Read on for Matt Coughlans Report on Kinsale 2007. Read on for Matt Coughlans Report on Kinsale 2007.
This would be my third effort at the race - it being my first ever race two years ago. I was looking at this years race to judge how I was going two years later.
Not alot has changed in the 3 times I've done this race. I arrived in the field near the start at 8am and quickly registered getting the tshirt and book of bike products available from Victoria Cross Cycles. Exciting stuff.
Despite the race being slightly delayed it wasn't long before we were rushing into the cold water heading for the first buoy. The swim was pretty uneventful and was definitely less than 750m. They had the big green TI thing on the beach which made sighting the swim exit pretty easy. This year unlike the last two the weather was fairly perfect so once out on the bike things were moving pretty quickly. Getting to the turn around I could see I was definitely in the top 12/13 which was good motivation pushing things on hard. The out and back course is mostly up small inclines on the way so then mostly down those declines on the way back which made for quick return back to transition. Made a mistake coming over the bridge taking a turn too tight and lost some time on my arch rival from Fermoy Paul Hickey. Paul had finished just ahead of me in Kilkee and immediately after me in Dunmore East so it was an all out battle to see who would come out on top today.
Into transition, runners on and the climb up the hill began. It doesn't get any easier the more you do it. Once at the top of the hill it seems like it should be easy to run down hill except I kept losing time on the guys ahead of me. Lost a few places on the run which was probably a reflect of the hard bike i put in.
Came in just under 1.05 down from 1.18 2 years ago and 1.11 last year. Definitely going in the right direction.For the record Paul beat me hands down finishing just over the 1.04 mark. Well done Paul.
There were some great results from the piranha's racing no more so than Elena was again victorious in the ladies race. Elena has now won in Fingal, Kilkee, Carrick, Camlough as well as the duathlons in the park.
Anne O'Leary celebrated turning 40 (happy birthday Anne!) by taking first in the 40-44 age group.
At 50 quid Kinsale price is up there with pricey races and with no goodie bag/swim hat/grub it seems a tad expensive - but as has been said else where people should vote with their feet. As the race closest to me at home I'll definitely be back for more next year.
PiranhaTri
http://www.piranhatri.com/article.php/20070803105202920