’m in the corner and my corner reckon I’ve just about won that round – Dave in my corner full of great advice…. what’s said in the corner stays in the corner!

Gareth Presch

Round 2: Alan comes out like a man possessed – boom, he hits me a solid jab and I can tell you I can feel it! He keeps coming and again the tactics are out the window, he pounds me and I then get back at him in the corner…. Ding, Ding…. over to the corner we go.

Alan’s won that round for sure.

Round 3: Dave says it as it is – I have to win this round.

We meet like to planets colliding!!! I just go for it, I just keep focused, I think of my support, my wife Krista who’s put up with me working until the wee hours over the past 3 months and all the lads supporting, Dave and Darran giving me advice etc. I give it everything. I’m wishing every second away as Alan just keeps coming! Ding,ding…. what a relief…. I’m not sure but I can see from the crowd reaction we’ve put on a show and that’s the main thing.

Split decision and I’ve just about won it! All the hard training and effort has paid off. Alan and I gave it everything, like every man who fought last night – we done it for the Kids and CRUMLIN and that’s all you can ask.

The effort and commitment shown by every boxer and everyone who has contributed to the event must be commended.

Gareth Presch and Shane Byrne - Fighters at Kops4Kidz 2012

Tony St Ledger, Gareth Presch and David Conlon Seconds out at Kops4Kidz 2012

From the committee I would like to express my sincere thank you to all. €85,000 – BOOM!!!!

Gareth Presch KOPS 4 KIDZ

Gareth Presch KOPS 4 KIDZ.

Next event, Moxie Challenge – www.moxieadventurechallenge.com Enter code k4k1 when entering before the 1st March and 10% goes to St Johns Ward. See Fitheads.ie for training sessions on the event.

Yes that is €7.50 euro going to KOPS4KIDZ for every entry! Go Moxie!

http://www.facebook.com/Kops4Kidz

donate | live | share | sponsor

On the 10th February 2012 at the Wright Venue - 28 members of An Garda Síochána and 2 Civilians fought to raise over €85,000 for St Johns Ward, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital,Crumlin.

Kops4Kidz. Worth fighting for.

a Tony St Ledger Film for TTV

Music and Film created by http://www.tonystledger.com/ © 2012

Kops4Kidz – It’s €85,000 for St John’s Ward!

Before the Fight – kops4kidz – Feb 10th 2012 in the Wright Venue Swords-Photo Tony St Ledger

BLUE COLLAR FIGHT NIGHT 2012 donate | live | share | sponsor
“KOPS 4 KIDZ” http://www.facebook.com/Kops4Kidz

Sense the Adventure and Total Experience present Moxie Adventure Challenge 2012 – The Day in The garden

Sense the Adventure and Total Experience Present

Go Moxie!

Moxie Adventure Challenge, Saturday May 26th 2012

The Day in The Garden

Adventure Racing in Ireland has a new name, Moxie Adventure Challenge –
The Day in the Garden on Saturday 26th May 2012.

Blessington Landscape - Sense the Adventure - Moxie Adventure Challenge

Join visiting International
Adventure Racers from UK, France, and South Africa…the Irish National
Adventure Team as they prepare for the World series… and 1,500 other Irish
adventurers for the challenge of the season.

Bruce Duncan Team adidas TERREX

The Moxie Adventure course design is a joint collaboration between Total Experience the Irish events management business run by adventure racers and specialist Moxie course consultant Bruce Duncan Team adidas TERREX the

elite International Adventure racer.

The course – 1.5K Kayak, 30K Cycle and 8K Hill Run. The challenge is
capped at 1,500 competitors for all to fully enjoy the adventure.

No long drives, and no costly overnights, the Moxie Adventure challenge is ONE day in the garden.

Blessington Lake Drive and Ballyknockan - Moxie Adventure Challenge

Moxie Adventure Challenge – The Day in the Garden, is a one day adventure
event, designed with all the family in mind and like any event it is a
celebration, in this instance, of life in the outdoors. The event is recognised by
Failte Ireland.

On Saturday 26th, for one day in May we will pitch our adventure carnival by the
Blessington lakes in Wicklow, in the stunning garden of Ireland, and we invite
adventurers, friends and family to join us for a fun day in the garden.

Moxie Adventure Challenge Starts and Finishes at the spectacular Tulfarris House

The adventure challenge, partnered among others by Columbia and Power
Bar, starts and ends in Tulfarris House on the shores of the Blessington Lakes
and includes: 1.5K Kayak, 30K Cycle and 8K Hill run. The day in the garden,
including fun for adults and children, takes place alongside the adventure
challenge and as competitors cross the finish line they are rejoined by friends
and family for food and beverages.

For more Moxie – The Day in the Garden updates check out our media partners:
Sky Media, TV3, 3e, Associated Newspapers

Go Moxie – The Day in the Garden

Limited places available BOOK NOW www.moxieadventurechallenge.com

More information to follow on Sense the Adventure

15 fights with Garda v Garda Novice bouts – This Kops4Kidz and best of luck to all involved tommorow.

Kops4Kidz go to Croke Park for a media briefing and photo shoot.This events is now gaining a real momentum as Kops4Kidz raise funds for St John’s Ward at Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

The event is being staged in the Wright Venue, Swords on Friday 10th February 2012. The night will feature 15 fights with Garda v Garda Novice bouts and introducing Special Guest Boxers.

Support Kops4kidz 

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