Caoimhe's Ironwoman diary...

For anyone that missed the previous post, Caoimhe Ni Mhurchu has become the first club woman to complete an Ironman triathlon. Hopefully she will be the first of many. By completing the Hardman circut in twelve and a half hours she has set a serious benchmark for future attempts at the distance.

Her race report makes for interesting reading, especially as an insight into what an Irish take on the famous endurance challenge is like; traffic, eels, sheep and all!...

Hardman Race Report

I saw this race on the Triathlon Ireland Calender earlier on this year, and out of curiosity, I had a look at their website. It looked like a fantastic course, and the detail in the race manual was thorough and impressive. It’s a stunning part of the world, and I thought to myself, why would you travel to do an Ironman at great expense, if you can do a full distance race only down the road, in one of the most beautiful places in the world? But that was my only thought… I had no intention of actually signing up myself!

As the year progressed and I managed longer cycles and steeper hills in my training for the Alpe d’Huez, this race popped back into my head from time to time, and I thought, if I manage the half-ironman distance this year, I’ll give the full distance a shot next year. But as we all know this sport is addictive – there seems to be a continuous desire to go faster or longer, to do a tougher race and smash PBs…. So after I managed to survive the torture I inflicted on myself in France, I was already thinking… what next??

I thought if I could manage a 3 hour run with three weeks to go to the Hardman, I would seriously consider entering. I hadn’t really been doing much running, as I had spent the summer sitting on a saddle. I contacted the organisers and was told that the closing date was the Sunday before the race. This gave me almost until the last minute to make up my mind. With two weeks to go, I was feeling strong. I was well aware that I hadn’t followed any training plan for this race, but I thought I’d go for it. If nothing else, it would be a weekend away in my favourite part of the country. If I had waited two more days to enter, I would have changed my mind, as I injured my ankle, and didn’t run again until race day. But, it was too late. I was committed.

I have huge respect for the challenge, the distance and all those who have completed an ironman, so I kept it to myself. I didn’t want to broadcast the fact that I was going to try to ‘wing it’. But I felt pretty confident that my training for the half would get me around the course.

I drove to Killarney on Friday and checked into a B&B near the golf course – the location of the swim and T1. I registered that evening, and attended a very entertaining and slightly disturbing race briefing… the warning they gave us about the lake’s resident lamprey eels and the technique used to detatch them from your wetsuit was a recurring theme in my dreams that night!

Next morning as I was standing in the pitch dark at the lake waiting for transition to open, I began to have my first doubts…. About my sanity in general. But, I’m sure that’s pretty normal for anyone about to embark on a 140+ mile race! The race was later starting than originally planned, as the sun didn’t begin to appear until well after 6am. At 6.25 we were suddenly informed race would start in 5 minutes… I wasn’t close to being ready, so had to rush to get the wetsuit zipped up, and grabbed my goggles and hat. I didn’t have time for a warm-up but the lake water actually felt beautiful. Suddenly we were hearing a countdown, and we were off! The water seemed perfectly calm as we swam to the first bouy, but once out in the more exposed part of the lake, it was extremelly choppy. I got a bad start, and had to stop twice to clear my goggles. About half-way through the first lap, it began raining heavily, the lake water was swirling over my head, and I was finding it difficult to breath. It seemed so stormy and I started getting anxious. I’m not sure why, I love to be in the water, but I was starting to panic. I tried to settle myself, but I got more disorientated. I knew there were a couple of people ahead of me, but I couldn’t see them. The bouys were huge, and the course was well marked, but I got more and more disorientated and felt like we were swimming in zigzags rather than in the rectangle course which had been clearly explained. On my second lap, I rounded what I thought was the last buoy, and swam about 100 metres before a kayaker caught up with me and told me I had cut the course short. I argued with her as I was sure I was swimming to the pier. She pointed in the opposite direction, and told me I had 4 more buoys to pass before I got to the pier. At this stage my head was all over the place. Then I saw the next swimmer behind me passing the previous buoy, and swimming straight on ahead. Finally I gave up arguing with the poor frustrated kayaker, and realised I needed to keep swimming or I’d never get home! I swam after the guy I had seen and followed his legs all the way to the pier. I was so glad to get out of the water. This was definitely the worst part of the day. It’s a beautiful swim, but the conditions were tough on the day. As the very helpful volunteers helped me out of the water, I was told I was fourth and my time was 1.11. I walked into transition, and realised a good crowd had gathered. I had decided not to change, and use my tri top and shorts on the bike with a wind-breaker jacket. The forecast was supposed to be mostly dry, and about 16 degrees.

I have cycled the Ring of Kerry twice before, and it is definitely an advantage to know the course. I was told the night before the race to break it down – 30kms for the bike and 5kms for the run – this was good advice. Mentally its difficult to sit on a saddle for 7 hours, so its important to not let your mind get too far ahead. I don’t use a heart rate monitor, but I have a good idea now, how to pace long cycles. So I set off nice and easy, and tried to settle into a comfortable rhythm. We were cycling into a strong wind, setting out, and this was to continue for a couple of hours. The road surface is quite poor in spots, but dodging potholes is only one of the many hazards you will encounter on the Ring of Kerry! It is one of the busiest tourist routes in the country, and on any summer weekend in Kerry, you are bound to encounter Festivals and Fairs. Coming into Waterville was pretty unique – the annual Charlie Chaplin festival was in full swing! There was also a vintage tractor rally on the route… You won’t find such novelties in Kona!

Coming back into Killarney was slow and required negotiating a number of busy junctions and traffic lights. I was delighted to be feeling pretty good approaching the second transition. My parents had come down for the day, and after a lonely 7 hours of peddling, it was great to see familiar faces! I hadn’t had a ‘bathroom’ stop on the cycle course, and my bladder was very unhappy with me, so as I arrived in T2 the first thing I asked was – where’s the LOO??! With a marathon still to do, I wasn’t in too much of a hurry. I took my time, changing socks and putting lots of vaseline where it is always required and finally got to relieve myself. Setting off on the run, I was feeling pretty good. This was the part of the race that surprised me the most. It was 3 laps of 8.3 miles plus an additional run down and back to T2. The three laps take you through the national park. There was a lot of activity, with tourists, and horse-drawn carriages, kids and joggers all sharing the park so there was lots to see and plenty to distract you. The hydration stations were manned by a wonderful bunch of volunteers, who were so encouraging and helpful. It was great to see your fellow participants too and we gave each other a high five and a ‘keep her lit’ as we passed each other. The first two laps were okay, but there were a few steep hills on the course, which were really starting to sap my energy reserves. When I got to the feed station before the final lap, I told myself I could walk the hills on the final lap as long as I ran the rest. This seemed like a very generous gift to myself, as I had originally decided, that I wouldn’t allow myself to walk at all. So I set out on the final lap. The legs felt much heavier, and the soles of my feet were burning. I was looking forward to the hills now, so I could walk! It was great to see my parents one last time before the finish line, and as I passed my Dad, with his camera pointed at me yet again, I remembered he used to tell me the marathon only starts at the 20 mile mark, and he would know having done about 50 of them! But I then began to wonder… at what stage does an ironman start, because I was starting to think I’d like it to be over right about now!

8.3 miles later, it finally was. I passed over the finish line elated, and was presented with my medal. There was a lovely finish line atmosphere – in the end there were only 16 individual finishers, but there was full medical facilities, plenty of food, hot drinks and chairs for everyone. There were also 9 relay teams, so 25 runners would have passed over the line. The final finisher came in before 10pm, and was accompanied by a cyclist wearing a headlamp!

I was delighted with my time. I could definitely have pushed it more on the bike, but then I may not have managed a 4.11 marathon. I didn’t really look at the watch though, it was just about completion this time!

Overall, I would highly recommend the race and I would really encourage people to support this event. At 140 euro, its superb value, and the setting and scenery are unbeatable. The cycle route is busy. The road surface is dire in parts. You may round a corner and collide with a flock of sheep. You pass through a town populated with little men in bowler hats. The hydration stations are manned by friendly volunteer farmers, and you may need to ask for directions from tourists due to a lack of marshalls… but this all adds to the charm of the race! For an inaugaral event, I was very impressed. The organisers are committed to making it bigger and better next year, and are very keen to get feedback – both positive and negative – to ensure that any ‘glitches’ this year are avoided next year. It was a great end to my season, and I would love to do it again. But I’m taking a few weeks off now. My runners are staying at home when I go on holidays this weekend. Flip-flops and dancing shoes are the the only things going on my feet for the next 3 weeks!

Full results can be viewed on the race website.

Ironwoman

Well done to Caoimhe who has posted a super time of 12.30 in the first running of the Hardman ironman distance event in Kerry with a super time of 12.30 minutes. A fantastic time based on the very tough bike circuit. The circuit takes in the ring of kerry and thats not easy. The first female club member to complete the distance so its extra special. Caoimhe was a full 2hours ahead of the next female. A small field would of made the day more mentally challenging. Top class and well done. I am sure a report will come through soon

Gaelforce race report

Congradulations to Gwen, Jana and Eamonn who all completed this monster gruelling event last weekend. Apologies if I've missed anyone from the list of finishers. The race is a serious test of endurance (as you will see from Eamonn's race report below!).

Thanks to all the club members who have been sending on this years race reports. The main reason for becoming involved in a club is to share the highs, lows and feats of intestinal fortitude associated with endurance racing. Some of the best stories are from first attempts at the various events; so if you are racing over the next few weeks (Warriors?/ Ironman?/ Lough Key?) or have just completed an event and have time to tap your thoughts into a computer, mail them on to pro@sligotriathlon.ie.

Thanks to Eamonn (mouse) for the following account of another day in the hills of Mayo:

Gaelforce Oh My Good God

A couple of weeks ago I decided to give Gaelforce a lash. I thought I had the endurance and ran up and down Thrussmore a few times to harden myself up. I packed up the wife and kids on the Thursday and headed down for registration and bike drop. This was my first oversight, I told Clodagh it was a couple of miles past Westport, it was actually an hour past Westport to Killary Adventure centre. Then another 30 mins to Delphi for bike drop. Include two baby feeds and lunch we left Grange at 1pm we didn’t arrive home until 9.30pm.

Anyway Race Day

Got up at 2.30am (Eh?!?, STC) had porridge and pasta and hit the road for the pick up bus in Westport which had a departure time of 5.00am. The race started at 6.30am in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains and a white sandy beech. The first 9 miles consisted of a mix of road running and cross country running which included sheep trails, the edge of a small river bog etc. It was torture it was at this point it dawned on my THIS WAS NO TRIATHLON. Finished the run in 3^rd and into the kayaks across to forde. Next came the up hill run through the bog, it was horrendous. At one point my leg sunk to my thigh in a bog hole. Coming out of the bog I twinged my ankle, it was only a mile run to the bikes so I ran it off. At this stage I was still top five. Onto the bike towards the Reek. (My next oversight). The First 30km on the bike is rolling with one big climb. The last 5km is up hill via a bog road only fit for an ass and cart to the base of the Reek. OH MY GOD WHAT A BEAST.

I am from Mayo and was my first time to see the BEAST. Anyway I started and realised my ankle was not up to the abuse that was coming. I stopped and pondered and decided it was about time I climbed the reek so from this point on the race was over for me. I climbed up and walked down what a climb, the whole mountain wants to fall down, and everything is unstable. I found it harder walking down than up. When I was about half way up, the top three were descending the mountain. The technique was a type of surfing the shale, jumping and hoping for the best. The fastest descent time was 9 minutes. It took me 36mins. The scenery from the top of the Reek is breathtaking but it was not worth the effort. My body was aching all over and I only walked it. Back on the bike and another 3km section of Bog road. It was terrible I had to carry the bike for 3/4km because there was no road, it was if an earthquake had struck. The poor bike. It was here I spotted a guy on TT full carbon bike with a disk wheel and I though to myself it can only be a Dub.

Got to Westport and it was a 1km run to the finish along a rough shore line. Crossed the line had a cup of soup and collected my bike. I had enough of Gaelforce. What a brute of a race. A Challenge around every comer. Respect to the top competitors. Gaelforce would be best described as a battle of endurance. The scenery was amazing. This event was very well organised and definitely worth a lash at some stage in your triathlon career. Would I do it again NO. Form now on its triathlons all the way for me.

Eamon (mouse) McAndrew.

Results and more info can be found on the race website.

Sligo Time Trial Championships

Looks like a big entry with loads of medals up for grabs. There looks like a good showing from all the clubs so come out and support. The winds look like they will be from the east which will mean an unusual tail wind on the way home and they will be very light. Looks like some fast times might be had. If anyone is not competing and can give a hand please let Daire know.

Last opportunity of the season for a good testing time with the Eire Og hosting of the Co Sligo Time Trial champs at Rosses Point. Good preparation for Lough Key triathlon and the last few races of the season. The event is open to all club members and anyone who cycles in the county. The entry and licence fee is € 10 for TI and Cycling Ireland members.

The time has come to decide who is the fastest man/women on two wheels in Sligo. The male open category should be decided between Micheal Devins of Eire og & Paul Keogh of the Wheelers. Rumor has it Daire Mooney is in secret training on his new testing machine and we will no after the Connacht champs on Sunday if he is in form. You cant rule out the mouse who was less than 30 secs behind Devins over the bike split at Rosses point triathlon and he had to contend with a transition.

The ladies section should be won by Collete Hennigan from the Wheelers and she will be pushed hard by some of the tri club ladies particularly Saoirse O Donohue.

The over 60's looks interesting with Eddie Ryan, Brenden Brogan, Mick Walton and Tony Mooney making a return to competitive action in the over 60's.

The Eire Og Cycling Club will be holding the County Sligo Time Trial Championships on Thursday August 25th. Sign on at the car park at Rosses Point beach from 6pm with sign on closing at 6.45 sharp. First rider off at 7:01, subsequent riders starting at 1 minute intervals. This is an open championship event so riders from all Cycling Ireland and Triathlon Ireland clubs are eligible to participate.

Riders will be graded into 3 divisions according to their abilities. There will also be a ladies category and a category for over 60 riders. Medals for the first 3 riders in each category.

The course will be and out and back 14km.
For more info contact info@connachtcycling.com or call 087 975 9854

Loughrea race report; three Sligo athletes in the top twenty...

One day after the Lough Gill Swim and Letterkenny Sprint, Sligo Tri members were once more on the podium as another gang headed down to Loughrea for the annual sprint event, thanks go to Tommy Sheridan for this report (race photos are on the club photo page, courtesy of Tommy):

"Myself ,David Gunning and Jason Mc Morrow arrived in Portruny on the shores of Lough Ree at 9.30 am Sunday morn.

After driving the cycle course we parked up the triathlon team van and headed for registration which was fast and efficent, collected our goodie bag and t-shirt, got our gear together headed to bike park and set up for the race.

Conditions were near perfect, the swim was in a very sheltered bay on a triangle shaped course with a start in the water (which in my opion is the way all triathlons should be started, and not running in from 100 meters like headless chickens -like alot of races!).

There was no hanging around at the start and once the kayaks had us in line we heard the quickest 5,4,3,2,1 and it was game on.

Gary Higgins had a very fast swim, coming out in the top 15; followed closely by Jason, Rory Rafferty, myself and David.

Following a quick change it was over and off on an undulating 20 km bike course; Gary powered his way on the bike section to finish in 2nd place going into run, while Jason had another stormer of a cycle to move into the top 15.

I came in about a minute later, followed by David another minute and a half back. Up front there was a real battle going on with Gary taking the lead and Martin Grealish hot on his heels. In the last km Grealish just managed to pull away from Gary, who finished a close second.

It was great having a club member on the podium; meanwhile Jason was having a great run, picking up a few scalps along the way to finishing 10th overall in a time of 1hr 9 mins. I had my fastest sprint since Rush triathlon, Co. Dublin 1992!, finishing in 1 hr 12 mins 20 secs with the ever improving David Gunning just 3 sec's behind me, knocking another 3 mins of his PB -well done mate

Rory Rafferty had another solid performance in only his 3rd triathlon, all said and done I have to say I would recommend this event to all club members for next year -very safe swim, fast cycle route and flat 5km run (just one drag on it after 1km). We got a very genourous goodie bag, t-shirt, it was very well marshalled ,great food for all; and presentation done while we ate.

For an event that started at 12 noon we were on our way home at 2.30 -the way it should be (way ahead of an event I raced at Slane castle last year and mullaghmore this year). It was run by Athlone tri club, great group of people. As was said before we should support events run by clubs and not events management who are only in it for profit -you cant beat a triathlon run by triathletes for triathletes.

Roll on lough key in 2 weeks see ye all there, Tommy."


Full race results can be found here.

Neil takes third in L'kenny

Letterkenny Sprint Triathlon race report (weekend update, Part 1)

Last weekends racing kicked off on Saturday with the inaugural Letterkenny Sprint Triathlon; and another great performance for Sligo with Neil coming third and Ray finishing just outside the top ten -thanks go to Neil fo the race report:

"110 keen triathletes took part in the 1st ever Letterkenny Sprint Triathlon organised by the Tri 24/7 club.
Brian Campbell took victory in the men's race thanks to the fastest swim and bike splits. Alan Mitchell was 2nd 2 minutes or so down on ex pro Campbell and Neil Walton rounded out the top 3.
The women's race was hard fought but Eimear O'Brien held on after a strong swim to win. Anne Paul chased hard on the 5km run but ran out of ground and had to settle for 2nd and Margaret Kelly took 3rd.

Club members that took part this weekend where Neil Walton Ray & Declan Bryne and John Heneghen. The event was held in Garten Activity Centre in Glenvagh National Park.
Swim was a very accurate 750m Swim out and back course, the cycle was a very tough hilly technical course, and a hilly and wood land trail 5k run.
The club had two members in the top 20, Ray Bryne had a great event and came in a very strong 12th place overall, Ray will be one to watch for the further. Neil Walton came 3rd overall, and was chasing down 2nd spot as his legs was coming back to him on the last 2k of the run.

Declan Byrne was will up especially for carrying an injury, and John Heneghen had a very solid performance to finish in the top half of the field."

full results can be found here.

Lough Gill Swim Report

Well done to all the sligo tri club members who took part and completed the inagural lough gill 8.5km swim in aid of the hospice. Lynsey Dunne was first non wetsuit lady, Caoimhe was first wetsuit lady and Sandra was third. Other club members who took part were Stewart McKenna, Andy Hamilton, Sam McGarry, Paul Burns, Skinny McMorrow, Anthony Blake, Padraig Hanley, Shane O'Doherty and David Downes.
Conditions were pretty good with lowish winds and sunshine for most of the race. The water was quite choppy at the exit of the bonnet river but calm otherwise. The distance and lack of float in the lake made for a really gruelling swim and everyone was glad to see the shore at the finish with the final swimmer coming home in 4.5 hours. A great crowd with a Dj and marquee had gathered at the finish.
The event was extremely well organised and a credit to the committee and everyone who helped them. The goodie bags were packed tighter than anything we'd ever seen and each swimmer had a kayaker to accompany them and some even two kayakers. The final tally for the fundraising will not be in for a week or two but it looks set to break the eu5000 target. If anyone wants to donate contact any of the swimmers or Sam, Kieran and Paul.
This will become an annual event and there's 51 weeks to prepare for anyone intending to do it next time!

Club athlete profiles; Kate Hawney

Over the last few months, along with laying the groundwork for the new female athlete coaching program, Catherine McGlinchey has been compiling a series of articles profiling club members. These articles will hopefully give newcomers an insight into the sport, and also allow members to get to know each other. The first article is by Kate Hawney; who in just a year and a half has graduated from beginner to seasoned competitor and helped to develop the club into what has to be one of the strongest triathlon clubs in the country for female participation...

As a result of my job I moved to Sligo in Dec 2009. I knew very few people and wanted to get out and meet people. I have always enjoyed being fit and active so in January ’10 I responded to an invite in the paper from Sligo Triathlon Club about swimming lessons.

At this time I was able to thread the water and swim breast stroke with my head above water. I had no clue how do the front crawl. After attending the meeting and getting lots of support and encouragement from Cecilia I decided to sign up for swimming lessons. It must be noted that I had zero intention of doing a Triathlon. The idea of swimming such a distance and in the sea was the unimaginable. However as the weeks turned into months I found myself opening up to the idea of ‘possibly’ doing a triathlon. This was largely due to support from swim coaches/fellow peers. By sharing my fears it allowed me to realise that I was not alone. Before long I was signed up for my first triathlon last year at Rosses Point. I had never completed a Try a Tri and really had no idea what it was all about. It was a wonderful sense of personal satisfaction and fulfilment to complete the race.

My two greatest achievements to date are learning to swim and conquering my fear of the water. Every week last year my stomach dropped, as I drove over the bridge past Carton to the meet and swim sessions in Rosses Point. Every time I went out to the open sea my thoughts and imagination got the better of me which resulted in my fears and anxieties escalating. It was such a relief to complete the swim and get out of the water. I pushed myself to swim the distance but psychologically it was a massive struggle. This has been an ongoing battle but I am now more relaxed and in a completely different place to last year.

It is difficult to put into words how differently I feel. I want those that have similar fears to know that it is possible to control those thoughts (as that is all they are). At this point I have to give a large mention and thank you to John Graham who helped me along this process. Through his guidance, techniques and skill it is without a doubt my biggest achievement to date.

My training is fit around my social life. I am not a fanatic. I train during the week and mostly take the weekends off due to other commitments. Training is therapeutic, physically and mentally. It has become an invaluable mode of winding down after work. It is also a great social event. I find it difficult to push my self when I am alone so take every opportunity to avail of any club intensive training sessions. During summer months I do brick sessions approximately twice a week and try to fit in a longer run/cycle session. I swim twice-three times a week combining pool and open sea.

This year I am thoroughly enjoying my new bike having previously used a hybrid road bike. It has made an enormous difference to my times and is now my favourite part of the Triathlon. My goal is always to improve on my personal best times in all areas.

Photos from the 2011 RP Sprint

Thanks to club member Colette Hamilton who captured the action from two weeks ago; the photos, along with photos from recent local endurance events, can be viewed on the legginit website.

Thanks also to Michael OConnell who not only commentated but snapped close to 400 photos, these can be viewed on the club website.

If anyone has any more photos from this or other club events, and does not mind them being published, give either Cecilia, Brian or Shane a shout at one of the training sessions as they are a good record of the races.

Lough Gill Swim

Good atmosphere in the build up to the lough gill 8.5km swim on sat in aid of the NW Hospice. We have a lot of Sligo Tri Club Members taking part including John Hanley & his son Padraig, Paul Burns, Sam McGarry, Sandra Deery, Anthony Blake, Skinny McMorrow, Kieran Fitzgerald, Lynsey Dunne, Caoimhe Ni Mhurachu, David Downes, Stewart McKenna and Shane O'Doherty. It promises to be a unique spectacle and the organisers are very keen to raise as much funds as possible for the very worthy cause. They're inviting people to come along especially to the finish at Aughamore Boathouse to welcome the weary swimmers home. Start is 2pm at shriff but will be a long while before anyone's home. If you'd like a sponsorship card or to help in any other way contact the organisers
kieranfitzgerald@eircom.net

Call for fundraisers…

Club member Lisa Moore is looking for people to help raise funds for Bone Marrow for Leukaemia and the Sligo Cancer Support centre. If anyone is doing the warriors, Gaelforce or any of the end of season endurance races and can spare time to raise some funds then she has cards with permits available. This is a good chance to gather some cash for very worthy causes.

Contact Cecilia or give Lisa a mail for more details.

Motorbike Marshall Training

Triathlon Ireland are running two motorbike marshalling training courses in September, they are free of charge and will be held in Cork and Dublin.

Click this link for details

Women's Triathlon Training & Tri Event

Sligo Triathlon Club is promoting a Women’s Triathlon Training & Tri Event to try and encourage women’s participation in this exciting and enjoyable sport. This inclusive sport, which has grown in popularity over the last number of years, incorporates the three sporting activities of swimming, cycling and running. The combination of these activities makes the sport of triathlon both challenging and rewarding, while promoting a healthy balanced lifestyle.

Sligo Triathlon Club is offering a friendly and sociable experience for women of all ages to get involved in Triathlon. Limited places are available on a 6 week women’s triathlon coached programme to women who have never completed a triathlon. The program will run from Sept through until the end of Oct 2011. The aim of the programme is to promote the active participation of women in the sport in a non intimidating and encouraging environment. Participants will be coached in the three disciplines of triathlon; swimming, cycling and running. All coaching will be performed by certified coaches. Each participant will receive mentoring from club members for the duration of the training programme. In addition workshops on transitions, nutrition and training will be given by experienced triathletes. The coaching programme will then culminate in a women’s Try a Tri event based in Sligo to put the newfound knowledge to the test!!

This amazing opportunity is being funded by the Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership and the Sports Council and will only cost €20. All you need to do to take part is request an application form by e-mailing womentrisligo@gmail.com. Complete the form and e-mail it back to the same address. Closing date for entries will be the 26 Aug and due to the limited availability allocations will be on a first come first served basis.