Racing 795

Race report by David Furlong

NPS RD1 hosted by Team WORC, Djouce, Wicklow, 19th April

Our own Blackstairs XC League (preceded for me and DC by a Winter of CX racing) had us in what we thought was reasonable shape, even better than usual for this time of year. Some especially good showings in the Blackstairs XC by DC and Ross had us hopeful of great things.

Djouce is known as probably the most technically difficult place in Ireland to ride, and that coupled with the fact that the host club is XC legends Robin Seymours club, we were expecting a technical challenge. Robin usually lays out difficult course, with steep off-camber always a feature. So we were praying for a dry week leading up to the race, which we thankfully got. Still there was some trepidation, for me especially, having fractured my knee in a race there in 2008.

So off we set, me DC, Ross and Brian – all in S3 category. We arrived to find an ashen-faced Brian after his practice lap. He described two particularly tricky sections..So we went for a track walk – well worth it. What we saw was typical Djouce – steep technical off-camber singletrack down and steep kickers back up. But it was dry!

Practice lap done, time to line up. Ross and DC got themselves on the front of the grid, Brian and me a few rows back. Gun goes – the usual sprint. But we’ve got used to this now and it’s not the shock that it used to be. The CX racing definitely helps.

Ross layed up with the leaders for 2 laps, going out on the third and final lap in 3rd place. But whilst going well, he’s probably not in peak shape yet and finished 6th. Definitely better things to come. DC also flew out the gate and despite a few small mechanicals got into the top 20 in 18th place.

As for me, I was on my new 29er hardtail,which was great. I was happy with my performance – made a few errors near the start but generally rode well. Myself and Brian basically rode the first 2 1/1 laps together, trading places a few times. But the elixir of youth kicked in then and the whippersnapper pulled away..We finished 22nd and 24th respectively – out of a field of 70 odd

All happy. Ross maybe a little disappointed not to hang on to the podium spot, but that will come. DC in the top 20. Brian and I together just a few mins behind DC.

I guage my performance against guys that I am racing against year in year out – including my own clubmates.The last few years I would normally be a few mins behind Brian and 5 or more behind DC…so I closed that gap a little…and other lads that are usually around my position I had well behind me – so on that basis I’m happy with my performance

The next round is next weekend – but it’s in Delphi Co Mayo which is a bit far for me.

So the next race is Rd 3 at the beginning of June

We’ll try to keep the race shape by doing some of the IMBRC club races on Tuesday nights

lastly – thanks to Jim and Brian for organising the XC league – definitely has us sharper than usual for this time of year…

and thanks to Ross for the driving duties

Results: http://www.elitetiming.co.uk/Results/NPS_2015_RD1.pdf

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Report By Dena Hogan

So was on the waiting list for this one as left it till the last min to enter, got the email tue to say i could have a spot. Which i was really glad to take as i think its the only triathlon I’m going to get in before the European Championships.

On the road for 6am to be registered and attend mandatory race brief at 8:15am, now only 4 hours to kill till my wave, shopping it it is pop over to TK max, and a pre race tea and scone.

So id been a bit ambitious and put down 12 min for swim, but i wanted to make sure i was in a fast lane and hopefully reap the rewards of a drafting off a fast swimmer. I had been chatting to the 4 men i was sharing the lane and decided to go 4th in the pecking order, finished the swim with alot left in the tank, hard to know could i have gone a whole lot faster or did i make the smart choice of being on your mans feet and saving myself?

Head out on the bike, great rolling course nothing too savage and perfect weather made for great race conditions, very happy with my bike time, maybe im not a runner that dabbles in a bit of biking after all

Run was a gentle down hill 2.5k round a cone and a gentle up hill back. Its great because got to spot my frenamie Lizanne making ground, gave me a little push on.

Great start to the season, Well done Jarlath i know that hard work in the pool is paying off shaving over 2 min off your swim time!

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This year our Club training duathlon will take place this coming Sunday morning 8th March, starting at 10am registration from 9am at Kildavin Gaa. Format will be 3km run 22km bike and 3km run to finish.

There will be no charge, but as with previous years we will ask for a five euro donation to cover tea coffee buns biscuits etc. We will have limited marshals but we will be able to have time keepers who will give as accurate race times as possible.

This as always is a perfect opportunity for anyone new to the sport to experience everything associated with race day, transition bike racks changeovers etc, in a super relaxed environment.

We are limited by the amount of non triathlon Ireland members allowed take part as guests so if you’re not a triathlon Ireland member please contact us to ensure you have a place. We are not as limited on Triathlon Ireland members, Just to be clear as this is just training any triathlon ireland membership will suffice full, associate or student.

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Small race report….by Dena Hogan

Tom and myself headed up to a hotel near the start for less hassle race morning (and it got tom out of buying a valentines present, sure wasn’t I getting a night away..)
Good breaky of the usual and headed over to register for 9. Race was a rolling 5k x10 lap course.
So I had a goal of podium place, and qualifying time for the world championships 2016 (3:50) my race plan was to stick to a 7:05 mile no matter what anyone else does.
So we had josh and friends on the course that handed out our nutrition, I knew I was fully trained but I had a big fear of stomach problems like Roth. However it was all going brilliantly, too brilliantly … First 7 laps 21 miles 6:55 pace.
I lead the entire race till mile 29 and the last lap, where the 2nd place lady ran by. I had nothing in me to respond. If I had of gone out at my original plan I’m sure things would have gone differently. #heartbreaking

However I can’t be disappointed I came 2nd in the national Irish championships in my first ever ultra. I ran a pb for the marathon and I had a really enjoyable time doing it. The course and people involved made it a great experience.

My advice for anyone .. Joy is have belief and discipline , make a race plan and stick to it no matter how good u feel. After 29 mile even 2 miles can seem so hard.
You will do great joy. Sure u only have to do my race twice is it? It will be an unbelievable achievement for u. Keep up the hard work and like always u will see it through with your no die attitude.

Tom did great too, although he made the same mistake and ran to hard in the beginning 5:45 per mile for the first 20.
2:33 marathon

You live and learn,

Thanks Tracy and Fintan for the support and pics.

Now 12 weeks till the European championships …….

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A little report By David Conway

The Biking.ie roadshow was in Ballyhoura today for round 2 of this year’s Biking Blitz series. These Blitzes are billed as beginner friendly but they also attract a large number of more experienced racers keen to test themselves and get some races in before the NPS and Enduro seasons kick in.
The Blitzes have always been popular with our mtbers so not surprising we were well represented today. Nigel and I travelled the race together in team car A (thanks Nidge!), Slawek and Miron were in car B. We parked side by side and had the craic getting ready. Then the earth shook as Keith arrived in his military personnel carrier, and it shook some more when Mat Seebach rocked up with his freshly honed legs of steel.
Our neighbours in the MLS were also out in force. Big numbers from our little part of the world, a far cry from the early days when DF, Jim and I could wander the hills for days without meeting a sinner! Long may it last.
Anyway, to the racing. I lined out for the Super Pro race, billed as 35km, more like 33.5. Mat Seebach too. The rest of the boys were in the Baggy Shorts race, about 17km.
I have been racing all winter so I’m in reasonable shape, but the winter cx races are only an hour flat out. The expected time for this race was around two hours so I wasn’t sure how well I’d get on. I needn’t have worried. Like all xc races the start was chaotic, flat out, red lining in seconds. Made it to the single track in a reasonable position and settled in quickly.
It was a classic Ballyhoura race, endless fast flowing single track punctuated by long desperately lonely soul searching fire roads. I found myself going pretty well, reeling in a good few on the climbs and even more on the single track. Mat Seebach disappeared up the road early on and I knew I wasn’t a match for him so I let him go and concentrated on picking off as many as I could. Had some good battles with lads along the way and was delighted to win a good few more than I lost.
There was a time when a 33km race would feel like an endurance race. I’d be laden down with bottles and bars and gels, all sorts of unnecessary crap. Today I was able to race more or less flat out for the whole thing with a bottle and a few jellies. And a sip of coke from a plastic cup handed to me by a marshal.
Like every race I plumbed depths of pain and despair in the first half hour, but pleased to say I got into my stride then and never really looked back. I felt very strong in the last half hour, my pre-race fears obviously unfounded.
The bike, a Giant Anthem 29er, handled like a dream. Rolling easily on the climbs. Super fast and light on the descents. Definitely not as flickable in the twisty bits as my venerable old Epic, but it more than made up for this in sheer speed. They say the 29er accelerates slower but I honestly don’t see that. When I had to kick, it kicked too, and then some.
I finished the race in around 1:54, no idea of my place but very happy with how I and the bike performed. I’d say I was grinning like an idiot.
The other lads had mixed fortunes. Nigel got on great, smashed his time from last year by around 15 minutes making him our local hero in the Baggy Shorts race. Miron sadly broke his chain, ending his race and spoiling what had promised to be a good battle with Nigel. Bad luck lad. Keith and Slawek followed Nigel home, both happy with their races. In fact Slawek was the happiest I’ve ever seen him! Not sure if it was because of his race time, or the fact that he would have the whole journey home to tell Miron all about it!
All told, a great day out. Rain even stayed away until we left!

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