• Latest Posts

  • Monthly Archive

  • Meta

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 »

Valentia Island Triathlon – 11th May 2013

Posted on May 18, 2013 by racing795

Islanders, Paul, There’s Frank!, Louise, Don and Dena.

[Report by Dena Hogan]

What felt like driving to another world, Emer and myself arrived into our b&b after 6 hours of driving, dumped the bike and bag and caught the ferry to the island to register. Got our numbers, hat and technical t-shirt, wave 1 for me happy with that plan of action to stick to the back and try draft, back to the B&B for an early night.

Woke at 7 after a good night’s sleep and dived to the window to see a dull but reasonably nice sky, happy days. Hit the breakfast room around 9 and happened on Don and Frank and was told the sneaky rumour floating around about a cancelled swim, nah I said to Emer no way, I raced in near hurricanes ( I’ve often told myself in training and racing that I will never ever come across any conditions worse the the lost sheep 2010) repeating this story to Emer I had her convinced too. Some toast and a banana for breakfast much to Eddie the owners disgust ” sure wouldn’t rashers and pudding keep you going all day” ummmm maybe tomorrow thanks Eddie!

Right time to go, over on the ferry looking out at the swim course, ah yeah says I this swim will definitely be on, sure it’s a bit choppy but nothing too bad, beep beep, message from Frank SWIM CANCELLED ah for f**k sake. Couldn’t still quite believe it, still in denial, till we got off the ferry and marshals running around everywhere changing transitions ordering you to predict your 3k run time for a 1-5 wave start. A little, ok a long moan and grumble with eventual acceptance, a duathlon it is.

I always wrestle with myself on the first leg, all out or save a little, on hearing about the bike course I decided to save a little. A very flat uneventful 1.5k out around a cone and back. Into T1 grab the bike out the bike exit boom climbing!
The first 5 k is a head down drag, and just to add insult you see the run turnaround point near the top of the club ah f***k I have to do this again! I think most will agree the bike was a bit hairy in places, head winds, crossed winds and hair pin turns are a bad combo, so I think most times would be slightly slower then usual.

2nd run was great for me, time to pick off a few of these cyclists that have just whizzed by me, 2:5 k climb up turnaround, and then my favorite bit of the whole day, flying down hill, sun in my face, legs turning over and 795ers cheering me on at the finish. Perfect.

It wasn’t the race we all wanted, but I think in the end no one was too dissapointed. With some great results. Well done everyone!

Now that’s the end of the report with no details on, missed ferries, make shift night clubs in sheds, jäger bomb competitions with pulse members in honor of 795, or 30k taxi trips at 4 in the morning to try get back to main land!

Filed under: Tri Race Reports | Leave a comment »

Blackstairs Adventure Race – 5th May 2013

Posted on May 18, 2013 by racing795

Blackstairs adventurers, PJ, Mike, Barry, DavidT, Alan and Jim. Click for more pics.

[Report by David Tully]

This was a fantastic event. Yes the memory of the pain has faded and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The day started off early, heading straight towards the bike drop near Ballymurphy, then back to Rathnure for registration.
Rathnure GAA complex was base and was well set up. There were nearly as many marshalls as entrants, with an array of motorbikes and quads at the ready.
795 out in force, with our own personal team motorbike rider James along for the day!

The race was 7 steps: 10.5k run, 9k cycle, 3k kayak, 25k cycle, mountain run 6.5k, 11k cycle, 1k run
After looking at previous results, I thought 4:30 was achieveable. Then looked again – 4:30 would’ve been 8th overall last year – not achieveable!
4:45 maybe..

Jim had a plan – Alan, Jim and I would run the first 10.5k leg together, then cycle into Graiguenamanagh as a group.
We lined up at the start line – announcer blamed the Germans for the state of the roads and we were off!
Mike and PJ went off like bullets. Team795 stuck to a steady pace. Barry saw the logic in pacing ourselves for what was going to be a long day and stuck with us. James was cruising up and down the road, giving us updates on Mike and PJ’s progress as well as encouraging us along the way.
Barry ran with us for the first 8k of climbing, until the track started descending. Off Barry went like a mountain goat, gaining 500 metres by the time we were at the bottom!
On the bikes then for the 2nd step and Jim, Alan and I ate up the road, passing 3 on the open road and another one at transition, which was 500m from the kayaks. Quick run over the bridge and down the quays and a team were there to don lifejacket, helmet and set you on your way in the kayak. Great to see Kate, Lorraine, kids and James all there in support!
Mike and Alan had the edge in the kayaks, bringing their own and a bit of previous experience made up valuable time. The lack of a turning buoy caught out most of the field, but it affected all, so no odds in the grand scheme of things. What was a 3k kayak turned into a 5k kayak.
Mike out of the water first and leading overall! PJ next, then Alan who had blitzed the kayak times and overtaken Barry. Jim and I were next out.

The 4th step was a road cycle from Graiguenamanagh to near Kiltealy, around the roads south of White Mountain. Jim warned me to take it easy on the climbs and not to push it. That worked until James came up alongside me with the update from the entire field, as well as pointing out that I was on the last big climb – so I stood up on the pedals drove it on. I saw no one on the 25k stage, hoped I hadn’t taken a wrong turn now and again also..

Arrived into transition – the only one with water. This race (maybe all adventure races ??) demands self sufficiency – can’t be handed food or drink. I deliberately finished off the second bottle coming in knowing this. off the bike and started to run. I could see someone a few hundred metres up the road, walking. Passed him and on up the road. On the steeper sections of fire road, I met another competitor who was struggling – passed him too. Such a novel feeling, passing people!
Up on the open mountain then and a 3rd, down with cramp. On I went, the long distance MTB spins paying dividend now that I was approaching 4 hours. On the toughest part of the run/climb I noticed it was 1:42 and Joy should be wrapping up her marathon in Limerick in the coming minutes. Great distraction thinking about how the marathon was going, what the finish line would be like etc. Anything but climbing this bloody mountain! 4th competitor in my sights now, trying to stretch out a cramp! On to the top now and across lumpy heather and hidden rocks, then down through fields to transition again. James at transition with a load of marshalls and well wishers. Update from James – where’s Alan – gone, where’s Barry – gone.. I get the picture.
Alan had a strong cycle and had kept ahead of Barry, who found a group partner on the road and powered over to Kiltealy. Barry had a strong run and had passed Alan on it.

6th step and back on the bike – so good to be sitting on a bike again! Only thing was a headwind to contend with. James encouraging on the motorbike alongside as I reach Rathnure. Land in Rathnure GAA, drop the bike and the run is around their pitches.
Wasn’t sure the legs were going to work but there was no way I was walking – I could see the 795 colours at the finish line.
Big 795 crowd there, with the organisers laying on an array of activities and bbq. Great to run down the home stretch with the kids running alongside.

Mike 3rd overall – fantastic result!. PJ 5th and would have been on the podium if he had used Mike or Alan’s kayak.
Barry finished strongly next in 13th, followed in by Alan in 15th. I finished in 18th overall, in a time of 4:38 – delighted with the time and overall race.

Thanks to the organisers for putting on such a well run and enjoyable event – I’ll be doing this again next year and am looking at other adventure races also.
Thanks also for all the support on what was my first adventure race. First multi disciplined race actually – never did anything involving changing from run to bike to whatever before.

To answer David Furlong’s questions – we all wore runners, mandatory kit is a grey area and Barry can run down a mountain the same as he can cycle down one.

Results

Filed under: News | Leave a comment »

XC NPS Round 3, Ticknock, Dublin – 12th May 2013

Posted on May 15, 2013 by racing795

Up and over – Rudolf and his new 29er (Photo by Peter O’Toole)

[Report by Rudolf Brinkman]

DC, Brian Mc, Ross and myself headed up to do this round of the XC National Points Series. This time it was in Ticknock Dublin. This trail is well known by a lot of mtb users because its a purpose built trail. The MAD trail builders used very little of this trail so it was a proper XC track. Steep technical climbing, wet and rooty descents followed by some rocky up and down bits.

I was starting in S2 for four laps. DC, Brian and Ross who were in the S3 catogorie were getting ready to do three laps.

To thin out the field there was a horrible road climb in to the first bit of single track. I was way in the back before hitting the first bit of track. With 4 laps in mind and a steep technical climb I was gonna ease into the first lap. That worked I started passing riders and kept my distance from riders in front of me before hitting any single track. Here I could close the gap and annoy them. Then slowly ride away on the climbs. On the third lap it was time for a gel. I only bought these a week ago and hadn’t had a chance to test them. It was disgusting and managed only a 1/4 of the gel, the rest went on the ground (sorry I couldn’t face putting a 3/4 full gel wrapper in my back pocket). On I went on the last lap and managed to pass two more riders getting me into a 15th place.

Brian stayed ahead of the chasing posse and Dave passed Ross on the steep road climb near the top.

Great 1.5 hr racing and a super xc course.

Thanks to Brian Yeates and son Ben for blowing the horn in support, just as we were hitting a fast bit of single track. Brilliant!!!

Results

Filed under: MTB Race Reports | Leave a comment »

Great Limerick Marathon Run – 5th May 2013

Posted on May 11, 2013 by racing795

Thumbs up, mission accomplished!

[Report by Joy Furlong]

Eighteen weeks of training, which went injury free, had me ready and confident for this race. I spent the 3 days previous to the race carbo loading, oh what joy that brought, must have been one of the few women who stepped on the weighing scales the night before and shouted with delight yes I had gained a kilo! I knew then that I was ready and armed!

Race day, I was up early, alarm set for 7.00am but a restless night had me up at 6.30. Leisurly breakfast of porridge, OJ and toast. Later sipped on sports drink and a banana in the car on the drive in. David keeping the chat lighthearted until it came to parking the car! Eventually got a spot and a short walk up to the start line had me there for 8.50, only ten minutes for the real nerves to set in. The atmosphere was great, it was a beautiful morning, the sun shining and lots of smiles. It was a small crowd only about 700 competitors which made it easy to spot the pacers.

Race plan was to go with the 3.45 pacers and keep it steady. Hoping I could hang in there with them as long as I could. Average pace to be 5.18 min km. Start gun went at 9.02 we were off , I started with a smile , determined to be smiling at the end.First few kms have you running through the city centre before turning off for a stretch along the canal, this is a lovely section, Ger Harteman brings his elite runners this route. The chat and pace was easy at this stage, about 25 or so going with the pacers.Out towards UL then with lots of cheers from my family and cousins at mile 4.Through 10km mark on target, (one down only 3 more to go). Around UL and over the Living Bridge what a weird sensation that was, with such a large crowd going over it at the same time you really feel the movement underfoot, thought motion sickness might set in! This section is relatively flat and I was still feeling good. Turned at mile 9 and back towards the city, knew I would be passing family again at 12 mile point and wanted to be looking good then. The sun was out in force, getting hot at times so taking water on at every water stop. Gels were going down ok but the water was making me feel very full. Did not want to take it but persisted. More cheers from my crew, time for some high fives for the kids and on again to the half way mark. Through at 1:52:16 bang on I thought Happy Days. I felt I was going steady and strong.

The second half is a more challenging route, once through 13:2 mls it’s a drag up past the old army barracks, felt strong here and then a nice few flat miles out the country side. At mile 16 I felt a twinge in my right knee and I thought is this the beginning of the end but some banter in the group distracted me and I didn’t think of it again! Getting hotter now. On we went, lots of twists and turns in this new route and drags, through lots of housing estates which is great for support but narrow in places. At mile 17 the pacers inform me I am the only woman left in the group, no pressure Joy! The banter is good, some offer to carry me over the line if still together at the end etc. On I push, once or twice the pacers seem a few steps ahead of me, usual form for me is to let them go, but not today. Mentally telling myself not today, push with them. Again through the next clock at 30 km bang on time. Confidence is good now, a slight down hill sees me pushing slightly ahead of the group as I could see the Crescent flyover looming ahead. From a distance it looks huge! Ran up this very strong, delighted with myself. Grouped up again on the decline, pacers inform us that the hill has decimated the group only half a dozen of us left now. I am now thinking stay with them until mile 20 and any mile after that is a bonus. This is a lovely run into the city, with the sun out its the city at its best. Lots of support on the streets and David who is on his bike keeps popping up unexpectedly and brings a smile. Through mile 20 our group is now down to 3, staying focused now . ~The last six miles have you leave the city centre again , this part is riddled with hills if you ask me. First real test came at mile 22, running through a housing estate with a very long drag, had to dig deep here and thanks to Brian the pacer I got up it still on pace. A little respite then to catch my breath and wave at my smaller kids who are delighted to see their mum still with the guys with the balloons.

Mile 23 is the hill at the Gaelic Grounds, how I hate this hill, more so now…. Lots of people walking up this, lots of casualties around. This was very tough I pushed as hard as I could but couldn’t stay with those balloons, Brian is yelling at me to squeeze a little harder I try its just not there. I get to the top a few metres behind but have nothing left at this point to push to reach them. On they go but I was dogged determined. Only at this point did my average pace slip from 5.18 to 5.19, quick calculations tell me not to let it slip 5.20 and I would still make 3.45. The mind is good the legs are less so. Feck its only a few kms ….. It’s lonesome in this section, runners very strung out no one in sight to try and pick off.. well I could still see those balloons but its too far. David shows up then with some coke (the liquid type) tells me to have a sip I don’t want to but I do and then tell him ever so politely to take a hike. He goes ahead and informs me as I pass him that those balloons are only 30 secs ahead of me. Jesus but I dig deep now, running under the banner that marks the last mile.I can still see the pacers Brian gives me one final thumbs up . I want this soo bad and doesn’t everyone deserve their day? Oh the things that go through one’s head, I pass a garda who is marshaling he yells come on Joy nearly there, I think how does he know my name and what does he know about it, he is only watching after all, a quick glance at him and hey he is a bit soft on the eye and on I go laughing and grimacing now. And then the Buzzzz, coming across the bridge more cousins give me a shout, the turn onto O’Connell street its electric , there it is the finish line and clock I see 3.45 and the seconds are ticking. Suddenly my running form is excellent, its a straight back, high knees and pumping arms. I sprint (well maybe just a little) to that line, Fantastic so happy, The pacers are there to greet me and a hug from Brian, it was a pleasure to run with me he says but I think the pleasure is all mine today, and I think yes Limerick you’re a lady!

Stats Avg pace 5.19, Garmin 42.32 km. Official time 3.45.19. 14th woman of 138. 6th in age group of 55. 1st km 5.12 pace 42nd km 5.12 pace. Happy with that.

It’s a great race, well organised, minor probs with speed bumps and traffic cones, other than that it’s thumbs up.

What’s next…………?

Filed under: News | Leave a comment »

« Previous Page — Next Page »