Even though I had plenty of training in the bank over the three disciplines, particularly swimming and cycling, it was with great apprehension that I approached my first triathlon last Sunday in Monkstown, Co. Cork, just across the water from Cobh where I grew up.
I felt very prepared in my training and knew that I could get through everything but the transitions and last minute details were what had me most concerned.
Sonia fitting her RT 57 with Padraig Marrey of Planet X Ireland
Stretchy laces, talcum powder in shoes, (couldn’t find any on Sunday morning ) race belt, (I didn’t have one) flip flops, ( left in Australia) whether to wear a T-shirt or not, (to my detriment I did ) to wear socks or not, (I didn’t but probably should have), to warm up or not, how do you manage that without getting too cold waiting for the start……all these things that I couldn’t really practice ahead of time without the pressure of being in a race.
I did run off the bike a few times but took my time changing shoes, had a drink, put my bike away all very casual not quite transition pace…..though I’m sure I can take a few minutes off my time in transition next time out!
Sonia just before the Swim Start
After arriving a couple of hours early to register, to rack my bike, neatly line up my running shoes and bike shoes on the towel and try to pick a landmark where my bike would be waiting after the swim…the blue house…good idea except about 20 bikes fit in the space of a house!
Everyone headed to the water and awaited the starting horn, which took me by surprise while I was sitting on the slip chatting away, but it didn’t take long to make some space and battle ahead under the bridge towards the first Orange buoy, in amongst all the other resident orange buoys and boats!
Once I got into a nice rythmn I began to enjoy the swim and came out smiling and got a great start on pulling down the wetsuit but it all went wrong when I sat down to pull off the legs……next time I’ll know better!
Off out on the bike towards Haulbowline island where we turned around at the naval checkpoint and back towards Monkstown, I felt I had a good bike ride but can improve on the dismount and racking next time.
Sonia aboard her RT 57 during the London 2 Paris 2012
My frozen feet took a few frustrated attempts before I cold get my running shoes on and head out on what most people thought would be piece of cake for me, but I’m telling you I’ve never run up a hill so long and steep in a race before, it felt like hill running at it’s finest, the only consolation was the long steady drop back to sea level and a nice flat run in to the finish.
I was so relieved to finish my first ever Triathlon, it was definitely a challenge, 77minutes it took me and definitely the run was the hardest part, maybe I was just enjoying the swimming and cycling too much so will gain a few minutes there next time out too.
You will notice, I have mentioned next time a few times….I do believe there will be a next time, it is so easy to want to get out there and have another go when you see so many areas where you can improve and push yourself a little bit harder…..looking for the perfect transition.
I’m really looking forward to watching the Triathlon at the Olympics, now that I have new been through one I can understand it a whole lot more and appreciate the sport of Triathlon.
I am extremely grateful to Ken Lynch at IIS for monitoring my swim program the past few months and giving me all the triathlon tips that I understand a whole lot more now. To Planet X for providing me with a super racing bike, that I will become a whole lot more familiar with throughout the summer. To base2race for their support and encouragement, swimming analysis to push me forward and compressport socks and calf guards to help me recover after hard training and Garmin to monitor my speed on the bike.
To everyone from Cobh and Cork who came along to cheer me on and create a fantastic atmosphere along the course of TriMonkstown where you can find results and photos now.To all the very friendly triathletes who welcomed me to their sport and all the encouragement and advice recieved and Cobh triathlon club for all their support and encouragement too.
While training and racing my first ever triathlon, I choose NICFC and the Shimna valley respite centre in Co.Down as my charity. Shimna Valley is a place where families of Children with Cancer from all over Ireland can spend time together in a comfortable relaxed environment during or after a child’s treatment for Cancer.
If you feel my effort was decent you might like to sponsor me a euro or two whatever you like on the following link
Thanks and I look forward to finding my next Triathlon to target and hopefully squeeze in amongst my Chef deMission duties with Team Ireland at the Olympic Games .
Sonia