Weekend Round Up 17th 18th July
With the arrival of warm weather some might prefer a deckchair in the sun, but if you are a Tuff, swim, bike, run training has continued apace plus some cracking race action to report on.
MALLORY PARK SPRINT TRIATHLON (ETU QUALIFIER)
Mallory Park near Leicester, was the location for an ETU qualifier over a sprint distance course of 750m lake swim, an 18km cycle. This entailed a six lap course with fast downhill stretches, a steady incline and some technical sections. From here is was out for a 3 lap 5k around the lake on the race circuit. It was pleasing to see a trio of Tuffs competing; Niki Treacy, Maisie Johnston & Steve Feest.
Niki reports:-
“So Mallory was ridiculously hot. Our start time was 11.30. The smugness of the lie in quickly faded into panicked jostling with other athletes trying to share the only square inch of shade (whilst socially distancing 🥺) near the start area. Never been so happy to wade into a churned up sludgy lake in my life”.
“Any how, the race went amazingly well. Maisie and I both qualified for the GB Euro 2022 team. Maisie finished 2nd in her age group and well within the top echelon of the overall female field. I finished 1st in my age group and was really chuffed to get 11th female overall, kicking some of the younger girls butts🤣. We were both delighted with how things went”.
“The race was organised well. One negative though. No race memento (medal or T-shirt) or any finishers prizes of any type. Mentioning this in case the club ever consider a Race Rapid event in the future”
Niki.
Whilst the ladies were off at 11, the senior men had to wait until 1pm for their start. Another good result from Steve Feest although as outside the automatic qualification slots he has to wait to see if he has qualified on a roll down basis
Well done to Niki, Maisie & Steve
SWASHBUCKLER
The Swashbuckler Middle Distance (70.3) is a popular race amongst Tuffs and this year was no exception. It is very scenic venue in the New Forest with the swim in Beaulieu River. From the swim it is a long run up to transition to begin the 90k cycle to be followed by a 22k run. Alex Webb was our sole competitor this year and he provides his thoughts on the race
“Booked January 2020 this race was a long time coming. I’d wanted to do my first 70.3 and heard Swashbuckler was a lovely course. Had I known there would be a pandemic and 18 months later every Tuff and their dog was doing Cotswolds the week before, I would have booked that but c’est la vie”.
“Only one other Tuff was taking part, Drew Gowland but he was concentrating on swim and bike only so I was on my own for the middle distance. The weather forecast for the weekend was hot and sunny but how bad could it be….”
“I was in the water just before 6am and the swim went well, although it was a few hundred metres long. The bike course is a lovely rolling course, complete with wild horses and donkeys in the middle of the road to keep you on your toes. I was conscious to stay well hydrated but towards the end of the ride my legs were already starting to cramp up (I’ve also been recovering from a calf strain which may have had something to do with it). I was pleased with my bike pace and as I racked up again, I put on my trainers and hydration pack, confident I was in for a good time with my strongest discipline to finish”.
“My legs had other ideas. It was brutally hot and within a few kms I was already crippled with cramp. My pace fell off a cliff as I struggled with the pain and the oppressive heat. Any hopes of a strong time evaporated. This was about survival now. The buckets of water over the head at the drinks stations were blessed relief but I had to stop to walk on many occasions”.
“However, I just about got through it and collapsed at the finish, more puddle than man. It was certainly a stark reminder of how weather can affect your performance. In hindsight I also went too hard on the bike. Lesson learnt”.
“Big up to Drew who won the Aquabike race, as I suspected he might, despite his protestations he’d done no training!”
Alex
As reported by Alex, the Aquabike saw Drew Gowland participate and despite a career change restricting his training regime, no one would have noticed. His swim split saw Drew exit the water a staggering full 7 minutes ahead of the next Aquabiker. To give the rest of the field a chance, he let several others have stronger transition splits, but then proceeded to restate his authority with the fastest cycle split to cross the line 9 minutes 30 seconds ahead of second position – a scintillating performance – congratulations to both Drew and Alex.
IRONMAN STAFFORD 70.3
It has been a good couple of weeks for Tuffs doing middle distance events and here is another one – the Ironman organised 70.3 at Stafford and we have an interesting read from Alister Marchant.
“I’m the same as many people in that 2020 was a difficult year. I’ve been living down South for around 7 years but home will always be the North East and last year I spend a disproportionate amount of time between the 2 as my Mam battled cancer. When she finally lost her fight I thought next year I must do something of significance and having done several Triathlons and a 70.3 I decided to go long and entered Ironman Ireland.
I had done Staffordshire 70.3 previously and entered this again as a training race on the build up to Ireland. Training throughout the winter went well but around Christmas time I injured my calf and wouldn’t run again till May. When I got the news that Ireland was cancelled I must admit the mojo went a little bit and that combined with the lack of running meant I was in 2 minds whether or not to do it.
I decided what the heck it’s a day out and went for it.
The course in staffs is a lovely – a reservoir swim, a lovely rolling bike and the last time I went a gentle looping flat run course, this time they have added two climbs up to Staffordshire Castle (this week’s banner shot) in the course just to make things interesting. Oh and then they decided to add in 30 degree heat.
The aim of the day was to beat 6 hours but as I left T2 the aim had changed to just finish, the run was brutal, and the effect the heat had on the 2 climbs was huge.
I managed to finish and came in to the sounds of AC DC’s Highway to Hell and never has a more appropriate tune being played!! Jan, my ever supportive girlfriend, was there at the end and as the 2 of us enjoyed a drink later that evening I have to say never in the history of having a pint did one taste so great – my mouth had a party!
I know that Ironman received some bad press with not refunding events once they had been cancelled but as an amateur competing on closed roads, with well stocked aid stations and an army of supportive volunteers I think they execute it brilliantly.
Even though my time wasn’t great (glacial erosion is quicker) the motivation is high, the leg held up and there are more experiences in the memory box to use later – I only have the small matter of the Helvellyn Triathlon to deal with and that can’t be that bad can it???”
Alister
EAST GRINSTEAD TRIATHLON
Clive Harvey reported in from a very warm East Grinstead Sprint Triathlon.
” A few days before Cotswold 70.3 an email arrived ‘don’t forget East Grinstead Triathlon next weekend’ – err actually I had! I’d entered in Dec 2019 and this was its third re-scheduled date. Best to forget it until Cotswold completed but as I had continued to train afterwards I thought it would be a shame to forfeit the entry. I was in a reflective mood driving up as I had first raced East Grinstead in 1997, 24 years ago when it was a regular in the club champs and I competed there through until 2004.”
I was worried this might draw some painful time comparisons, but the swim is now 400m, previously 500m (I had a good swim, so happy there) and for the second weekend running it was ‘safety induced measures’ as emergency roadworks forced a changed cycle route, now a two lap affair. This was a shame as I have had a good bike lockdown and wanted to compare. The 13.5 miles whizzed by, even as the heat rose, and I was very pleased with that aspect as I commenced the very long run back through transition (above). Back in 1997 I cycled on my ‘Tri Bike’. I wonder how many remember the fad of the Triathlon specific bike with 650 wheels! I’ve still got my Cannondale although the four bladed spoke wheels are definitely no longer race legal. Oh, perhaps the run time would be comparable but I don’t need to share that; I know where the years have taken their toll.
So where have 24 years gone. Back then I was on the committee as Secretary and would absorb the President’s role before the century was out (a grand title which changed to chairman as less pompous). Back then it was popular to hand out mugs as memento’s so I rummaged in the mug cupboard when I got home, and there it was (despite being told to clear them out!) and my post race coffee was drunk from my 97 mug, reflecting on an enjoyable, very warm morning.
Clive
CHILLSWIM ULLSWATER -7.5 miles
How about this for an intrepid adventure from Susan Douglas which occurred on Saturday 17th:-
“I did a lot of miles at the weekend, on the road and in the water”.
“Last year I was persuaded to take part in the Ullswater end to end swim. At the time, pre-covid I felt a lot more capable than I did this year, still I thought it’ll be a jolly weekend even if I don’t make the distance”.
“Early start Friday and 7 hour drive to the campsite at Ullswater. Fantastic weather, hot & sunny. Afternoon dip confirmed the water was warm, 20 degrees as it happens. Glad I packed my trusty cat bikini for the race.”
“Saturday morning we were bussed in our swim groups (according to speed) to the other end of the lake, the plan being to swim back! My group set off, the water was still warm and sun shinning, perfect conditions. Inflatables marked the route every mile, numbered in case you really wanted to know and also feed stations standing by with jelly babies and energy drink or water”.
“So all going well, swimming, sneakily drafting unsuspecting swimmers and stopping at the feed stations, didn’t want to get dehydrated or jelly baby deprived”.
“I reached the no.6 buoy, but by then my left shoulder was really aching and I was sick of sweets and really fancied a cheese sandwich. Also I was being plagued by Jessie J’s song “I want love” going round by head, I tried to fend her off with some Bruce Springsteen tunes, but she kept creeping back! Ahh! I finally got rid of her, probably because by shoulder was seriously sore and the wind had got up, making the water quite choppy and my tow float annoyingly kept blowing on my head”.
“At last, buoy No.7, turn to cross the lake and head for the finish and the final half mile. Probably the trickiest part of the swim, due to the wind, so hard going especially since I was only firing on one cylinder at the end. Eventually made it, I’d been in the water for just over 5 hours! Not a super speedy time, but it wasn’t that kind of event, not for me at least. Over 600 swimmers took part, the fastest coming in at just under 3 hours and the last in 7 hours. Only 10 DNFs. It’s long but anyone who’s a reasonable swimmer can do it, if any Tuffs fancy giving it a go next year”.
Susan
BEAT THE TIDE
Usually a favourite amongst club members, but as Beat The Tide took place on the Tuesday evening after Cotswold, the club contingent was depleted, but more than made up for by our Tuff Ladies. The event, organised by our very own Jay McCardle, Danny Cunnett and Chris Ette – aka Sussex Trail Events, was at the start of the heatwave and amongst the 340 entrants there were some great Tuff results. A big congratulations to Alice Gatland who crossed the line as a Tuff, 12th overall and 1st female. It’s a taxing course running up and down the shingle out to Lancing and along the sand so a fabulous achievement. Alice was followed home by Becky Lintott-Clarke as 8th female overall. Then hats off to a previous winner Niki Gatland, impressive running considering she had raced at Cotswold two days before. Kate Cooper is another of our strong female runners so to see the quartet finish so strongly was fantastic. Jon Babbage & Clive Harvey attended to help Sussex Trail Events at the finish.
Congratulations to Simon Thistlethwaite and wife Amy on the birth of their daughter Phoebe. Phoebe weighed in at 9lb 4 oz; mother and daughter are doing well although we are not so sure about dad! It has been a a difficult 6 -7 weeks in the lead up to the birth so fantastic to learn everything is going well.
BRIGHTON MARATHON
It was recently announced that Tuff Fitty, as a Sussex affiliated UKA Club, was eligible for a bonus entry for Brighton Marathon for every ten entries submitted. In a short time we have 9 confirmed to race in 2022, with a tenth who deferred from a previous year. It has been proved time and again that getting a group of Tuffs together always results in a grand Tuff day out, so will this prove to be a Tuff Tantaliser to get YOU to join in? To get this many before the 2021 event has even occurred is a terrific start. If others wish to join, do not go through general entries, they need to go through the Tuff portal to count towards our free space(s). Interested? please contact Clive Harvey who will arrange for the invite to be sent to your email.
HIGH5
Tuff Fitty are already part of a club scheme for Sportsshoes.com and we are pleased to announce that we have joined a further scheme for the benefit of our members – this time with HIGH5 Sports Nutrition. The discount is a fantastic 40% off all products (excluding promotions). There is a discount code to activate this offer which is available on our members Spond site. Did you know that HIGH5 was founded in 1994 by two brothers who both competed as elite level Triathletes, was one of the first sports nutrition companies in the UK, and they manufacture their products at a facility in Brighton. Feel able to use as many times as you wish but please note the offer is for Tuff Fitty members and their immediate family only so do not widely circulate the code please. In addition to your own discount off HIGH5 products Tuff Fitty will earn cashback based on the volume of sales garnered through the scheme.
