Wow what an amazing weekend in Dublin!

Slowly coming back down to reality so time for my race ramblings!

Friday 12th August….

A somewhat stressful start to the  trip leaving things to the last minute that should have been sorted much earlier in the week like printing boarding passes on a new printer, taking my bike completely apart to get it into the bike box,  handlebars, wheels seat post etc all had to come off which I didn’t like one bit and getting the bike box itself to the airport was a challenge to say the least.

Nearly missed my flight as I set off way too late but things soon turned for the better when some lovely people let me jump the check in queue at Manchester and the lady on the desk turned a blind eye to the fact that my bike box was overweight.

Anyhow after a much shorter than expected flight I arrives at Dublin airport and as I am making my way down the steps of the plane I saw the guys  unloading my bike box. They refused to let me take it there and then. despite my best efforts of pleading with them. I was half expecting someone to nick it before I could get to the baggage carrousel but was relieved to see it merrily making its was round with the rest of the suitcasesas as I  arrived.]

My initial plan was to get a cab to the B&B where I was staying in Dun Laogaire (pronounced Dun Leerie it was soon pointed out) this is where the Ironman race was set to to start from. However  when I discovered it would be 60 euro one way in the cab or 16 euro return on the coach it took me 30 seconds to decide which way I would be travelling – coach! This decision was to pay off handsomely as on the coach I was to meet a  fellow ironman who was on the verge of turning pro…off to work I went and  it was fascinating to discover his secrets….

The journey to Dun Laogaire seemed to whiz by and before I knew it we had arrived. I wished the pro all the best and we went our separate ways. Its now 9pm. I showed a local a map of where I needed to get to and he said yes its a 30 minute walk down there – not ideal when you are pushing a bike box and carrying all your gear! but it was a beautiful walk along the coast road so one must not complain. Also when you are walking around pushing a bike box everyone stares at you as if your are some sort of celeb! If I am honest I quite liked it! Anyhow within about 10 minutes a local pulled up in a 4×4 and asked me what I was doing – when  I explained they said ‘get in we will take you there’ and they folded their seats down, put my bike box along with all my gear in the back and chauffeured me to the B&B  – how lovely was that?

Checked in to my B&B and was delighted to discover that I could virtually see the Ironman tents from where I was staying -perfect. The landlord said ‘we have another Ironman fella here from Brazil!’ so I was looking forward to meeting him at some point. I had made the decision to build my bike as soon as I got there which I did and this went better than expected. A short walk to the mini town and was pleased to find a little Italian restaurant that did me some pasta as a take out – off to bed and time for some sleep – not that I got much – a mix of excitement and nerves,

I felt like a kid at Christmas and couldn’t wait to get up!

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