Born to run Ash

Start time: 0900 am

Location: Howth- Ireland’s Eye

Entry fee: €30

Rating: 4/5 stars *super fun/experience/challenging swim/great soup/hot whiskey!

The ‘Escape from Ireland’ swim took place on a Sunday morning (Sep5) with registration at the Howth Scout’s hall in Howth Harbor. It was a very comfortable morning, with warm Southerly winds and overcast skies, but relatively warm and welcoming for swimmers. From the moment we signed in, there was a feeling of great local hospitality, with a group of volunteers helping in the scout hall and the boat transfers. Most competitors were wearing wetsuits, however a few brave swimmers were in bathing costumes. There was a good attendance from the triathlon community. The event attracted about 95 competitors – which isn’t bad considering that the event sold out at 100 total. Open water swimming can be anyone’s race and with a real mixed bunch standing before the race organisers, there was even a short moment of “can everyone make the distance” to add a touch of thrill. I certainly wasn’t sure about going the distance. I hadn’t swam since the Dublin City Tri, and my last swim was at Ironman Zurich – giving me a total of 2 swims in 2 months.

Irelands Eye – is a small island about 1200 meters from the Howth harbor, which was the starting point for the swim back to the mainland. Not many people had ventures over to Ireland’s Eye, which is an uninhabited island home to birds, wildlife and sea animals. The boat journey was about 10 minutes long, and pushed the little marine tenders through the short choppy waters into the calm sandy beach. While the wind was modest at about 5-10 knots, there was a short rolling chop between the island and the mainland.

Once all the competitors were close to the island we jumped in off the side of the boats and congregated on the beach before a quick race briefing. The beach was  a lovely quiet setting, with small shells and crystal clear waters around its shores. The competitors stood around like a flock of seagulls as we all started to get a bit cold before the start. Some of the swimmers in bathers were already in the water as the temperature was fairly warm in the waters.

With most of the swimmers lined on the shore the start began. We were instructed in the race briefing that the current would push out to sea, so therefore a safety line of bouys were put out across the bay to give a clear tidal line for the swimmers. The line of the markers were placed in a line that was about 20-30 degrees away from the straight line to the finish. Obviously it was a longer route, but to safely make sure nobody was swept out to sea this line wasn’t a bad direction. The finish was located back on the beach strand Wrights boat-sheds/ and Howth Dart station. You couldn’ actually see the finish by line of sign from Ireland Eye.

The first few swim strokes for me are always the hardest to overcome the shock of the cold water. I swam well and gathered my composure in the calm waters of the island until the deeper waters and waves began to rise. You began to loose sight of the bottom of the seafloor, which then gave way to the deep blue sea. With the swells pushing through from your left side, the breathing and swimming patterns had to change, and I altered direction to go with the waves toward the marker line. It worked well for a while, but I found it really tough to get a visual sighting of land and every chance I got to put the head up and look for a land mark I was washed over by the swells. There were enough competitors around to keep you going in the right direction, but many of the swimmers were also disorientated. I learned very quickly that long distance ocean swimming requires a lot of planning and interpretation of the local landmarks.

After what seems like a good stint of keeping the head down and swimming, I had passed through the swell section of the middle the bay. The swell was subsiding, and the ocean floor could be seen again. By this time, I had a good 1000 meters to go and focused on keeping my swim technique together. Some of the competitors went flying past me because they had seen the shore and were making a break for the land.

The wind had increased a bit more, and there was a little chop which could be felt on my head as I pushing on for the shore. I kept looking for landmarks and could seethe Howth Dart station and large sheds of the Wrights Fishing company. The sand on the bottom was very clean and the water much warmer.

As I got close to the finish, I was able to stand and leap out of the water for a strong run to the finish. There was a good group of lads around me that were also fighting for the finish line. The Heatlhpro banner and finish line was a few meters from the shore. They were taking numbers as people crossed the line. I had written my number on my hand so it was very easy to see. Some of the others had their number on the leg which is always hard to see when people are running out of the water.

At the finish on the shore were bottles of waters, bananas, apples and the bag pickup. It was so great to see the local people out. I was fortunate enough to get a hot-whiskey from a local dude. It was a great feeling of community in such a beautiful setting.  The after party at the scout hall was well attended. They had great hot soup and fresh rolls provided by Beshoffs (http://www.beshoffs.ie/) -(** The Fish and Chip shop**

The overall impression of the event was that the organisers had done a great job. It was safe, friendly and well organised. I will definitely look to sign up as soon as they open the places for next year. I would probably do a couple of things differently. 1. I would take a gatorade drink over to the island to have before the start. 2. I would wear a beenie on the boat rider over to keep warm. 3. Wear flip flops 4. Also take a poncho/rain blanket to keep my core warm. * Most importantly would be to get the goggles clear for the start so you can clearly see the landmarks while you are swimming.

Look it up for next year!

Howth Aquathon/ Escape from Ireland – Swim