Team Triathlon

Piranha came out on top up north in the team event at the weekend. Here’s the report…. I didn’t really take much notice of the triathlon team event the last couple of years but when it was on this year and saw the Wolfe sisters going over along with Conor Murphy and Bryan Keane I took a bit more notice of the format etc. Watching some of the highlights it looked pretty good. So when TI put word out they were running the event it seemed like it was worth giving it a go. So the format is a team of 4 (2 males/females) who each complete the swim/bike/run in the order of male/female/male/female. In this race it was a 400m swim, 8k mtb bike and 1.9k run.The team was Anne, Elena, Brendan O’Brien and myself. Nick was team manager for the day. Last weekend after Kenmare I can’t say I was very enthusiastic about getting going again the following weekend. I definitely felt all raced out. Sunday morning arrived we made our way up north – Elena and Brendan on board with 2 bikes, the plan being for myself and Brendan to share a bike. We were trying to work out on the way which was the best order to put the team. The format was girl/boy/girl/boy and Anne was keen to go first so as to only have girls around when on the bike. As it turned out either way it wouldn’t have been an issue given the timing of it. So we settled on it having Anne/Brendan/Elena and myself. Loughgall was a bit further than anticipated and along with a slight detour we arrived just before registration was supposed to close after driving a bit manically on the backroads of Armagh. Got there and everything looked relaxed – then we saw in the carpark who else was there racing and knew there was no team there just to make up the numbers. Knowing the belpark team, 3d, 24/7 we knew it’d be a tough day out and definitely couldn’t have the ‘poor field’ line thrown at us if we did get a decent result. The whole thing was a bit of an unknown including the route so we cycled the 4k bike loop (we’d race this twice) and got back for the briefing at half 12. Swim 400ms in the lake, The bike loop was on tarmac and stoney path most of the way – with some relatively short bits through wooded paths. Not really that technical and meant although definitely needing mtb bike, it would be a fast 2 laps. Run was a 1.9k lap of the lake. The race took place in Loughgall country park which is very similar to Castlewellan for anyone who has been up there. Really well kept park with a public golf course. A great setting for a race and I’d be surprised if more events are not held there in future. So the girls going first got ready – Anne was all set to go. The heavens had already opened and it was pretty wet. We expected Anne would be well up in the swim but Siobhan Gallagher put in a super swim and had 24/7 nearly 2 minutes up. A few other girls were out about the same time as Anne a wetsuit zipp issue (Nick’s fault) slightly delayed her so starting the bike Anne was 4th or 5th. On the first lap though Anne really got going and was in 2nd coming around to start the second bike lap. Into the run we had more time back so 30 seconds down on 24/7 starting the second leg. After Leg 1: 24/07 00:35:27 Piranha 00:35:56 3D 00:36:29 Belpark 00:37:54 We all had individual timing chips so it was literally a case of touching the hand of the next athlete and Brendan was away. with Bill McCormack from Belpark and Adrian Boyle from 3D following quickly, Brendan was under pressure and came out a bit down on 3D with Bill having made up a good bit of time. Bill had won the Blacksod Olympic distance race the day before but still looked like he was going well. Alan Mitchel was already out and away 2 minutes ahead and maintained this lead right througout the 2nd leg. Brendan held his own pretty much on the first lap of the bike but coming around to finished the second lap came down on a slippy section. He got going again pretty quickly and despite the war wounds put in a great run – not losing further ground on the strong runners up front. After leg 2: 24/07 01:06:55 Belpark 01:09:20 3D 01:09:32 Piranha 01:10:19 So starting the 3rd leg, we were in 4th place. 24/7 were still well ahead, Belpark and 3D a minute or so ahead. At this stage, I knew I’d be off in 30 odd minutes so headed off for a quick warm up run. I ran out around the park so I would catch Elena’s progress on lap 1. First bike lap Elena had made up time but had still to move up the placings. Clodagh Myers had moved 3D up to 2nd, Belpark in 3rd. Back in transition, I was getting into the wetsuit and saw Clodagh Myers go through – her 2nd bike lap done and onto the run. It feels like an eternity when you see someone heading off on the run lap while waiting for someone to come along to follow. It was probably less than 30 seconds but left like ages but Elena was on her way. I did a quick swim warm up and the guys doing the last leg were there as well with plenty banter etc going on. (‘Would ya mind zipping up my wetsuit?’ No takers.) Behind it all though I knew we were all pretty serious about going hard for the placings Word came through on the radio that Elena had moved to 2nd 3/4 the way through the 2nd lap so I knew I was next up into the water. Adam Speer was already in the water with 24/7 still leading but it was now down to 1.40. After leg 3: 24/07 01:44:55 Piranha 01:46:39 3D 01:47:15 Belpark 01:48:00 So I knew I was up against it. I wasn’t thinking about 24/7. They were up the road and had it in the bag as far as I was concerned. I just needed to go as hard as I go and see if I could stay away from the guys chasing. I was up against Stephen Early from Belpark and David Cahill from 3D. Stephen Early is a much stronger athlete, particularly on the swim and run and would expect to be at least a minute faster over the 400m while David Cahill is pretty similar to myself in all 3 disciplines and we’ve had our fair share of close battles. So into the swim, I don’t think I’ve swam in a nicer lake in Ireland – it’s a pity it was only 400m. Around the first bouy I could soon see a white hat and guessed it was David Cahill as Clodagh had been ahead of Ellen Murphy from Belpark. I needed this time gap given the way Stephen would be coming back in the swim. Around the second bouy and back out into transitions. I’ve had pretty bad transitions this year particularly getting off the wetsuit but thankfully it was pretty smooth this time around where it was most needed. Brendan and Anne were near the bike and said I was about a minute behind. I wasn’t sure whether to believe them or not! Off on the bike I quickly got a glimpse of the Adam Speer up the road – but was a longish stretch so knew he was a bit ahead and was up hill. Top of the hill I had a quick look back to see if the guys chasing were in view and thankfully they weren’t. Adam Speer was coming into view quicker than expected and about half way through the first lap I passed him. It was obvious there was something up with the bike but I didn’t hang around to find out what the story was. Back around through transition where everyone was waiting and Anne/Elena, Brendan and Nick were there shouting lots of encouagement going through. Unaccumtomed as I am to being in the front of any race – I can’t say I found it particularly enjoyable. I think my overriding feeling (apart from the discomfort/pain etc of actually pushing hard) was fear. The overriding feeling of "I hope I don’t make a balls of this". There aren’t too many places to see ahead/behind so I’d no idea really how far ahead I was. I also knew I was now in a position where we could win but also definitely lose it. In an individual race, it wouldn’t matter as it was only myself who would be impacted but this time I knew I’d been put in a good position by the guys and didn’t want to make a mess of it. Got around the second bike lap, coming into the golf course section, there is a chance to see back to where the chasers might have been. This time I could see someone but knew I had a gap except no idea if it was 20 seconds/40 seconds or what. One of the marshalls shouted to stop looking back but it was like I had a twitch. Around to transition and Nick had taken up (unfortunately for me) camera duties so Anne was now team manager taking the bike off me at the dismount and I started the run. The run is a lap of the lake and the run away from the finish line down one side of the lake to begin the turn around the other side for home seemed to take ages. I knew Stephen and David would be running after me and probably gaining. As I got back closer to home I began to think I might actually stay ahead. Came around the corner I could see the finish line and Elena going mad once she saw I stayed in front. The relief was unbelievable. I look a bit excitable in the photos but it is genuinely mostly relief along with lots of satisfaction of actually having won something for a change. Finishing times Piranha 02:16:41 Belpark 02:17:37 24/07 02:17:56 3D 02:18:10 It turned out 24/7 got a puncture about half way round the first bike lap. Adam cycled on it until end of the first lap and swapped bikes so got going again. He did really well to end up pipping David Cahill to give 24/7 3rd place. They were very unlucky to get the puncture and not come away with the win themselves. We were there though to take advantage and I’m glad we did. Overall it was a great event – the atmosphere was really relaxed and friendly while we watched the others racing. Thanks to the other guys on the team for putting in superb efforts. Each competitor and team manager got a Power bar goodie bag as well as an Altura gilet – as well as a great BBQ after. For winning we got one of the amphibia transition bags along a bike voucher each for Cycleology – a bike shop in Armagh. Alot of Credit due to Johnny Davis, TI development officer up north and the guys in TI for putting on a great event.