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 Kilkenny Triathlon 2010
24 July 2010 (Report by Susan) |
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The only way that I was going to get my parents to ever come and watch a triathlon was to bring it to them ("if you build it they will come")! So when I found out that my home town the Marble City was hosting its first triathlon this year all i needed to know was where to sign!
 I woke up bright and early on Saturday and headed to Kilkenny from my second home Laois. There was only a half hour window to register that morning but being pedantic I had registered earlier in the week and had all I needed to start the race. I knew I wouldn't be the only Trilogy member there as Alison Wellwood had let me know of her participation and we had reconed the bike route the week before.
Transition was busy with 500 athletes split equally between the Sprint and the Olympic distance. The race course for both events was situated along the canal just outside the walls of the famous Kilkenny Castle, a good walk to the swim entry which was just across from Kilkenny Library . Tranistion was a tight squeeze Alison and I were beside each other and lucky two other triathletes didn't turn up so we could spread out a little.
As the Sprint wasn't off until 10.45am, Alison, Sandra Furney and I went looking for cup of tea and a nice sit down beside the water before having to manoeuvre into wetsuits!
I was nervous getting into the water and it was cold with all the rain over the few weeks before the race. I tried to kick off hard and get out front, I really wanted a sub 10 minute swim knowing that there was a fairly strong current out there. I was out of the water in 9.50 on my watch, though I noticed on the official results later that there was no T1 timing so my swim time was recorded as 12.32. The transition from swim to bike went well, if very long at about 500m to bikes. All the way, Alison was right behind me.
The bike was very tough I did my worse bike split ever for 20K. If I was to sum it up I'd say it was tough and hilly with long drags and a few tight corners. Marshals were on the route but the roads were still open to traffic so you had to keep your wits about you. On my way back to transition I spotted Alison who had passed earlier on side of road with puncture I asked her if she needed help but she waved me on!
Back to transition and a one way system was in operation so another long run off the bike before I could rack it. On with the hat and runners and into the castle grounds for the 5K which was two and half laps (the marshals kept saying you have to pass castle 3 times before finish or run over timing mat 3 times or pass the childrens play ground 3 times ... why can't they just make it one loop)!
This was the the bit of the course where I could count all the Trilogy members that passed me! Liam, William, Sandra and Mark (swim guy!). At the finish line I met my parents and my sister and niece and nephew! I ended up being 10th in my age group. Sandra was 1st in hers and Alison finished even after the puncture. Just special mention to Deirdre Walsh who completed her first Olympic distance . Well done also to all the boys who had great times.
Overall well run event haven't heard anything but positive feedback I will be back next year and maybe some more Trilogy will come along, you can all come back to my parents for dinner!!
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