What initially started out B.C. (Before COVID) saw women from Cork and Limerick finally participate in their first Try-a-Tri last week (September 24th).
Over the course of six weeks, the women were guided by an online training plan, weekly check-ins, and a training event in Ballyhass Adventure Centre. The training culminated in a very well supported swim, bike, run event hosted by Mallow Triathlon Club.
The women completed a 200m open water swim in Ballyhass Lake (a daunting task for any person new to the sport), an eight or 16 kilometre cycle around the undulating roads of Cecilstown and a four kilometre run around Ballyhass before entering the finishing chute. All participants were honoured with a bespoke medal as a token of their achievement.
TRIATHLONS ARE A SCARY BUSINESS
Newly titled triathlete, Nóra Ní Ghráda said she found the whole experince very positive: “I am very grateful for the kind encouragement and continuing advice and support given throughout the six weeks. I am looking forward to maintaining and building the level of fitness and confidence I have gained.”
Mary Lyne from Cork was able to achieve something extraordinary through the event: “Triathlons are a scary business, all that swimming, cycling and running over the course of the same event, the same day, even the same hour. Surely only the preserve of the young, the buff, the super fit? Can triathlon be accessible to those of us with a few miles on the clock and a few aches in the bones? Thanks Triathlon Ireland for championing Women in Tri.”
She added: “Sometimes you don’t believe you can until you have the chance to Tri.”
CREDITS
Triathlon Ireland send a massive thank you to Gerard Vowles and all the members from Mallow Triathlon Club for their support not only on the day of the event but also for the training day. Many thanks to James Kirby from Cork Sports Partnership and Phelim Macken from Limerick Sports Partnership who were instrumental in the recruitment of participants and support on the day of the event too, and to Limerick TC, Cork TC, Crosshaven TC, and Schull TC who supported also.
