5 weeks out from Ironman UK seemed like a good time to test out the legs over half the distance. I really wanted to do this race as it seemed similar in parts to what the UK course will be..lake swim (2 laps), challenging and hilly bike with some villages to navigate through ( 2 laps) and an undulating run. I was ready to give it a go!
I arrived in plenty of time pre race and just as well …as I had some issues with my brakes that needed to be sorted prior to gaining entry into transition. Big thanks to Dessie Duffy for sorting things out for me as I was completely clueless….and beginning to panic.
I was a bit nervous of the cold water having been shivering in the Barrow 2 weeks ago in Athy waiting for the start gun so I got in at the last possible moment.
The swim was busy and a bit boisterous but I tried to work hard to stay on feet, I found it very hard to sight and was following feet blindly. I exited the water in 37 mins and could see a lot of girls headed out on the bike as I entered T1. I was quite disappointed with my swim time as I’ve been swimming a lot all year…doh!
The bike was 93 km of non stop work. Anyone that has done this course will testify that it just never lets up! It’s a great course and I had target watts of 210-220 which felt good as I made my way through the course. I caught up with a few girls early on and the last girl at about the 30km mark.
Coming into T2 ( 2h50mins) I thought I felt good enough starting out on the run. Pretty soon I could feel all the running my legs had done in the previous weeks..my legs felt like ribbons so I pulled back and ran at a comfortable pace to start. I had no watch as I prefer to listen to my legs on the run and not focus on the pace- the watch doesn’t always tell me what I want so I prefer not to know if my pace is off- the legs will do what the legs will do!
I settled into a nice rhythm soon enough and as first lady out on the run had the company of a Tri an Mhi marshall on his bike for the entire run. It was great to have some company and the odd bit of chat! At the 15km mark I felt good so I picked up my pace and tried to push for the last 6km. I had done this race 2 years ago and remember having to walk at the 15 km mark for a bit so I was delighted to feel that I was finishing stronger this time. I ran over the line in 1h32 and in a total course time of 5h02mins ( setting a new course record )
I thought it was an excellent race on a testing course. It’s really well run by Tri an Mhi and they made me feel so welcome there.
It was certainly nice to break the tape as the first lady home and jump onto the podium
Well done to all the Piranhas who competed on the day and to Linda and Siobhain for cheering me over the line!
Next stop Bolton!
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