Belfast triathlon

[Elaine]

Hi, just wondering if anyone from the club is doing the Belfast triathlon next weekend? Or if anyone who has done it has any useful advice/tips for us on the day.
Many thanks,
Elaine

[helenhh]

Elaine. Check the race register in the member zone on the website. Doesn't look too popular this year. Liam McCarthy doing the sprint and Alex Gu. And Dave Heaney doing the standard.

[Mark Cannon]

Hi Elaine, second what Helen said re race register. It's great for tracking who's doing races and who to look out for.

I have races Belfast twice, two very different experiences but they were weather related, last year was pretty miserable and I punctured 20k into the bike. But it's a fantastic race besides, closed city centre roads and it's flat and fast. Some issues last year with road quality on the bike but I think the bad weather exasperated that a bit. Are you heading up on the morning of the race? It's a very early start from Dublin but I've went with this option the last two years and it's grand, as long as you don't mind setting an alarm for 4am!

Just enjoy the experience really, the run route is laps though the heart of the city and was very well supported 2 years ago when sun was shining, it's flat and fast so aim for a PB whatever distance you are doing.

Mark

[ellenmurphy]

Michelle who was out on intermediate spin on Sunday is going too but don't think she is on race register yet!

[alexgu]

Hi there,

I am indeed doing the race this weekend, my first Oly. Driving up on Saturday to register and recce the course for Sunday. Mark, you said you punctured. I know we are supposed to be able to change tyres ourselves, but is there any mechanical assistance in case we run out of inner tubes?? (Just read a race report last night by someone who had punctured THREE TIMES during a bike leg of a race and now I'm a bit paranoid).

Also, people who have done it, any feedback on the swim? I am absolutely terrified as I am a pretty weak open water swimmer (I just about got over my fear of being surrounded by lots of water...I know, i know, I should have done more sprints before signing up for the OD, but it seemed like a reasonable challenge back in January when I decided to do it....!).

Weather should be ok on Sunday, with maybe a few showers, according to Met Eireann. Elaine, I don't know if you've been to Belfast, but as a tourist, I loved it! Really pretty city centre All the best and see you maybe there!

Alex

[Mark Cannon]

Hi Alex, no assistance for puncture unfortunately - I had no spares so it was race over for me. Long walk in the soaking rain back to transition was zero craic.

Re the swim, it's fine really, no current or choppiness from what I noticed both years. Can't remember which portion of swim was with / against tide but I really can't say I noticed any pull. You'll be grand.

It was Hana's first Olympic as well last year so she'll be able to give you a bit more perspective.

Enjoy it

[alexgu]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your reply! Sorry to hear it ruined your race. I am now going to pack as many spares as I can fit in my suit and on the bike

And good to know about the swim, thanks!! I did the Grand Dublin Swim on Saturday and the way back , against current, was really not fun. So at least that's one thing less to worry about. THANK YOU

[David Power]

Check race reports section of website (under Members menu) - you'll find Hana's report from Belfast last year. A great venue, course and race. We were unlucky with weather last year. www.belparktri.ie/race-reports-members/

[helenhh]

Alex. Like Mark I did the Olympic distance in 2014 and 2015 and they really were 2 completely different experiences. Unlike Mark, I did not travel up at 4am. I stayed overnight both times. The run and bike are completely flat. The bike route can be a bit windy as it's fairly exposed out around the port. 2015 was the worst race ever. Air temp was 12 degrees and it was lashing. Sarah Walsh punctured, fixed it, and still did a faster bike leg than me! I managed a PB on the run though, probably because I had to take it fairly easy on the bike due to the wet roads. 2014 was a much more pleasant affair, which is probably why I did it again in 2015. I loved the 4 lap run. I really struggle on the run so counting down the 4 laps definitely helped.

The swim is absolutely grand. The swim entry is nice and clean down some wide flat steps. I didn't notice any current or chop at all. You swim from fresh water out into salty and then back in again. As Olympic swims go, I think it's a good one for your first OD. It's really a bit like a river swim in that you can see the walls and the people watching so you can see that you're making progress.

Best of luck!

[Jeremy G.]

Jul 26, 2016 11:38:47 GMT alexgu said:

Hi Mark,

Thanks for your reply! Sorry to hear it ruined your race. I am now going to pack as many spares as I can fit in my suit and on the bike

And good to know about the swim, thanks!! I did the Grand Dublin Swim on Saturday and the way back , against current, was really not fun. So at least that's one thing less to worry about. THANK YOU

Hi Alex,

It was my first Olympic distance for me last year. As Mark mentioned the weather was not perfect but I have very much enjoyed it regardless.

the swim is in river Lagan, as Mark mentioned no choppiness and I can't remember any noticeable current. The start is opposite to this goo.gl/maps/JXacT7uBga52 going towards the sea and then coming back for finish on the opposite bank. I've had 0 punctures, I guess depends on you luck.

Have a look at this: connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/844869929 it is my garmin activity from last year.

I did the Grand Dublin Swim on Saturday as well, the 1pm start

Best of luck on Sunday!
Jeremy

[mfitzg]

Great info everyone thanks !! Ellen - I have the tape ready to go for all my bike snacks 😝

[Elaine]

Thanks a mil for all of the above info! It's great and really helpful! See you all soon, Elaine 🏊🏻🚴🏃🏻😀