Club News

To all marshals and helpers for the Joey Hannan race this weekend: I always like to send a message to convey my thanks for the support over the weekend. One of the messages we received this year, copied below shows how important your involvement is and what it means to so many of the beginners that take part. I have left this as my thank you message as I think this athlete has summed it up far more effectively than I ever could. Thanks again and I hope to be working with you all next year in some capacity. Enjoy the read.

Richard

Good morning all at Limerick triathlon club,

I have wanted to send this email since Sunday and only getting around to it now.

I want to say a very big thank you to you all, the volunteers at the pool and all your marshalls for the whole event.

I participated in the Try a Tri. This is something at 43 years of age I was thinking would never be a reality for me.

I have been to UL in April for 4 years in a row watching the Joey Hannon triathlon in awe at the athletes thinking, I would love to do this, but I can not swim.

Last year I set a target, Joey 2018, took some lessons and 4 weeks before the event was the first time I swam out of my depth in the UL pool.

Needless to say I was a nervous wreck on Sunday. Every scenario went thru my head in the weeks leading up to it.

What if I drown, what if I’m too slow, what If some one swims over me because I’m too slow, how will I cope with so many in the lane……………..well, I need not have worried so much at all.

Your lane marshalls were truly fantastic. I was in lane 10 and I can not thank them or praise them enough.

Every ridiculous question I had was answered so calmly and with great reassurance. Kind and positive words spoken to us all, who were equally as nervous before the race started.

Halfway thru my fisrt length, my worst fears were realised and I took in water as I was slower than the person behind me who was trying to pass. Your marshall encouraged me into the wall and spoke so calmly and positively telling me, you’re well able, just one stroke at a time and you will get there.

I continued on my swim after composing myself, and the lady at the top of the lane reached down to congratulate me on making it thru one length after a scary start.

She said ‘ we are here to mind you and make sure you are safe, we know and you know that you can do this, so well done and off you go”.

I have to say, at that moment in time, they were the words I needed to hear, and away I went and swam the remaining 5 lengths with great positivity.

That same lady walked the last length with us cheering us every stroke until we finished. You have no idea how much that encouragement means when you are so scared and unsure of yourself. It is amazing that someone you don’t know, who gave up their Sunday morning to volunteer, can be so compassionate and supportive to a stranger. Absolutely well done. It means the world.

Onto the bike with a smile, and again all your marshalls were full of encouragement and support.

Same on the run, great guidance on direction and encouragement on the home straight.

I can not thank you all enough. It is the proudest day of my life that I can remember, an experience I will never forget.  Such a well organised event. Thanks again

Ashley Ryan