Race Report: Don’t forget the sunscreen

By Louise O’Grady. 

Well the pre-race photo says it all!!! Four years with piranha and only just doing my 1st Olympic- ahhhh.

Memories of Triathy last time around was a cold, wet, windy day. Triathy 2014 was completely different – by 09:00 the sunburn had started!!! 

So rocked up to transition feeling overwhelmed, I always forget the volume of people, super duper bikes and general stuff in transition for the bigger races. Jenny (aka  pippy long stockings) saw me looking lost trying to find a spot for my bike, but for luck she had a place beside her – phew sorted. 

At race briefing the piranha gathering started with the chat and craic of “if only we could get a cup of tea and cake” and forget about the race 🙂

The auld bag pipes started and we were off to the water. I was wave 1- no hanging about. Just about to get into water and low behold the goggle strap breaks-nooooooo. Very stressed now but with a helping hand I got sorted. 

The gun went and we were off. Realised pretty soon I was in the wrong spot going against the current in the MIDDLE of the river- Doh!!!! Rookie mistake! No wonder I wasn’t getting knocked about, but I was able to get some rhythm into the swim. The lead pack had left me for dust so I just wanted to get through it. (27.23)

Out of the water into T1 felt ok. Normally it’s wetsuit off, helmet, then bike shoes. This time shoes were on bike means no going back, I am committed to the “flying mount”! Well with a few wobbles and cheers from the supporters I was aboard safely. On the bike I got used the numerous (which felt like hundreds) whoosh, whooshers (TTbikes) passing me out. Support came from fellow Piranha’s which gave great encouragement to just keep going. Nutrition on bike was ok, apart from loosing the water bottle on the last 10k and having more gels all over me than in me. (Rookie mistake 2)

Back into T2, quick turn around and into the run. Did well for 1st 5km then it all went belly up- nothing left in the tank. The run was a battle where you had to stand your ground and don’t let anybody put you off, well put off I was. I couldn’t wait to get to finish line and crossed it I did, even if I a little delirious and sunburnt (52.55). Total time 2.45. 

Yeeeeesssss 1st Olympic down. The race was a big learning curve with most important one being DONT FORGET THE SUNSCREEN!!!!