Introducing Johanna Dinn

My entry into the world of triathlons started 2 years ago when my brother and myself decided on a whim to do a sprint triathlon in aid of Focus Ireland. Neither of us had really swam since we were kids nor had we put foot to pedal since college days but thought what the heck – we would give it a go. When it came to the event – I still wasn’t quite sure how I would make it through the swim as I had never been able to do the full 750M in training...but something I learned that day is that where there is a will there is a way and so I front crawled, back stroked, breast stroked and doggy paddled my way through it. Being someone who is always up for a challenge – I thought I would up the ante the next year and so last August I did an Olympic distance triathlon. This was one of the most physically and mentally challenging things I have ever done and crossing the Finish line was one of my proudest moments.

So this year I’ve decided to combine triathlons and fundraising and be part of the Microsoft Trionic 7 team that will do a triathlon in Chicago to raise €35K for a really worthy cause. Our fundraising kicks off this Saturday at the Leinster V’s Munster rugby match in Croke Park (so if you see us...cough up) and over the next couple of months we will get stuck into many more events where we hope to raise lots of cash. We’ve got a terrific group of people on board for this challenge and I’m really looking forward to training, racing and fundraising with them over the Summer.

Introducing Sean Young

Why who when and how are all questions one asks one self when half way through your first race (last Sunday) or a killer training session at some ungodly hour of the morning with a young pup pushing you through the pain barrier only to find another level of pain you didn’t realise had been invented yet. But moments later when all is said and done your hit by a surge of euphoria when you cross that line or finish your session and you know that you have achieved something and pushed yourself further than you did the last time, it all makes sense... then! and could be quite addictive!!

How?
I’ve been toying with the romantic notion of getting fit and knocking out a few triathlons between lunch and dinner for some time (dreamer) now when the reality of actually stepping up to the mark side blinded me a couple of months back leaving me with no other option than signing my easy going lifestyle away for a bike a wet suit and a pair of trainers happened it didn’t take long to wipe that dream world clean into cold light of day . Which I’m delighted has happened............. NOW!

Why & Who?
The kids... money please!!!

When?
Chicago August 30th 2009, bring it!!

Introducing Peter O'Grady

Hi, my name is Peter O’Grady, I’m from Kilkenny and I’m training to be a Tri-athlete! This is where I would normally hear my friends or family spit out there drinks in a mixture of shock, horror but mostly amusement! I swim like a wounded wildebeest, have never owned a bike and running to me is some thing colours do in the wash! Don’t get me wrong I do love and have always been involved with sport but the nearest I’ve been to an endurance sport was representing Microsoft in a 27 hole playoff for the O’Callaghan cup against Oracle! J Well how I got into this is down to Barry O Sullivan, he gave an inspirational speech in the wee hours after a MS pub quiz in McSorleys. He told me about how much of a life changing experience it was and how much you learnt about yourself, this combined with a skin full of coronas and before I knew it I was signing on the dotted line! And in the cold light of day what arrived arm in arm with my hangover was the realisation of the task that lay before me! But at least I was now part of a team and what a team! J The Crumlin 09 Triathlon team are a great group of people and are making this experience more enjoyable then I could ever have imagined.

Of course the real motivation and reason that any of us are putting in the hours of swimming countless lengths, saddle sores and knee breaking pounding on treadmills is in an attempt to raise money for the Children’s Medical Research Foundation (CMRF). I honestly had never really done anything for charity before bar contributing some money towards other peoples efforts. I saw this as an opportunity to change that and to help some people less fortunate then myself. Raising this amount of money for Crumlin is the main goal, and that is where we need your help. I will complete the Chicago triathlon even if it involves floating, pushing the bike and crawling the last few miles… this money however will allow the kids in Crumlin achieve the goal of a better life and that is something we can all be proud to have played a part in!

Introducing Marie Fenard

When I told my friends that I was going to run Chicago Olympic triathlon for charity, they really thought that I was crazy ! "how are you going to be able to swim 1,5km then bike 40km and then run 10km?". They are right, it is a real sport challenge for me as my main sport has always been golf since I was a kid. But I like challenges, that is what motivates me.

So I've been training hard since January. Typically, 3 to 4 times a week I’m either running, biking or swimming. My friends asked me "how are you going to raise 5 000 euros" and they are right again....especially as I have never ever raised funds (this type of charity fund raising is not typical in the French culture). But I will now be organising a wine tasting event for sure, amongst other fund raising activities and I'm confident I'll cross the line (hopefully under my target of 3 hours). I'll need to train very hard to reach this goal and am participating in few races to practise and learn crucial lessons...

Last Sunday, a few of us ran Ashford's duathlon...I made 2 discoveries.....
1/ Never ever drink a mango Powerade before a race !!! It has completely ruined my stomach and made the race painful....
2/ Check your material !! When I started biking, my bike was making an unusual noise coming from the front wheel. I discovered after few kilometers that I haven't clicked the wheel correctly...So I don't think I'll be making those errors again !

I'm really excited by this Chicago adventure and I'm looking forward to be there!

The Lone Ranger Returns!

Back in black; the legendary tune by AC/DC... with one very simple message - The Chicago Triathlon 2009 must be conquered!

This year our team numbers have grown by 230%. Preparation and training commenced a number of months ago and most importantly our fund raising target is now a minimum of €35,000. My first experience of the Chicago Triathlon with Shane and John was an unforgettable voyage of discovery from start to finish. It was a step into the unknown for all three of us. We learned so much about ourselves, each other and the willingness of others to support and encourage us to reach our goals. This year, the bar has been raised significantly. Armed with my knowledge from last year, I hope to guide the first timers through the Crumlin (CMRF) experience of the Chicago Triathlon.

To be honest, I’m a little jealous of the guys who will be embarking on this adventure for the first time. Having lived the dream last year I have become completely hooked. The anticipation of the unknown and then the exhilaration of crossing the finish line is what makes the first Chicago Triathlon so special. Expectation amongst the group is sky high... there is already very healthy banter and competition but ultimately this is a unique opportunity for us to measure ourselves against your own potential.

The Trionic 7 will never let our heads hang. We will never give up, sit down or despair. We will find a way

In the words of Snowpatol... it’s time to Take Back the City

Introducing Richard Harpur

Dave has set the standard in blog pictures, I have to follow suit and go with the black & white look.

As a seasoned veteran of the Irish athletics circuit Triathlon was a natural next step, and what better way to break onto the Triathlon scene than as part of the Crumlin 09 Triathlon team in an effort to raise money for the Children’s Medical Research Foundation (CMRF).

Now those of you who don’t know me may believe that last statement in its entirety, however the truth is I have never been involved in athletics at a competitive level, I peaked in the early 90’s in ‘some’ event at the Co. Wexford community games in Bree and since then, well there’s not much to say really I simply haven’t really taken part in any form of sport. A bunch of guys from work got involved in this same competition last year and that got me thinking. So when the opportunity arose I jumped on the band wagon, jumping on bandwagons is a pastime of mine once Obama got elected I needed a new one.

Although I’m not an athlete, I like to think I have made some progress over the last few months. 4 months ago I was smoking up to 20 cigarettes a day and the only regular exercise I took was raising a pint glass. Now, I don’t smoke, drink a lot less and exercise is a regular (and important) part of my weekly routine. There are many benefits to such a change in lifestyle which I’m sure your all aware of (health and fitness etc) but the greatest of all is getting to stay in on a Saturday night to watch ‘Tubridy Tonight’ – this weeks highlight is the story of a bull who broke into a Supervalu in Ballinrobe.

Tomorrow is Sunday April 26th – a very important date in my calendar and the calendar’s of some of my comrades, it’s our first race this year and my first race ever. At 1 pm tomorrow the Ashford Duathlon ‘kicks off’ (I’m not sure what the correct term is, kick off, throw in, whatever) this is a 5 km run followed by a 20 km cycle and then another 5 km run, just for good measure. I don’t know what to expect, will I be able to complete the full race, will I fall off my bike (apparently the correct way to cycle is to use specialist shoes which have clips that attach to the pedals which means you become part of the bike, sounds great but if you forget to unclip them when stopping you end up on the ground – I have never cycled with these clips before, tomorrow is D-Day).

I have stocked up on energy sweets and protein bars, lets hope they do what they say on the Tin………………

Introducing David Power

As someone who hasn’t swam properly since I was 12 at the Community Games in Mosney, or ever cycled a bike except for fun, doing a triathlon is something new. Waterford isn’t known for its triathletes (although Sean Kelly had it in his blood:-)), so why do it? Well one of my New Year’s Resolutions was to take on 3 new challenges. I don’t think I’ll get away with counting running, swimming and cycling as all 3 – but doing a Triathlon is definitely one challenge ticked off the list. I play a lot of sports (football, golf, squash, running), so doing the triathlon will definitely improve my fitness. Last year I had several injuries which kept me out of action, so this year I want to come back stronger. I’d also like to raise money for Crumlin Children’s Hospital, as I think most people will know somebody who was a patient there and it does great work for kids across Ireland.

I See Fit People....

Here we go again, Chicago Triathlon 2009 in Aid of Our Lady's Hospital for sick Children Crumlin. We have a new team and a new blog, but our goal is the very same. We want your money in aid of a worthy charity. To earn this we are going to Swim, Cycle and Run our way from Athy, Athlone and various locations around Ireland to our end goal of crossing the finish line in Chicago on August 29th.

Stay tuned on this site for team introductions, training plans, local triathlon results and fund raising activities.

If you weren't with us last year please feel free to visit our 2008 blog by clicking here.

Below is a sample of what you will find.