Well that was a tough but enjoyable race!
It all started with a one hour delay due to sea fog (the eliete and top AG's had gone) then a shorthened swim which was really enjoyable and with fog completely cleared by the time we finished.
The transition was the usual bag collection in IM races that worked well although there was no bench space and with my knees getting down and up from the floor not easy LOL. Then onto the bike course, we knew from the profile and briefing it was a lot of climbing, it is the Wicklow mountains after all but it was one of the toughest if not the toughest IM 70.3 bike legs I have done (certainly tougher than Mallorca and IM Staffs). The mist came down at the top and this slowed people down even more and made the descents slightly panicky but the last 15 miles certainly made up for the earlier climbing with a great roll into T2.
Out onto the run, a 3 lap course along the sea front and out and back on the harbour wall. This was nice and flat (certainly if you normally run in and around Aldridge near Walsall!) and the crowds were great and kept you going. The finish shute was a welcome sight and as always very well occupied by cheer squads and friends.
I would recommend this race, a beautiful part of Ireland a short hop from Dublin. The temptation of a pre race Guiness (or 6!) may be too much foir some though LOL