Bryan Keane

Ladies winner Elena “the Guns” Maslova and me, National Half Iron Man Champion, I didn’t think Id be saying that or doing a half again for a while last February but there I was on Saturday morning lining up for the most beautiful race in the world. I can say that with out a doubt. County Kerry in the sun. no wind, water like glass, 2 big climbs with the most stunning views in the world. Amazing.

Now a race in Kerry with the weather like that, it’s a pretty rare thing. A cold 8am start in what can be described as a giant cold swimming pool, not a ripple out there, I took the race steady and was using it more as training for the next few races that I have left in lands far far away. The bike course was breathtaking, post cards stuff, going up the Healy pass looking at the country side below, “surely this can’t be a race, where is the film crew for the discover Ireland add that we are making,” That’s how it felt, surreal, as I mashed the gears up the hill. The bike just kept getting better, bar the bee sting I got on my head when one little fella went into my helmet, that’s the 2nd race in a row I have been stung by a bee in. soon it was not like pushing gears but floating along at 45kph it was over all to soon

Running out I settled into a nice pace and kept it at a steady 16-17kph, Running alone out there with nobody around was a bit odd, “Am I really doing a race”. After the turn around and running back to Kenmare was beautiful, warm and sunny, Trotting along in the middle of nowhere, chatting! I ended up getting tired from talking, everybody that I passed going to the opposite way had great words of encouragement, “keep it up” “your flying” I returned the favor, I most have spoken to half the filed out there, it was a lovely thing, Usually its head down and not a word between your fellow racers, Not In Ireland here I was speaking to everybody, and sure when you came across a friend it was a full blown conversation, thanks Lizzy and Anne.(we all know how much they talk) Aren’t we the friendliest bunch ever in the Irish Tri scene? Well done to all that took part and thanks to the organisers for a great race.  

Thanks also to Gordon thomson for the photos  

Race Results Here