Triathlon in the rain

Hi everyone,
It is now just past noon in Kinsale and the sun just came out. Unfortunately the triathlon started this morning about three hours ago and it poured cats and dogs for most of that time.

Our little man made village sits at the edge of a lovely small beach. Because of the beach our residents association, years ago made arrangements to support a small bit of car park, bordered on the back side with a field that Margie and I call "the paddock." And use mostly to take our dogs out at night. Starting yesterday teams of people arrived to erect the metal bike stations in half the field, designating the other half for parking. The local Garda (police) posted men at the end of the road, stopping traffic at key intersections and making our access road one way. All this worked brilliantly.

The event started with everyone pouring into the bay and swimming out and around the buies, and back. I was in town at the beginning of the race - slogging it back on foot in the heavy rain in time to see most of the contentents on bikes cresting the top of the small hill at the end of our road. Traffic was held up so long that I actually believe I made better time on foot for the mile or so it takes to get home.

What didn't work so well, in addition to the weather, was that the event planners hadn't planned, or at least did not execute any public toilets. What did they think, that it was fair for the 400+ participants to use the toilets at the local pub? Someone should complain to Gatoraide who seemed to have been the corporate sponsors. Perhaps that would get their attention. As this is the third year for the event, it seems nothing else will.

Any way well done to all the athletes who braved the elements - many of whom are now playing with the families on the beach. WEll done, you are an inspiration to the rest of us!

Alana