Hell of the West 2010

interested

So who's in and praying for continued good weather til Saturday lunchtime ?

tyler71

Predictions look like a small but steady westerly swell, so the water will be a little choppy. Wind should be a medium pure southerly, which will probably feel like it's in your face the whole way I'm betting:rolleyes:.
I would say back to normal service for HOTW, not like last years freakishly calm conditions but not quite as bad as the year before either. As for rain, not too sure, but will be packing a few waterproof bags ok for trying to keep everything dry - although I've never actually succeeded in actually doing that!

gombeen99

4 stars (good)

Hopefully not as choppy as the Enable Ireland triathlon in Ballyheigue last September. I've never seen so much fear in peoples' eyes before the swim!

This is my first HOTW, really looking forward to it. Is the run all on road or partly trail? I can't tell from the map but am assuming as it's along a cliff edge it must partly be on a trail? Also, is the run pretty much all uphill for the first 5km, then downhill back? Trying to plan my strategy!

Good luck everyone.

tyler71

Run is all road, so you can have a drive of it the night before to check it out. Best description I heard of the run is it's a tough 5k uphill and then turn around and another 5k uphill
One thing about the race is it's easy to overcook it on the bike (this I know from painful experience) because if there's any bit of west in the wind it's at your back on the way out so there's a tendency to hammer it, thinking this course is grand and easy, don't know why people say this course is tough- then you turn around into the wind and find out!
Enjoy it, it's a great race, really great atmosphere.

El Director

4 stars (good)

Well it's almost upon us. For me it's the rematch. I was badly beat up after last years event (my first HOTW). It really wasn't a case of when I'd finished doing the course, it was a case of when the course had finished doing me and then spat me out 3 hrs 9 min later :rolleyes:

I vowed that day that I would come back next year and do it 20 mins faster. So that time is nearly here now. I don't want to scare off anybody doing it for the first time, ust don't underestimate the course. My advice, and what I will be doing this year is, like tyler said don't overcook the bike, I will be spinning at a high cadence for the majority of the bike course. You need your legs as fresh as possible for the run. I like that description of the run, it really does feel like 10k up hill

I should also say I was sick two weeks prior to last years event which must have impacted me, I also had no gels! Leaving nothing to chance this time.

Really looking forward to the challenge now :cool:

interested

for one reason or another it'll be my first outing at this one. Ive heard all the tales so Im looking forward to seeing it first hand. With the potential of tough run and potentially tough bike ... Im predictably hoping for some swell

shotgunmcos

4 stars (good)

Yep, a little swell expected to ths swim will be a little choppy in comparison to last year. Hence more imprortant to bi lateral breathe and stick on some feet. As you come onto the beach its shallow and a lot of people stand up too early and waste energy trying to run through thigh deep water. Swim as far onto the beach as possible and if you can a couple fo dolphin dives, then stand up.

The Bike course is not that tough itself, a longish drag straight away and a hill in the last 10km that will have your legs screaming at you. Its the wind plus the course that makes the bike tough. I'd agree that its easy to overcook it so guage your effort level not your avg speed!

The run is the fun part and considering 35,36 min 10k guys struggled to hit 40 last year that says something. Its right up on the cliff with the sea breeze blustering around you. There will 2 water stops but I'd recomment having some water waiting in T2 for yourself if its a hot day. There will be bins on the run course too so try to discard your bottles in those

Its a great event. I suffered on it last year but it was one of the best of the year for sure. Best of luck all you folks and have a good one.

Briefing, entry list, schedule is all up on the LTC site so take some time to browse it

P.S If anyone knows anyone else who will be there and willing to volunteer for the race, please PM me as we can always use more Marshalls.

tunney

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Yep, a little swell expected to ths swim will be a little choppy in comparison to last year. Hence more imprortant to bi lateral breathe and stick on some feet. As you come onto the beach its shallow and a lot of people stand up too early and waste energy trying to run through thigh deep water. Swim as far onto the beach as possible and if you can a couple fo dolphin dives, then stand up.

The Bike course is not that tough itself, a longish drag straight away and a hill in the last 10km that will have your legs screaming at you. Its the wind plus the course that makes the bike tough. I'd agree that its easy to overcook it so guage your effort level not your avg speed!

The run is the fun part and considering 35,36 min 10k guys struggled to hit 40 last year that says something. Its right up on the cliff with the sea breeze blustering around you. There will 2 water stops but I'd recomment having some water waiting in T2 for yourself if its a hot day. There will be bins on the run course too so try to discard your bottles in those

Its a great event. I suffered on it last year but it was one of the best of the year for sure. Best of luck all you folks and have a good one.

Briefing, entry list, schedule is all up on the LTC site so take some time to browse it

P.S If anyone knows anyone else who will be there and willing to volunteer for the race, please PM me as we can always use more Marshalls.

Kilkee is one of my favourite races.

That being said the run is nowhere near as bad as people make out. yes the first 5km is uphill, but provided you know how to run downhill you can knock a good run time out.

The bike isn't bad either, two drags and some wind.

The Hell Of The West is a catchy name, but its a name more than a description imho.

Finishing out my old results I noticed I've not done that race since 2007 - will have to go back somewhere, excellent race, excelltn organisation, excellent pi$$ up.

kingQuez

I'm in for this, but have no idea how it's going to go. I signed up for it as a backup race for something else I was training for, but since I'm entered I might aswell have the day out

thebestone

great race. tough but thats what triathlon is about. good fast results too.

mitresize5

4 stars (good)

first HOTW Saturday and really really enjoyed it

thought I was Lance Armstrong on the bike and that I had peaked/tapered perfectly until I took the right turn for Creegh and had the wind in my face until the turn around point at 5K on the run!!

Amazing organisation and atmosphere around the whole event and great support along the way and at the finish

Looking forward to next year already

btw - unbelieveable performance by Colm Turner to win it and bring the prize back home to LTC - surely one to watch for the future

thebestone

yes for sure limerick tri club put on a fantastic show. they put in such effort from start to finish - great goody bag, great support, great marshals, great food afterwards, great prizes, great atmosphere and great party!!! . it makes you ask how one club can give so much value for money and others can only manage to give you a paper(goody) bag full of advertisements!

kingQuez

Awesome day out, really well organized. Brilliant goodie bag (lots of swag ), and it was great that the clubs were racked together in groups. Lots of food and drink in the recovery area, and I never even made it up to the hotel for the free meal. Good session in the hotel that night then too. Easily the best value for money of any race I've ever entered; looks like lots of work went into getting it together--well done to all involved in it.

Swim course was great; I felt pretty confident during the swim, despite getting a kick in the head and the elbow of a directionally-challenged participant at the first turn. Bike wasn't half as bad as I was expecting, though the headwind at the half way point was unexpected (on the way out I was convinced there was already a headwind :rolleyes:). Run was challenging; on the way out it just seemed to go forever with the headwind, but on the way back I was able to pick up my pace and steadily increase all the way to the finish (downhill + wind behind you makes for a nice ending!).

I can see why it sells out fast!

onimpulse

4 stars (good)

My first Hell of the West too & I'll be back!

Challenging course & that wind made it even more so... very well organised & marshaled - great to see lots of motorbikes patrolling for drafting! The goody bad was definitely the best I've ever gotten (I'd love to know how the managed it - given I've been on the organising side of another race) the recovery area was really impressive, and then there was the dinner, all the spot prize... the atmosphere in Kilkee was fantastic to boot.... Great race. Fair play to Limerick Tri.... No wonder it sells out so fast!

IceDoctor

4 stars (good)

Excellent race, very well organised and nice goody bag like everyone said. It was such a different experience to any other race I've done, especially all the freebies in the recovery area! Everyone was very friendly and the atmosphere was incredible.
My first olympic and i really felt the 'hell' part of the name. A bit more suncream is a must have for me next year! I'll definitely be back.

El Director

4 stars (good)

thebestone wrote: »

yes for sure limerick tri club put on a fantastic show. they put in such effort from start to finish - great goody bag, great support, great marshals, great food afterwards, great prizes, great atmosphere and great party!!! . it makes you ask how one club can give so much value for money and others can only manage to give you a paper(goody) bag full of advertisements!

+1

My second HOTW and I just can't believe how well organised the event is. It's an absolute credit to the Limerick Tri club. I am now convinced that they must be the best run tri club in the country (i'm basing that on the great content on their website as well as this event). The spot prizes were amazing :eek:

Unbelievable performance by Colm Turner who made it look so so easy.

I had a very tough time here last year, just wasn't prepared for the course. Delighted with my 40min improvement this year Already looking forward to next year (and plotting how I can knock another few mins off )

goinglong

4 stars (good)

Best race in the country bar none.:D

Don’t post a lot on the forum but said I have to after the weekend I had. Atmosphere brilliant, the recovery area was very impressive and so much thought went into it. the goodie bag was better than any ive ever got, class tshirt and socks, the spot prizes were also excellent. Was very good to have the clubs all grouped together in transition as well. Also the physio tent and stretching area was very good. It’s a credit to the club and the organizing committee at limerick triathlon. This is what a triathlon race should be like. other clubs and events in the country take note!!

the race has a great course, the bike has no let up although with wind on your back the first 20k helped. the run was tough and it does deserve its name the hell of the west!!! but coming down the final stretch and to see so many people out supporting you and then taken into the recovery area and be looked after so well, chatting to all the athletes and chilling out was brilliant. Then the session up at the hotel that night..... best after party at any event. They even organised the weather!!! Well done to all who raced and a big well done to limerick triathlon.

gombeen99

4 stars (good)

It was my first HOTW and I'll def be back next year. Brilliantly organised event, great atmosphere before, during and after, and brilliant weather to top it off. Really enjoyed the cycle, although the couple of long hills towards the end were tough, and the first 5km run uphill against the wind was absolute HELL!!! Having such a beautiful view of the very blue & very refreshing looking sea below just added to the torment of this competitor who was wearing all black - not a good idea in the sun. Brilliant to have so many people lining the road and making loads of noise by the finish line, kids high-fiving etc - I felt like a superstar! Thanks to all involved in organising and marshalling - great job.

shg101

4 stars (good)

gombeen99 wrote: »

Hopefully not as choppy as the Enable Ireland triathlon in Ballyheigue last September. I've never seen so much fear in peoples' eyes before the swim!

This is my first HOTW, really looking forward to it. Is the run all on road or partly trail? I can't tell from the map but am assuming as it's along a cliff edge it must partly be on a trail? Also, is the run pretty much all uphill for the first 5km, then downhill back? Trying to plan my strategy!

Good luck everyone.

Yeah, Ballyheigue was described on here as like swimming in a washing machine. I had no fear in my eyes before it, but that was ignorance. That experience made me seriously worried about the HOTW this year, as being only my second sea swim and first 1500M sea swim.

Glad I didn't read this thread before the event as the predictions of choppy waters would have raised the Ballyheigue demons for me. In the event the swim was the easiest part of the day....

n-dawg

4 stars (good)

Wow 100% rating for this race so far.... and it deserves it! Swim was lovely in sparkling clean water and plenty of room to avoid other swimmers. Bike was tough especially with the wind, but roads were quite and there was loads of marshals at all the dangerous bits. Run was hot, no shelter from that sun! But where I feel this race is a real winner is the apres race... 1st the recovery area is cool, lots of food water, recovery shakes, foam rollers, massage, tents for shade to cool off... 2nd the meal and prize giving, good food (included in the entry), amazing spot prizes (iPhones, Giro helmet packs which were prob worth €200, garmins and more)... 3rd the after race party...

Limerick Tri club really know how to put on a race....

PS. I love the socks with HOTW logo... more of this please!