Weekend Round Up 12th 13th May
The weekend saw another wide variety of events in which club members have been competing – read on:-
ENDUROMAN MIDDLE DISTANCE TRIATHLON
Avon Tyrrell is a historic manor house in the heart of the New Forest, what could be a better setting for a whole series of events under the banner of the Enduroman Festival – thanks to Jason Rae for reporting in (and featuring in this weeks banner shot):-
Six years ago I ran my first Ultra, the Downslink, put on by Sussex Trail Events . Since then I’ve ran most of the great marathons and Ultras they organise, helped out at most of them and now organise the Regis 10 with them.
Chris Ette asked if I could help out at the Enduroman Weekend, this is 3 days of the craziest running, swimming and multisport you can think of. My first task on Friday lunchtime was lap counting in the lake for the TRIPLE CONTINUOUS ENDUROMAN, and the first day of the 3-2-1 swim. The 29 laps the athletes had to swim totalled 7.2 miles . The first swimmer was done in 2 hrs 34 mins !!! Over the 3 days various events take place , 2 in 2 days, marathons , ultras, and more distance swimming. Chris suggested I have a go at the middle distance tri so I stupidly said ok.
Not having trained much this year I underestimated how tough it was. I had swam four or five times in a very warm pool so climbing in the lake at 6.30 am in May was bracing. It took 10 mins to adjust to the temp each time I put my head under water. Eventually I relaxed and completed the 7 laps . The Enduroman is very low key so having a shower block next to the lake I had a lovely warm up and changed into my cycling clothes. The transition area was half a mile up the hill so I made my way there. I had only brought a road bike as I thought this would be more comfortable having not ridden anything except a mountain bike this year. The New Forest is very scenic but not as flat as you’d imagine.
Each of the laps had a few smaller lumps in it and a climb of about 1km back to the finish area. The first 3 laps were ok but the last 2 were much tougher. Finally I finished then started the run , if you know Chris Jay and Danny you’ll know that anything they do or organise is challenging so the 13.1 miles was basically down a hill across a small flat bit covered in tree roots then back up the other side of the hill 12 times. 2 laps in my ankle was aching and I thought I could quite easily stop. Then after thinking about the effort all the other guys had put in over the weekend I stopped at the medic tent wrapped a bandage around the sore ligament and got going again. All around the lap athletes, crew and marshals were cheering everyone on, and all the runners were encouraging each other as well. Eventually I was on my last lap which is run in the opposite direction , so basically everyone left on the course congratulates you and most high five you. Reaching the finish line was great and I’m looking forward to another Sussex Trail Event next weekend , The River Arun Marathon.
Jason
LONDON REVOLUTION 300k CYCLE
There was great work from Claire Moyle who reported in from her weekend London Revolution. Billed as the UK’s greatest 2-day cycle ride with 2,500 competitors. a full 360 degress around London with the course starting in the heart of the City past landmarks like Tower Bridge. The route took in the North Downs, Thames Valley and Chilterns with testing climbs, leafy lanes & sweeping descent. With a carnival atmosphere at the stop over camp riders could elect to cycle one day or two – Claire did both and takes up the story:-
“This is the first time I have done an event over 2 days and what a challenge on take on.”
Day 1 “arrive at start at 6.30 feeling excited and but also daunted at the same time. The atmosphere is very relaxed and every body is very friendly. There are clear directions coloured flags and registration, bag drop and start wave are a breeze. Before I know it I am off and getting talking to a very nice lady beside me. Her name was also Claire and we spent the day together. The first 30 miles were very slow as London has many traffic lights and they did not like us as they all were red. The first pit stop was amazing with lovely food, friendly crew and no queues for the toilets. After a short break we set off on the next stage and found our first nasty climb, which went on for ever. Once up that the weather turned for the worst and by the time we got to pit stop 2 we were very wet and cold, but the lovely lunch soon cheered us up and we only had 30 miles let to go. Unfortunately the weather got worst and i was very glad to see Windsor racecourse. It was a nice treat to be given hot chocolate as I came over the finish Base camp had warm showers and a pamper tent and then a lovely evening meal before retiring to my tent.”
Day 2 “It was lovely to wake up to the sun and after a hearty breakfast I was off to tackle the hills and there were plenty of them, the first being a beast and I struggled to get up it, but then is was windy roads and lovely villages for the next few miles. At the first pit stop I was again greeted with great food and friendly support and I met up with my friend Claire from day 1. We set off together to tackle the next section of 30 miles and 5 hills and had some great laughs on the way and also some great downhills and lovely views. Before we know it we were at pit stop 2 and after a lovely lunch we whizzed off with only 25miles to the finish.
The weather remained sunny and with the wind behind us and the traffic lights in our favour we finished the last section quite quickly.
Feeling very pleased with myself for completing it and still being able to walk afterwards. It was great fun, well organised and yes, I would do it again, if you are up for a challenge this is well worth doing.”
Claire
EAST GRINSTEAD TRIATHLON
This annual Triathlon has just held its 33rd staging of this sprint Tri. It used to feature a lot of club members and often featured as club championship race. Therefore it was pleasing to see one club member flying the Tuff Fitty banner – and one of our newer members as well. Congratulations to Daisy Bashford. This is a Sprint distance race comprising 400m swim, 25km cycle, 5km run, so well done to Daisy and thanks for ensuring the Tuff name featured in the results.
BRITISH AIRWAYS RUN GATWICK
A new half marathon for 2018, and with Rachel Brunning’s quest to cover a lot of half marathon, it appeared a good match. Rach has been pounding out the miles to good effect with her times improving and she returned home in 2:03:01. A very successful morning, the route itself was on roads to the South and West of the airport with a rolling road closure, an event village, plus a bespoke medal and buff – bling! Rach recommends the event and if you time it right in 2019 no doubt there will plenty of her famous Tuff cookies for afterwards
RUN WISBOROUGH
An annual 10k at Wisborough where the whole village came out to support. There was a choice of a lap for 5k or run a second for 10k. Just one Tuff on parade this year – well actually two, as Debbie Boxall was accompanied by Obi. The two of them ran round with Deb’s sister, electing to run the 10k. – great weather and another medal collected.
CHICHESTER LAKE SWIMMING
James Brock reported in from Chichester Lake :-
Not a race report but the first proper open water swim for many of us, myself (Jimbo) Chris ‘TheCrash’ Robinson, Simon Thistlethwaite, Wardy and merman Drew Gowland took to the water in Chichester. A sensible start time of 09:00. We prised ourselves into our wetsuit and got into the water. Surprisingly it wasn’t that cold. A bit of brain freeze for the first 200m then we settled in. I managed 1640yards. So lovely to get out the pool and to properly get out in a large body of water. A coffee & bacon sandwich nicely completed a great morning
Jimbo
This serves as a notice that for this year Chichester Watersports are opening the Lake for swimmers on Sunday mornings, between 9am and 10am – no longer at 6pm Sunday. Wetsuits are compulsory and the cost is £5 per person. Need more swimming? ensure you join our specific Facebook group “Tuff Fitty Swimming Group” Sea swims are about to start or round up some company there to try Chichester.
PARK RUN
At Worthing Park Run, the following club members were out on parade:- James Oram finished in 19:40. Next up, good to see Muz Hodge on the comeback trail and in some style with a new Park Run PB of 23:36. Dave Priest also set a new PB of 24:36. There was a third PB as Gary Edge broke his target of 30 minutes, finishing in 29:53. Also well done to Daisy Bashford who was on the volunteer team this week. Up at Bushy Park Run, Andy Strong was storming around the course. He finished in 21:07
