As long as I’ve been a runner I’ve been aware that many runners, particularly the faster and younger ones, have nurtured an unhealthy disrespect for Triathletes. They’re such an easy target after all. Anyone who has ever seen those burly men in their skin-tight tri-suits will surely know what I mean. I’m sure there’s an audience for that sort of stuff out there somewhere but it shouldn’t be allowed really. Wanting to be part of the ‘in-crowd’ and having a general difficulty distinguishing my Gluteus from my Humerus I went along with this little ruse for a while. This is all to my eternal shame.
Around the time of the first Connemarathon I got to know a man that put me straight about Triathletes. Seb Locteau has perhaps done more for the sport of Triathlon in Ireland than any other individual. Seb is one of the very few accredited Triathlon coaches in Ireland and has been intimately involved with the founding of two of the best Triathlon Clubs in the Country. Seb has coached triathletes at all levels from juvenile beginners to Olympic aspirants and at all the gradations in between. Seb has gathered a team of capable triathletes and administrators around him in Athenry and the Predator club looks like it will be a major force in Irish Triathlon in only a few short years, such is the pace of recent development and growth.
Predator Members At Swim Training
Mainly because of Seb’s good influence strong ties of support and friendship have developed between the Athenry based Predator Triathlon Club and Athenry AC. Many Predator members are also members of and compete on Athenry AC teams during the local track, road racing and cross-country seasons. In their turn Athenry AC members have been able to support events organised by Predator. I think it’s what the politicians like to call a win-win situation.
When the Predator club decided to organise a Triathlon Festival (www.loughreatriathlon.com) for this coming weekend in Loughrea I was daunted on their behalf. It seemed like a huge project and a major logistical challenge. My initial fears have proven completely unfounded however and all seems set for a fantastic weekend of ‘Triatletics’ (is that even a word?) in Loughrea. Just have a look at the web-site to gauge the level of professionalism involved in this enterprise.
Seb Makes A Tri Suit Look Normal.....
The sting in the tail of all this is that I’ve been personally persuaded, bullied, coerced and cajoled into taking part myself. This is really not a good idea. In the first instance I can’t really swim that well which I anticipate may be a drawback for the wet section of the race. In the second instance I haven’t cycled a bike in about eighteen months and in the third instance, well, what good will running do me if I’m a drowned rat with a sore arse by that stage. As atonement for all of my previous uneducated and unfair perceptions of triathletes as being suitable chuckle fodder I have to go through with this and prove that I can drown with the best of ‘em.
If you’d like to come along and watch me get my comeuppance why not turn up to the Triathlon Festival in Loughrea this Sunday. This is a unique event in the West and if you were willing to volunteer at the event your help would be gladly accepted by organisers. Indeed if you want I can pass any names onto Seb and his colleagues, just mail me at [email protected].
Wish me luck. I feel sure I’ll need it.