With the National Triathlon season starting to close in it is still a very busy time for Focus on Fitness. Dublin 70.3 among many of the events…have a read.
With the TRI10 series of races are coming to an end Maire Lawlor traveled back home to Greystones for race 8 The King of Greystones sprint race on Aug 1st. With 2 races left to go in the series, the finish line is in sight.
Eoin Lyons traveled to Sligo on Aug 6th for the next round in the super series. The main focus of training is on the longer 70.3 distance and trying to keep the balance of training right for the transition between both distances at this crucial time. Eoin had another great result finishing 4th overall and getting more points for the series.
Blackwater Triathlon in Fermoy was Aug 13th and Stephen Collins took part in what is his local club event. This is a break from longer training sessions in preparation for Ironman 70.3 in Lanzarote in September. He had a great race and finished first club member on the day, the local club revelry is always the best racing! Susan Hayes also took part, another race under her belt in her first year taking part in triathlon and getting the addiction to the sport.
Round 6 of the Invacare league took part in Wicklow hosted by Sorento CC on Sat 13th. Seamus Wall was taking part in the H4 cat where he finished in 2nd place in the hand bike. He posted his 2nd fastest time for 10 miles this year. Damien Vereker also took part, piloted by Noel O’ Dwyer, Comeragh CC, this was Damien’s last race before heading off to take part in the Paralympics in Rio. He was fastest tandem on the day and we wish all the best to Damien for the next few weeks in the lead up to what will be an amazing experience.
Boston Scientific Half Marathon was held in Clonmel on Sun 14th Liz and Kate Nolan took part in this popular race. Kate back home on holidays had a great race finishing 3rd female overall in 1:29 and Liz is getting back into things building up pace and distance finishing in 1:53.
Dublin 70.3 Ironman race was also on Sun the 14th. This is building to be a popular race with big numbers taking part again this year. Focus on Fitness had 15 taking part in the event. This was the big race for some and a lot doing the distance for the first time, it was also a building brick session in the lead up to Ironman Barcelona for others in October. The day started over with very favorable weather but some rain fell during the morning which made for some meeting with the tarmac. Eoin Lyons was first over the line from Focus on Fitness in his build up to the World Championships in 2 weeks time. He finished in 4:15, 2nd in age group and 12th overall, Taking 14 min off last years time. This was a fantastic time and mixing it up with some of the best over this distance. John Hayden was next in 4:33 taking 10 min off his time from last year, this is another great result for John this year and a great confidence builder going to Barcelona. Brian Jacob was next in 4:50 another PB over this distance for Brian who finished very strong. Stephen Butler was next in 5:08 fresh back from holidays and building up towards Barcelona. David Gaffney (Tried and Tested) finished in 5:24, again putting the distances together and moving up to full distance this year for the first time. Eamon Ryan finished next in 5:26 doing half Ironman distance for the first time and enjoying every min of the race. Fintan Stanley first time doing the half distance finished in 5:34 which was a great time, this was helped knowing his training rival Tony McMahon was chasing him down. Jim O’ Brien took a tumble in the slippery conditions finishing in 5:36, but will live to get back out for long sessions again this week in the lead up to Barcelona. Siobhan Kennedy finished in 5:36, 10 sec behind claiming 2nd in her age group. Siobhan is coming back to her best after a bad crash almost 3 years ago which set her back, starting to get some pace back again she is also training for Barcelona. Tony Mac Mahon finished in 5:49, the chase was on to catch Fintan after the swim but mechanical problems on the bike messed that up for Tony, a great time for first time doing long distance. Neil Griffin who was doubtful to make the start with injury finished in 6.01 and no problems on the day. Nigel O’Sullivan finished in 6.05 taking almost 40 min on his best time with a very consistent race finishing strong to the line. Sandra Rellis had another PB and finished in 6:28 taking 30 min off her previous best and pushing on now towards the full distance in October. Katie Ryan finished in 7hrs, first time doing the half distance and another great achievement in a long list this year, she is also finishing off this year with the full distance in October. Tim O’ Brien took part in a relay team doing the bike section, he is building up to 70.3 Vichy in 2 weeks time. Eoin, John, Siobhan and Sandra took away the much sought after spots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Tennessee in 2017. This is a great achievement and something to look forward to next year. Well done to everyone in what was a busy few weeks. Follow the link below for some pictures from the races.
