Two Provinces Three Drowned Rats

Amelia, myself and Ger headed down to lovely Lanesborough at the crack of dawn.  Poor Amelia was feeling a little under the weather (excuse the pun) but we arrived at our destination ready to race ...or maybe not.

As we pulled up to the car park, Amelia suddenly realised she had no helmet. We didn’t have a huge amount of time to spare (given me taking a little detour on the way down just for fun) but we were clear of the registration 5 minutes before close. Cue the first rain shower – and it was torrential. We were just in the zone of finding a helmet and some vicks before heading to transition in the spitting rain.

The transition set up was done  but my head was not quite ready to race and I forgot to check bike in/run out directions but thankfully it all worked out fine.

The Two Provinces divided the waves by Age Category so the Women over 50 were put in Wave 6 which was 2 hours post the race brief. Usually I don’t mind the wait around but cue more showers and cold meant that our wet suits were well, very wet, before we even started. To “warm up” a few of us took to running in our flipflops in the field lakeside. Someone remarked that maybe we should do the triathlon in reverse.

Needless to say, by the time 12.00pm came around, the O/50 red hats of the women lined up were more than ready to go. The starter was greeted by chants of “Let us go, let us go, let us go let us go, let us go,  LET US GO-OH ” It was actually a relief to get out of the rain into the water which was a lovely temperature. When the starter said he would then be starting in 10 minutes we collectively groaned and he agreed to a 2 minute start time to cheers of joy. It was all very good natured. We were all in good spirits having had our seaweed bath and feet exfoliations in the warm water.

The race went without incident – if it was raining during it I didn’t notice. The bike was fast, and I did hear someone tell me to "Move in Fingal Tri”  just past the mount line as I fumbled to get my feet in new cleats. She then proceeded to chant “C’mon Fingal, all day long” as she hared past me at top speed. I will have to practice my trash talk to get back at her next time (hahaha).  It was my first time to try out cleats. I am happy to say it won’t be my last. I forgot to start my watch due to the unexpected start. I recorded about 17km of my bike and Strava tells me that it was my fastest 10K cycle so what’s not to cheer about?!

The run was hilly at the start and then there was a gradual incline for first half but 2^nd half seemed somewhat easier. Maybe it was the home straight spurring me on to a faster finish!

All in all a great day out was had by all, we bailed into the marquee during the next rain shower and had a lovely feed of hot chicken and chorizo paella. Our compliments to the chef.

Before we left we just had to get a picture of our lovely Portmarnock Tri neighbours. I’m not quite sure if we scared them all off as the shelter was empty and we proceeded to occupy it for a customary photo before we headed home in the rain. The sun did come out when we got to the car and the day ended in glorious sunshine and shiny new medals.