Weekend Round Up 26th 27th November
The cold weather isn’t stopping club members from continuing to venture out Swim, bike and run training as well as events. If the fingers and toes are not keen on you going out on the bike, the Tuff Tuesday group Zwift rides continue to attract good numbers which warms everyone up.
MENTAL ELF RUN
Supported by the charity Mind, congratulations to Nina Tully who was heavily involved in what turned out to be a highly successful morning running along Worthing Prom for a 5k run where fancy dress was positively encouraged. As well as Nina, well done to Esther Fair, Hazel Reilly & Kate Evans who raced. Nina has reported in:-
“Wow what a day despite the weather we had 150 participants for the first Worthing mental elf run hosted by West Sussex Mind”.
“We had a rather muddy registration before heading to the Splash Pad area for a fun warm up led by intent91 we were then led to the start line”.
“There were so many great outfits, loads of giggles and elf mischief, but for me the best part was seeing the group of runners that I take for runs in Shoreham. It was so pleasing to see this group, who are under the care of West Sussex Mind, gain the trust and confidence to just turn up to such an event. I have done a couple of parkruns recently with them to build confidence in preparation and Sunday; it was truly humbling to see what volunteering just a few hours of my time each week can do for one another”.
“For many this was their first ever 5k, first event, first medal and first introduction into the wonderful running and Tri community”
Nina
SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
Following Jason Rae’s successful run for Ukraine back in the summer, Jason published a post on our App about gathering some gifts for the people of Ukraine this Christmas. With many buildings and infrastructure damaged, plus the onset of winter snow, conditions there are bleak. Hearing about a convoy heading to Ukraine an appeal was launched for children’s toys as well as essentials such as clothes, socks and batteries. Thank you to all the club members who brought along full shoe boxes, goods or donated cash to help over the past two weeks. Jason reports that the convoy is now on it’s way to Ukraine which will bring some welcome cheer to the nation and let them know the UK are thinking of them – Thank you for organising Jason – with other clubs/friends contributions included, he collected circa 30 shoe boxes along with clothes – a brilliant initiative
COACHING UPDATE
We are delighted to announce that two of our members volunteered to take a step up and qualify to become a British Triathlon accredited coach. The pathway to a Level 1 qualification involves a series of interactive webinars, a face-to-face practical coaching weekend comprising practical assessments, personal review, and action planning. To complete the course people are asked to undertake home study of around 10-15 hours over 3-4 weeks (including some pre-course work). Successful coaches will learn how to communicate effectively, engage athletes and to give quality meaningful feedback. Always keen to expand our successful Tuff Fitty coaching team, your committee are willing to help support members who wish to start along the coaching pathway – do feel able to ask for more details. Our congratulations go to Leah Simms & Nina Tully on their achievement in passing their exams and are now Level 1 accredited BTF coaches.
Leah Simms states she has enjoyed enjoyed the swim and run sessions that she had shadowed and coached so far. Leah is modest in her achievements already coaching with Foxy Ladies so it falls to the editor to point out that as well as her BTF Level 1 qualification she holds an England Athletics Run Leader qualification, 3 year spirts first aider with sports insurance & is a EA Mental Health Champion. Run and Talk Programme
Nina hasn’t stopped. After training and completing Fullsteam’s Castle to Coast at the end of July she went straight into the BTF training course. As you will have read above, Nina devotes a lot of time to West Sussex Mind as an ambassador helping others which she finds very rewarding.
It is fantastic to welcome Leah & Nina onto our illustrious coaching team – thank you.
EVENTS DIARY
Quite some time has been spent loading up our Tuff Fitty event diary in readiness for next year. A lot of the local swim, run and cycle sportives have been loaded together with races further afield where it is known of Tuff involvement, or recommendations. No doubt after Christmas media will be awash with holiday adverts so now may be a good time to consider which races you would like to target for 2023 to plan ahead.
Notable races? Well we need to include our Club Championship races of Sprint distance at Arundel Triathlon 21st May or Middle Distance event of 255 Goodwood 30th July. Standard Distance TBA.
How about the South East England Triathlon Senior Series where participation earns points for Tuff Fitty. The 2023 races are 7Oaks Sprint, (7/5) East Grinstead Tri (14/5), Eastbourne Standard Tri (10/6), Dartford Sprint Tri (closed roads- 18/6) Goodwood Sprint Duathlon (2/7) Southwater Relays Mixed team ONLY to score -(3/9) – Full details HERE
One new event is the day before Eastbourne Triathlon (10/6) – This is replicating the Olympics where there will be a Mixed Relay Triathlon (2 men 2 women) – Can we muster team(s) for that?
Finally don’t forget our very own Frosty Aquathlon being held 5th March at The Wave. Entries are open and being received for both the 400m/5k Frostbite and the longer Frosty 800m/10k. Club members are required to either marshal/help or race.
There are further races appearing all the time, so worth returning to the event diary periodically. Your favourite event isn’t there? please go to end of the calendar and submit the details. Calendar is HERE or on our website under Information.
PARKRUN ROUND UP
We start at Hove parkrun where Dave March was in action. Crossing in 22:26 Dave notched up his 50th parkrun – congratulations.
Littlehampton parkrun saw Kev Pearson as first Tuff home and then 12 seconds later Rick Budd. Steve Bridgeman ran as did Vicky Cooper notching up her 38th parkrun. Alistair Evans continued his strong record with his 106th PR and Paul Thomas was also in attendance . Nick Hartfield was on the organising team. In addition to the aforementioned 7 we also had Colin & Sue Simpson present and Colin has reported in:- “I started late with the dog to chase her down ! Sue managed a pb for this year…29.30. i expect you noticed we were missing from the previous weekend roundup…we had a week off in Lanzarote but….did make up our own accurate parkrun Teguise!!! On the Saturday Col 25.30..Sue 30.30…followed by a swim of course…
Lancing Green parkrun has now been cancelled throughout November as the green was churned up by a funfair and then of course the torrential rain. Other parkruns included
Worthing parkrun saw Les Pearce complete his third Worthing run this month to reach a total of 175 parkruns. Next another regular as Edward Lay complete his 106th PR. Tony Pearce also ran on pacing duties and then Wendy Kane completed (prior to a swim).
Bognor parkrun saw Jason Rae run completing his 121st run & Clive Harvey
Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun is at Cosham with the route along tarmac and gravel paths adjacent to the M27 – this week we had Nathan BIlham run. Nathan did very well finishing his 85th parkrun in just 21:33
Well done to all seventeen