Weekend Round Up 6th 7th August

Tuff Fitty are continuing to attract new members and even in the holiday season, strong numbers are seen across all our training sessions. But there’s still time to nip off for the following:-

BEWL WATER TRIATHLON

Bewl Water, Lamberhurst in Kent, is a large reservoir which to walk around is 12.5 miles. (albeit with reduced water levels currently!) Saturday saw open water swim events comprising middle and full distance swims (1.9k & 3.8k) with Sunday staging Sprint and Standard distance triathlons. In the Sprint race it was fantastic to see Ollie McDonald back on the race scene across the 750m swim/ 12.5m bike/ 5k run. Thanks to Ollie for reporting in:-

“I ventured to Bewl Water at the weekend to compete in their sprint distance race. First of all, a stunning location! Looks like a great day out for the family – unfortunately, I couldn’t convince anyone to join me at 4:30 am, which means no photos either 🙁

The water temp was 22, so a wetsuit was optional. I chose to save the few seconds in transition, along with about 5 others. Everyone else is in wetsuits! I placed myself near the front for the 7 am kick-off, but took it a little too easy. From the results, I was 26th out of the water and I knew I had work to do.

The bike was undulating with lots of country lanes and villages. a little technical, but nothing too difficult. Starting with a long drag uphill I took it easy, only to be overtaken by two ‘roadies’. I kept my cool and soon passed them and got into a rhythm – picking off several riders.

Being 12th after the bike, I had one aim with the run – just finish! The recurring knee injury had recently flared up, so very little run training has been done. I lost one place towards the end but felt solid (ish). 13th out of 90 men/156 overall.

Nice to be back racing. Definitely one I would recommend and only an hour or so drive.

Ollie

HIGHDOWN HIKE

Whilst we had 20 going round and round at Wednesday track night, we had Tuffs going up and down at race 11 of the West Sussex Fun Run league -Highdown Hike. This weeks banner shot is taken from the top of Highdown. Well done to Tuff Tony Pearce on the organising team and our runners Andy Crawford, Hazel Sheward, Jay McCardle, Mark Walford & Simon Thistlethwaite. Apologies if there were any other club members there but a week later there is still no sign of any results. We have two reports; firstly thanks toSimon Thistlethwaite & then Mark Walford.

” What was looking like a lonely solo outing for me to Worthing Striders annual WSFRL all changed after a last minute call to arms brought out Mark Walford. A first run for Mark around this previously popular Tuff circuit but an old regular for Andrew Crawford and many other Tuffs back in the day. We bumped into Andy at registration. We then walked the 3/4 mile to the start to be greeted by Hazel who was hard to make out in the distance without her Tuff vest on . I’d given Mark the low down of the circuit – mainly the pinch point as you head through the trees up the flinty steep path and how decent the ascents were . The race director also warned us of the many rabbit holes and that as many as could have had been filled with stakes to help with visibility and to help prevent any broken ankles.

It was hot , it was as I remember but I don’t remember enjoying it as much as I did this night. The climbs were hard, the evening was splendid and the runners were on form all looking very handy indeed. Mark kept me on my toes as I managed to keep him in my sights for the duration of the run. I wondered if the last lap around the field was still on and it was . So one more climb up the left of the field I found myself in a position where I could run down 4 or more guys if I went for it, but with 400 metres left to go I had waited too long to put the hammer down and the 3.22 per km was just too little too late. Cracking result for Mark as first Tuff home finished just inside the top ten Andy, Jay and Hazel soon to follow as third, fourth and fifth Tuffs respectively. Lovely evening thanks Guys.

Simon

“Wednesday morning I get a message from Simon saying Highdown Hike tonight, 7.30 start I can pick you up at 6.15. My reply yeah why not, see you later. Only when he arrived I asked what distance was it (6km) & where was it. Highdown, clue was in the name, therefore was a hilly course, part of the so called fun run league against running clubs. Turn up register and saw Andy, and later on Hazel. Small tuff turn out but lovely race. Definitely one for the diary next year. Then I aw the guy who I followed and got lost with at Dawn of the Downs. I went from going, I’ll just jog this and have fun, to I want to beat this guy. Race starts and quickly thins out as up hill from the off. I knew I wouldn’t beat my new nemesis but keeping him in sight was a good plan. This must have worked well ‘cos I went past a few people and not many went by me, I gained on him up hill, he went away going down hill. And all of a sudden the race was done. Lovely to get friendly rivalry going, pushed me hard to get a top 10 finish. Congratulated the guy who beat me and before I knew Simon was quickly in behind me and not much longer till Andy & Jay. We chatted, got water, cheered Hazel in and back home. Racing on a school night was nice little bonus.

Mark

CARLINGFORD TRIATHLON

Matt Whittaker is settling in well in his new home in County Down, but as he remains a Tuff , we are pleased to report on his trip over the border to County Louth where he took on the Carlingford Standard distance tri. Starting with a swim of two laps over a 750m course, before a 36km cycle and a flat 10km to finish. Receiving some of the fine weather seen ‘back home’, Matt put together a great result; first home for his new club Down Tri Club and pushed himself well up the results sheet with a 41 minute 10k run to finish 3rd in his age group and 14th overall. Congratulations from us all back in Sussex.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Congratulations to Helen Bull who was in attendance at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham volunteering. With all her swimming qualifications it was inevitable that Helen would be based at the Aquatic Centre where she was on the Medal Chaperone team covering both the diving and swimming sessions. Of course this is Helen we are talking about so during the day she was also studying for yet another swimming qualification.

Helen‘s ‘chaperoning’ at medal ceremonies included being in the athletes areas to help get them ready and onto the podium in time. This often required a bit of cajoling to get them ready and she experienced some of the highs of the winners and lows of those who felt they under performed. The roll call of people she met and chaperoned was very impressive including the inspirational Alice Tai, Adam Peaty, Chad Le Clos (who gave her a hug) and the England Gold winning men’s relay team. The above photo is of Helen wearing Jack Laugher’s gold medal. Well done Helen, we are proud of you.

PARKRUN ROUND UP

Littlehampton parkrun saw Rich Budd as first Tuff home in 22:17 for his 182nd parkrun. Kev Pearson was close behind in 22:41 on pacing duties again. Ed Lay ran strongly as he notched up his 98th PR finishing in 23:47. The strong times continued with Colin Simpson in 24:55 for his 190th. Sue Simpson completed her 153rd PR. Sheila Bailey was just 5 seconds off her PB on this course, and Alistair Evans completed his 95th PR. Kate Evans and Jenny Oliver completed the 9 runners along the prom.

Chichester parkrun returned another cracking run from Emily Moore as she crossed the line as 1st female overall in just 20:33 for her 133rd parkrun.

Worthing parkrun was back after a two week break and Dave March was first Tuff in 21:45. Shelley Dodman was next in 22:01 & Jo Baldwin completed our top three Tuffs home in a strong 23:36. Another strong performance from Les Pearce clocking up his 165th PR in 23:56. Elaine Rousseau completed her 134th PR

Great running from our 15 parkrunners

DON’T FORGET

There is a further incentive to participate in parkrun as this coming Saturday 13th August Tuffs are targeting WORTHING PARKRUN as part of our Summer Tuff Run Series – meet by Splashpoint o the prom.

FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS

You wouldn’t want to miss out on the following fast approaching

SWIMMERS REVENGE

Sunday morning at 7am 21st August @The Beach Cafe (opposite Littlehampton Wave) is the venue for our next club race – Swimmers Revenge. The format is the reverse of a Duathlon as this comprises a swim to start of 400m sea swim, then on with the trainers for a 2k run up towards the Coastguard tower and back before the second swim of 400m. Participants can race with or without wetsuits, or compromise and be in your wetsuit for when the whistle goes but take the second swim without – the choice is yours. Transition matting will be out where your running shoes can be left, and whilst individual times will be taken it will be a team event (which the Captains will allocate in advance) and prizes for the winning team. This event is staged in full conjunction with The Beach with a safety craft. Tuff Fitty are pleased to subsidise the event, so the cost of entry to Swimmers Revenge is just £3 (plus handling charge), and as well as the event you will receive a bacon/veggie sandwich. With catering to be booked and teams allocated, please enter and pay through Spond no later than close of play 15th August. If you are thinking, ‘but I ride on a Sunday?’ ride over, race and ride home after the sandwich, as there will be someone around transition to watch over bikes. Going to be a fun event. Any questions, please contact Nicole Patterson-Lett or Adrian Oliver

LIDO SWIM

Friday 19th August at 7pm, due to popular demand, we have a swim at Arundel Lido. With the Swimmers Revenge on the Sunday and that the 19th is the start of Arundel Festival (therefore the town will be very busy), this booking will be purely a swim. However what is likely to appeal is that for only a small increase in fee – £5 participants can stay for a little or as long as they like as the booking covers two hours. Whilst the weekend is very busy with some also booked for the Tuff trip to the London Velodrome on the Saturday, we are sure many will wish to take advantage of the warmer weather and perhaps limber up for Sunday’s swimmers revenge