Ironman Exploits

On June the 23 rd 2019, two thousand hardy souls travelled to Youghal to compete in the very first full Ironman

Triathlon in Ireland. Unfortunately, weather conditions on the day were absolutely awful with torrential rain

and howling winds. The swim element of the event had to be cancelled and athletes were left to do a 180km

cycle and 42km run while trying to avoid hypothermia and flying tree branches. While the conditions were

abysmal, every athlete who took part on the day had nothing but praise for the people of Youghal and the

surrounding towns who braved the conditions to come and cheer them on. Remarkably, most of the athletes

who started that morning managed to finish the race in one piece. Even more remarkably, many of those

taking part immediately signed up to do it again the following year, probably figuring that the weather couldn’t

be that bad again! There were also many spectators on the day that liked the look of what they saw and

figured they’d give it a go themselves. Many of these spectators had never even done a triathlon before, let

alone an Ironman, and in many cases they couldn’t even swim! It takes a particular type of mind-set to sign

up to do a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42km run when you have yet to swim a length of your local pool

without armbands! So then began the long journey to the start line for the second edition of Ironman Ireland.

Training for an Ironman is a long and time consuming process and over the next few months athletes and

their coaches started to put together training plans. Everything from swimming lessons to group cycles and

coached running sessions was put in place. There was new equipment to procure: new bikes; new helmets;

new turbo trainers for winter training; new running shoes, new rain gear; new goggles; new wetsuits. Anything

that could shave a few seconds off here and there and help the athletes survive the rigours of the infamous

Windmill Hill. Training started to increase through the winter of 2019 and volumes were steadily increasing as

spring of 2020 approached. And then came Covid! Before we knew it the race was postponed till 2021 and

athletes had to suddenly readjust their training plans. Pools were closed and people were limited to training

on their own within 5km of home. That wasn’t too bad for the running but training for a 180km cycle within

5km of your front door is quite challenging. The turbo trainers really came into their own and all sorts of exotic

devices were used to help athletes recreate their swim stroke on the kitchen table!! And one Blackwater

Triathlon Club athlete even ran a marathon in his back yard!

Then 2021 arrived and excitement started building again, as did training volumes. The event was

pushed back to August to allow Covid to pass and for the better weather. The extra couple of months

gave athletes time to swim outdoors and swim gloves and booties were added to the inventory as they

braved open water swims in March and April. But it was not to be yet again and the race was pushed

back again to August the 14 th 2022! At this stage those of us training for the race were beginning to

despair of ever getting to do it. For some it was an opportunity to improve swimming skills and hone the

bike fitness over the winter months on the turbo trainers. For others the constant training was leading

to niggling injuries and fatigue as we entered in to a third year of training. But we kept training and kept

our fingers and toes crossed for 2022. And finally, on the 14 th of August 2022 the second iteration of

Ironman Ireland finally came to pass. It had been 1148 days since the first race and every athlete who

lined up at the beachfront at 6am that morning was torn between being absolutely sick of the delays

and wishing that maybe, just maybe, we could do with a few more weeks to prepare? The weather

couldn’t have been more different from 2019. Record temperatures had hit Ireland in the previous few

weeks and temperatures in the high twenties were expected on the day. Supplies of sun tan lotion and

salt tablets were added to the race list as we basked in the Mediterranean conditions. The weekend

began a couple of days earlier when Ironman rolled into Youghal and basically took it over. Every shop

front and home seemed to have an Ironman flag or sign. Youghal embraced Ironman completely and

every single competitor was welcomed with equal fervour. It started to get real for everyone on

Thursday evening when we went down to registration to pick up the race packs. We were given wrist

bands and told not to remove them till after the race, and big green Ironman Ireland rucksacks. Walking

through Youghal for the next couple of days we were constantly checking wristbands to see who else

would be joining us on the day. Total strangers would nod and smile when they saw our wrists were

also carrying those black bands. There were seventeen members of the Blackwater Triathlon Club

attempting the Ironman on the day. Only one of the group had raced in 2019. Conor Bartley had broken

his shoulder on the cycle that day and still managed to finish the race! He was joined this year by his

brother Dave, adding a little sibling rivalry to the mix. Pat Dunlea had been one of the spectators in

2019 that had seen the race that day and thought he’d like to experience that for himself. The fact that

he couldn’t swim a stroke didn’t put him off. Of course when Pat signed up he was soon joined by his

friend and work colleague of nearly 40 years, Mick McCarthy. Mick, who was the Blackwater Triathlon

Club P.R.O. at the time, had completed a number of triathlons over the years but never an Ironman.

He’d always preferred writing about other club members doing them. It had seemed a far more

sensible option. He and Pat had started work together in the then P&T as 17 year olds on the 6 th of

September 1982 and there was no way Mick was going to let Pat do an Ironman without him! They

were joined by another work colleague, Jim Crowley. Amongst the other, Brian O’Hagen had just

become a dad for the first time a few weeks earlier which probably wasn’t the best preparation for the

day. Also racing on the day were Michael Lyons, Martin Feeney, Peter O’Brien, James Fletcher, Terry

Broderick, Rachel Cronin, Dermot Johnson, Rachel McGuinness, Michael Feeney, Donal Howard and

Bernard Kiernan. There was a huge range of experience and levels of ability in the group but all were

determined to do their best on the day and hear those words, ‘You are an Ironman!”. We all had to get

through a 3.8km swim, a 180km cycle and a 42.2 km run first though. Terry has written an account of

his experiences on the day.

For me I have to say I loved every minute of the day. It started for me at 2:30 when I left home for

Youghal. I collected George (Dermot) on the way. All the way down we just discussed how we would

approach the race. We landed into Claycastle put our bags into transition and checked our bikes and

loaded them with all our nutrition for the day. As we walked to the swim start we met George’s brother

and a neighbour of ours. We got two big hugs from both and a feeling of going to war came over my

entire body, even a tear came to the eye. We met many club members on the way all wishing us the

best. All that worried me was will I get the swim done. It has been an issue for me ever since I started

swimming 2.5 years ago. I get a bit panicked at every start. The swim was a staggered start with

swimmers self-seeding based on projected times. Eventually it was my turn to get in, and so I did. I got a

few slaps and kicks at the start but that didn’t bother me. Next it was to get my head in the water and

find my rhythm. That didn’t happen immediately but after a few attempts I found myself into my comfort

zone and rhythm. All that went through my mind after that was 123, breathe, 123 breathe and spot. I

have it I said to myself, so just keep it going till the end and I did, getting out of the water in 1:34. I had

been hoping to do it in 1:30 but I was close enough. I exited the water to see some friends cheering me

on from the road. After transition we were welcomed by a sea of spectators that wished us well on our

way out of Youghal. Now on the bike I am in my comfortable place. I love the bike and I must have done

the Ironman route 50 times so I know it like the back of my hand. 10 km into the cycle my shoe kept

coming out of the pedal. I knew something was wrong so just after Leahy’s open farm I stopped to see

what was wrong and sure enough my cleat was broken. Right I said I can continue on but just be careful

but you’re not going to get up windmill hill. I was disappointed with that as I was really looking forward to

the challenge. However as I was about 20k from Youghal the bike service van passed and I asked him

whether he have cleats. He stopped and said he did somewhere in the van. After removing about 10

boxes and with my patience wearing thin he found them. New ones on and off I went. I probably lost

about 15mins but I thought it would be worth it. All I can say is thanks to the service van man. As I

approached windmill Hill I could hear the commotion and noise. The hairs rose at the back of my neck in

anticipation. I saw friends of mine and my heart skipped a beat as I attacked the hill. Up off the saddle

and grind to the top. Now the noise and voices of support from club mates and friends was

overwhelming and then just at the top I see my family, Corina and the kids, I choked up but managed to

leave out a roar! I don’t know what I said but we all smiled and they shouted drive on. The second loop

worked out perfectly, I ate and drank well on the cycle section. I made up huge ground on the bike, all

those hours cycling the route were paying off in spades. After getting up Windmill Hill a second time it

was time for T2, a quick toilet break and changing into my running gear. I met Peter O’Brien in transition.

He looked a bit out of sorts. We had a chat while I got changed and I said to him come on out with me

and we will get running. As we made the exit from transition I met Corina and the girls again. That gave

me an extra bounce. Myself and Peter stopped at the first water stop and got in some fluids now we

were set to conquer the 42.2. I fell into a very comfortable 9min pace and Peter kicked on a little faster.

Again the support on the route was fantastic with everyone shouting your name. As the course was 4

lops I got to meet all the Blackwater athletes at some stage. It was a great lift so see your club mates

along my journey I even got to chat to some Rachel and Barney in particular. The words of

encouragement were a huge boost. As the run progressed you got bands to say what lap you were on.

As each athlete passed I would look at their arm to see where they were. Anyone that was a lap or two

ahead I would curse them, the lucky b*****d ! Then I would meet an athlete that would be 1-2 laps

behind me and I would think you poor b*****d. I had a great first half marathon but then the pain and

fatigue kicked in. All I kept saying is come on run to the next water station and you can walk then for

100m and get going again. Block out the pain and think of the finish. Another 2hours and 39mins later I

see myself 500m from home. All of a sudden I felt no pain. I got substantially faster and before I know it I

was on the red carpet. I could hear the crowd shouting and slapping the hoarding. The nose was

incredible; I could see all my family, friends and club mates. I sprinted to the line and made an attempt to

jump for joy (that was a bit of a failure but I had to try). 30 seconds later James Fletcher crossed the line

and we embraced each other. I got my medal and whispered into the announcer’s ear you never called

me an Ironman? She replied she had but I didn’t hear it. To be fair to her she did it again. And after

nearly two years of training I heard those words. “Terry Broderick you are an Ironman”. Thank you to

Corina, Alanna and Ruby, my family and friends. My twin training partner George (Dermot), my coach

Niamh Fleming for all her advice and coaching for the last 6 months, and everyone at Blackwater

Triathlon Club. It takes many to make an Ironman and you all took part to get me there. Thank you.

Thanks to Terry for that really excellent description of the day. Variations of that were had by each and

every athlete on the course that day. Conditions were very hot for most of the day and the athletes

couldn’t have done it without all the people at the aid stations providing water, food and care. As the

temperatures rose in the afternoon the highlight of the day for many of us was having a cold bottle of

water poured down our necks by the many willing kids at the aid stations. The kids seemed to enjoy it

even more than us. All along the route the notion of a hosepipe ban was laughed at as grateful cyclists

were hosed down by spectators. On the run there were more hosepipes wielded by spectators and also

bags of ice were handed out to the runners and walkers. The bags of ice especially were a lifesaver on

the day. Unfortunately, Donal didn’t make it out of the swim on the day, but he didn’t let that keep him

down for long and he’s already signed up to try again next year. First of the BTC crew to cross the finish

line was Conor Bartley in an excellent time of 11:05:47. He was followed by Michael Lyons just over 15

minutes later in 11:21:23. The older Bartley brother, Dave, finished in 11:56:08, 4th in his age group.

Martin Feeney finished in 12:12:42 and Brian O'Hagan 12:46:02. Next home was Peter O'Brien in

12:47:38, followed by James Fletcher in 12:49:23 and Terry Broderick in 12:52:19. Rachel Cronin was

next home in 13:42:24, even taking the time to have a pint of cider on the run route courtesy of some

generous spectators. Pat Dunlea was the first of the eir contingent home, finishing in 13:56:14. Not bad

for a man who couldn’t swim a couple of years earlier. Jim Crowley was next to finish in 14:10:43,

followed by Dermot ‘George’ Johnson in 14:20:14, Rachel McGuinness in 14:45:10 and Michael Feeney

in 14:51:49. The weather took a bit of a turn around 8.30 that evening and after an extremely hot day a

huge thunderstorm arrived. The remaining athletes on the course had to wade through ankle deep

floods on the course while thuner and lightning and torrential rain cleared most of the spectators. There

was certainly no more need for hosepipes to keep the remaining athletes cool. Bernard Kiernan had had

a buckled bike wheel after the first lap of the cycle course and that held him up so he got to enjoy the full

force of the downpour. Despite the bike issues he managed to beat the bike cut off time and finished in

15:48:53, a little wet but happy. The remaining BTC athlete on the course was Mick McCarthy. Mick had

suffered an Achilles injury about eight weeks prior to race day that severely curtailed his training and

meant he couldn’t run at all. He managed to walk around the run course though, finishing the marathon

in 6 hours and nine minutes before crossing the line in 16:25:34, also absolutely soaked through and

tired but absolutely ecstatic to have finished. For everyone who managed to finish the race that day

those words, “You are an Ironman” were amongst the best things we would ever hear.

It was an amazing experience all round and well worth the 1148 day wait!

Thanks to all of our families, friends and club mates, without whom none of us would have managed to

get through this. Thanks also to the amazing people of Youghal and the surrounding areas for amazing

support on the day. Especially those people with the hosepipes!