Race Report: Crooked Lake

By Orla Montague

Piranha’s racing: Matt Coughlan, Kevin Leavy, Niall Mc Donnell, Jack Mc Donald, Michael Grimes, Bernard Hanratty (and his lovely daughter supporting him!),Deirdre Loughran, Me 

I picked this race as it was NS and close to home!Transpires it was the ten year anniversary of the race which made for a great day out. I was informed by the locals, Deirdre and Neil T, that this was one of the best races in Ireland as the whole village get involved and come out to support all competitors. Deirdre had also forewarned me it was a tough event….. They were right – a brilliant but “challenging” event!

Morning of the race:
Usual nerves!! En route from Dublin I received a text from Deirdre to say there was a free breakfast but even if we had been on time, I don’t think I could have eaten… so I hope Deirdre had my share! Great buzz around transition aided by the spectacular weather! As usual I forgot something, left the race swimming hat in the car; I had a spare one with me but I was informed that if I was wearing a different coloured hat from the rest of the wave it implied I had a medical condition… I was tempted … but used the trip back to the car to acclimatise….air temp 23, water temp 18, ground temp HOT – the tar was melting – it could have been Hawaii – “The fresh, floral air energises you. The warm, tranquil waters refresh you. The breathtaking . . .” but it was County Armagh and time to suffer.

Transition: I don’t know a lot about bikes but had massive bike envy when I saw a bright pink TT bike with matching helmet. Met up a with a few familiar Piranha faces and Deirdre in disguise, half Newry Tri half Piranha, much to the consternation of her club mates (two of whom had time to ask me on the cycle if I knew Deirdre. Anyone I met from Newry Tri was clearly very fond of their ‘baby Tri’ girl…despite her split status!)

Race plan: TRY to run hard, concentrate and see what happens. I have a tendency to get distracted on the run which is my least favourite discipline. Knowing I am near the end of the race I spend far too much time looking around me and wondering how people can run so fast – particular my rivals as they pass me!

Swim:
Perfect conditions, flat calm and well spread out apart from a few clouts in the head around the buoy. Good advice from Kevin at the start line to push hard initially and then settle into the stroke. I had a great idea to draft off him which lasted all of 5 seconds as he glided off into the distance. I felt good on the swim so instead of my usual “just get through the swim” attitude I pushed hard and enjoyed it.

T1/T2: Blurry

Cycle: One loop around the lake, brilliant support again, people out in their gardens cheering everyone on. I normally enjoy the bike in a race… but not today!

Something had to give as a result of a decent swim… I was alllll over the place on the bike. I will learn to pace myself someday! Hills, hills and more hills… knowing the course would have helped a little but either way I was struggling…. something wasn’t right …felt like I was going backwards….rattling sound….. PUNCTURE…. However on closer investigation I realised the only thing punctured was me…my legs and my lungs (fortunately/ unfortunately!!!). Finally got a bit of rhythm as it felt like the entire field had cruised past me and thankfully I made it to the long descent to get my breath back and enjoy the country side! The usual thoughts entered my mind on the bike “Why do I do this?” “What am I going to write in the race report for Ellen if I don’t finish?” “Am I getting a tan?” “I definitely must have a puncture!”

Low point of the cycle: A man spitting on me.
High point of the cycle: The same man apologising profusely when he heard me yelp and offering to buy me a pint of brandy after the race.

Run: One and a half laps taking in the same mountain twice (mountain….or short steep hill… tomatoe tomato).

Race plan out the window completely. I missed the water station, then had to run up the “mountain”. Plan B kicked in- I just wanted to survive the run now! The “mountain” was easier second time round. I spent a lot of time trying to find shade to run in to distract me from the pain of running…(probably added on an extra few km …)

FINISH!! Pain and negative thoughts forgotten, bring on the next one! 
I gather I am not the only one with this attitude… what a weird bunch triathletes are.

An exceptionally well organised, atmospheric, friendly race and a great day out. My only complaint was milk at the finish line (gugh!). Sun or no sun, a very tough race!

Well done to all Piranhas who took part, I hope you all treated yourself to an ice cold beer in the sun after that. I would definitely recommend this event to anyone who relishes a challenge or who wants to savour the wonderful hospitality and craic in this beautiful part of County Armagh ( and that’s from a Antrim/Tyrone/Dublin girl).

Results: http://www.triathlonireland.com/index.php?id=107&;nid=1285