Causeway Olympic Triathlon.

My most recent race was an Olympic distance tri, hosted by our very own Triangle Triathlon Club. Portrush was the venue for the race, this meant I would get my 1^st sea swim of the year too. The sun was shining and the sea was calm, everything seemed perfect.

Signed in, racked bikes and sorted out transition, I had a great wee spot which was handy for exiting on the bike. Catching up with friends and fellow racers as usual, resulted in loads of banter and everyone was having the ‘craic’.

As usual, my supporters where there to enjoy the day too, my family. Mum and Dad would go to the far end of the earth to support me, which I appreciate so so much. My sister and her husband came along today too and my nephews had great fun at the beach/sea.

I had travelled with my mate Tommy, so at the start we wished each other good luck, as it was a mass start and the usual charge to the water meant we wouldn’t see each other till the end.

Off we went, luckily I found some clear space on the swim and managed to get it completed hassle free. My swim time for the 1500m was 26:30ish, I was happy with that time for sure.

T-1 was 100% and went as well as could be expected, it was now bike time. The route had a few small gradual climbs but nothing major thankfully. I was holding a decent pace and I was comfortable that I could keep it above 20mph av and still have a good run at the end. The route was just shy of 25 miles to be fair, which gave me a time of 1:07:15. I was really happy with that!

T-2 was fast and I had my Asics on in no time at all. Typically I forgot to start my Garmin watch at the beginning so I was sure what pace I was running until about mile 1. The run route is tough, a few small but sharp hills to climb at the beginning, and finished off with a 1.5mile beach run to the line. I wasn’t feeling as relaxed as I usually do which annoyed me, maybe the thought of injury weeks before my Ironman was in my head.

I kept it steady and give it a small increase of pace for the last mile up the beach, the sun was really hot at this point and the setting at the finish line crowded with people was fantastic. My pace for the run was around 7:30 min/mile pace and that give me a total finish time of 2hrs 22minutes. I was delighted to say the least.

As everyone cheered each other on till the end, it was handshakes and hugs galore. A big thanks goes out to Adam Wilson the organiser, everyone couldn’t speak highly enough about the whole race at the end, it was fantastic.

I ended up 69^th overall and 6^th in my age category. Now that’s my 6^th race this year and my 6^th PB, so so pleased I can’t even explain how happy that makes me.

Under 4 weeks to go and it’s the big 1, Outlaw Ironman distance on 27^th July…. this is what I’ve worked so so hard for, were almost there, Bring it on!

Aaron

Training Half Ironman!

At the start of Easter, I planned to complete a half iron training race. The weather was fantastic on Easter Saturday and it made for the perfect opportunity to go for it. I couldn’t get anyone to join me on the challenge, as most of the lads had family commitments and what not, so I was on my tod.

I started the swim at 9am, cruised the 1.2 mile swim at my leisure (remember this is training pace, not race pace). I think my swim time was 38 minutes or very close to it at least. Taking my time with a proper change at transition was worth while I thought, no need for any rushing, I wasn’t racing anyone lol

My bike route was from Limavady, along the Coast Road which was fast as usual, and the sun making the views something else, into Coleraine and out towards Portrush. It’s days like this that make cycling/training so much fun, no rain, no clouds, nothing. We get so much bad weather all winter, this is the weather we only dream of. I was cycling well, and felt good which helped, taking in plenty of water and nibbling away on my bananas and flapjacks.

I then made my way along the Coast to Portstewart, truly gorgeous part of the world, you would never get tired cycling on that road it’s so good. Onwards into Coleraine again, here I had the biggest scare yet of coming off my bike. How the driver turning into a petrol station never seen me is beyond me! I slapped on the brakes, and just managed to avoid colliding with his car and no more, he got a serious mouthful and a few gestures to show my feelings on the matter! On I went and made my way back along the Coast Road to Limavady again, a slight head wind from Benone to Limavady wasn’t good but I struggled on and completed my cycle with a 17.5mph average speed. Well impressed considering I had no company nor drafting.

Changed into my running gear and off I set for a lap of the bridges, a well know route for cyclists and runners. This is a 10 mile loop so I had to add a bit to it for the full 13.1 mile run needed. Right from the off I was sweating, the heat was so good considering it is still only April. I must thank my mum and dad at this point, they drove to the halfway point and met me with water and jelly babies to keep my energy up, the support they are giving me for this journey to become an ironman is 2^nd to none. Thank you soso much.

The last few miles were tough enough, my knees were hurting a little but nothing major. Finally coming into the finishing point felt so good, I finished strong enough which I’m happy about, but I looked a little worse for wear. Haha. My run average was 8:58 min/mile pace, happy enough and steady enough for all 13.1 miles.

My total time (not counting transitions) was 5hours 45 minutes. Not my best time, but certainly pleasing as this is just part of my training remember 😉 This was a stepping stone from my 1^st few months of my plan, and going on now to the 2^nd part of my plan which includes some races in May and June. Time to test myself for sure, while being carful that my Ironman plan keeps ticking along at the same time! Keeping my eyes on the bigger prize is important. Bring it on 😉

Aaron

Saturday’s Brick Session.

Saturday morning alarm was set for 6am, a tad early to be fair, but with the lads having busy days ahead with families etc, there was nothing else for it. I guess it suited me too, I could have an afternoon on the sofa and watch as much football as possible. Perfect eh?

I had everything sitting ready to go on Friday evening, preparing in advance just makes the Saturday morning ritual so much easier. Car loaded up with cycling and running gear, as today was a brick session, porridge in me, and off I went.

Our meeting point was Roe Valley Leisure Centre, with a 7am start time. Chris, Shane and a few of our Claudy MAMILs were all in attendance, and today, I was in charge of our route. We set off from Limavady along the Coast Road, and made our way to Coleraine, and along the back road to Portrush, coming in then, from the East side of the town. The sky darkened and threatened of rain. I had checked the weather last thing on Friday night, and to be fair it did say at 9am, the heavens would open for a short spell. Needless to say, for once they were correct.

As we made our way from Portrush to Portstewart, which I must say is 1 of thee nicest roads to cycle along, the view is amazing and something that we take for granted to be honest. Not today though, it was dark with rain clouds, wind blowing like mad, while pouring with rain like someone had just turned a tap on us. There wasn’t much chat from us now I can assure you of that! Haha

When we finally arrived at Morelli’s, the coffee and bun stop was welcomed. Barry very kindly bought the coffees, cheers mate. I will return the favour someday 😉 We sat there, drenched and if we didn’t laugh, we would’ve cried, soaked is an understatement. To be honest, I considered ringing for a taxi home haha

Nothing else for it though, we want to be Ironmen, so, on we went. Cold and wet made the next 5 or 6 mile challenging, but thankfully the sky cleared, the sun came out, and we started to dry and heat up. A head wind on our way home didn’t help things either, but each of us taking a turn at the front helped the situation. I must add here that some do more than others at the front, Shane likes to point out that he does the most, and is quick to slag me saying I don’t do half the time he does. To be fair I probably don’t, but it’s a hell of a lot more than Chris, I don’t know if he has ever done a mile into the head wind! Hahaha

Once back to Limavady, it was a quick change at our very luxurious changing room (at the boot of the car) and on with our running gear. I set of with Barry, as he is the 1 guy that has me for pace within our group, so to stick with him would hopefully help. After 63 miles of cycling it’s fair to say it was tough to go with him, our 1^st mile was 7:12 min/mile, our 2^nd was a 7:06min/mile and that was me, I had to reduce my pace and let him go. Mile 3 was a 7:50 min/mile and my 4^th and final mile was 7:20 min/mile.

Happy enough with the full mornings training, when it’s pouring down on you, it certainly is character building, and when you finish with a decent run, it definitely puts your mind back in that positive mode. All good, and that brought my total training to 13hrs and 40mins for the week, well on target, and I feel great. The weeks are flying in, and the races are coming very very soon!

Aaron