Ballina Sprint Triathlon

jjbsligo

I am taking part in the Ballina Sprint Triathlon on the 10th of July. This will be my first Tri - anyone familiar with the course?? Believe the swim is down stream so should not be too bad - The cycle is my weakest discipline so hoping its not too tough / hilly.

Any advice for race day as my first tri or any feedback on the course is much appreciated!

onimpulse

jjbsligo wrote: »

I am taking part in the Ballina Sprint Triathlon on the 10th of July. This will be my first Tri - anyone familiar with the course?? Believe the swim is down stream so should not be too bad - The cycle is my weakest discipline so hoping its not too hilly. Running would be my strongest however not sure how my legs will hold from bike to run.

Any advice for race day as my first tri or any feedback on the course is much appreciated!

It's a new course this year so you need a local for course advise... The swim looks more or less the same as last year - and it is down stream. From what I remember there is a good current and it made for some fast swim times. Looking at their website I don't think there are any major hills on the cycle? I think the run is through the same wood as last year - so it's prob a trail run which I prefer anyway - I think the distance clocks up faster for some reason?

As regards advise for first tri... In the swim if you're nervous stick to the back of the wave or the side at the start - if you go up front you'll get all the stronger swimmers closing in on you once the race starts... it's possible you could get an accidental thump or kick which is the last thing you want in your first race. So I'd recommend sticking back or to the side. Once you get a bit more comfortable with mass starts you can gauge better where to start.

Also, if you stick in the middle of the river the current will be stronger than at the sides...

As for the Bike, if you're worried about your legs lasting spin don't gring your gears... For the run - just enjoy it... it's the last leg & you're nearly home at that stage...

Enjoy & Best of Luck!

Seres

jjbsligo wrote: »

I am taking part in the Ballina Sprint Triathlon on the 10th of July. This will be my first Tri - anyone familiar with the course?? Believe the swim is down stream so should not be too bad - The cycle is my weakest discipline so hoping its not too tough / hilly.

Any advice for race day as my first tri or any feedback on the course is much appreciated!

good course for a beginner , best course for weak swimmers , strong runner , you will be out of the water in no time , not really that daunting , cycle is an out and back route on main rd , can be annoying with traffic , you should have a negative split on the return for the cycle as its slightly down hill , easily the nicest part of the course is the run thru beleek forest , best of luck and enjoy! , it always attracts beginners , however im not sure if its part of the NS this year , if so it could be a bit more compeditive .

jjbsligo

Savage - thanks a mil for your feedback - sounds like a good tri to start with - here it begins hopefully
really looking forward to it - bring it on

woody1

did the cycle route on monday to see what its like , there are a few little hills but nothing serious , it is faster coming back than going out but i only found it marginally so, but i wouldnt be great on the bike , nice downhill section close to the finish but finishes on a slight uphill so leave a little in the tank for that again that depends on how strong you are different route to last year i think itl be a bit slower just hoping its not windy on the day nothing worse