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Sat 22nd June
Club spin around the lake. Nice early start of 7am for this one. Cycled into nenagh with two of the girls to meet up with 11 others outside the pool. Rained on the way in so we were already soaked before the cycle even officially started! It's funny how the longer distances don't seem as daunting anymore, just the speed at which the group goes at. Was happy enough for the first 40 or so miles. Had some moments where I thought it was too much and wouldn't be able to keep going for much longer but dug deep and soldiered on. The all of a sudden I went from being out front leading the bunch to rolling off the back as we went up a hill. Spat out and no way I was going to catch them again. I had nothing left in me. One of the lads came back and actually pushed me on and off for about 3 k until we met up with the others at the coffee stop in Mountshannon. Gulped down and energy gel, a mars bar and some sports drink and was ready to go again. Stayed with them for a good while but decided that I couldn't face the back road to Portroe at that speed. One of the girls had left her car in Killaloe and offered me a lift home. I was delighted to accept but then when we gotto the car park I decided I would continue on by myself. I made a pact with myself two weeks ago to stop giving up so easily and avoiding things which really challenge me. So off I went to prove to myself that I'm not a quitter.
As I got to my gate the garmin said 69.57 miles and because I'm me I had to cycle past in order to bring it up to 70.3
Home totally soaked and wrecked but happy with myself for finishing even if I couldn't keep up for the full spin.0 -
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Had a great day in Athlone I have to say. I drove up with another girl from the club and we had a grand ole chat along the way. Parked up and made our way to registration. Quick and easy in and out. I was delighted with the Tshirt. So often they are tents and waaay to big for women. It was nice to get a small one that actually fits and will be used. We met up with some other girls from the club and went off for coffee (not me I only drink water) and a bite to eat.
After a while of lounging about we went back to our respective cars and got ready to go to transition. Cycled over which was my first time doing that. Felt a bit professional Transition scared me- it was miles long!! Running in my bike shoes always hurts my Achilles so I was nervous about how much damage today was going to do for me. Set myself up- it was very tight with the boys bikes so close to ours on the other side. Then climbed over the barrier (hurting my lady parts in the process:o- not the most elegant of moves!) Had another embarrassing moment falling backwards off a wall next- luckily the wall was very low but I still managed to fall back with my legs in the air!
It was way too hot to put on the wetsuit yet so I went off to the toilet for the 5th time since getting to Athlone. No queue- brill! We then walked down to where we thought the start entry was only to find we were at the wrong end of transition and had to walk back again- I was in bare feet and the ground was so hot and sore! Bad idea. Couldn't hear the race briefing. Melted a bit more as things were running late and I was in wave 3.
Finally amid the smell of burning rubber we were allowed in the water. All of a sudden we were off. I waited a few seconds to let the crowd off (how competitive am I? Not!). I was happy with my swim. I pushed it as hard as I could- usually I take it easy as I'm afraid of getting too tired. Two girls near me kept swimming across in front of me and I couldn't get away from them. Was a bit annoying but if I was faster I would have been able to drop them- I just need to swim more. My watch said 18:xx when I looked at it getting out of the water. Slow I though for the effort I had put in but fair enough for the lack of swim training this year.
I thought I would never get to my bike in transition, I was running for ages! I didn't like it, I know it's the same for everyone but it was too long and tight I felt. Anyways the actually transition part went well I felt- no bother with dizziness, only a slight delay with the wetsuit stuck on my left foot. No problems with t-shirts- I decided to be brave and not cover up my flubber. Running to the mount line in my bike shoes was a mistake though- I wasted a lot of time and my bloody Achilles was not happy with me.
Couldn't clip in, my foot kept slipping so wasted more time there. Eventually off, passing a good few people as I made my way out of the town. The headwind surprised me and I was annoyed to be going so slow. I need a bike computer to tell me what speed I'm doing as this guessing by feel is not working for me since the last one broke. Of course after the turn around I was flying- I think it took me 25 mins to go out and 17 to come back in! 42minutes for the cycle. Very disappointed with this as I have been living on the bike for the last few weeks.
T2 involved me taking my shoes off and running with them and the bike in order to save my Achilles. Quick change over (so I thought) then off. Both transitions were terribly slow- so much time lost there it's not funny. Maybe I need to do some practice in this area.
The run course was very tough, I found the hills were killing my calves and Achilles so in the end I just dragged myself around even though I wanted to give up. Loved the support along the way though. Was cool to have so many people along the course. The run course was short so I ended up with 25:32 for whatever distance it was.
Finished in 1:33:52
Disappointed but not down about it. These times are an accurate reflection of the amount of training I've done this year and my own abilities. I'll never be as good as some of the girls in the club but I think with training I can improve on my own times over the years. It's over and done with now and I'll pick up some point for the girls team in the National Series so that's good.
TriAthlone is a good race but it's my second time doing it so I doubt I'll be back next year. Still it was well organised and a fun day out.0 -
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Thanks for the concern guys, I won't push it I promise
Quick swim this morning to see how the shoulder would react. 500 easy metres. I was a bit stiff and sore and felt my back aching a little which caused my legs to be lower in the water but all in all I was happy.
Back home I dawdled around avoiding the inevitable first cycle back since the crash. Eventually I ran out of important jobs to do and so set about getting ready. I have to admit I was scared. I've fallen before and got straight back out but this one has shaken me. Still I had to do it so I bit the bullet and did a 40 min easy spin into Nenagh and back. Glad to saw the body was ok on the bike, had a splitting headache but I think that has more to do with the heat than the fall.
Packing up after lunch and heading to Longford with mr.bally8. I'm kind if hoping the temperature drops for the race tomorrow. Terrible I know, I should be struck down for wishing this fab weather away!0 -
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Solobally8 wrote: »Yip I'm doing the two provinces tri in lanesboro tomorrow. Wouldn't call what I do racing
Good for you Solobally, I hope to be there myself, if I see a bandaged-head blonde I'll be sure and say hi Best of luck in your comeback race! 0 -
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