September 2009
| The Lost Sheep Half Iron Man September 2009 | |
Saturday 12 September 2009 Report by Peter Swann Having completed a formidable cycle challenge last year from Mizen Head to Malin Head, 483 miles in four days, I decided on a different challenge this year. The Lost Sheep Half Iron Man was what I decided upon, details below:"The Lost Sheep Half Iron Triathlon has since it’s inception in 2003 gained a reputation both nationally and internationally as one of the toughest half ironman distance races on the triathlon circuit. Traditionally staged in September each year the event starts with a 1,900m swim in the scenic Kenmare Bay followed by an 83km cycle which takes competitors over two category one climbs on the Healy and Caha passes and finishes after an undulating 21km run mostly on quiet country roads in the picturesque town of Kenmare" http://www.corktri.com/wordpress/ Quite a challenge you might say but for a very worthy cause in Marie Curie Cancer Care. So completed the event successfully on Saturday in a time of 6 hours 19 minutes. Not bad for my first Half Iron Man and even better considering that I was carrying an ankle injury sustained exiting the swim :) The water was freezing for the swim but it was a beautiful sunny day which made the cycle, although hard, very enjoyable with the beautiful scenery to look at. I thought the cycle was hard but the run was even harder! This was due to the 25 degree plus heat and hilly nature of the course. A number of competitors actually collapsed with heat exhaustion. I hope that they have recovered ok. A big thank you to my support team on the day. My girlfriend Sheena provided superb support and encouragement throughout including peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches which where the envy of the other competitors. Also anyone who has contributed to Marie Curie and also of course Cork Triathlon Club for running the event. I have already raised £500+ for Marie Curie but if anyone else wants to donate then that would be much appreciated:
|      |