It is a rarity that a change in data regulations can cause a flutter in your heart. I have aspired to race The Tribesman since joining Galway Tri but UK based work prevented this. Regulations changed, heart fluttered and I was thinking of the Corrib, the Moycullen Road and the University Campus for weeks. And the race is part of the Triathlon National Series which requires three races to qualify so a win win all round.
Targets for the day were to remember what Neil Campbell says, don’t fall off the pontoon, eat and drink properly, get into new Fizik shoes quickly, roll the 58×12 gear on descents, overtake politely, hit 4:20 min/km on the run as quickly as possible and finally win the 65+ Age Group. Oh, and enjoy the magic atmosphere of course.
This was my 9th race this year between Duathlons, Cycling Timetrials and Triathlons and training is going well with an improved swim stroke helping out. Starting in Wave 2 was great with less of a crush at the first marker and allowed me to concentrate on keeping the arms going. The pontoon arrived and what a power session for the marshalls! I cleared the exit on air and through the woods ready for transition. Garmin button pressed, glasses on, helmet tightened and away on the best bit for me, fishing, catching the better swimmers. Lots of encouragement from the super marshalls helped get the legs going and the rolling roads near the start flew by. I have trained on this road since the late 1970s and although it has straightened in several places the general route is embedded in my legs. The Moycullen bypass has new challenges even if we no longer go up the drag into the village. The wind was very gentle and allowed steady progress in my TT position whilst remembering to hold something back for the drags near the end. Those cones at the traffic lights were a great help and the transition 2 loomed. Shoes, toe cramps, elastic laces, tick tock tick tock, don’t swear! Talc helps and I was off with legs still trying to pedal. ‘Only 5km’. Right, get the legs working and settle down to target pace. I convinced myself that the first km was ‘downhill’ and managed to hit pace whilst focussing on the next runner ahead. Down to engineering, under the bridge and the rest was the home run. That little bump bridge knocks off some pace and isn’t it time the Uni put tarmac on the path for better grip….amazing what comes to mind when pushing home at high pace. Wasn’t the river beautiful? Marshalls again reminded you that this was a home event with local walkers wondering what was going on. Round the pitches and I could see Michal, a Westside Eagle ahead and the gap was less than that between waves so I was well on target with time. Around the meadow and into the home straight with all targets ticked but one. Was there any other fast old man in the field? Giving your all is the best you can do so if there was another then fair play to them, they’ll have earned it.
Recovering from this effort takes time with getting your heart back to normal a high priority, it certainly was not fluttering now. The cup of tea helped from yet another great volunteer and I was glowing in the feeling of another job well done. Time to chat, clap finishers, thank volunteers whilst basking in the pride of wearing your club kit at such a great and well run event. Hearing your name called out as an age group winner is a reminder that those early morning swims, wet days squeezing water out of your gloves on the bike and repeating lung busting fast 400s are all worth it in the end. The final target ticked off.
My mind doesn’t take long to start thinking about the next race in Wicklow and what my new targets will be for another day at the races. Thanks again to everyone involved in this event and allowing us all to live out our dreams and keep our hearts fluttering.