All Ireland Metalman Triathlon – Rosses – Point, Sligo.

Bank to my roots…..my first Olympic.

Having grown up in Rosses Point, and assisted with water rescue and the water and feed stations for the All - Ireland Triathlons which were held in the village in the 80s and early 90’s, when I heard that the “Metalman Triathlon” was to be re-launched, it was a must on my calendar, and what better a place to tackle my first Olympic distance than on this familiar ground.

The lead up to the race was a challenge in itself, having struggled with a chest infection for over three weeks, and as I drove to Sligo on the 11th of July, I was still croaking, coughing, and spluttering, (it’s good to get the excuses in early), with my husband questioning whether or not I had totally lost the plot even contemplating this race.

There was the option to register the night before, so I headed to the Yacht Club, to sign my swim proficiency, and collect my chip. As I parked at the club, I could hardly get the car door open, as it was blowing a gale and raining, and the still, clear calm Rosses Point bay, that I remembered from my youth, was rough and grey.

I awoke on Sunday morning – still a bit dark and dreary outside, but preached to myself, that this was sport, a pastime after all, and not to be taken too seriously. “Enjoy it Alison”, the voice in my head kept telling me.

I had a good breakfast at the Radisson Hotel, where a few other triathletes sat quietly, fuelling on bananas, nuts and whatever other delights were on offer from the buffet. I was seated beside a guy from the Olympia, Tri Club, who questioned my athletic ability, but was impressed that I belonged to “Peter’s Club”.

Car packed and off to get organised. I think it was fate that I drove up and parked beside Gavin O’Kane, who was parked next to Julian Grimes (from Magherafelt). I was reassured by the support that this sense of team provided, and after a quick spin on the bike, to make sure all was in order, I racked it at transition, and organised that rest of my kit. It was still very windy, the sea still looked grey and rough, and then it started to rain. Simpson (who was holidaying in the nearby Ballyshannon) had taken the early morning drive to the Point, to support his teammates. Now what about that for dedication. Again, this sense of team support warmed me, and soon the Team Triangle was complete, with the arrival of Paul (Fletcher), Gary (Kendall) and Adam (Wilson) in Paul’s van.

Race briefing warned us on the perils of open water swimming, particularly in the rough sea, and of every climb on the cycle route, which was on open roads. After this, armed with goggles and hats, we headed off for the (what seemed to me, long) walk to the swim start. The start was to be a run off the beach, but owing to the rough seas, the race organisers opted for a “waist deep” start, and as I waded in, Gary was along side me, and he advised me that he was not happy. How did he think I felt. I confirmed my race tactics to lie back a bit, and remembered Johnnie’s (Goldie) advice to conserve energy in the swim, and that I would be fine.

And we’re off! I did as instructed, and swam easy out past the first buoy, the swim then headed in a straight line parallel to the beaches, past buoy two, buoy three and then the swim in. When I stood up in the water, I recollected my time as a marshall standing on this very beach, and could not quite fathom that the roles were now reversed. Up the slipway, and I could hear Simpson and Johnnie shouting “get up that hill girl”, so I made a half hearted attempt at a run, until I reached the shower shoot, (now that was a great idea), and into T1. What to wear? Jacket or no jacket? Would I be cold? Then Gavin’s advice from earlier rang in my ears, when he reminded me that he had once been unable to complete an Olympic, because he was so cold when he came in off the bike. Jacket it was. Then I heard my Mum shouting “Get a move on Alison”. Obviously seeing the look on my face she toned it down to “well done love. Keep it going.”

The next shout came from Johnnie and Sarah as I exited T1, (“This is the easy bit!”) and I was off towards Grange village. Easy bit?? The bike was an undulating course, from Rosses Point to Sligo, out through Rathcormac village, on to Drumcliffe village (past Yeats burial ground) and on towards the turn around just before Grange village. A climb back up the hill, and I was homeward bound. The good thing about the out – back course is that it gives you the opportunity to see the rest of the Triangle gang, particularly, if like me, you are further down the pack.

As I was perhaps 4k out from the village on the return leg of the bike, Trudi Brown (first lady home) passed me on the first leg of her run. What skill, which is only to be admired, so I shouted, “well done Trudi” and knuckled down.

T2 to the shouts of my husband, and my parents, and Julian passed me on the bike on the way in. It is always a welcome relief for me to rack my bike, and know that whatever happens now, I should be OK. This is definitely the easiest bit (not easy, just easier), and a tried to smile for Simpson’s camera as I exited T2, and headed for Rosses Point promenade.

As I left the village, Adam was leading Team Triangle in towards the finish, and I shouted a few words of encouragement. With this Julian passed me on the inside, saying “Don’t you just hate that. He is on the way in and we’re on the way out.” This incentivised Julian, and he took off like a hare! Next thing I knew I had turned at Ballincar, and was now on the final furlong.

The finish was on the prom. The crowd was good, given that the sun was now trying to break through, and the rest of the gang were waiting patiently at the finish to welcome me home. What a relief, and what a great feeling to have completed my first Olympic in my home village. I never imagined in the 1980’s that I would be a triathlete. It was all over.

The final results: Adam Wilson 2.14, Paul Fletcher 2.16, Gary Kendall 2.28, Gavin O’Kane 2.44, Julian Grimes 2.45, and Alison Rankin 2.46.

Thanks to Simpson, Elish, Johnnie, Sarah, Michael, Mum and Dad for their support for Team Triangle. Same place next year, and here’s hoping we will have a greater splash of red and black.