Kilkee Race Report 2008

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http://www.triathlonjournal.ie/news/story.html?id=12

Man oh man, I forgot how hard this race is!

The swim went well and was a pb for Kilkee despite the choppy conditions. Managed to stay calm throughout - the swimming in Seapont has def paid off (I need to start this earler in the season - prob mid April 2009).

The bike also went well, I was flying, overtaking Kiera-Eva around the 15k mark. The cycle back was tough with the wind but I held my own and managed to keep up wth Limericks Liam Butler. We came into T2 togther, however, I was cramping up on the bike towards the end, which meant that I probably went too hard and I should have definitely taken at least 1 Gel (Craig took 2 gels on the bike). I was in a different wave to Belparks Craig, JnJr, Eric and John Rafferty which is a shame as I would have been in the mix with them.

I went off on the run and, altho I was overtaking a quite a few athletes, I didn't feel strong and after a while I started to slow up. I just had nothing left the tank - Kiera-Eva overtook me after about 3k and I had nothing left to keep up with her. I was really depressed and couldn't wait for the race to be over -I even stopped to walk on several occasions and I cramped up on my left hamstring. At the 5k turn point I was delighted that it would all be down hill but I knew it wasn't going to make much of a diffence but at least I managed to hold my own. My time of 48:46 could't have been much worse. Looking at the results I was 3rd place in my age cat coming off the bike and a couple of mins ahead of Craig (80) ad KE (73rd) (Liam Butler came in 58th place!).
Lessons for next year:-
1. Take at least one fi not 2 gels on the bike2.
2. Don't go too hard on the bike - leave something in the tank for the run. (If I catch KE again maybe stick with her as I could prob match her on the run).

Finish Time: 2:42:45
Splits:-
28:53 -swim
00:21 - T1
1:24:03 - Bike
00:45 - T2
48:46 - run


Summary
Anyway it was an improvment on the last 2 years and makes me more determined to get it right next year (plus the craic afterwards was mghty)