Why I keep returning to the Two Provinces Triathlon

Two provinces triathlon is coming up on saturday 12th july

My favourite triathlon is coming up: the Two Provinces Triathlon, Lanesboro, County Longford. I have competed in this event many times previously, and I love going back every year. It has all my favourite elements of triathlon: it takes place less than two hours from my home, it’s set among beautiful Irish countryside, and it’s exceptionally well organised by a friendly, enthusiastic team of volunteers. The swim is in a lake which tends to be far less chilly than the sea or a river, the 20km cycle is a gently undulating course on roads that have been closed to traffic, and the 5k run is through peaceful woodlands. The race is a pleasure to compete in, and afterwards, the hospitality is spot-on, with food, drink and craic. I’m really looking forwards to it, even though this will be my first triathlon of 2025, and I am not nearly as well prepared as I should be.

EIGHTEEN years of training for triathlons

I tried my first tri-athlon in 2007 and I had no idea what I was doing. I had done no training other than occasionial jogging, cycling to work, and a morning swim in the pool when it was too miserable to exercise outside. I struggled around that first race, and I realised that to enjoy it more, I needed to do more preparation. So I joined a great local triathlon club, Wicklow Tri, and the more experienced club members taught me the essentials for improving as a triathlete. 

After a couple of triathlon seasons, I noticed that the folk who were doing better than me often had a coach to help them train, so I signed up with Eamonn Tilley (from ETSports) and he has made a huge difference. He keeps me on track with my goals, giving me instructions to do around sixty minutes of training each morning, five days a week, spread across swim, bike, run and strength/conditioning.

With Eamonn’s help, my swimming, cycling and running improved, and I ended up representing Ireland in my age group at two World Triathlon Championships, in London in 2013, and then iin Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2019.These events were exciting and fulfilling.

I started on my triathlon career because I thought that I needed to exercise, for good physical and mental health. It was just part of trying to be a healthy human being.

But I soon discovered that it’s a thoroughly enjoyable and social hobby. I’d recommend triathlons to anyone.

still fun? after nearly twenty years?

I am now sixty two years old, and it’s true that I’ve eased off on the number of triathlons that I do: in the past, I did up to ten events in a season. COVID stopped my momentum, and these days, two or three races a year are enough to keep me happy. I’m no longer competing to win my age group: I am happy to enjoy the events, and to enjoy the daily training for itself.

My first race of this year is coming up soon

In ten days time, on Saturday 12th July, I will be doing my first triathlon of the season: one of my regular favourites, the Two Provinces Triathlon in Lanesboro, Co Longford. I’ve done this five times before, in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2024..
This race ticks many boxes for me.

• It’s just two hours drive from my home: an easily manageable day trip yet it still gives me a sense of going far out into the Irish countryside for a day
• It’s an enjoyable course: easy-ish, warm-ish lake swim, lovely undulating mostly flat bike course, closed to other traffic, with enough gentle hills to allow me to overtake a few others if I happen to be having a good day, and the run is along a pleasant forest path, then a quiet private road, with no serious hills to stress me out.
• There’s superb after-race care, with tasty healthful hot meals for everyone, and friendly hosts keeping everything up-beat and cheerful.
• It’s well organised and there’s always a relaxed, mellow vibe. I have long term happy recollections of the event, and I always look forwards to going back for more.

Come to county longford on 12th july and see for yourself

There are still a few places left if you’d like to compete – registrations are open till this coming Sunday 6th July

Spectators are also welcome, so if you are in the area, do come along and say hello. It’s a great day out, whether you are competing or just watching.