 Liam Dolan, as most of you know, broke the Irish record for the Ironman distance back in June in a time of 9:02:48 for the Austria Ironman, his reward....he is heading to Kona in Hawaii for what is the pinnacle in our sport, the Kona Hawaii Ironman. No wet-suits allowed on the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike over a very hilly course and then a 26.2 mile marathon in the heat and over lava covered terrain.
Before he heads off, we caught up with Liam to find out how his preparations are progressing. Setanta Tri: Liam, Hawaii is the race of champions, when you finished Ironman Austria, how long did it take to decide to take up your place? Liam Dolan: My brother Karl rang me about an hour or 2 after the race & he told me I was second in my age group and that I would have qualified for Hawaii. Didn’t even have to think about it, have been dreaming about Hawaii for a long time! I got into triathlon when I lived in US and there it is all about Ironman and Hawaii. ST: How much "time off" did you take after Austria LD: What’s “time off”? Isn’t that in American sports when the coach makes a small T symbol with his hands, brings his players into a huddle in the last minute of the game, gives a motivational speech & unveils a plan that’s just so crazy ……it might just work.  ST: What was the hardest part of Austria and do you think you could have prepared better for the race?
LD: The last 10km of the run was just pain, pain and more pain from what I can remember of it. It was my first ironman so not sure what I would do differently. ST: Transition in half-ironman and ironman races is much different from normal sprint or Olympic distance races, tell us a bit about them and how long you think you it will take you to get through them. LD: Yeah they are a bit more relaxed, you tend to sit down and take your time. Usually in T2 there is a volunteer there to help you out. Finding your bag on the racks can be quite difficult, think of how squashed Camlough is, now imagine 2,500 bags! ST: Its been a long year of races for a lot of triathletes, motivation this time of year starts to wear thin for a lot of people, how do you keep motivated? LD: It definitely can wear thin! Usually by early September the season is over, so this year is 4/5 weeks longer. The thoughts of the race keep you going, Hawaii is as big as it gets for triathlon, so if that doesn’t motivate you nothing will. ST: How important is support from friends, family and club mates? LD: I didn’t fully appreciate the amount of support I had until after Austria I turned on my phone and had gotten more texts in a day than I usually do in a year. Seemed like half of Dundalk was following the race online. It definitely meant a lot and will be nice to know that some insomniacs back home will be following me while melting in Hawaii. ST: I seen a cutting from the Argus from 2004 of the race report from Blackrock Tri recently, you were there coming out of the swim in a pair of baggy shorts....do you remember much from this race? LD: Ah my first try, 2 distinct memories, Gerry McCabe (whom I hardly knew at the time) splashing water on us as we walked out to the start. Think he was the only guy with a wetsuit, while the rest of us froze to death! The second was my brother Karl. Slagging had been going on all week as to who would beat who, I had expected to beat him in the swim, loose on the bike & pull him back on the run. He whipped me in the swim and lead the race after the bike. During the running I had accepted my loss and inevitable abuse I was due. Turned the corner at Greengates and I saw him in front of me, despite been knackered I knew I had to catch him, gave it everything & passed him without about 200ms to go. The prize….bragging rights!  ST: A lot has happened since then, what’s you best memory of triathlons in those 5 years?
LD: Has been a lot, some great races and some bad ones. Austria is probably the biggest memory, the best, not really sure. Kenmare in 2006 always stands out, just ask Ronan Greene. ST: What would be the one piece of advice you would give you anyone thinking of starting triathlons? LD: If you don’t enjoy it there is no point in doing it. One of the best things about the sport is the people you meet through it. ST: And what about intermediate athletes, there is a good few members thinking about doing a half Ironman next year for the first time, what advice would you give them? LD: Consistency in training is the most important thing. Training regularly is more important than thinking about what you will do. ST: Tell us about your training for Hawaii, how many hours a week are you doing? LD: Swim, bike and run, repeat, repeat, repeat! I do miss the Cuchllainn Cycling Club league as it was great training. An average week during the build phase would be 20 hours plus. ST: Have you changed anything in your training, or is it the same you stuck to for Austria? LD: More or less the same, though by the end of August the lake was too cold to swim in. I’m not known for being good in the cold, as Owen Martin can testify watching me fall over repeatedly while trying to get changed after an early morning Camlough swim. ST: As we all know, Nutrition is very important for Triathletes, can you tell us what you diet has been over the last weeks LD: I’m not on any crazy diet, like lama beans and organic Bison steaks. Just eat sensibly plenty of fruit and vegetables and limit the trips to the Home Bakery. Anyone in the club have a contact in the Home Bakery? ST: When are you leaving for Hawaii and is there anyone traveling over to support you? LD: Hit the road this Saturday and my folks are coming over a few days later. ST: So you going to be there 6 days before the race, what will your routine be in the final days? LD: Try to get used to the heat with short, fast sessions. Also get use to sea swimming. Growing up Hawaii was known for shark attacks, hopefully Jaws will not be shown on the plane. ST: During the race, what food will you take with you? LD: Couple of Chester slices and Carrot cake! Whatever they hand out at the side of the road, probably Powerbar or something. I don’t see the point in taping a supermarket shelf to your bike when every few miles someone is giving you food. ST: I dont want to jinx you...but have you a time in mind for the race? LD: Number 1 goal for every race is to enjoy it, number 2 is finish and everything after that is a bonus ST: Liam, thats great, thanks for taking time out to talk to us, the very best of luck from everyone in the club, we'll all be tracking you online and we hope to talk to you when you return | 
Columbia Carlingford Olympic Tri - 22nd August 2009
You may have noticed a name change on this year's race. This is due to the club having secured a major sponsor in the form of Columbia Sports and Outdoor Clothing. More details to follow
Last Saturday, two members of the Setanta Tri Club decided to brave the chilly weather and dodge cupids arrows in the Valentines Day "Cupids Dash" 10km charity race which was held in Dublin's Pheonix park. 
Castlewellan Triathlon 2008
