Weekend Round Up 13th 14th July
Wow, the fantastic achievements by members stepping up distances, trying new events, achieving personal best times, and more Team GB qualifiers: we have yet another bumper Round Up for you.
Mark W, Dom, Clare & Adrian
IRONBOURNE 70.3 EASTBOURNE
The Ironbourne Triathlon event covers full and half distance, together with Aquabikes and Swims, but it was the half distance triathlon that attracted 68% of the finishers and we had seven Tuffs on the start line; also Tuff’s Middle distance championship race. Starting with the famous leap off the end of Eastbourne Pier, the HQ and transition is similar to the Eastbourne Standard configuration held last month.
We had seven Tuffs taking the plunge, literally, off the pier this year. First home was Mark Walford, in 4hr 55. This was Simon Thistlethwaite’s second consecutive year after his disappointment last time with a double puncture, despite that he said it was ‘the most fun I’ve had on a 70.3’ so he returned finishing well. Dom Amey was our next finisher and Adrian Oliver is another one who has raced here before shaving time of the bike leg. Clare Worgan continues her superb 2024 season finishing next. We are proud of Adam Stringer completing his first middle Distance race returning strong times across all disciplines. Kudos must go out to James Togneri who was on the start line despite having his year severely hampered by injury. He completed both the swim and the bike before deciding he wouldn’t overdo it and forfeited the run. However both swim and bike splits were not too far outside his 2022 times so hopefully he will be encouraged by that. Well done to Claire Moyle on duty as one of the Technical Officials.
Pleasing to publish three reports:- firstly from Mark Walford.
‘Eastbourne 70.3, stepping into the unknown. I had unfinished business with this race. I entered in 2021 only to get covid a week before race day and was in isolation instead of racing. Now having done well in sprint racing I have spent the last 3 years doing these. Time to step up and see how longer distance goes.
A nice little group of us met up for dinner the night before and pre race. Getting on the pier ready to go, and before I know it, jump off and swim. I decided to swim hard but not burn any matches, it was choppy but a nice swim. Onto the bike I was shocked at how well I was racing for my effort, before I knew it I was at an aid station. Never doing one on the bike, I grabbed a bottle on the go and swapped one of my dead bottles out. The roads got a bit twisty and my previous speed I thought would go, but I felt good and then another aid station. This time I was prepared, threw a bottle and got one with barely dropping speed; I felt like a pro.
This was all good until I hit a pot hole, and unbeknown to me until later, the bottle popped out of a cage, so the last 20km at the base of hills I didn’t have the drink I planned. The rolling course was now full on hills, tough fight up before quick downhill into transition. Slower than normal transition to make sure I had sun cream on, hat etc.
Then out on run, only 5% charge left on my watch, which I was surprised about. lasted one lap of 10.5km, happy with my pace I wondered if I could go under my A time. I always set A, B and C race goals, A always much quicker than I think I can do, B, likely and would make me happy, C, something to be proud of but learn from. Now I was chasing A time, but not knowing what time I got in the water, or what pace I was running at it was a lot of guess work. The last 4 km was tough. Great to see other Tuffs on the course to keep me focused, my kids cheering me in on the line was great and I beat A time by 5mins. But I felt broken in a good way, after food and drink I felt normal. First 70.3 but definitely not the end of my long distance adventures.
Mark
Next up:- Adam Stringer
Adam
‘Eastbourne 70.3, what can I say. I bloody loved it!!! Eastbourne was my first long distance triathlon and probably the most enjoyable tri yet. The sea swim was against a very strong outward tide so made for a challenge when trying to sight one direction and going another.
The bike was a great route and I actually relished the challenge of Beachy Head, it gave such a good feeling when reaching the top. The run was a slog, but stuck with it plodding along and receiving encouragement from Mark and Carey from the sidelines as well as Adrian, Simon, Mark, Dom and Clare on the course, not forgetting Claire Moyles who was a race official and still offering words of encouragement during transition. You Tuffs are truly amazing and I’m proud to be part of the family.
Adam
Adrian Oliver reports:-
‘I enjoyed the swim despite it being slightly choppy compared to two years ago (at least there was a swim!). The cycle again was lovely exploring East Sussex countryside – at least this time, I knew those final hills were coming. And I won’t talk about the run… At least I finished sub 6 hours, and it was great seeing the other Tuffs out and having a great race! Note to self – before committing to another 70.3, I must ensure I put in more and better run training leading up to the race!’
Adrian
Some photos on flickr
Sue on the bike – right : Sue & Jenny
UPTON TRIATHLON
Upton on Severn in the Malvern Hills was the setting for a Multisport festival together with camping for the weekend. Our focus was on the standard distance Aquabike doubling as a world championship qualifier in Australia across a 1,500m swim and 40km bike. We had both Sue Simpson and Jenny Oliver competing (and doing very well) with Colin Simpson as cheerleader. First, Sue gives her thoughts on the race and then Jenny’s.
‘After not getting the result I needed at Windsor tri I decided to do the Upton standard aquabike also a qualifier for the 2025 worlds in Australia. A great event which had races across all disciplines, duathlon, triathlon, aquabike for sprint and standard. Jenny Oliver also decided to compete as well. Col and I camped a few days before so had a chance to recce the bike course. Race day weather was fair ,no rain and mild. Odd to do a Saturday race at lunchtime but the swim in the downstream river Severn went well in 25 mins.
We had to climb down ladders to get in and exiting onto a pontoon at the end was a sight for the spectators. All needed a helping hand and crawl across the pontoon…then a 10metre climb up a 20% ramp to run into transition. The bike was an out and back with 2 laps in the middle. The early part was lumpy the rest quite fast but with 2 x 10% short climbs thrown in on each lap. I was quite pleased with my bike and we had to enter transition and exit run out where our times were taken. Thanks to my mentor and coach..Colin…he informed me I was 2nd in age group but 1st qualifier, so Oz beckons. This was a great event and with the choice of races one that anyone could do.
Sue
‘One Thursday evening swim Sue Simpson turned up in a tri-suit. I asked her why and she said that she was practising for the Upton Aquabike. My interest was piqued because I had been considering trying Aquabike. I experience Exercise Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO) on more intense efforts such as running! I expressed an interest and I think that Sue immediately regretted mentioning the event as she was keen to qualify for the World Standard Aquabike Championships in Australia next year as Colin already has a spot. I realised that it would not really be cricket to take Sue’s spot and I really didn’t think there was any danger of that happening, but I did register my interest in qualifying “just in case”!
Adrian had the Eastbourne Middle Distance Triathlon on the following day and so didn’t feel like a day driving to near Birmingham and back, but he let me take the car. I went slightly wrong a couple of times on the way and hoped to do better navigating the course!
I arrived in good time and proceeded to register and rack. The first thing I noticed was that they didn’t mark our number on our hand so once the sticky labels provided were on the bike and helmet, and the race no on the race belt with the bike, there was no way to verify who went with which bike!
Expecting to be in wave 5, we were surprised to be told to rack in row 6.
I tried to recce the transition area and surroundings. The swim start was 1.5km up stream which had to be walked. We carried our wetsuits as there was a pleasant warmth to the air. It transpired that we would now be starting in Wave 6. We clad our wetsuits and put our belongings in a numbered bag that would be returned to the registration area.
The first challenge was to get into the water. the river bank was some metres above the water’s edge and we had to climb down steep ladders to the wobbly pontoon below. This wasn’t a good start as I tend to get rather dizzy in a long open water swim. We had been warned that the water would be cold. It was – very! In the water I called out, “Hey Sue, I’ve warmed up my wetsuit!”. The swimmer next to me turned and said “I’m not Sue, but thanks for sharing!”. It was difficult to hold our position behind the start line with the current as we waited for everyone to descend the ladders. Eventually we were off. I tried to maintain a moderate pace with long smooth strokes and to control my breathing. One mistake was that I should have moved further to the centre of the river to catch the maximum current, but even so the swim went quite quickly.
Arriving at a very deep pontoon we were bemused as to how to get out. A marshal gave me a hand but I still ended up like a beached whale trying to get my legs up and around to get to my feet. Not too dizzy I was able to climb the steep ramp and then run up the grassy bank and a fairly long way to enter the transition area, run to the far end and back down our row to my bike. A lot of running for an Aquabike! More mistakes as I wasted time putting on socks and gloves before wheeling my bike out of transition. Here started the first dead zone and I was not confident at all as to whether I was still on the clock or not. I asked a marshal if this was in the dead zone but they had no clue. Then Colin confirmed that it was and I relaxed briefly wheeling the bike out to a main road where the dead zone continued for some way to a safer area. Colin also indicated that Sue wasn’t far ahead.
Off on the bike, a lady who looked in our age group went storming past. I figured that it would not be possible to be back within 115% of her time and so thoughts of qualifying waned but I still wanted to give my best to the race. At one point I missed a turn because I was faffing with a drink and with the velcro on my gloves. My Garmin beeped “Off Course”. I was confused and was alone so I decided to turn around and quite quickly got back on the right track. The bike course was lovely through varied rural areas. Not too much climb but I did tend to drop off on the hills and be passed, only to catch up and pass again on the downhill and flats. I was hoping at some point to possibly catch up with Sue but I didn’t. Dismounting and walking through the final dead zone, I saw Sue waiting with Colin. The final burst was another run around the transition area, re-rack the bike and run-out over the final timing mat, so there was T1 and T2 for this Aquabike.
Sue and I then walked to the finish to get our medals. We did a token run over the finish line to have a photo taken and collected our goody bags.
Colin went to check our results. There was some confusion as our times were based on having started in Wave 5. But we had started 10 minutes later in Wave 6. Colin managed to sort it out eventually! Good job someone knew what they were doing!
Somehow the fast age-group lady must have slowed down because we did come in within the 115%. Colin reassured us both that we had qualified. I still can’t quite accept that until I see the Q on the BTF web-site.
Lesson learnt that I probably wasted a couple of minutes faffing with socks and gloves whereas Sue’s more polished transition got her round ahead.
If I inadvertently have qualified, then Adrian has agreed that we will make the trip to the land of my birth down under where I would do my best to “not be sh**”!
Jenny
Iris & Mike
THE OYSTERMAN TRIATHLON
Held close to Whitstable in Kent, the Oysterman is a sprint triathlon. Competitors swim 500m, but such is the tidal conditions that competitors are warned/instructed to train for a 750m swim. The 20k bike section took competitors through a mix of coastal and suburban roads and alongside green fields on a single loop lap. The 5km run was along the lawns of Tankerton Slopes along the coast. We had Mike Barrett and Iris Bennett taking part.
We have a great report from Iris, but it should be pointed out that unusually, competitors were graded into ten year age groups so the numbers in their age groups were considerable, which underlines how a 3rd and 5th position in their age groups are both great achievements.
Tankerton Slopes
‘We decided to enter the Whitstable Oysterman Triathlon as part of our Ironman Croatia 70.3 training as although it’s a short Tri (500m swim, 20km ride and 5km run) I need the sea swim practice! We also planned to meet some of Mike’s family who live locally but illness scuppered that plan a little. We headed to Whitstable on Saturday and did a short recce ride; if you think Sussex roads are bad for unevenness and pot holes, Whitstable is in a league of its own!! The recce prepared us for race day and what to expect!
Following dinner in a beautiful local restaurant and after a bottle of wine, the alarm was set for 5.45am!
The morning came quickly, we both really struggle to eat on race mornings and after a coffee and half a porridge pot we headed out. Despite being early, the sun was shining and the sky was blue, a distinct change from the previous few days in Sussex. We arrived having pre registered the day before and went straight into transition to rack the bikes, lay out kit and pull on the wetsuits. Race briefing done, it was time to head to the start of the swim. There were different waves but not rolling starts so my first experience of a mass start and with the current heading west to east we were given clear instructions to swim diagonally west to ensure we approach the buoy at the correct position to turn onto the back straight. Having watched the first wave largely try and fail to stay the correct side of the buoy, the pressure was on to get it right. We were already in the water to start and boom we are off. All was well until I found myself practically attached the said buoy along with maybe seven other swimmers who were all caught up. Feeling the ropes of the buoy and like a fish caught in a net I gave one big push (I think against someone else) to detangle myself from the chaos. Having escaped and about to panic I look behind to see the mass of other swimmers and decide I don’t have time to panic or I’ll get swallowed up in the crowd. Head down I start swimming, trying to keep calm and count, the current was carrying me a little so it was easy to get into a rhythm. Next turning point and now heading back to shore there was a notable difference and more strength was required to get anywhere and so with my focus on the exit point the final part of the swim was completed.
As I ran up the carpet I could see Mike already running up the hill being part of transition to the bike area. I expected to see him in transition but nope, he’d already gone. I take my wetsuit off and hear a couple of people mention the buoy saga and I make a comment before reminding myself it’s a race and I need to crack on! I’m changed and helmet on, grab the bike and run out of transition and onto the road. Mount the bike and off I go, bump, bump, bump this road is horrendous! I relax on the bike (on my new aero wheels, thanks Mike 🙂 ) and feel like I’m moving well. The bike course is pretty flat, nothing too strenuous and not much traffic to navigate. I am overtaking people and feeling good. I hydrate and take a gel and make sure I’m looking up to follow the Marshall’s and Road signs because it is usual for me to miss them!! At the turn point I’m feeling good and I approach the dismount feeling positive.
A quicker transition this time and I’m out on the run at a good pace. I start overtaking people and start singing “it’s a beautiful day hey hey” and wonder if I should be taking this more seriously. I wonder how far ahead Mike is and hope he was okay on the bike. I reach the 2km mark and see him on the return journey, we high five and I head out along the beach in the sunshine and think at least I’m not back in the sea almost drowning!! Mind engaged I try and make sure I’m still pushing and not just plodding and I see the turn point. This always gives me a lift and it’s a straight run back, until I realise that the finish is up the top which means there is a hill here somewhere that I’m going to have to climb! The point arrives and up I go, where I see Mike at the top (who has obviously finished) shouting come on Bee! I dig deep for the last few meters, always finish strong and am happy with how the race went. Medals earned, photos had and off we go to enjoy breakfast number 1. We compare Strava data and later the results. Mike did incredibly well coming 19th overall out of 259 and 3rd in his age category (90 seconds faster and he would have been 1st in age category). I came 87th overall and 5th in my age category although I’d have to be considerably quicker to be first! It’s great to race together and I know he’ll always be at the finish line (waiting for me)!!
Iris
ARTIC FOUNDATION TRI & PARA TRI FESTIVAL
Held on Saturday at Dorney Lake the venue included a para-tri GB triathlon, but the focus for a Tuff duo was on the Sprint Triathlon, also a European Sprint Triathlon qualifier held across 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. Both Stephen O’Donnell and Bob Rogers were in action starting in the same wave at 8:30am. There were further races on the Sunday where one of our potential new members Christine, (who has come along to track) also raced.
Stephen was in a competitive age group but did well on his comeback journey. However there was no doubt as to whether Bob would achieve a qualification target as he finished first in his age group. What underlines Bob’s dominance was that he crossed the finish line a hefty 12 minutes 43 over second place – very impressive.
A scenic race HQ about Putsborough Sands at Croyde Bay
CROYDE OCEAN TRIATHLON
The Croyde Ocean Triathlon is listed by 220 Magazine as one of the ‘top 21 must do’ triathlons across the Standard distance and is usually sold out. This year Adrian Willard travelled to Devon for a weekend away fitting in the relay event with a group of friends . Ade elected to tackle the bike leg around a tough course. Whilst the bike took over from Putsborough Sands the only way was up; climbing inland before heading down to Woolacombe before the final climb back to Croyde – a distance of 23 miles taking in 3,500ft of ascent. Good work
Sheila, Kate & Chums
5:30 BRIGHTON
Fancy a bonkers thing to do? Well Kate Evans and Sheila Bailey did, although they did get a t-shirt, medal and fruit breakfast as a reward for a 5k run; we’ll let Sheila explain why!
‘Do you fancy a run round the streets of Brighton at 5:30am in July? It will be fun they said! when you are setting your alarm for 3am the night before the “fun” event you start to regret your life choices!
4am the next morning I head over to Worthing to join the rest of the mad people heading off to Brighton, we have a laugh going over in the car about how mad we are especially one of the crew who only arrived home from holiday at midnight.
When we get there the atmosphere is really good, there are lots and lots of people in red 5.30am tshirts, trying to find any friends is virtually impossible as everyone is dressed the same.
The run was very enjoyable along the seafront to Hove lawns and back again, we had all been praying for the rain to hold off, but as we finished the heavens opened and literally dropped water from the sky for the next 25mins we were soaked to the skin.
Regardless of the weather we all had a great time, will we do again next year? Most probably, it’s like any event you forget pretty much straight away the pain of getting up at 3am 🙂
Sheila
ARDINGLY OPEN WATER SWIM
With thanks to Barry Davids, Tuff Fitty were invited to swim with Mid Sussex Tri Club during their Saturday morning training session. It proved to be a very successful and enjoyable swim, Thanks to Kate Cooper who has reported in. Inspired? don’t forget that we have a second visit scheduled in just over a week’s time (IMPORTANT – to register you will need to book on the Spond event before Wed 24th July at 5pm)
On Saturday morning half a dozen Tuffs took up Mid-Sussex tri’s kind invitation to join them at one of their regular Ardingly Reservoir swims. We have another invitation for Saturday 27th July and I can’t recommend it highly enough .
Leaving Worthing at 7am on a Saturday did feel a bit early, but is nothing for triathletes! The first challenge was getting to the car park, but once there, we were given a friendly welcome and a briefing. Essentially you swim round a 400m course as many times as you like (there is also a shorter 200m option). In my case this was until I was politely asked to get out! It is such a beautiful location and the water was refreshing and weed-free: it was a great way to start the weekend. Once out, we were offered pastries to refuel and then we were on our way! Sophie and Mark even followed the swim with a run, but if anyone wants to follow it with a ride next time, I have my trusty book!
Kate
LITTLEHAMPTON BEACH RUN
Fixture eight in the West Sussex Fun Run League is a circa 5mile run from Littlehampton Green. Despite being the Euro semi final there were 460 runners on the beach. Alistair Evans takes up the story:-
As part of the WSFRL Arunners host a beach run Littlehampton to East Preston. The event is unique to WSFRL as it is the only one run on a beach. It is an out and back course of about 5 miles along the sandy beach in Littlehampton, starting on East Green near Beach Crescent heading east on the beach towards Worthing.
The turning point is just past Pigeonhouse Lane, East Preston turning back along the sand to Littlehampton, finishing on the green. I decided to run this event at the very last minute deciding that it would be more fun running with soggy wet feet and into a strong westerly head wind than watch all of an England match. I arrived to register with just 20 minutes before race start.
On the Green 460 runners bustled around laughing and chatting finding their running club groups. It was a cool dry evening which was great but a very strong blustery breeze. The organisers keen to get things going on time herded us all to the start line, and then off we went circling the green, through a narrow path over the prom and down the shingle onto the beach. Very quickly the runners spread out along the beach enjoying having the wind behind them, this aided us all for a faster, strong and positive couple of miles. As this was my first beach run I initially tried to avoid the deep water areas but soon realised how futile that was. I was thinking this beach running is pretty easy until I saw the faces of runners now running towards me into the wind, heavy legs, heads down and determined grimaces. On my run back from East Preston into the wind all I could see was sand and hear runners puffing (mainly me) and the wind in my hair. Up over the shingle now accelerating feeling the end is in sight. Plenty of support and encouragement for the final push to the finish.
Tuff Fitty had 5 runners, mainly running for their running clubs Steve Fryer coming in 37:34 followed by Jay McCardle 40:00 then Kate Cooper 46:58 Al Evans 56:56 and Chris Evans 66:33 Great event, made the right decision as I got home in time for the second half and see the winning goal. Come on England!
Alistair
HOVE HORNETS STINGER
Fun Run League races seem to be like buses, all of a sudden they come at once – Sunday 14th was fixture 9; a 10k with a civilised 10am start time. Numbers were much lower for this race but there was still space for Kate Cooper finishing in the top third of female runners over a course deemed a challenging cross-country route over approx. 10km of the Downs with spectacular views, which includes hills, stiles and a varied terrain.
PARKRUN ROUND UP
Littlehampton parkrun saw Simon Grundy as our first member home – 19th overall in 19:50. Steve Bridgeman was next with a strong age grading. Chris Evans improved his time across four weeks achieving three consecutive PBs– congratulations. Also this is a fantastic opportunity to welcome Debbie Birch, our latest new member who was Race Director this week. Debbie then swam at our Saturday swim and promptly joined – fantastic. Also running .
At Worthing parkrun Paul Fielder achieved a new PB shaving 22 seconds off his previous best. Edward Lay was our next Tuff home. Phil Turner notched up his 115th parkrun
Bognor Regis parkrun saw Clive Harvey run around Hotham Park
Alistair Evans tackled the undulating Downland course of Bevendean Down parkrun, the second consecutive week of a Tuff presence.
Black Park parkrun is held in Slough for a one lapper around Black Park Country park and was attended by Trevor Harvey
The furthest tourism this week was at Worcester Pitchcroft parkrun held around the perimeter of Worcester Racecourse. Colin Simpson ran here collecting another different parkrun location – Colin’s 80th different one amongst his total of 267
Well done to all 11
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
This week’s shot is from Wednesday evening’s Strength and conditioning session. Starting at 6:30pm on the running track at Worthing Leisure Centre, it is open to all Tuffs free of charge. The half hour session runs until our regular track coached session (fee applies) at 7pm. Attendees are welcome to attend both sessions, just the S & C or just the track. Strength and conditioning is proving another popular fixture in Tuff Fitty’s training diary. (This photo was on the same day as England’s semi final football win). Tuffs attended and still got home for the second half- whilst every football pitch was totally deserted.
NEW DAUGHTER
We extend our congratulations to Andy Crawford and his wife Ellie on the arrival of a daughter weighing 8lb 2oz. A sister for Fin, mother and baby are stated to be doing fine and Andy is bearing up! We wish the enlarged family every health and happiness.
