Valentia Triathlon 2011

Well, Acuweather got the weather predictions pretty spot on! Heavy rain and strong winds all day but that didn't dampen our spirits...
Most of us stayed in 4 lovely large houses close to Portmagee with open fires with plenty of turf available to burn so it was lovely and cosy for the weekend (some of the lads really got into it and bought some logs which others "borrowed" when they were not around..)

The race didn't start till 1.30pm so we had loads of time to doss around in the morning, get a lie in, savour the porridge & mueslie etc.

As a result of the weather, the proposed ferry trip across to the mainland and swim back was cancelled and they found a more sheltered alternative swim closer to shore. Based on times, most reckon this swim was longer than 750m (maybe 850m?). A mix up over the swim start time meant that most of those who started in the 1st wave (which was mosts of our guys) were bobbing around in the cold water for 15mins before the race started so they were freezing!

The cycle was windy as expected and quite dangerous on the exposed headland on the far side of the island. No problem for the cycle home though as there was a strong tailwind.
No-one could feel their feet for the run.
A combination of all these factors resulted in the slowest overall times ever for the race.

It was back to the houses then for a clean up, then on to the pub in Portmagee for many to watch the rugby and enjoy a few beers. (Others went shopping for the dinner...) We were lucky the rain stopped for about an hour in the evening, just enough time to have our BBQ (and a few more beers / wine etc.)

RESULTS:

Some very close times in the results...there were a few people running scared..

First Name : ------- Swim ------ T1 -------- Cycle ------- T2 ---------- Run ------- Finish
6 Shane Scadding 00:13:41 - 00:02:15 - 00:30:57 - 00:00:58 - 00:19:04 - 01:06:55 - Age Group Prize
7 Stephen Doyle - 00:11:38 - 00:02:12 - 00:33:01 - 00:00:56 - 00:19:27 - 01:07:14 - Age Group Prize
16 Martin Kirwan - 00:16:12 - 00:02:51 - 00:30:55 - 00:00:56 - 00:18:44 - 01:09:39 - Age Group Prize ??
24 Michael Bowes- 00:15:36 - 00:02:36 - 00:32:17 - 00:00:56 - 00:20:21 - 01:11:46 - Age Group Prize
36 Paul Wyse ----- 00:15:16 - 00:02:29 - 00:35:19 - 00:00:58 - 00:19:34 - 01:13:35
38 David Devine --- 00:14:19 - 00:02:24 - 00:35:18 - 00:00:56 - 00:21:07 - 01:14:04
48 Andrew Hickey- 00:15:48 - 00:02:30 - 00:35:17 - 00:00:59 - 00:20:29 - 01:15:03
57 John McDonald- 00:15:54 - 00:02:56 - 00:34:46 - 00:01:19 - 00:20:48 - 01:15:43
59 Brian Slattery -- 00:17:18 - 00:02:49 - 00:35:05 - 00:00:55 - 00:19:40 - 01:15:47
60 Darryl Hale ---- 00:16:10 -00:02:49 - 00:36:15 - 00:01:14 - 00:19:25 - 01:15:52 - Age Group Prize
64 Marc O' Cathasaigh -00:15:25 -00:03:05 -00:34:45-0:00:58 - 00:21:57 - 01:16:10
70 Tom Casey ---- 00:16:59 - 00:03:35 - 00:34:17 - 00:00:52 - 00:20:48 - 01:16:31 - Age Group Prize
77 Gavin Quinlan - 00:17:12 - 00:02:54 - 00:34:13 - 00:01:05 - 00:22:22 - 01:17:46
83 David Connolly -00:16:09 - 00:02:47 - 00:34:54 - 00:01:05 - 00:23:37 - 01:18:33
85 Maurice Robson -00:19:18 - 00:02:43 - 00:34:34 - 00:01:14 - 00:21:00 - 01:18:49
90 Kyle Barret ----- 00:17:53 - 00:02:40 - 00:35:51 - 00:00:56 - 00:21:45 - 01:19:05
146 Mark Daly ----- 00:17:21 -00:03:10 - 00:38:54 - 00:01:19 - 00:23:47 - 01:24:31
218 Carolin Sinnott 00:18:14 - 00:04:25 - 00:41:46 - 00:01:20 - 00:24:19 - 01:30:04
289 Edwina Butler -- 00:21:16 - 00:04:04 - 00:43:59 - 00:01:25 - 00:25:43 - 01:36:28
290 Olive Costello - 00:21:55 -00:04:00 - 00:41:30 - 00:01:35 - 00:27:32 - 01:36:31
TEAM Catherine Galvin & Co. 00:22:42 - 00:42:53 -00:00:56 -00:25:40 -01:35:17
DNF Siobhan Kennedy 00:22:43 - 00:05:00 - 00:42:03


Norma & Caroline didn't start the race due to illness & Siobhan K had to pull out after the cycle (as planned) due to running injury.

Thanks to John McD for all the tarts & buns supplied - they went down lovely..

Accuweather have now put up an exclamation mark and gusts 43mph+ symbol over their forecast rain for Killarney on Saturday. Valentia being an island has it's own microclimate though so we should be ok, no?
Maybe I'll bring my training wheels too.....

Just under a week till our 1st club onslaught on a race. With over 40 of us heading down to Valentia this weekend for the race on Sat. (counting competitors and supporters)

We have booked 5 houses but could not get them on the Island as they were all booked up so had to take ones on the mainland, just a few miles away from the race start.
Norma has organised the houses and will have a list of who is sleeping where..(with 2 double beds and 2 twin rooms per house, we had to make appropriate placings.

Going by past races where we have had a heatwave one year and hailstones/winds/cold/hypothermia another year, I would advise bringing all sorts of clothing to wear just in case.

Most of us will probably register for the race on Fri evening so can meet there and carry on to the houses afterwards.

Expect the see the following there:
Martin K
Olive C
Tom Casey
Teena Casey
Shane S
Helen W
Stefan Green
Rachel Green
Andrew Hickey
Treas Hickey
Ned Power
Caroline R
Stephen D
Dots
Mark Power
Mossy
Gavin Q
Ruth
Kyle Barrett
Donna
Pio
Emma
Siobhan K
Norma
Darryl
Yvonne
Brian S
Mike Bowes
Mark Daly
Marc O'C
Michael Carroll
Carol Sinnott
Catherine Galvin (+3 friends)
Edwina Butler
John McDonald
David Devine

See link here for details: www.portmageeseasidecottages.com

Directions to houses: Travel to Killorglin and then Cahirciveen. Drive straight through town and continue on the Ring of Kerry road for 2 miles. There is a right turn for Portmagee (just before Sheehan’s shop). Drive along the Portmagee road for 4 miles. Pass an ivy covered stone bridge (with concrete barriers before it). Pass Marion’s Hair Salon. Drive straight for a quarter of a mile. Portmagee Seaside Cottages are on your right. The Lynch’s live across the road, up a short lane and then right.

Macken’s farmhouse is also on this lane, on the left.

Old Stones cottage is about 100 meters further along the road after Portmagee Seaside Cottages. It is on the right.

See ye all on Friday evening.