Weekend Round Up 7th 8th August
TRIBOURNE 255 TRIATHLON
A new event by Tribourne who have built up a good reputation for events over at Eastbourne. Billed as the world’s longest single day triathlon, the 255k in the title equals 158.4 miles, so longer than the standard full distance 140.6 miles. This was spread over a 5k swim, 200k bike followed by a 50k run. There were just short of 70 starters in the solo event, and the event was open for relay teams comprising two, three or four team members.
The swim was at Chichester Westhampnett Lake; swimmers had to take in laps of the whole lake and as the commentator explained the route it was reassuring to learn it was a nice 24 degrees, even though the wind was starting to pick up. The swim comprised four laps after each lap an Australian exit was required. The relay teams used this sprint to switch the timing chip to ensure their four laps would count. The first cyclist, would now be changed, retrieve their chip, and cycle 1.5k onto Goodwood Motor Circuit which would now become the hub for the day’s action. The rest of the relay teams were not ‘live’ and could cycle back to Goodwood to get ready for their cycle in their own time.
Clearly solo entrants just had to keep going but Tuff Fitty had four relay teams entered and whilst each team member would have to cycle a minimum of 10 laps – (38k) it was up to the teams how they shared the rest. Tactics were therefore important, do teams share out the distance equally, or play to each team’s strength. It was also a case of deciding whether to split the cycle/run up little and often, or ‘do your stint’ in one go to prevent seizing up. Oh, and as you will read the weather turned with torrential rain for the rest of the morning. Whilst that did abate in the afternoon the wind took over making the northeast corner of the circuit particularly treacherous with some accidents. Whatever the tactics, it turned out to be a Terrific Tuff day out.
TUFF FITTY TRICERATOPS
Entered into the Trio relay team there was the powerful combination of Tom Goddard, Andy Crawford and Catharine Western so as a threesome their tactics really did have to work well as they played to each others strengths. The above photo of chip handover shows brilliant coordination between the team. So perhaps it falls to one member of Tri-ceratops team to point out what happened at the racking trackside for the handover. Catharine had completed her last lap on the bike and came in to tag Andy only to find…. he wasn’t there! So she duly cycled another 2.38 miles lap whilst Andy was found! This highlights just how much action there was going on throughout the whole day. Phew, rapid racing as Tuff Fitty Tri-ceratops were our first team home.
TUFF PL’s
Next up we have a report from the Tuff PL’s who comprised Nicole Patterson-Lett and Clive Patterson-Lett. Nic’s view on the day is as follows (although she modestly fails to point out they were the second ‘team of two’ relay participants):-
“Why were we there? –
2 very recent DNF’s in the PL household, so redemption required ASAP.
Local event, so doggie day care was relatively simple.
We hadn’t trained nearly enough to each do the whole thing (Ultra Ironman!), so a Mr & Mrs relay was still sufficiently challenging to redeem ourselves (assuming we finished this time!).
On the day –
We knew our strengths – so Nic had extra swim laps, Clive extra bike laps … and Clive a few extra run laps too (despite no run training this year!).
Other weaknesses came to light that we had not anticipated! –
Nic (despite a Maths degree and a demon at Sudoku!) couldn’t count her bike laps and shouted “I don’t know?!” whilst whizzing past Clive.
Nic (again!) despite reading the instructions, was so excited to be on her last bike lap she missed transition, cycling straight to Clive at the handover for the first run leg. He then had to run back to the timing mat (for the bike), with the lovely understanding official lady directing him, and then run back again to the run start to ensure we didn’t get a DNF!!
Nic had also forgotten to eat 2 of her 3 energy bars, so that may have something to do with her brain switching completely off!
Clive (this time) clearly had low expectations for Nic’s first run lap – as she finished he wasn’t anywhere near the handover area, plus facing the wrong way with his DryRobe on!
All in all –
Both had a Good swim, Strong bike, Moderate run.
Brilliant finish chute experience, totes emosh and very proud of each other.
Fantastic Tuff day out – Amazing camaraderie for other Tuff’s but also for everyone else taking part.
Huge kudos to the solo participants … and mind-blowing admiration for the para tri finishers, truly humbling.
….AND heavy bling (medal) and yummy ‘free’ lasagne at the finish!
Nic
TUFF ENUFF TO DO IT OFF THE CUFF
Next Up a fearsome foursome in the form of Tiffany Orton, Jon Roper and Clare Worgan who were the Tuff Enuff to do it off the Cuff team. we have two reports. Firstly, Dom Amey’s thoughts:-
Booking an August event, we’d imagined a day of scorching hot, summer sunshine. What we actually got was another opportunity to wear Dry Robes and Tuff bobble hats but the weather didn’t spoil a great day out (easy for me to say, my bike leg was in the dry).
At Westhampnett Lake for the swim start the impressive individuals who were taking on the 255km on their own were easy to pick out, there seemed to be as many of their yellow swim hats as there were green relay hats. The wind was already blowing across the lake and we knew that there wouldn’t be any shelter to speak of back at the circuit but for now the 5k swim, 4 laps of 1250m (1324m if your sighting is as haphazard as mine), was calm and warm.
The rain did its worst at the start of the bike, as a team of 4 we were able to take 13 laps each, Tiff and Jon took the first 2 stints and soaked up the worst of the weather, I was 3rd and starting to realise that one of the big challenges of the day would be making sure we were at the right place at the right time ready to pick up the baton. That and counting bike laps, if you’ve ever lost count of how many lengths you’ve done in the pool it was that but with more time to confuse yourself. How on earth people managed to count to 52 on their own I have no idea. After what seemed like it might well have been 13 laps I was able to pass the baton on to Clare to finish off the bike leg.
And then some time for more re-fuelling and faffing around deciding what to wear for the 50km run (the rain seemed to have passed now but could we really trust that there wasn’t any more coming?!?). Team tactics differed here, some just ran single 5km loops and handed on but we’d decided to do our runs in one hit, 2 x 10km, 2 x 15km, rather than having to stop and start. The wind was still blowing and fighting in to it up the back straight got tougher each lap but there was a super friendly and enthusiastic aid station up at the top end which marked the point that you turned and had the wind behind you again. Team Tuff Enuff to do it Off the Cuff regrouped and crossed the finish line together to mark the end of a long but fantastic day out.
Dom
Jon Roper succinctly sums up the day as follows:-
Great format for racing everyone together (would have been even better if the weather had played nicely). Was it worth the money…yes I think it was maybe a team of 3 next year. More Tuffs next year and the sun coming out would be a great Tuff social.
Jon
FITTY FILLY AND FELLAS
Another team in the four person relay team was Fitty Filly and Fellas, where they had put many months of training and thought into the event. Err, actually Glenn Parisi got wind of this event at short notice and corralled his team together less than two weeks before the event! Therefore Debbie Boxall, Trevor Harvey, Glenn Parisi and Clive Harvey met just four days beforehand to decide tactics- what food to take! It was decided to split the swim and cycle equally, 1 lap swim, 30 miles each on the bike. However the run didn’t split exactly so two had to run 10k and two 15k. Trev and Clive took the 15k. Clive was fourth leg and cheekily said that if he blew up someone should be ready to do the final extra lap. Whilst more than happy to go again, he had to smile as he he ran down the pit straight to start the final lap; it was quite clear the others had already decided they had finished – as the picture below shows them cheerfully waving and scoffing the lasagne available to all finishers.
As you will see from the photos at the finish, each team was allowed to cross the finish funnel together which cemented a great day of fun and camaraderie. Working out tactics, what food to take, what to wear, dealing with the weather, all meant the action continued throughout whilst cheering each of the 13 Tuffs out on the course.
It was expensive, but then full distance tri’s always are, and it was so well organised. Two top venues and as the run went anticlockwise and through the pits there were marker cones every metre or so all the way around the 2.5m run course; great attention to detail. The event had been limited at 300 competitors and whilst this year there were just 67 relay teams and 70 solo, it is clear the event has a future and likely to fill quickly next year. What an atmosphere if more Tuff teams &/or solo’s could be mobilised in 2022.
BRECA GOWER SWIM RUN
It’s hard to believe that it is four years since Tom Goddard and Joe Pascoe undertook the Breca Gower Swim run, submitting a hilarious report, and this year it was the turn of Karen Napleton to enter with her friend further expanding the number of Tuffs who are finding the joys of swim run.
Entering as a team Karen had to race against the tide to swim onto the dragon-like Worm’s Head promontory before exploring limestone cliffs, woodlands, sandy beaches and bays. Trail running on Gower’s challenging coastal path interspersed with multiple ocean swims made the event a tough challenge. Karen’s team entered the sprint which required them to cover 5 run stages accumulating 17.5k and 4 swims over 2.5k to amass a total Distance of 20km. Karen reports:-
“My friend and I completed our (my first) Gower SwimRun last weekend. It was hard!! Especially as I’ve been recovering from an Achilles hiccup. The sea swims were rather full on after the storm but they were amazing too. I am determined to do more SRs once I’m run-fit again.”
Karen
PARKRUN
At Worthing parkrun well done to Alex Webb who was 6th overall in just 19:00 and then another great run from Juliette Reader as second female home in 22:26. Shelley Dodman was next across the line in a strong 22:43 for her first parkrun 4th female. Les Pearce was next home for his 127th parkrun. Ed Lay did well with Phil Turner hot on his heels. Great to see Dave Priest back on the parkrun trail and then Elaine Rousseau closing in on the hundred with run number 95. Chris Sloggett was on the volunteer team this week, to complete 9 Tuffs on the Prom.
At Littlehampton parkrun well done to Bob Thomas for his 24th parkrun and to Chris Evans who volunteered for his third consecutive week.
Hove Prom parkrun saw a great Tuff performance from Dave March in 20:49
Ian Moore was back in action at Horsham parkrun for his third successive week.
Well done to all 13.
