Upcoming Events and Training News

• 2009-10-22 12:52:50

  mountain bike training

  following on from last nights maiden voyage down in beleek where no one managed to kill themselves we are planning to have a regular blast around the woods initally sticking to beleek woods, meet at 630 friday the 6th november, i will bring a couple of spare lights if anyone is dubious about riding around in the woods in the dark all are welcome and we need  a few female members of the club to keep sharon company!!!     paul

  Paul

• 2009-10-21 13:53:51

  Winter Swimming Training

  I am pleased to announce that the Winter Swimming Training will be back up and running this winter. The first session is on Thursday 29th October.

  Training will run every Thursday night at 9:30pm in the Ballina Swimming Pool. The first eight session will take us up untill Christmas with a further 12 sessions planned for the new year. The cost is the same as last year €5 a night which covers pool hire.

  The training has been moved from Thursday to Friday night to try and accomodate as many people as possible.

  I hope to see the familar faces from last year and new members are of course always welcome. 

  Tom

• 2009-10-19 13:57:51

  introduction to mountainbiking

  anyone interested in trying something different we are meeting on wednesday 21st in the car park at beleek woods to do a run through of the off road trails in beleek woods , lights are not required only a good sense of humour a helmet and a mountain bike! all are welcome.assemble at 530 pm

  Paul

• 2009-10-14 10:02:59

  Triathlon Ireland eBulletin – 11/10/09

  Although the domestic race season may be over, Irish athletes have continued to head abroad in search of competition and a little autumn sunshine. Last weekend I had the pleasure of joining nearly thirty TI members at the Challenge Barcelona event on the Costa Brava. Once again this group represented a cross section of our membership – from those chasing podium places in their age group to those who merely wanted to enjoy a race and complete the distance. As with our own events, this was a triathlon catering for all levels of ability.

  
  

  Over the last decade I have found that Irish athletes usually receive a fantastic welcome when racing abroad and it is something that can be recommended to all our members. As with all travel it opens our eyes to other cultures and their particular ways of doing things. It provides a different challenge and often an enhanced level of competition. This is especially true of championship events at both European and World level. Next year we will welcome the European Championships to Athlone, where a huge number of our athletes will compete. Hopefully these numbers will stay high and Triathlon Ireland will have large teams heading abroad on a regular basis to the ITU/ETU events to which we are affiliated. 

  
  

  Speaking with the organiser of the 2010 European Long Distance Championship, he was very keen to welcome Irish athletes to Vitoria-Gasteiz in the heart of the Basque country. This was probably as a result of the noise and atmosphere being generated by the supporters of the Irish competitors during and after the race! Like the athletes themselves, they were a credit to our association with their good natured support for all those taking part.

  
  

  During the race itself, it was always pleasing to receive encouragement from other Irish competitors. I even had a strange accent shouting ‘Come on Ireland!’ before a particular Irish Spaniard flew past on his bike. It was only the Wheelworx kit that identified Fernando Fuentes as he disappeared up the road. 

  
  

  However, one sour note was highlighted when Joyce Wolfe overtook me (seems to be a common theme here – must remember to do more biking). As she edged away there were three male competitors and a female professional sitting on her wheel. They remained in my sight for quite some time and made no attempt to pass, happy to draft behind. Call it what you will, but it’s plain old cheating in my book. Joyce had the last laugh though with a fantastic first place in her age group and fourteenth overall.

  
  

  Draft busters were present on the course but they were not stopping cyclists to apply penalties. Cards were being shown and the athlete then had to stop in the next penalty box. While this can be frustrating when cheats seem to be getting away with drafting, safety must be considered. It is not always safe to stop cyclists during the race and the penalty may have to be applied at a later stage. As competitors, there may be times when we just have to remain calm and trust the officials. If we are to stamp out drafting in our domestic events, athletes must take responsibility for their own actions. It’s not big and it’s not clever – drafting just proves that you’re a cheat.

  
  

  Another way to help make our events fairer and safer is to increase the number of officials that we have available. Triathlon Ireland are always looking for volunteers to train as Technical Delegates and Race Referees. These people are essential in providing quality races throughout the year. Keep an eye on the website for the next course being organised in your area, or drop me an email and we’ll contact you with course dates as they become known.

  
  

  Over the winter, we will continue to provide opportunities for the development of our members. These include the Women’s Long Distance Camp on 1st November and the National Coaching Conference on the 14th November. Full details can be found on the website.

  
  

  Please also note that the latest talent identification day is being held in Dublin on 31st October. This is primarily aimed at those between the ages of 13 and 23 but older athletes are also welcome. The day consists of separate swim and run time trials which are marked against an internationally recognised matrix in order to attain an overall score. Further information and an idea of the required times are on the website at http://www.triathlonireland.com/article.php?story=20090924141336519. 

  
  

  Enjoy your down time, relax and have that second Jaffa Cake before putting your plans together for 2010.

   

  Yours in Sport

  
  

  Conal Heatley

  Secretary, Triathlon Ireland

  secretary@triathlonireland.com

  Tel: 00353 83 374 6607

  
  

  Michael

• 2009-10-10 13:16:48

  CLub AGM

  Hi everyone

  Just to inform everyone the club AGM will be held this Saturday 17th October 2009 in the Dock Bar at 19:30.  it is important that as many club members as possible attend the AGM to discuss the clubs activities for the coming year.

  If anyone has anything that they would like to place on the agenda let me know by Thursday 

  Sean

   

  Sean

• 2009-10-04 15:37:10

  Terry Fox Run

  Ballina 4 Mile – Terry Fox Run

  Date: Sunday, 11th October 2009 - 3:00pm Contact: Michael Rice (087) 661 1975

  Michele

• 2009-10-01 13:03:02

  Can't sleep?

  New 10km night run in Lough Key forest park in Boyle - check it out www.legendsofloughkey.com.

  Michael