• Latest Posts

  • Monthly Archive

  • Meta

National Sprint Championships – Athlone, 6th July 2013

Posted on July 13, 2013 by racing795

[Report by Don Morrissey, video from Triathlon Ireland]

Despite the course misgivings and previous years’ disappointments, some Racing795 hopefuls headed to Athlone, this time for the National Sprint Championships. Raging Bill, Comsummate PJ, Mega Mike and my good self were the protagonists. The course setup and routes were different than previous years with further changes over night, which included different swim route, the longest transition in history, mount lines being changed and then changed again and an extra thousand turns added to the run route, so it it was fair to say not going to be a PB course. Myself Mike and PJ lined up together with Raging Bill a wave in front. That meant “game on!”.

A new set of goggles leaked after just two strokes meant for a difficult swim and for a change I found myself in a bunch fighting for position instead of drafting off some swim guru. Out of the water in solid but unspectacular 13.23, Bill next in 14.42, PJ next in 14.45 and Mike in an impressive 15.15. After running forever, eventually got to my bike. After some mount/dismount recce, I arrived at a red line, which clearly stated ‘Mount Line’, only to be screamed at by an official, no it’s up here. I replied rather loudly ‘That’s a bleep bleep bleep bleep and so on…. Was half expecting a card for abuse 😮

Out on the bike and hit with a bloddy hill and then a bloody wind with 25 degrees of sunshine draining the soul and as far as I’m concerned, one of the hardest bikes to date. Mr. Garmin apparently consulted that the bike was 800 metres longer than advertised and the last three kms was like a peleton, with little chance to hammer it to dismount. I managed a solid 35.11, PJ managed an impressive 35.41 (holy shit that was close), Bill next with an excellent 36.27 and Mike with 38.31. After another eternity, we were out onto the run.

The new design didn’t particularly suit me, with lots of small drags, downhills and several 180’s, so with my big frame, I struggled. The heat didn’t help and a stitch that I managed to pick up running through transition weighed heavily. Of course I met all three on the first lap of the run, so lap two was going to be interesting. Bill was a lap ahead so I didn’t see him again, but when I met PJ for the second time, he had gained and I had only half a lap left and Mike had made major gains. So I put in the hardest 4-5 mins I ever did trying to make up some time. Unfortunately after another consultation with Mr. Garmin, he has suggested the course was approx 200 metres short, but Mikes time of 18.20 was amazing and definitely split of the day (PJ reckoned he went too slow on the bike 😀 ). I arrived next with 19.20, PJ just behind in 19.29 and Bill with 19.36. The true times may have been a little closer to 20 mins but all in all very impressive runs in the heat and on a technical course.

Overall I finished in 1.12.33, PJ next in 1.14.51, Bill next in 1.16.29 and Mike in 1.17.39. All excellent results, all completely bolixed afterwards, all happy to be finished and all moaning once again about Athlone and that we won’t be back. So we’ll see you all next July!

Results

Filed under: News, Tri Race Reports | Leave a comment »

Hell of the West – Kilkee, 29th June 2013

Posted on July 1, 2013 by racing795

Frank and his mate Gavin Noble share a pizza.

[Report by Frank Burke]

Arrived down Friday night to very bleak conditions. Sky on the ground and v little visibility. Registered and picked up a class H of W jacket (worth the entry fee) and great goodie bag. Drove bike and run route. happy with bike route and knew wind would be an issue. Run was seriously steep for 5K :o

Sat morn was a little better weather-wise. Sea not as choppy as the night before. 728 triathletes took part. Wave 1 saw off Gavin Noble (see photo where we shared a pizza :D ) who was the last onto the beach for his swim, but first out of the water. Wave 2 saw off the aul lads and the women. Serious washing machine/boxing match in first 400m of swimming as no room to swim due to 350+ all heading off together. Conditions were tougher than last year according to race briefing that morning, so swim was very tough swimming out to sea against a west wind. Ploughed on regardless and sighted a lot to reduce the amount of zig-zagging. Very happy with swim and onto bike. Course suited me as non-technical and lots of straight stretches. Passed a lot on the bike and felt good as no cramp issues unlike Athy (kicked a lot less in the swim this time). End of bike was bizarre as there was an accumulation of cyclists on the uphill into the face wind for last 3k, where it was more like a peleton than a time trial, as no one could push on enough to get past. Tried but was swallowed up by the group 1km down the road. Spun into Kilkee having covered 44k in 1hr 19min. Best transition to-date and off on run. Seriously scenic and sun came out. Lots of climbing and steadily got faster as legs gradually felt like my own.After about 3k pushed on getting strength from somewhere, got to 5k turn around and flaked down the hills. Saw i was on for sub 2hr 40min and hit 9k on 2hr 36min on the nose. 300m uphill faced me and then downhill to finish and tried to hit a sub 4 min k finish, but didn’t manage it, however it was a great target to leave all efforts on the course!

Results

First time to do this tri and it won’t be my last. Great, great tri, seriously well organised and some spread of food afterwards. Kilkee is beautiful in the sunshine and so so bleak in the mist. Is it tougher than Beast of the East? In my opinion – no, but they are very different but must-do tris.

Thought of Martin a lot while on the course especially during the swim and cant help but think the surge on the run was down to thoughts of him. Finally,  I know why it’s so so important to be part of a club – this was the first time I did a tri without other club members and wouldn’t be quick to repeat this… but this was always Martin’s race, so glad I did it.

Filed under: News, Tri Race Reports | Leave a comment »

TriAthy Olympic and Sprint – 1st June 2013

Posted on June 11, 2013 by racing795

The gang in Athy, too many to list, you know who you are!

[Report by Frank “Where’s Frank?” Burke]

The first day of June 2013 finally arrived and a large crew of Racing 795ers headed for Athy on Saturday morning. Eight of us competing in the Olympic and one in the Sprint with three who had to cry off through injury/illnesses, so we were well represented again this year.

This tri is one of the better organised ones, and considering they dealt with 2000+ triathletes over 4 different events, I thought they did an excellent job again. Closed roads on the bike route is the main attraction for me.

The ladies were off early with Orla in wave 1 followed by Dena and Louise in wave 2. Mike was off in wave 4, Paul in wave 5, myself in wave 6, Adrian in wave 8 and PJ in wave 9. This went like clockwork and hats off to the organisers! Waiting on the bank was considerably warmer than last year, so there wasn’t the usual dread of getting into the cold water.

The swim was pleasant and the current for the 600m upstream wasnt too strong. During my own swim, I came across a swimmer that had a poorer sense of direction than myself, which takes a bit of doing! He swam straight across a few of us an ended up head first in the reeds.

Out of the swim for all and onto the bike course, which comprised of 50:50 technical to non –technical. Surfaces were ok and the volume of cyclists on the road was definitely up on last year due to overlap with the double olympic race. Passed a lot of cyclist but got passed by three guys which left me looking down at the pedals to check if I was moving at all. Serious speed merchants. One of these had a mechanical up the road, so I passed him again. 10 minutes later he flies by me!  I didn’t meet any 795ers on the bike course. Into transition and while wrestling with my runners, a marshal comes over asking “How much did ya pay for the bike” which I duly ignored. He goes again “ Jaysus, tis a lovely bike, what ya pay for it?” Gave him his answer to get rid of him and off I went on the 10k run. Met Mike on his way back and he was flying.

This run course is not for the purists and was v v busy so rhythm was not easy, as everyone was constantly checking their stride to avoid oncoming runners or to overtake runners on a very narrow path. Came across Louise and Paul H on the return leg – exchanged a few words of encouragement and on we went. Nice to finish having left it all out on the course, to shouts of encouragement from all the other 795ers and the extended support (fair play to Wild Bill, Fintan, Tracy, all the Hogans, Yvonne and Kids, Ann-Marie). Mike, PJ and Orla who had already finished were there to cheer in the remainder. Hutton was in shortly after me and then Louise. Adrian was still out on the course and knowing his strong running, we reckoned something must have been up. Lack of nutrition found him out on the day, but the lesson has been learnt and the credit card got a lashing Sat night as he ordered all sorts from Wiggle!

Next off was Niall who we ran into in transition and he was facing his first race in open water. A daunting task for anyone. He had the prep done though and having purchased a “black” wetsuit – yes a new brand that none of us had heard of, he faced the Barrow. Got through the swim without any mishap and you could hear the sigh of relief in Bunclody as he got back on terra firma. Flaked round on the bike and did a great run….for a 59 year old!!

Now to the results, PJ finished top again for his second tri of the season, Orla and Dena put in sterling performances with Orla just pipping it this time. Mike belies his age (I reckon he’s about 37) with a serious performance and Paul H did very well considering he was obviously suffering with the hip injury as he finished the run. Adrian had a fantastic swim time and learned a valuable lesson along the way. Louise is improving all the time as she builds up her experience in her first year doing tris. I was very happy with my swim above anything else as James Dooley’s coaching is starting to show. While PJ’s performance was top dollar, the weekend belongs to the witty Dub (that blew into Bunclody on a bike) wearing a black wetsuit. Fair play to the crew who travelled over again in the evening to cheer him on – that is what being in a club is all about!

Filed under: News, Tri Race Reports | Leave a comment »

Fingal 3DTri Sprint – 19th May 2013

Posted on May 24, 2013 by racing795
20130524-092806.jpg

Orla in full flight in Fingal

[Report by Orla O’Leary]

I don’t know which is more daunting. My first tri or my first race report…but here goes.

Excited kids dispatched safely to Mairead and John, Dean and I head home to pack bags, bikes and car for our 5am start the following morning. I’ve googled a ‘tri stuff list’ and we tick off the numerous items required. This is complicated, but exciting. We arrive early and enthusiastic at 6am, only to learn we are in wave 4 and will not be starting till at least 9.30. Oh well, a chance to get set up and take in the atmosphere and check out all the other competitors. Don’t say you never do it – we all do! Get bikes out of the car and I decide now is the time to learn how to put the wheels on. I do, but smear my 795 hoodie with oil in the process, great. Next check the tyre pressure. Frank says 100 – 120. Then Dean catches me cleaning a smidgen of dirt off Joy’s bike with a baby wipe. Frank says that’ll save me 30 seconds Then I dither about whether I try the bike shoe thingy getting on and off the bike. Dean sensibly reminds me to do the simplest thing and get on with it. Then Dean, who doesn’t have a tri belt, tries to work out if he has to turn his shirt around back-to-front for run to display number on right side (!), but luckily we are given two numbers.

Transition set up is mad, I spend more time checking out my neighbours’ set up than my own. Its a whole new world! Despite the talc-in-socks look being in vogue we decide to scrap the socks and glad we did too. Then we realise we didn’t bring sandals or spare shoes to wear so from now on its easy to spot the newbies going around barefoot.

Being in wave 4 was an advantage in the end as it was good to see how it all works and watching the tired bodies get out of the water was interesting. I can see how open water swimming is a better playing field. In the pool, all 12 people in each lane started on the same whistle so some hadn’t actually started their race till others in their lane had completed 50 metres. When it came to our start, Dean opted to lead his lane as a few of them all had the same predicted time. I’m sure James would have been proud as he did a great swim and having that start really helped. I made the mistake of being too diplomatic, only to have to swim breaststroke for first few lengths. Lesson learned. Otherwise, swim was grand, though looking forward to open water ones.

Run to transition and onto the bike, I just had to slot on the helmet, shoes and tri belt and I was off but Dean had to put some clothes over his French vending machine swimmers, so I clawed a few seconds back on him there (not that we were competing or anything!). I absolutely LOVED the bike leg. Really concentrated on keeping cadence high and pulling legs up. Had a real ding-dong with number 331, passing eachother numerous times over the course of the 15km (I eventually pipped him on the run from dismount to transition). Dean and I pass by eachother on the bike leg out and back, words of genuine encouragement exchanged.

Into the runners and out of transition and….boom….energy gone, HR soaring, breathing laboured, legs like jelly. What the hell is this, I think. That is one crazy feeling and I admit I did not train for it or expect it in such high voltage! Forced myself to slow down after about 500 metres as I knew I was in trouble, just had to talk myself into regaining control and relaxing but concentrating on good form. After 2km I felt a little better and had finally found a rhythm. Then I heard foot steps and breathing behind me and, red rag to a bull, I wasn’t going to let them any nearer me if I could help it. It was like the grim reaper on my back for the rest of the race and it, weirdly, helped. Then, at about 500 to go, this long, lean, machine comes up alongside me and mutters something. I grunt and we both go for it, but he has the gas left in the tank that I don’t. As he looks back to make sure he has me, I actually don’t mind, as I’ve given it my all (Though afterwards he thanks me for doing the hard work!). As with the bike leg, Dean and I cross paths on the run. I can see that I am gaining on him but know he is too far ahead to catch him. But to be honest, it was a personal endeavor for both of us and I salute the MTB poster boy on his 52 second victory! But….ask us about our first tennis match back in 1998 and that is a different story….

Post race analysis with fellow competitors and then shower and hit the road for home, via lunch at Avoca in the sunshine. Nice.

Stats:
Dean Swim 13.51. T1 2.13 Bike 28.32 T2 1.07 Run 23.10 Total 10.08.17
Orla Swim 15.2 T1 1.46 Bike 28.43 T2 1.12 Run 22.00. Total 1.09.09
Full results

Filed under: Tri Race Reports | 1 Comment »

Tri an Mhí CXIII, Lough Lene – 18th May 2013

Posted on May 21, 2013 by racing795
20130521-150422.jpg

“The little engine that could” Ruairi still smiling despite the cold!

[Race report by Ruairi Gough]

Well, Saturday the 18th of May came round in a blink, it was time to put three months of training into practice and do the half ironman I had booked in January. Thanks to my darling wife I was let stay in Dublin Friday night and get some sleep, Claire and the kids arrived in Dublin at 8.30am on Saturday, while I was in the middle of eating my porridge! So car packed and a rough idea of where we were going to ‘Somewhere near Mullingar’ and off we went. When we arrived at Lough Lene, we were directed up a lane way for parking along a ditch, Claire (3 mths pregnant) was not impressed to say the least ‘What I am supposed to do for 7 hours?, ehhh support the race!
So off we went to transition and set up the bike, ran into Alex Williams who was also doing the race, and told him I would see him on the podium!
Race briefing came around fast enough, and we were told the swim was being cut short to 750 metres from 1900m, bit disappointing to say the least, but based on the water current probably a wise decision, as it was a number of people were pulled out. I have never felt water so cooooooool!!! except for courtown when we swam in it last summer, I was thinking to myself nice one lads! We must do more of that. I think other competitors and probably stronger racers just could not get over the water temperature. The race marshal had told us there was a 20 minute limit on the swim and then we would be pulled out, I thought to myself, I am not coming all the way to Meath to get hauled out of the swim, I wanna finish this mofo!

So out of the swim and into T1, was a bit shook from the water and only realised after that my chip came off my leg when I pulled off my wetsuit. Left transition to head out on the cycle and 1 mile in thought to myself ‘Wheres my chip?’ Cycle went really well which is testament to spinning every week for three months and putting some good work into my cycling recently. Two laps of a fast course to be fair, the only hiccup came at 16km and 61km where there was a sharp steep climb. While the cycle was long I felt strong on it and believe I completed it in 3 hours 30 minutes based on Claire’s photographic evidence. Cycle over and headed into transition where I stripped off some gear and put my chip back on, I figured if they had two times they could figure out the rest. Apparently Claire said afterwards that some of the racers gave up after the cycle as they had been consistently cold since the swim, what do they expect spending 2 – 3 hours on a bike in a trisuit on a freezing wet showery day?

So re-racked the bike and figured only the run left, 2 down one to go. Headed out on the run which was two laps around a circuit, heading through Fore village. The run was actually pretty pleasant but the legs started complaining, and the wheels were coming off just slightly until a steward said “I know what you need, a drink of coke!”. As I was heading out on the run for my first 5km, Alex was running the other direction heading towards 16km, that podium finish was drifting further away! The run was incident free and fairly uninteresting, the highlight being the drink of coke and the jaffa cake I got in Fore village at 10km. I must say the thought did briefly enter into my mind, I wonder if I could do double this distance? That thought soon passed as I headed for 19km and I thought to myself ‘Lets just get this done and live to fight another day’ Heading down the lane towards the finish line and passed Claire waiting for me, finished at last. After a consultation with Claire we figured my finish time as 6 hours and seven minutes. As I write this I have submitted pictures and a report about my missing timing chip to the race organisers, so we will see what the outcome is. In Summary – Good fast race where the genius that came up with the race description actually did a pretty good job, Lough Lene was ‘gin clear’ and the bike route was fast, except for two little climbs at 16km and 61km up the same hill. On to the next!

Filed under: Tri Race Reports | Leave a comment »

« Previous Page — Next Page »