Pulse Aquathlon Race 2, 2013 Series

Pulse Cycleways Aquathlon Race 2

I have always read the other Pulse race reports thinking fair play to you…it’s tough enough having to do the event…let alone write about it afterwards!! Yet somehow here I am sitting at my laptop writing up a report on the second Pulse Aquathlon that was held last night – all I can say is that your powers of persuasion must be pretty good Jarlath!!!

To be fair it’s pretty nice getting to write a report about an event that is run by your own club – and all I can say is hats off to the organisers.  I know I am probably a bit biased but the whole event was really well organised, run and marshalled …and not forgetting made completely worthwhile by Rachel’s homemade treats afterwards!  Thanks a million to everyone involved!  I can’t write about last night without mentioning the kids “Splash and Dash” event that took place first – with over 30 children taking part, it’s great to see that the idea of aqauthlons and tris is well and truly planted already.  We are going to have some super athletes in a few years time (not to mention the thrill of being a human buoy….I have finally achieved one of my life long ambitions!)

Once I got over the excitement of being a human buoy, it was time to actually start thinking about the task at hand!!  There had been quite a lot of interest with online entries before the race, but I think the somewhat unpredictable Irish weather might have dissuaded a few in the end (it actually ended up being a really nice evening – always the way!).  I was now beginning to question why I had signed up for this, as the pretty calm waters beside the Bull Wall were definitely beginning to pick up a bit.  Surely there were better things I could have been doing on a summer’s Wednesday evening?  I had done the Kilkenny triathlon at the weekend and was definitely thinking that one event a week is enough, but sure enough, race briefing over, into the open sea we went, and then the excitement began to set in.  Bring it on!!!  One lesson definitely learned – pay attention to what’s going on around you!  Think I was chatting away to one of the girls and looking around me, when I suddenly realised that the race had already started! Ah well – as I was beginning to think up all of my excuses already.

The swim was really good – tough though.  It felt like everytime you lifted up your head to sight, all you could see was a wave coming towards you. The lay out was good though – swimming straight out past two buoys and then one left hand turn before heading towards the welcome sights of the steps of the Bull Wall and those lovely bright yellow marshall tops – at least I knew I was going in the right direction!!  The start was spread out though, so you managed to escape the infamous knocks around the place that normally happen – there was a bit of that going around the last buoy alright but not too bad.  It’s amazing when in the water you don’t really mind having a foot in your face!  Was very glad of the helping hand pulling me out of the water though – and thank god for the railing going up the steps, as otherwise I probably would have just sat down and left it at that.

Spurred on by the shouts of “Go Pulse” (definitely the advantage of wearing the club gear – the disadvantage being the pressure of feeling you had better do well so!!), it was on to transition.  Purely by being late getting up to transition before the race (too busy talking…again!!), my things actually ended up being just beside the steps coming out of the water! I definitely remember struggling to get my runners on, but don’t think it delayed me too much! A bit of a run along the pier, dodging those that were still looking for where there things were, a run down a (thankfully) carpeted slope and onto the run course I went.  It seems to take me awhile to get into my stride after the swim, but surprisingly enjoyed the run along the beach – the sand was pretty firm in most parts – although my runners still ended up being saturated and covered in sand by the end of it all.  Again the route was really well marshalled and I was so happy to see the cone that marked the end of the first 2.5km – or so I thought until I realised that the run back was going to be into the wind. (I was notching up more excuses!!).  It’s the sight of people ahead of you and the finish line in the distance that makes you keep going.  I knew one of the guys from the club, Ritchie, was behind me – but he still managed to pass me out well before the finish line!! Someday I’ll manage to keep up with him at the end – maybe!  Don’t think I ever enjoyed a slice of water melon as much as I did last night when I crossed the line –good choice on the post race snacks : )

All in all, a really well run, fun event – the perfect thing to be doing on a Wednesday’s summer evening!!  Looking forward to the next one already!!

Written by Paula Lauhoff