The Lost Sheep - how hard is it?

Funkyzeit

It's my big goal this year to complete the Lost Sheep in Kenmare.

I'll hopefully have done a couple of olympics propr to it and individually have ran 15 mile (eg Cork/Cobh), will have done the W200 and swam Sandycove/lee Swim.

Just wondering from people who have done it - how hard is it? I think I remember a post on here saying how difficult it is (especially the Swim leg which is my weakest discipline :eek:)

Zuppy

The swim leg is not as bad as most people make out. Just cool in the morning air. A few double laps of sandycove will see you right as it can be more challenging.

W200 is good prep but the bike course needs a dry run or two. The two passes and the decsents can be troubling. This section is what makes the race.

Run is simple enough.

tunney

ZuppyLurk wrote: »

The swim leg is not as bad as most people make out. Just cool in the morning air. A few double laps of sandycove will see you right as it can be more challenging.

W200 is good prep but the bike course needs a dry run or two. The two passes and the decsents can be troubling. This section is what makes the race.

Run is simple enough.

The climbs in the bike can be done without really noticing them. However the descents are technical. The run is uneventful.

The swim can be hit or miss. Some years its perfect some years it is a nightmare. For instance last year saw huge currents and ice cold water. Added 10 minutes to a middle of the packers swim.

Its not that hard to be fair, its no more difficult that a standard HIM. Maybe less because it is short.

As far as HIM go in Ireland its been the only one worth doing. The one up north is a disaster. Fingers crossed the Eireman one in Wexford will provide a well needed alternative.

Izoard

tunney wrote: »

As far as HIM go in Ireland its been the only one worth doing. The one up north is a disaster. Fingers crossed the Eireman one in Wexford will provide a well needed alternative.

Ouch!

I did Ireman last year and once you know the roads are open and the run is X-country, it was enjoyable.
Granted, I wouldn't fancy doing the full monty on that run course (hence I'm looking at Eireman), but as a 1/2 it is a reasonable alternative to Kenmare.

911sc

tunney wrote: »

The one up north is a disaster.

I was thinking about doing this one as my first HIM, so you got me puzzled now.
I picked Ireman instead of Eireman simply because it is an event that has been run few times, while Eireman is new.

Why is it a disaster?

Note: my objective is simply to complete the course in a time that is reasonable for me, hence not worried about loosing few minutes because of cars for instance.

Izoard

911sc wrote: »

I was thinking about doing this one as my first HIM, so you got me puzzled now.
I picked Ireman instead of Eireman simply because it is an event that has been run few times, while Eireman is new.

Why is it a disaster?

Note: my objective is simply to complete the course in a time that is reasonable for me, hence not worried about loosing few minutes because of cars for instance.

I won't speak for tunney , but from my perspective:

Swim: ended up being longer (you can see from the times), due to a combination of extra length and a swell.

Bike: You couldn't ask for a flatter course. Sure, they are open roads with roundabouts etc, but they were well marshalled and if you apply normal rules of the roads, then you are fine.

Run: This is an acquired taste. The run IS cross country. Path, beach, rocks, all play a part. It is definitely a hard run to start after 4 or so hours on the go.
Having said that, I would definitely do Ireman again, but as I'm considering the full gig this year, I would not be in a position to do a marathon on that X-country course.

tunney

911sc wrote: »

I was thinking about doing this one as my first HIM, so you got me puzzled now.
I picked Ireman instead of Eireman simply because it is an event that has been run few times, while Eireman is new.

Why is it a disaster?

Note: my objective is simply to complete the course in a time that is reasonable for me, hence not worried about loosing few minutes because of cars for instance.

Swim: Two lap affair, running beach start which is contraindicated. Sea weed on the beach lend to multiple falls when exiting the water for first lap. (not me by the way)

Bike: Yes it was flat however it was effectively unmarshalled. I personally don't like TTing through roundabouts with no marshals on dual carriage ways. Nor do I like having to stop at traffic lights (again unmarshalled). I also have issues at being routed through two small towns when the marshal in each town seemed more concerned with keeping traffic flowing rather than safety of competitors and members of the public. This was the most dangerous bike course I have ever, ever been on. I had serious concerns about someone dying on race day. Drafting was also an issue.

Run: Seriously - I do cross country, I've done fell runs. This was taking the complete and utter pi$$. It wasn't off-road, it was on-rock pool running. How there weren't broken ankles I do not know. No timing matts for laps and nothing to ensure competitors had done the full amount of laps. I'm told that someone in the top ten did only two laps on the run.

This was for a half. Imagine the pain when the course is simply doubled and people are so much more fatigued for the late stages of the bike and run.

Regardless of whether this race is the middle distance champs or not this year I will not be returning.

snack_ie

I did Ireman last year and I thought that it was really well run.

The swim was long, granted, but I figured that's just the same for everyone. I'd prefer it to be long rather that short. So that could be rectified easily.

The cycle was on open roads and passed through one or two busy villages and junctions but dont really know what people expect! Once you realise that its not fricking Kona and just slow down abit, and be a bit more careful, or be more conscience that people couldnt actually give a **** whether you are in a race or not, its fine. Some people seemed to have the mentality that cause they are 'racing' everything else should just stop.

The run I liked - cause that's about the only running which I actally like - trail running - was along the beach/and trails around it. Granted that it could be easy to go over on your ankle but I would take that course over running up and back a road.

Apart from that I didnt like the way you had to rack your bikes the night before although I dont know if this is the same in Kenmare. I would just prefer drive/head there the morning before if at all possible. The course was well marshalled, could have maybe bit more food at the aid stations - dont really remember what they had, but i think that it was just gatorade, water and coke.

Apart from that not sure what else to add.
This was my first half so I dont have anything to compare it against, but was exactly what I expected.
I would do it again, but this year thing i will do Eireman as its alot closer to Dublin and is Irish run and would like to see it succeed.

Oh and to actually answer your question, you'll finish it once you have done some reasonable training, which from the looks of it you have, so I wouldn't worry to much.

hunnymonster

ZuppyLurk wrote: »

....A few double laps of sandycove will see you right as it can be more challenging......

Be very careful when this guy tries to recruit you for a few double laps of Sandycove.
2005 - he couldn't swim
2006 - swam single laps
2007 - swam double laps
2008 - swam the biddy English channel......

To answer the original question about the lost sheep. I think the biggest consideration in the difficulty of this course is the descents. They are very technical. The year I did it the road quality was pretty bad and I remember having very sore wrists coming off the bike. The swim is fine. There was a lot of diesel in the water one year which was pretty yucky and I've been told the currents can be a problem but I didn't notice (and I'm the worlds worst swimmer). The climbs on the bike are fine but worth making sure you have some hillwork done, just so that you can be comfortable on them. The run has you going up and down a hill. Nothing exceptional but worth practising off the bike.

On the subject of Ireman. I did it the first year and loved it. The marshalling was absolutely top notch. People who are criticising the run course? Did you not read the information beforehand?

tunney

hunnymonster wrote: »

Be very careful when this guy tries to recruit you for a few double laps of Sandycove.
2005 - he couldn't swim
2006 - swam single laps
2007 - swam double laps
2008 - swam the biddy English channel......

To answer the original question about the lost sheep. I think the biggest consideration in the difficulty of this course is the descents. They are very technical. The year I did it the road quality was pretty bad and I remember having very sore wrists coming off the bike. The swim is fine. There was a lot of diesel in the water one year which was pretty yucky and I've been told the currents can be a problem but I didn't notice (and I'm the worlds worst swimmer). The climbs on the bike are fine but worth making sure you have some hillwork done, just so that you can be comfortable on them. The run has you going up and down a hill. Nothing exceptional but worth practising off the bike.

The hills are gone. Its a flat course effectively now.

hunnymonster wrote: »

On the subject of Ireman. I did it the first year and loved it. The marshalling was absolutely top notch. People who are criticising the run course? Did you not read the information beforehand?

Marshalling, and lack there of, was the main issue in 08.
As for the run course, this is from the 09 briefing:
"The route includes tarmac, grass and sand. "
Doesn't mention the rock pools or the sharp jagged rocks or large drops in the track. Its not a suitable run course for a triathlon.

tunney

Other thing worth mentioning about Kenmare is the atmosphere. I've done it many times and even the times I've a shocking race, like this year when I dropped out due to illness, I've had fantastic fun. Its in a lovely neck of the woods and the night out after is great fun, and it generally falss at the end of the season so its a proper blow out too. Some great restaurants, pubs and plenty of affordable accomodation help alot too.

snack_ie

In fairness there was only really one small section which was dubious.
The bit after you ran past transition, where it was a trail beside the beach, and before you ran out onto it was a bit sketchy in places, but the fact that nobody did hurt themselves would be reason enough to justify its safe, no?

griffin100

This was enough to put me off ever trying to do Ireman ever!

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=g2gZKj5XcjM

If they make what appears to be a basic mistake like this in the swim.........

MCOS

tunney wrote: »

The hills are gone. Its a flat course effectively now.

Where are they gone?! Is it a new course then? Are those tecnical descent now not part of it? Shame if so, I figured that would be a bit of thrill associated with this my big goal this year

Poncherello

Surely he means the run section .... ?

tunney

MCOS wrote: »

Where are they gone?! Is it a new course then? Are those tecnical descent now not part of it? Shame if so, I figured that would be a bit of thrill associated with this my big goal this year

Run hills. it used to be a brutal run course. now its a normal one.

911sc

griffin100 wrote: »

This was enough to put me off ever trying to do Ireman ever!
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=g2gZKj5XcjM
If they make what appears to be a basic mistake like this in the swim.........

Don't triathletes think that they are God and can walk on the water! You found the proof.
That video is really off putting. I have not registered for 2009, and i am going to think harder about it now.

How was it in 2008?

MCOS

griffin100 wrote: »

This was enough to put me off ever trying to do Ireman ever!

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=g2gZKj5XcjM

If they make what appears to be a basic mistake like this in the swim.........

Saw this last night as youtube is blocked in work. Christ, was anyone seriously injured on those rocks?!

interested

911sc wrote: »

Don't triathletes think that they are God and can walk on the water! You found the proof.
That video is really off putting. I have not registered for 2009, and i am going to think harder about it now.

How was it in 2008?

Just echoing alot thats been said already but

swim: was a little long due to wind blowing the bouys about but most visable ones Ive seen used so couldnt fault the organisers on strong wind

bike: surface is pretty good and flat. IMHO Tunney's description and reservations are spot on. There were several reported cases of road rage by motorists that day. Again, Im not blaming the organisers since as we know if your on an open road during a race its up to yourself to keep yourself safe.

run: Sections were pretty hairy regarding drops near rocks and alot of it was badly water logged - also narrow sections were open to public and Id three young mountain bike enthusiasts come round a corner and block the trail on lap 2 which was less than ideal. Its a public walkway so they were entitled to be there but a marshal at the northern entrance to this section of the run might have alerted them to the fact that there was a race on. Also, the organisers werent to blame for the sectarian 'encouragement' they passed along but hey ... it made me laugh at least

For me it'll be long in Wexford. Although its the first year for this event the closed roads for the bike leg is a bit of a coup. I plan to enter the lost sheep as well ... havent done it before but plan to enjoy the spin.