Weekend Round Up 2nd 3rd October
LONDON MARATHON
The iconic London Marathon where 41,605 finishers pounded the streets of London , There were a similar number who undertook the race virtually with 40,842 finishing their own route. Tuff Fitty had two strong runners in amongst the crowd. Through our affiliation to UK Athletics we were able to secure one guaranteed place and this was won in a ballot by Pete Littleboy. Pete was a deserving recipient as you will read from his report which is first. We then have Jay McCardle’s thoughts on the race and both Pete & Jay feature as our banner photo this week;
“This race report starts in the early 80s when the London marathon is on the television and I am watching it in awe and wishing one day that I could be one of them. So fast forward to a dry slightly cold windy 3rd Sunday of October 2021 where that dream becomes a reality . Unfortunately my training was not ideal as I had only an 8 week plan and family/work commitments but here I was”.
“However due to these Covid times getting to the start line you had to have dropped your transition bag off the day before and be NHS Covid clear. Because of this it meant carrying your phone and hydration to reduce touch points, so when you finally arrive in the morning you have been told where you wait and which start wave. This makes for a smooth start however with an event this size the closed roads soon became very busy; but this just adds to the magic . As from mile1 to mile 26 the crowds where fantastic and with the many sites of London in your view the miles just ticked by. There is the constant mental and physical battle this distance requires, but the sense of achievement when you finish pales in comparison. This was only made possible because of the Tuff fitty entry ticket & my family & friends support. Also this report was brought to you by the numbers 3 hours 12 minutes”
Pete
“Well what I can say “ London is the one !! so I just set to run and enjoy, look up and take in the capital, I ran naked ( no watch ) so very happy with my time.” (3hr:34)
Jay
CHICHESTER HALF MARATHON/10 MILE
A popular Half marathon in the calendar where Tuff runners can usually be found. A choice of two routes, 10 miles or the full half marathon. We have two reports. Firstly from Adrian Oliver and secondly Kate Cooper.
“Following a week of torrential rain, we were expecting the Chichester Trail Half Marathon to be switched to a swim/run/skating event. Fortunately the trails had dried sufficiently, and the occasional chalk paths provided sufficient adhesion. Despite an overcast start, the race ended in glorious sunshine! We had been warned that the Chichester College car park would overflow – turned out with the ~130 no-shows, there was plenty of parking. With plenty of space in the race village, the some 290 participants gathered for the prompt 9:00am start”.
“Meandering through the Chichester centre cheered on by many supporters and locals, we soon headed North switching between roads, local parks and paths, before hitting Chalkpit lane up to the Trundle. The Trundle car-park was where the 10m race split (Alice had long flown passed us!), leaving us to face the final climb to circumnavigate the Trundle. Finally, downhill! At ~9 miles a marshal informed Kate that she was currently 4th girl (turned out to be actually 5th…never mind). The pace was dramatically raised (?) in a hope of reeling the 3rd girl in to get Kate a 3rd place – soon to be dashed by being overtaken by a yet even speedier girl…and 10 minutes later another… Now on Centurion Way, the focus was getting home, ticking each Kilometre. Finally, finish line in sight…and mad rush to the line fending off those young whipper-snappers – one managed to slip through our net and beat us by 1/2 second pushing me back one place…
With Kate signed up for the Beachy Head Full, and myself for the Beachy Head Half, and neither of us had done enough distance training, our race plan was to test the waters – slow and steady – survive the uphill, and if anything was left in the tank, dream of going slightly faster. It turned out we managed to pace each other ensuring neither of us went too slow or too fast. For the last 3 miles, outwardly I was encouraging Kate to keep girl #6 in view – but inwardly hoping she would slow (she didn’t…) The result was Kate recording a course PB beating her 2019 time by 2 minutes in 1:52:20. And myself, my first Half Marathon race in 30 years in 1:52:21. The winning times were amazing 1:15:15 (Will Grace) and 1:37:20 (Fay Cripps).
And finally, the most important Tuff success of the event was Alice Gatland claiming 1st girl in the 10 mile, 3rd overall in 1:19:49! Amazing! Thanks to Debbie Gatland for being the Tuff Fitty team cheer leader and supporter!
Adrian
“I have always found the Chichester Half to be hard but fun and Sunday’s race was no exception. There was a small Tuff contingent, but I bumped into Adrian Oliver in the car park and it turned out to be very well met. The race followed its traditional route though the city centre and up to the Trundle. Adrian and I stuck together for the duration of the race. Adrian was a pacemaker par excellence, pacing me up the Trundle before flying down the other side. Thankfully, the route had drained well after Saturday’s rain. At about 9 miles, I was amazed when a marshal said I was the 4th woman, but despite Adrian’s valiant efforts, I couldn’t prevent 2 other women from passing me in the last few miles. The final 5km down the Centurion Way were tough: I just told myself to keep up with Adrian! I managed it – just – and sprinted the last stretch to finish in 1.52.21 with Adrian under a second behind me. I was 6th woman and 1st in my age category! Adrian was an admirable 14th in his. What a great bit of Tuff team work! Alice Gatland was first woman home in the 10 mile race – great running, Alice!
Kate
Both commented on the other Tuffs running namely Grant Smalley, Tim Kenny, Amanda de Ridder and Catharine Western – well done to all.
TUFF FITTY CYCLING
It has been gratifying how members have been returning to the track, and our migration from the Lido back to our home at The Wave. Post Covid, things are going very well. This leaves Cycling. One positive during lockdown was the commencement of club Zwift rides. Whilst social distancing curtailed ‘outside rides’, Richard Hobbs led several Thursday evening rides across the summer post easing of restrictions – most notably chain gangs down the Oving straight. Following the recent coaches meeting, with the autumn upon us, your coaches are now looking to schedule regular club Sunday rides to encourage riders out as follows.
SUNDAY CYCLES
With Hobbsie having warned Edgcumbes about an impending large number of Tuffs, there were plenty of coaches on hand to assist as cyclists were formed into varying groups of proficiency on the first of our recommenced club Sunday cycles. Such groups were significant as the aim is to ensure everyone can feel able to attend. To underline this point we are grateful to Jenny Oliver for her thoughts on her cycle from Sunday. Before that Andy Ward has stated the next club road cycle will be on Sunday 17th October from Sea Lane Cafe. Thereafter the road cycles will be fortnightly alternating between Sea Lane Cafe, Goring and outside The Beach Cafe Littlehampton. Jon Roper has kindly agreed to lead on some Mountain bike rides which are to alternate on the Sundays between the Road bike rides. The training ‘events’ will be scheduled shortly, but it will be important to keep a look out on Spond for these as whilst they will confirm the start location, specific details will be weather dependent so could be subject to change. Jenny reports:-.
“Following a season of socially distanced and indoor training, came the arrival of the keenly anticipated Sunday Club Ride. With an impressive array of coaches and ride leaders and a keen group of participants, we rocked up at Edgcumbes for the 8am start.
I arrived a little on the late side and paused at the car park entrance to avoid bombing Jon Roper’s group photo! (See above) Adrian had set off for the Chichester half marathon, and so without assistance I managed to get the bike out of the boot and the wheel on. CPL kindly came over to make sure all was well, no doubt having a quick check that I had enabled the brakes 😉
We divided into 3 groups, ours being the slowest, and set off. What could possibly go wrong!
Somewhat amusingly, there were 3 trains at the level crossing. We were starting to get chilly so we eventually set off at an increased pace. Just getting going and Sophie was the unlucky victim of a puncture. Prepared to fix it herself, but grateful that Jon Frost was on hand to provide expert advice and assistance. Yesterday’s bike maintenance course had been cancelled, and so we were quite happy to redeem the time absorbing top tips and tricks on how to repair a tyre!
Off we go again, oops a chain drop, a further pause and then eventually on our way.
Despite an eventful start it turned into a very enjoyable ride and many thanks to Hazel, Wendy and Jon, who looked after everyone and made sure we all got back in one piece!
Followed up with coffee and chat with friendly Tuffs, what’s not to like?!
Jenny
ZWIFT CYCLING
Richard Hobbs suggested a group Zwift ride and having started last November they have gone from strength to strength, to the point that even when the warm weather came, the pedals were still being turned; such was its success. Whilst appreciating not everyone is on Zwift if anyone is contemplating this for the coming winter please do have a chat to understand what equipment is required. Hobbsie designs routes and creates a ‘club ride’ this means that only the Tuff participants are seen on screen and everyone is held together in a band, so all standards of cyclist can join in. There is a voice channel called Discord and riders are strongly encouraged to dial in as Hobbsie’s smooth easy leadership explains to everyone what is coming up, when to sprint etc and other riders join in with banter and even the joke of the day. The popularity had led to an expansion of the rides to a second evening last February.
The 2021/22 season has already started on Tuesday evenings at 6:30PM, but the Thursday session is going to be at a new time avoiding the evening swim. From Thursday MORNING 21st October, welcome to “The Wide Awake Club” This early morning Zwift will enable Tuffs to get their training in before breakfast and heading off to work. Dial in ready for a 6:30AM pedal with the ride scheduled to last 35 minutes. Will it work? ; there are already good numbers signed up on the Spond event, so why not join in the fun and get the morning off to a great start before you’ve even left home.
PULBOROUGH VINEYARDS
The Pulborough Vineyards run is staged twice yearly comprising a lap of 1.6 miles. Don’t let the distance fool you though as there are lots of muddy trails, crossing of fields and woodland trails, plus more than one ascent all in one lap….. and then you go again… and again. Competitors can continue as many laps as they like through 5, 7.5, 10k up to 20.5k. There were three club members in attendance this time. Tony Pearce was wearing his running club vest as he completed a 10k run coming 6th for that many laps. Also present were Sheila Bailey and Kate Evans and we are pleased to receive Sheila’s take on the morning . (next event is Sunday 15th May 22)
“This was my second time for completing this event with the last time back in October 2019, I am pleased to say that Rob has kept it as laid back as it was previously, with the emphasis on do what you can at your own pace. Kate joined me for her first time and we both enjoyed it and completed 3 laps, (7.5k). I had completely forgotten how steep the hill is! I will hopefully be returning in May and October next year with the thought process to get up to the half marathon, if I can cope with 8 laps including that hill!!!!!!
Sheila
CAPTAINS CURRY NIGHT
Trevor Harvey has reported in:-
“Some 35 Tuffs tucked in on Tuesday at the Captains Curry Night at So India, Angmering.
This had originally been planned by Cap’n Jon B to take place early in 2019, but like many races, deferred, due to COVID; however, it was well worth the wait. Even with everyone choosing their own food, it was excellent, and a great time was had by all”. “A toast was made to Joe which was the day before his passing. I have learnt that such was the success of the event that the Committee will ask our Captain’s to make this an annual event on the same day during which we can all toast absent friends.”
Thank you Jon for the great organisation”.
Trev
TECHNICAL OFFICIALS
All Multisport races within the UK should apply to British Triathlon who validate, issue a permit to proceed, and then send a Technical Official to be present at the event. The South East is one of the larger regions but is short of qualified Technical Officials. Therefore a plea has been issued, particularly to all the region’s bigger clubs – such as Tuff Fitty, to ask its members if anyone would be interested in becoming a Technical Official (TO). The need is particularly acute for TO’s covering events in West Sussex, and the SE area co-ordinator keeps reminding us Tuff Fitty only have one active TO currently. The pathway is a one day course, and then participants need to undertake four events shadowing a qualified TO; this enables people to act as a Local Technical Official. Beyond that the next step is in becoming a Regional Technical official, (if they wish). The difference with this qualification is the TO can then officiate at open water events. These two roles cover the majority of events, but there is a third qualification of National TO. This enables people to officiate at major events where there are more than one TO and is the pathway into World Triathlon events. If anyone is interested or wishes to find out more, please contact Clive Harvey
PARKRUN
At Bognor parkrun this week there was a major celebration as it was Bognor’s 300th parkrun, and co-incidentally the 17th anniversary of the parkrun movement which began at Bushy Park in London. It was particularly pleasing that Jason Rae should be there on the organising team as he was the founding Race Director for Bognor seven years ago, a role he continued unflinchingly for four years. Jason is still one of the Race Directors but prefers to concentrate on the Christmas Day run, something others are not keen on, and this year will be his third Christmas Day parkrun. Jason organises this as many of the participants would otherwise be sitting at home on their own all day. To cap it all Jason took part in this weeks run pushing his friend Judi around in her wheelchair as her illness means she can no longer run – what a lovely gesture, well done Jason.
AT worthing parkrun, it was good to see James Oram racing. A tuff who took a sabbatical due to his new daughter, moving house, and changing job, he is back as a Tuff with a mission to regain his speed – (22:21). Les Pearce was next home in 23:39. Ed Lay was next ahead of his Manchester Marathon next week and Amanda de Ridder completed the four Tuff runners here.
At Maidenhead parkrun, amongst the runners was Trevor Harvey. Expecting the usual parkrun route, the organisers had to change the course at short notice due to a wasps nest lying in wait for competitors!
Hove prom parkrun saw Dave March in action again returning home in a swift 20:18 for his 28th parkrun
Littlehampton parkrun saw Alistair Evans run completing his 54th parkrun & Nick Hartfield was on the organising team.
Across at Lancing Green parkrun Elaine Rousseau was on the organising team and followed this up by being sweeper on the run to record her 102nd parkrun
