Weekend Round Up 10th 11th August
Despite the storm force winds, there was still Tuff weekend action. Midnight Man Full/Half has its own report, to follow, leaving the following race action here:-
HIGHDOWN HIKE
The Race news started early this week with Wednesday’s Highdown Hike and some of the Tuff contingent take this weeks banner shot – left to right – Alex Webb, Paul Martin, Iris Bennett & Aivis Vitols.
Alex Webb had a great race finishing in – 26:05 14th overall. Strong running from Paul Martin, next Tuff home in 28:21.
It was fantastic news to see two of our newer members doing so well. Aivis Vitols ran and crossed the line just 17 seconds behind Paul, and then Iris Bennett finishing as 8th female overall: two great additions to our club.
Next home wearing their running club colours were Chris Sloggett , then Linda Wright, & Nicole Ewer. Chris Evans was flying the Tuff flag and Elaine Rousseau completed the nine club members running
Alex reported in and was pleased to report his daughter Alice, completed the junior race with a strong sprint finish. He advised; “for the senior race there was a great turnout with lots of local teams represented – I’m afraid us Tuffs were a bit outnumbered. I met up with new Tuff Iris before the race and after a bit of a delayed start we were away. It’s a hilly course and one to test the legs (and the lungs!). The big climb up Highdown Hill was very hard and the final lap around the field was killer but I was pleased with my pace and finishing time. Hopefully we can drum up a few more Tuffs for next year’s race’
Alex
LAKE 62 TRIATHLON
Part of a weekend’s multisport at South Cerney, Debbie Boxall raced the standard distance Triathlon on the Saturday in the worst of the weekend weather as the storms moved across the UK. Debbie reports:-
“Cracking event in the Cotswold despite the shocking weather. Rain rain and more rain along with gale force winds! Lake swim, followed by the bike and then an off road run. Really well organised with some very wet marshals that made it a great day being seriously cheerful even when drenched”
Debbie
CHICHESTER FULL AND HALF DISTANCE LAKE SWIM
Westhampnett Lake – the setting for Tuff Fitty’s Member Swim night on the 21st August was the setting for Tribal Sports second Lake swim of the year, offering swimmers a choice of the full distance 3.8k or half distance 1.9k swim.
A much smaller field than their previous swims but there was a trio of Tuffs who took part, all in the long course event. First Tuff home in a good time was Charlotte Lattin-Rawstrone who has kindly reported on her experience;
“I succumbed to a frequent issue of anxiety in the water (not just open water related) and nearly gave up after 1km, having spent much of the first km swimming breaststroke and struggling to get into the rhythm of swimming. In fact I got out and had a chat with a couple of Marshalls who were very kind and encouraging and helped to get my head right to get back in! I then swam the next 3 laps happily and came in in 1hr 16 ish. So I can say that the marshals were great, the lake was lovely (once I stopped having s moment) and I would definitely recommend it, it’s also a good challenge for me to work on getting over the feeling of pressure from other people being there (and means I need to come to swimming training which also triggers it!).
Charlotte
Meg Gritton & Claire Luckham also took part in the long course event with Meg just exiting 25 seconds ahead of Claire.
Meg stated: “On arriving at Chichester Lake the weather was wet and windy, the water looked rather choppy. After the first lap I was really dreading going round any more, I had to continually keep spotting to stop going off course. But I dug deep and felt chuffed to finish, think I earned my bling…lol…..”
Tough Going – Get Tuff….
Meg
Claire reported “It was very choppy so made spotting one of the buoys very hard! Luckily there are some new huts which I could just make out so headed to those until I could see it”.
Claire
PERTH HALF MARATHON
Next up; a report from Rachel Brunning relating to another Saturday race:-
A lovely, very low key event in a lovely Scottish city! Only 300 ran, but there were scores of marshals and all was really well organised. We met at the city festival hall, and were bussed off to the start. Chip timing was provided but only a gun time for the start so those chasing PB’s might struggle with that! The race is mainly downhill back into Perth, and largely off road, running along the beautiful North Inch river for part of the way. All my prejudices about people being JOLLY NICE the further North you get were fulfilled- everyone was welcoming, chatty and cheerful. The medal was, well, a bit crap but I’m not complaining for such a lovely cheap friendly race. Would deffo do this again!!!
Rachel
SANDOWN TO SHANKLIN PIER TO PIER SWIM
Anthony Towers has submitted a race report from last weekend’s ‘overseas trip’ to the Isle of Wight as follows:-
“This has become a bit of a tradition for me in the last few years. A trip to the Isle of Wight is always a fun day out. This is a well established event. Long ago, before I first swam here, it used to start from the end of Sandown Pier with swimmers jumping into the sea. I guess the health and safety forms ruled that out long ago. There also used to be a Pier at Shanklin until it fell into the sea during the 1987 storm.
Registration was open at 10am, plenty of time before a 1pm start. Pre race nutrition included a hot chocolate and sticky caramel cake in the cafe overlooking the Magic Kingdom on Sandown Pier. After the midday race briefing the swimmers are provided with the option of putting their kit in the van which will transport it to Shanklin. One last clear look at the view/ route/ general direction of where we’re going, my last item to go in my bag before it goes in the van was my glasses.
Swimmers now line up in number order across the beach and run into the sea. There are categories for breaststroke and freestyle and for the last couple of years, a wetsuit category.
Staying with the traditional non wetsuit freestyle category I was in the middle of the group line up at the start. Opting to avoid the crush at the first turn buoy about 50 metres from shore I kept to the left and headed out to sea knowing the current would carry me over that way. Once around the buoy I decided to settle into as steady a rhythm as the conditions allowed. There was an onshore breeze which cut across the current and made conditions choppy so you were constantly thrown from peak to trough. The water quality is excellent and it is a lovely swim. Keeping on course was also challenging, sometimes I could see land on my left, which meant I was heading out to sea and it was meant to be on my right all the time. Out in the sea you are guided and observed by kayakers which is reassuring. Sometimes you could not see another swimmer. The next minute you’re bumping into each other! There were two yellow buoys this year, the first was to mark a groyne to keep on your right the second was the marker to turn into shore. Feeling the sand as I reached shallower water I was able to stand and make my way up to the finish line in front of the sailing club. The water temperature was ok . I knew I would start shivering soon after finishing but this year I have invested in a dry robe. So I could get warm again soon, helped by the hot soup and rolls given out to all competitors. A great friendly atmosphere with a wide range of abilities. No changing facilities but there is a hose pipe to rinse off seawater.
My time was 40.30, a bit slower than usual but was really pleased with the swim overall.
Enjoyed the company of a number of Trinity colleagues so it was a great day out.”
Anthony
PARK RUN
Worthing Park Run remains the most popular place for some Tuff spotting and this week saw Chris Sloggett first club member home. However it was a great landmark for Amanda de Ridder as not only did she finish 6th female overall but this notched up her 100th Park Run – Congratulations Amanda. Tim Kenny was just behind completing his 68th. It was another week without Bognor Park Run but up at Horsham Park Run Leigh & Ian Moore ran. At Littlehampton Park Run, Linda Wright was in action crossing the line as 8th female. Lancing Park Run saw Elaine Rousseau running her 78th Park Run.
