AS part of the European City of Sport year that is 2011, the European Duathlon Championships are taking place in Limerick from April 15 – 17. In case you are wondering what a duathlon is, it is a run-bike-run formatted race. Basically, a triathlon without the swimming.
With Limerick hosting the event, it is a great opportunity for local athletes to test their skills against the best of what Europe have to offer.
Although there is also an ‘Open Race’ (for people of all levels), the main events of the weekend are the Elite race and the European Age Group Championships.
Representing Ireland in those races will be three Limerick athletes, who, up until a fortnight ago, did not even know if they were going to compete in the trials.
Mike Yelverton (19), Aaron O’Brien (16) and Colm Turner (25) are all members of Limerick Triathlon Club. The three Limerick lads are have all been selected to represent Ireland in the European Duathlon Championships. A truly remarkable achievement.
One can tell how driven the lads are when you hear about their training regime. “I would spend about 14-20 hours a week in training” adds Colm, while Mike and Aaron, both do “between 18 and 20”
Mark Dempsey, who coaches the athletes, is confident that the lads will more than hold their own. “A couple of weeks ago we had Irish trials out in UL. Aaron finished fourth in the senior race. Mike was second and Colm won it. Mike has also won the European title at under 19’s, while Colm won the Kilkee Triathlon last year. As a group we get great help from Killian Clear from Eats of Eden as far as nutrition is concerned, as well as equipment from Cycle Pursuits. While Planet Tri and Natural Foods in Killaloe help out Mike in particular. So the lads will be well prepared for this one”
As far as home advantage goes, Aaron believes that being able to race in Limerick will be more about pride than any distinct lead. “To be racing here in Limerick in front of your friends will be amazing,” added O’Brien who has just turned 16.
With all this training of course, comes refuelling. The lads commented to PostSport that eating the right things at the right time is hard. “Eating the amount of vegetables needed is hard to do” adds Mike. “College is full of junk food and easy food, so staying faithful to the diet can be harder than the training”.
Training is certainly hard. The elite race, which Colum and Mark will race in, is 10k run/40km Bike/5 km run, while Aaron will take part in the junior event, which is still a mean, 5krun/20km/2.5km. All of the time racing of course.
“The race starts from the minute the whistle goes. Keeping focused is the hardest. It is harder mentally than physically” according to Aaron. Colum agrees, “Giving a 100% is impossible. 80-90% is the zone to work in. Momentum is the main thing. If you are aware of what is around you, then you can save 30% of energy when you ride behind someone. You don’t have to take the front, but you should try to be away from the pack too. The best bikers will try and get away”
With the selection of the three lads for team Ireland, one might be forgiven for thinking this is a Golden generation, however, Mark Dempsey (a veteran of over 25 years of Triathlon’s) feels that Limerick has always been a fighting force in power sports.
“Limerick Tri Club is 27 years old. I suppose Ger Hartmann was the main standard bearer for Limerick. Then David O Rahilly was 3 times Irish champion. There are also 20-30 Iron men in Limerick alone. Mike Yelverton has won Goldin Europeans, Bronze in the Worlds at his age group. There is a good level of triathletes in Limerick. To have a senior, a junior and an under 23 in the Irish team for this Limerick event is unbelievable and an achievement not to be underestimated”
With progress like this, the sky is the limit. The trio have mixed goals, due obviously to their skills and age. “My swimming is not up to scratch really, so Duathlon would be my main one. I will be looking to concentrate on that for the future, if I was to be honest,” commented Colm, while Mike has Europe in his sights, “The European Cup is my aim now. If I could get to this level of this race on a more consistant base, that would be great”. Aaron, who is currently still in Transition Year, wants to make a career out of it, but still has “no idea” what he is going to do outside of college.
For more information on the event itself, log on to www.europeanduathlonchampionships.com or www.limerick.ie.
For a final word, Postsport would like to wish this Limerick trio and indeed all Limerick athletes taking part, a very successful duathlon. Oh yes. Watch out for the lads on the road. Always be aware of cyclists.
