Valentia Triathlon As An Ironman

A fitting end to a year of triathlon. I was a complete novice when I did this race in 2020. Everything was new, and my body hadn’t been adapted. At the time I’d have told you that was it for me and this sport. Yet here I was, back again but after completing two half-Ironman’s in Waterville & Bantry and a full Ironman in Killarney. The fittest I’d ever been in my life and now happily beyond all the worries of this year. Able to close this chapter with one last, purely fun race. Sinéad and her brother Daithí joined, as was now tradition.

I stayed in Killarney the night before to split up the drive. Arriving in Knight’s Town on the island there was none of the nervousness from last year. I collected my race pack seeing loads of familiar faces, and set up my transition area.

The simplicity was almost funny now. Having spent a year thinking about nutrition, transition bags and the perfect setup there was none of that needed here. Sinéad asked me what I was doing for food. I said I had one gel that I probably wouldn’t eat, and one water bottle I probably wouldn’t drink (I was pretty well hydrated before).

The weather was great as Hardman always seems to guarantee, except for the wind. It was clear the sea was very choppy and we were told at the race briefing it was too dangerous to do the normal swim route. This was swapped for a rectangular lap of the sheltered marina which was fine. Buoys were setup and we lined up to begin.

Into the water and instant chaos. Kicking, hitting and people swimming over you. It wasn’t the calm day I’d planned for, but I avoided the worst of it and everyone eventually spread out. Around the buoys flew by and suddenly I was on the last straight. This was cool as it had one gap in pillars where it opened to the sea and it’s howling wind. You could tell when you were passing it, small waves messing with your breaths. Very soon after I was running up the slipway and pulling off my wetsuit.

My trisuit and past experience made transition quick. Bike was in a low gear, timing chip on my left ankle to avoid the chain. Not my first rodeo… as I said at my second rodeo.

I sped up the hill which didn’t feel any shorter than last year. The views of the Skelligs from the top were great and the downhills as fast as I’d remembered. I’d since been to Valentia a few times (spent a week in Portmagee with my family that summer) and it was nice to cycle around the island again.

There was a big headwind as I approached the town and I could see dark clouds forming quickly. Off the bike and into transition feeling great.

Runners on and I took off fast, as did the rain. Instant monsoon, pelting hard. Only lasted a few minutes (in fact Sinéad never saw any of it). It probably made me run faster and this year the hilly run felt shorter. Up and up seeing others come against you until it was your time to turn. The descent is super fast and I couldn’t stop smiling all the way back. I sprinted around the last corner and under the finish line.

Standing there with the medal I couldn’t believe how much had changed in only one year.

Sinéad and Dathaí finished soon after and we raided the free food. This was likely the last year we’d do this together as she was moving to Canada. Who knows what my year would have been like if she hadn’t gotten me to do this race a year before. I’ll look forward to returning with friends to introduce and share this sport for years to come.

That night I made the long drive to Dingle and finished off the weekend with some sightseeing and good food. A chapter happily closed, and a mind full of ideas for future adventures.