SEANIN GILMORE finished a highly respectable 12th on her European Triathlon Championships debut in Germany.
Stratford Triathlon Club’s Gilmore was representing Ireland in the 45-49 age group category. The swim took place in Düsseldorf Harbour and the River Rhine was distinctly uninviting – murky and nothing like the beautiful clear waters of the Cotswolds Lakes which she was used to training in!
The swim phase is Gilmore’s weakest discipline having only learned to freestyle last summer, so it is very much a work in progress and she emerged about two thirds down the pack of 34 competitors.
On to the bike and things picked up considerably in her strongest section which she always relishes. The flat and technical course repeatedly crossed over Dusseldorf’s bridges and her recent cornering practice was put to good use.
Gilmore felt strong and fast on the bike and her time was the fifth fastest in her age group.
She then held on in the run and finished in a competitive time in 12th place overall.
Gilmore reflected: “I know I’m capable of better. There is still lots of work to do on getting my legs used to running off the bike.
“I finished 12th overall, which I was pleased with, given I only started triathlon a year ago. Then, I could not have imagined representing Ireland twice this year having also competed in the European Duathlon Championships in April in which I finished fourth.
“This would not have been possible without my wonderful tri coach David Knight (DO3 Coaching) and my open water swim coach Jason Tait (South West Swim), so a massive thank you to them.”
