Triangle Triathlon Club
Members
Triangle Triathlon Club currently has over 30 members, the following
profiles include their thoughts and goals for 2008 (plus some editorial
comments) and why they started
triathlon. With personal goals from completing a first sprint distance
Triathlon to being competitive in an ironman event, everyone is a
winner. If you would like to update your profile, (or if I have
made any defamatory or libelous remarks) then please let me know and I
will update this site as soon as possible.
The clubs' most successful and prolific athlete, Anne Paul completed the Two Oceans Ultra marathon in South Africa in March, and went onto achieve a personal best (2:57:36) at the Belfast marathon in May. She puts her success down to hard work, commitment and dedication ( and being bloody minded) Her ultimate ambition is to continue to enjoy her sport at whatever level until very, very old !
Paul Fletcher along with Ronnie Kidd are training hard for Ironman Germany. Paul got involved in triathlon because he fell into bad company. Ronnie Kidd tells me that he took up triathlon, because he was ‘ in between golf clubs’ , when he started swimming and running- the rest is history. TTC wish both Paul and Ronnie good luck in Germany.
Adrian Devine, is an experienced Ironman , rating Ironman Austria and Kenmare has his two most enjoyable events. This season he is hoping to compete in Ironman UK and Ironman 70.3 UK.
One of Triangle’s first Ironwomen, Bernie Gribben has succeeded over the years in triathlon because of her tenacity; like many club members she was lured into the sport by Anne Paul, her greatest event was the Ironman Roth, and her ambition is to get sub 2:30 for Olympic distance.
Bernie has been very active giving club members in the Magherafelt region coached swim sessions on a saturdy afternoon. This has no doubt encouraged new members, including John Joe Muldoon and Linda Tomb to compete in Olympic distance, open water events.
Similarly Brian Lockington is a cyclist from Limavady who got lured into the swim lane one Tuesday evening, and was overwhelmed by how friendly and welcoming everyone was. He hopes that doing some multisport events will improve his time trial times- do you want to tell him or shall I ?
Ironwoman, Nicky McBride, moved from hockey to triathlon, her aims for 2008 are to compete in triathlons and have fun doing so, she hopes to be competing, and enjoying herself for another 40 years. Nicky has had a steady start to the 2008 season having already competed in the Northwest Duathlon and several time trials.
Lisa Mann took up triathlon to avoid always being asked to marshall- that seems reasonable, but then competing at Ironman Roth seems to be taking a bit too far. Lisa hopes to stay injury free to enable her to start running again and to do alot of cycling.
William O’Kane had a ‘Road to Damascus’ moment when he gave up smoking, and decided to get fit – well triathlon will certainly do that for you. This season he hopes to fullfill his ultimate ambition to complete and Ironman, by competing in Moravia-Man, He is also signed up for Groomsport half-ironman and Dublin marathon. William started competing to justifying spending money on bikes and wetsuits.
Eamon Colhoun is one of our great hopes for the future, his key to success is to train hard, so hopefully that will help him achieve his ambition of competing in the 2012 Olympics.
Sarah Chestnutt has competed in several Olympic distance triathlons including Castlewellan and Ballyronan. This season she has already completed the two oceans ultra marathon in South Africa, and hopes to run the Amsterdam marathon in October. Following her running success, rumours that Sarah has sold her bike and punctured her water wings are greatly exageated. Sarah was lured into the sport by Ali Bratten’s t-shirt, ‘Simply the Best’, and was told that she had to complete the Liam Ball triathlon to get one – so she did
Alistair Bratten got involved int riathlon after loisng interest in playing squash, he loves competing and hope to compete as much as possible this season. Aistair is also responsible for Shauna and Ryan Bratten becoming involved in triathlon, Shauna’s aim for 2008 is to win something, whilst Ryan only wants to beat his dad. Alistair himself was lured into the sport by Anne Paul, perhaps she should be known as the siren of triangle triathlon.
Another father –son act – the Tosh’s, Stewart Tosh took up triathlon, so that he could spend more time with his son, Mark, - only he rapidly found that he could not keep up. Stewart achieved his goal by finishing the ‘longest day’ ironaman. This year Stewart has been appointed Assistant General Manager of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Squad. Congratulations. Meanwhile, Mark Tosh, another of Triangles’ elite athletes is now a proud father, so his transitions may be more about changing nappies, than changing from cycling to running shoes
‘Have a go Johnny’ Goldie took up triathlon, when running marathons was not enough of a challenge. However this year he has already taken on the Two Oceans ultra marathon in South Africa and is now preparing for Amsterdam marathon. With is running going from strength to strength, it doesn't look like he will be back on the bike for a while!
Vincent McCarron sums up the spirit of the sport with his goal to finish every triathlon he enters and an ultimate ambition to win a race – one day.
Paul Dornan had a quiet 2007, but is set to do Switzerland 70.3. If he stops throwing himself out of planes and gets some training done, then I am sure he will achieve this.
Colm Mullin is also competing in Switzerland 70.3, unfortunately he was knocked off his bike recently. All TTC wish him a speedy recovery.
Conal Heatley achieved much in 2007, including organising the inaugural Half-Ireman event at Groomsport. the event was a huge success and already has 250 entrants for 2008. Not content with organising an event, Conal is also competeing in a middle distance race himself in England.
Alison Rankin a new member for 2008 Alison has already demonstrated her running prowess and enthusiasm for sport as ladies team captain of Springwell Running Club. She has been availing herself of the thursday night swim coach sessions and is keen to participate in her first Olympic distance triathlon this year. Michael Rankin is another new member for 2008. Michael has already competed in the Duathlon event of the TRY series and signed up for the Crooked Lake Triathlon.
Lucky Claire Johnston and Susan Morgan have got places in the iconic ' Escape from Alcatraz' Race. The race starts with a dive from a ferry into the icy water which is also home to sealions ! Following an 18 mile cycle the girls will embark on the 8 mile run which includes the infamous 400 steps up the sand ladder. No wonder this race is so difficult to get an entry into !
Kay Hack is competing in the UK Ironman 70.3. Anne was one of the first people Kay met when she moved to Northern Ireland 12 years ago – she didn’t really stand a chance after that !
Christopher Doherty sums up the spirit of triathlon with his insight;
In triathlon you can do three things badly, yet finish and therefore be happy with your performance '
Good luck with beating your Lisburn PB this season.
Meanwhile Gavin O'Kane is not shirking this season , with his goal to 'achieve PB's at every distance'. He rates Groomsport half Ireman as his most enjoyable event, and hopes to do the full Ironman - someday.
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