Weekend Round Up 18th/19th March
The Multisport season is still not fully underway, yet Tuffs have been out in force again; the season is already shaping up to be a good one based on the following:-
PARK RUN
The weekend got off to a terrific start at the Worthing Park Run with a strong Tuff Contingent lining up on the Prom. Coming home in 8th position overall Clive Patterson-Lett recorded an improved PB on this course by 5 seconds to finish in 19:15. One of our long distance specialists – Danny Cunnett, can still mix it on the short course crossing in 24th position in 20:32. James Oram, conscious he had a Half the next day, still bashed out a 21:53. Next was Nicole Patterson-Lett. It was great news to see her back after an injury, but no one would have noticed as she still crossed the line as 3rd female overall in 22:18. Amanda de Ridder has been steadily building up her Park Run tally crossing as 6th female (23:03). Cliff Thomas was back for a second week and promptly took 1.05 of last weeks PB – good work, Cliff. Cathy Connor was also back after a pb last week notching up her 13th Worthing run to reach 34 Park Runs in total. Tim Kenny completed the Tuff role call here. However there is nothing like spreading the Tuff message as Jason McCardle was over in Hove Park running Park Run there; a good showing of 22:37 – so that was 9 Tuff’s racing – good work all.
MAYORS CHARITY SWIM
Ollie McDonald reports in from Splashpoint pool.
I hadn’t planned on participating in this Swimathon but after my dad had talked me up and put me forward for 5 miles I felt I had to! This was a charity swimathon mainly for school children with a few adults too, raising funds for the mayors 3 charities – St Barnabas House, MIND and Worthing Samaritans.
So, Saturday evening I turned up with bags full of Lucozade, gels and water praying I didn’t get cramp during my 320-odd lengths! I took it very easy, paced myself and was kept company for 150 lengths or so by another chap called Roy doing 2.2 miles. Then out on my own in a wide lane with the occasional supporter at the side. Anyway, 2 wee stops, 3 hours and several drink/gel stops later, I somehow arrived at the 5 mile mark and went a few extra lengths for good measure! A cheer as I finished but most importantly, over £400 raised so far – you can still donate if you find my facebook page 😉 Arms were a little tight afterwards but a large McChicken sandwich meal soon sorted that out!
Ollie
HAMPTON COURT HALF MARATHON
Having completed Park Run the previous day, James Oram reported in from his race in Surrey:-
As a History teacher I felt very much at home today at Hampton Court Palace – the former home of the flamboyant King Henry Viii. The race started in a number of separate waves by “Henry Viii” on the iconic driveway, and finished in the equally as impressive and prestigious Baroque Palace gardens. The weather was mild with some headwind but this did not stop 3289 pounding along the Thames. I started off with the intention of running 7.40s in an attempt to equal my Worthing Half time but unfortunately it was not to be so in the end I decided to be sensible for the Brighton Marathon (Only 3 weeks!) At the finish I was greeted with a large medal that had Henry and all his wives on it which I was most pleased with. In addition, there was a decent goody bag with a training t-shirt and protein snacks. A highly recommended race for next year fellow Tuffs! (Hampton Court in the above banner shot.)
James
HAYWARDS HEATH HOWLER
Being the sensible folk we are, Mark & I decided we’d do the Haywards Heath Howler….longest ride ever (80 miles) – tick, undulating (Ditchling Beacon and Knob Hill (20%)) – tick, beautiful weather (strong winds and gale force gusts) – tick. How else would you want to spend your Sunday??? Sadly Ditchling was pleasant compared to riding into the wind but overall we had a great day and I’d recommend it as an event. It was a decent, well signposted, route and the food stations were friendly and plentiful. We did it in 6:14:53 which given there were 3 feed stations stops, strong winds and it was 20 miles further than we’d ridden before, I was more than happy.
Bec
SURREY BADGER HALF TRAIL MARATHON
Two Tuffs with two sets of knackered knees, aka Clive & Trevor Harvey met up at Denbies Vineyard for the Badger off road Trail Half Marathon. They were there partly for a tough half marathon, but also this was the last ever event run by ETL Events. Their events have been in many a Tuff’s portfolio of events, including Bookham 10k, Three Moles, Tempest 10 and the Spitfire 20 which many members have run. The Bacchus (boozy) marathon is still going ahead taken over by Denbies Vineyard itself. These have always been well run events and this years Badger Half did have an impressive 7 aid stations complete with Jelly Babies. The route was very undulating taking in just short of 1,000 feet of climbing, but was quite firm underfoot. In crossing the finish line, wot no medal? However this was more than made up for with a bottle of Badger Beer, biscuits, choccy bar and T-shirt. A good mornings workout over a challenging Half course.
PETERSFIELD COLD WATER AQUATHLON
Susan Douglas reported in from her race in Petersfield:-
Sunday I competed in an Aquathlon at Petersfield Lido. 400m swim and 5k run. 2pm start, not the best time to race, but useful if you’ve had a late night before and one to many glasses of wine, not me of course, just pointing out the advantage.
The event attracted just 30 competitors of all ages and abilities. Classed as a “cold water” Aquathlon as the water was 14 degrees, which we all know isn’t cold at all. Strangely I was the only one in a bikini, the majority choosing to wear a wetsuit!
After a short briefing we were sorted into rough groups according to our swim times. The pool was divided into three lanes, allowing easy passing if necessary and as there weren’t very many of us, it was a fairly relaxed affair. We all had electronic tags so no frantic start. My swim was very pleasant, I cruised past the lady in front and finished in 7.22. Into transition. Having seen the frozen bodies at the Frosty, I thought I’d wear a rash vest under my Tuff Fitty vest. Practised putting on at home, all good, but putting on to a wet body was a different matter, all the advantages of saving time as not wearing a wetsuit, gone!
Eventually off on the run around the streets of Petersfield, flat, well-marked and with encouraging Marshalls strategically placed. Two loops and in the beginning I felt quite good, but by the second lap my legs had gone to lead. 1 k to go the woman I’d beaten in the pool passed me, damn! I found a little spurt of energy in the last 100m, but unable to catch her. As it happened we both finished on exactly the same time. My run time was 27.24 my fastest time this year. Total time 36.30 . Equal 20th and 2nd in my age group. As Marchy says, focus on the positives and hopefully I’ll get better over the season.
Susan
RESOLUTION RUN
Stuart Harvey is one of our newer members but has pulled on a Tuff vest three times in the past three weeks. After the West Worthing 10k last weekend he was back out on virtually the same course along Worthing seafront for the Resolution Run. However this week was very windy so another PB was not on the cards, but still a credible 45:59 for the 10k. Paul Martin entered the 5k distance race but stated that he didn’t time it as he ran with his wife and a few of her friends.
Paul reports that “there was a strong headwind on the way out but was happy for it to blow us back again”. “Not as good a turnout as I thought it would be, but it is only their first one. May be a better turnout in years to come. Seemed well organised though. Water stations, a T shirt and a medal so nothing to complain about. Thoroughly enjoyed.” The runners were cheered on by Coach Marchy whilst he was out continuing his London Marathon training.
A wide range of events; don’t forget to report in with where you have ensured the Tuff name features on a results sheet somewhere clive.harvey@tinyworld.co.uk
