My Triathlon season kicked off on Sunday the 30th of April with the Liam Ball Triathlon. An event that has been running now for over 30 years in Derry City and one that I love to compete in. This year being my third year that I’ve had a go. 
As with all of these events I’m guilty of setting myself unrealistic targets in advance, one of the major failings in my triathlon career…. thinking I’m faster than I actually am.
So with a vast winter base behind me and of course new trainers, I set out on the day to reach the pinnacle of my triathlon success… beat the elusive 1.10 on a sprint distance triathlon. 
Needless to say, It didn’t go to plan.

So here are my official ‘triathlete’ excuses for such a failure. 

1) I prefer open water swims (this race being a pool swim)
2) I held back on the bike so that I could have some left in the tank for the run. 
3) The weather ruined my bike leg
4) I got a stitch on the run
and finally
5) My nutrition let me down

Of course the stark reality is that none of these really apply, I just didn’t manage to go fast enough. It is nice to justify the ‘why’ when mentally analysing your race afterwards. There are a vast quantity of others that I could have listed here that I will have to admit that I’ve used on many an occasion 🙂 
I suppose that’s one of the best parts of competing at an amateur level in this kind of sport. I’m in constant competition with myself. What can I actually achieve with the right work…? how much can I improve on my previous times? That feeling, when you do see the fruits of your ‘training labour’ is hard to beat. 

In reality the race went really well. 
Swim : 12.05
Bike : 35.34
Run : 22.51
Total : 1.12.21

Although there’s always room for improvement (mostly in my mind as my body doesn’t seem to want to catch up) for the first race of the year, I was delighted. An improvement on last year and 27th in an incredible field of athletes is punching way above my weight. 

The Northwest Triathlon Club, my home club did an amazing job on the day and made this once again one of my favourite races of the season. Thanks to Paul Slavin for being my marshall on the day and a massive well done to all athletes on the day… 
here’s to the next one!