I have been asked to do a report on yesterday's race, as it was my first triathlon race and I can say now definitely will not be my last! I think there were plenty of other first timers from the club yesterday who will be saying exactly the same thing.

I never realised how big this club is, or maybe it just seemed that way with the announcer calling out each pulse member to finish. I am not going to mention any names, because I know I will leave someone out. But everone was brilliant.

For me the race was only a small part of the experience, so I'll start with the trip down.

I was really nervous on Saturday, I just wanted the race over. To have finished, and be back in the pub with a drink. Something a lot easier than swimming running and cycling. There was a gang of us that met up to register on Saturday night, and then look for an Itallian restaurant (something that does not exist in Carrick).

The registration went really well. I got my goodie bag, and proceeded to eat the chocolate as quickly as I could. Unfortunately the people who were registering for the shorter swim race were not allowed to register and received no goodies. Something which should be changed for next year, and no doubt you will read in their report.

The dinner was a chinese, with lots of talk about times, transitions and what we should be doing. Most of which I ended up forgetting when I was doing my first transition!!

Sunday morning after a shocking nights sleep I made my way to the race and parked beside Brian Crinion, the closest I would get to him for the whole day. The time before the race seemed to fly by and I ended up rushing to put on my wetsuit before walking to the swim start.

Before I knew it I was in the water and standing beside Dave, then we were off. The biggest fight I have ever been in. People swimming over eachother, kicking, punching. I got a good one in on Dave as he pointed out to me after the race! Best of luck getting me back in Dublin! I was really happy with my swim once I got out of all the trouble and ended up out of the water in around ten minutes.

It was then that things went wrong. I had gone through in my head what I was going to do, but that went out the window. I ended up running off without my t-shirt, ( Rob I'll be down to you for a tri-top before the next race so I can't do it again) and ended up having to run back to put my t-shirt on, which did take forever.

I had to forget it though and cycle. It took me a while to get my legs going, but then I was flying and even passed a few. I thought I was doing really well until the ten K mark where Rob caught me on what I believe is actually a motor bike and left me sitting there.

I made it back to the transition and started running without any problem. The run went out the road the same as the bike, this was the longest part of the race. I thought I would never get to the turn off onto the river bank. But I did. I took some water at the station and headed for home. My legs felt better once I knew I was nearly there, and I enjoyed the last mile into the finish.

It was over, I had done it. I cannot explain how I felt. Sick, starving and elated. I just cannot wait for the next one.

I'll see you at training.

Thanks for reading all this waffle, and if anyone is doing their first tri in Kinsale, practice your transitions now.

Mark

Photos