Lough Cutra 2017 – Jo Lynch
A bad case of nerves and a Justin Bieber earworm…..my first half Iron distance race.
Ever since I signed up (i.e. talked into it) for Ironman Barcelona last October, I had been very conscious of my short triathlon career to date. One tri a try, two sprints and two olympics since I started all this last June was my total. So signing up for the Lough Cutra half Iron distance was more for a mental check as opposed to a physical one. Guess I needed to know in my head that this could be done.
My ironman plan didn’t call for a half Iron race until the start of August so going to Lough Cutra was definitely going rogue. With only 11 weeks of dedicated training in me, this was going to be a ‘training race’.
I had heard the course was tough. I knew about the mist on the lake last year turning it into a duathlon. I knew I’d have to run through woodland. I felt prepared for all of that. What I was not prepared for was the crippling nerves the evening before and morning of the race. I can honestly say I have never experienced nerves like it. Many pep talks were had but I couldn’t shake that sickly feeling that this would be a disaster.
With a breakfast from the B&B forced into me, off I headed for Lough Cutra castle. With car parking etc I didn’t have much time to prep transition and it was a case of racking the bike, dumping some stuff in transition in the hope it was what I needed and heading to the swim start. Wasn’t long before a few Pulsers grouped together for moral support, and with Paddy Holohan either forgetting his wetsuit or his swim hat, and bringing the wrong goggles, I thought, I’m in good company here. A quick pep talk with Garry McGovern who was also doing his first half Iron and it was into the water with us.
3 people resigning themselves to their fate!
Once I hit the water all nerves disappeared and that familiar race feeling returned. Swim start as per usual was a bit of a melee but I managed to get away with only one elbow to the head before everyone spread out. I was determined to keep as direct a swim line as possible and did not want to swim a metre more than necessary. It was a lovely swim with lots of buoys to sight off (TriAthlone take note!). 41 min swim, that’ll do. I didn’t push the swim and swam well within myself.
Been working on my wave all winter
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Once on terra firma, my next challenge was to take off my wetsuit. Anyone who has seen me at Killiney will know what a sight it is as I do battle with it. I did manage it eventually but not before it sought its revenge and turned off my Garmin meaning I lost my swim data. Stupid wetsuit!! Onto the bike, and up a very mucky hill to the mount line where I then couldn’t get clipped in due to all the mud on my shoes. With mud in my brakes as well, my race was nearly over when braking over the first speed bump in the estate sent my back wheel spinning. It’s gonna be a long day I thought! Onto the bike route and with the knowledge that I am hopeless at punctures I set off on the 93km route. Despite it being very scenic, much of the roads are ‘bone rattlers’ with bad surfaces meaning I wasn’t able to get too much speed up. How people can do fast bike times on those surfaces constantly amazes me. Two nice sections on the N67 and N18 (I think) were a welcome break. A few chats were had along the way with fellow competitors and with singing Justin Biebers new song in my head, (song of the summer me thinks, it’s the Spanish one) it was all over in approx. 3.35hrs and back to the castle. Paddy, Mike and myself all landed in T2 at around the same time and was good to see them. Now for a wee run!
Gripping those gels like my life depended on them
Woodland, dodgy fields with holes in the ground and the sun beating down made for a tough run. I’ve never done cross country running before (nor will be again!) so having to concentrate fully on my footing whilst being knackered and with my calf muscles also not cooperating, a run/walk plan was deployed. Again lots of chats and lots of encouragement along the way. 3 laps of 7km was required which took 2.06hrs. Not too shabby considering I was shuffling, not running and also stopped to pet a dog. There is always time to pet a dog!!
A little sprint to the finish, mandatory in my book, and it was all over. Only to have Joanne Murphy shove a microphone in my face for an interview!! MC’s take note here. Don’t ask someone who’s just raced for 6.30hrs to be coherent in an interview!
The objective of the day was to complete and that was accomplished. I done it, not a bad time and gave me the confidence that my training is bearing fruit and to push on. Big thanks to everyone on the day (and the night before) who helped me to the line, especially Dave, Fi, Aine, Anna, Paddy, Garry, Anthony and Mike.
Another 2 months of training before I go to Tri Tyrone for another go at the distance. With a trip to Harbourman Wicklow in between. Sure this is great craic altogether. See ye all there!!