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Written by Avril Horan   
Wednesday, 05 September 2007
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Trials and Triathlons
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A bicycle made for one and a canoe made for six – the trials and tribulations of the Blessie Nessie triathlon.

There are a couple of things that can happen when you hit a certain age.  One is that you set out a list of things you want to do and achieve over the coming years. Another is that you look back on what you felt you should have achieved at this point. For example: buy a car (check), go to Egypt (check), do a triathlon. The latter had always been a passion of mine and, last month, I managed to strike that one off the ‘to-do’ pile.

ImageThe event was the Blessie Nessie, an annual charity event which, this year, involved a one and a half kilometre canoe in a six-person boat, a ten kilometre cycle and a three kilometre run. It’s a baby triathlon, an introduction to triathlons even, and a bit of craic. Put it this way, some team members could already be found in the bar before the event, warming up with a pint or two.

The date was Saturday 11 August; the time was 2.25pm; the place was Blessington or to be more precise, former Mayor of Dublin Royston Brady’s Avon Ri complex. Teams lined out in front of a plethora of six person canoes eagerly awaiting the honk of the horn to herald the beginning of the Blessie Nessie triathlon in aid of the National Children’s Hospital.

Contestants eyed each other up in a bid to psyche one another out, each looking as ridiculous as the other, with matching t-shirts, helmets and life-jackets. You could feel the tension in the air: the mix of excitement, anticipation and the competitive spirit that drives all athletes and wannabe athletes. Participants stretched out over their boats like a tightened elastic band just waiting to spring into action. Amidst the controlled clamour, a worried voice could be heard on the shore:

Me: “But seriously how do we get in to the boat?!”
Teammate: “We just push the boat out into the water and jump in.
Me: “Push the boat out in to the water and jump in? Seriously, how do we get in to the boat?”

I could not grasp this concept at all. Now I know this was a case of beginner’s nerves, but I must have repeated that question over and over. Fortunately my best pal Carmel also seemed to have some nerves at this point.

“I think I would have preferred to swim rather than canoe,” she said.
“Me too!” I exclaimed, knowing full well how to get in to the water if it was a swimming event. I was just boggled by the canoe.

When I was first asked to take part in Blessie Nessie, I was comforted in the fact myself and my gal pals are at a similar level of fitness. We all upped the stakes with some training before the event when faced with the prospect of cycling, running and.. er… canoeing for the first time in public. I pounded the Prom for weeks in a bid to increase my strength. I was confident we would make a good novice team. However, with just four of us, and a canoe made for six we needed two more for team ‘Banana Boat’.

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