Boru Tri Club Member Stories
New Member – Camile Slattery
My name is Camille Slattery. I am 38 and a mother of 3. I started with the club in April 2022. I was very unsure of how it would go because it was my first time on a racing bike and my first time cycling with a group. The members of the club put me at ease straight away and within a few weeks, I was going every week and really enjoying the cycling and the social side. Since I started, there have been club relays with BBQ’s and there is always a steady number of friendly faces every Wednesday and Sunday.
I have been running for the last couple of years, but I am not able to swim. I am now waiting for swimming lessons because of encouragement from others in the club and hope to be able to do a triathlon next year.
Getting out to do exercise is so positive physically and mentally for me away from my work and being a mom. If you told me this time last year that I would be even thinking about doing a triathlon I would have laughed. I thought triathlon clubs were only for people who were competing in events all the time, but it is open to all of us thankfully.
Long-standing Club Member – Fiona Ward
I joined Boru Tri Club when it was first set up in 2011 and have been a member since. An avid open water swimmer, I had previously competed in a few triathlon relay teams so when I heard there was a new local club I joined straight away. Before I knew it, I got a bike on the bike-to-work scheme and was entering my first sprint triathlon, since then I went on to enter numerous Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. In 2016 I competed in Ironman Dublin 70.3 and in 2017 I completed the Dublin City Marathon. As a native of Dublin, it was quite emotional taking part in these events in my home city. Cycling and running are not my strengths but with the encouragement of fellow club members, I found myself completing events that a few years previous I would never have dreamt of entering. In 2018 and 2019 I took part in the club cycles to Croagh Patrick and Brandon, we trained throughout the winter in all weathers. Both trips were very memorable, amazing camaraderie whether you were in the fastest or slowest (me) group. The craic after each event was mighty and the memories will stay with me forever.
During my time with the club, I have been club secretary on two occasions, child protection officer and Chairperson. I believe in giving back to my community particularly when I gained so much from the club. I have a fantastic group of friends from the Boru Tri Club family and the wider Munster Triathlon community. Joining Boru Tri Club has certainly been extremely awarding.
Established Member – Martin Ryan
Just a little information on what Boru/Kblc means to me and why I joined 5 years ago. Firstly, I took up cycling in 2012 as a fundraiser for Milford Care Center and fell instantly in love with this sport which has taken me throughout Ireland and Europe participating in Sportives and Cycle Tours. I am incredibly fortunate and privileged to be able to follow this sport.
I joined Boru/Kblc in 2018 because it’s an incredibly active club and accepts people with all aspects of ability in cycling as this is my area of expertise. Everybody is encouraged and motivated whenever we are out cycling and safety is always on our minds. I suppose I have made some lifelong friends in this club and have incredible memories of the trips we organised together as a club every year. This year the club cycled from Mizen to Malin Head. Three groups are organised by our road captains every Sunday. This year we had members participating in Sportive’s like the Ring of Clare and Tour de Beara, Three Counties.
In the winter months, we go Mountain biking on stunning forestry roads such as Ballycuggaren, Tountenna etc. And if cycling is not for you we currently have members that have excelled and competed at the highest level in Running and Swimming Events.
Finally, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue my goals this year without the training and dedication I have received from this club.