The event was fantastically organised by Tri Ah Mhi. They had so many marshal’s out there was no way anybody could have taken a wrong turn (although one girl from Newry did manage to to over a roundabout when she should have turned right). The weather was fantastic sunny with no wind and the other great factor was the level of support all around the event.

To give some background this was the original event Mark suggest I enter to give me motivation to train over the summer. As it had an open water swim I needed a wetsuit so about 6 weeks ago I decided to order a wetsuit. I wanted to get a wet suit that would fit me once I lose all the weight I have to lose and was delighted to find the 2XU do a suit that is a medium solid for people my height weighing between 12s 4lb and 13st 12lb and since I was losing 2lb a week I figured I might be close in time for for the race. Unfortunately my weight lose slowed and I only got down to 14st 9lb and while my suit fitted me (with some help from Dave) there wasn’t any room for breathing.

Tri an Mhi 09 - Swim

Swim: 19:15.68 (91/160)
For the swim I couldn’t get enough air doing front crawl so I switched to back stoke (I’m probably only a little slower doing back stroke but it was hard to navigate in the open water and I ended up zigzagging back and forwards. On the plus side I got a bit of sun on my face.

Transition 1: 03:07.60 (117/160)
When I was getting out of the wetsuit I was light headed from lack of oxygen and nearly fainted twice. It took some time and with the help of the transition bars to stay upright and get my kit on I finally got out and on my bike.

Cycle: 58:22.97 (95/160)
The cycle was very enjoyable and it was nice to actually have people around me (although drafting wasn’t allowed). There were plenty of hills to test the legs and I think I worked hard enough with an average heart rate of 170bmp and max 187bpm, I guess I maybe could have put in more work on the downhill sections but hey there’s always next year.

Transition 2: 00:42:76 (64/160)
This was smoother, I had recovered from my dizziness and was actually complemented on my dismount (I had been practising). It takes me a wee second or two more than average because I need to put my knee support on.

Tri an Mhi 09 - Run

Run: 32:09:24 (97/160)
Ohhh man this was tough. Running is my worst discipline and when you throw in three laps with a big hill it gets tougher knowing what’s ahead but the noise from the finish line and all the supporters spurred me on. Again I worked hard on this with average heart rate of 174bpm and max 184bpm.

Tri an Mhi 09 - Finish Line

Over all: 1:53:38:25 (96/160)
Tough as it was I really enjoyed the race and can’t wait until next year to try it again, hopefully 2 or 3 stone lighter.

Tri an Mhi 09 - Three Amigos at the finish line

The downside to the day was for Mark who hurt his back putting on the wetsuit but still managed to to make it through the race and beat me by about 30 or 40secs (I don’t know his times yet), he’s one tough wee man.

Tri an Mhi 09 - Mark in pain

Dave having only trained for only about 4 or 5 weeks proved his super fitness again by beating me, finishing about 8mins ahead.

Tri an Mhi 09 - All the gang

We had a great weekend apart from the Triathlon with Elia, Claire, Cara, Noah, Luke and Leah all joining us for two night staying near the event. Since finishing I’ve had a break from training and diet but it all start again in the morning and to help keep the cycling going over the winter I’m going to get a mountain bike.

More pictures on my facebook page.

Thanks to everyone who donated money, texted, facebooked etc. to encourage us. It’s not to late to add to the sponsorship money for Cancer Research UK at http://www.justgiving.com/dermois/