Weekend Round Up 28th 29th July
Our hot summer came to a dramatic end this weekend with lots of rain, but being Tuffs, there continued to be a variety of members out. Not least of these were the 28 at Arundel Lido for our latest Club race and barbecue. This event has received a separate post although the above photo shows some members after they crossed the finish line. The weekend highlight goes to Phil Baker where he tamed The Outlaw Full 140.6 distance Triathlon. Phil has produced a great heartfelt report, which,as a riveting read, deserves its own post:-
Before we launch into the race reports, it it time to turn the spotlight onto our twice weekly coached pool swims held at Littlehampton Pool. Whilst anyone can nip to their sports club or swimming pool to plough up and down; don’t forget the structured sessions that our Tuff Fitty coaches stage. They put a lot of effort into planning the sets for us all to follow and these are ‘periodised’ according to the different times of the year and requirements of the race season. Thursday was a particularly popular set; very topical staged as the Tour de France was heading to its conclusion. As Paul Howie teased out the set, he explained “Thursday’s set will celebrate stage 17 of the Tour de France. Moto GP style grid starts & 3 tough mountains to climb. Good news is it’s only a short 65k (ok minutes). It proved to be very popular (if tough) session. Have you tried the Thursday/Saturday Tuff swim sessions for a while? come and try.
PRUDENTIAL RIDE LONDON
Once again there were several disappointed Tuffs who did not get past the ballot into the event this year, which is billed as the world’s greatest festival of cycling. It had more than 100,000 cyclists participating during the weekend in & around London. Before you read Claire Moyle’s account of her ride; please note that the ballot for the 2019 event being held over the weekend of 3-4th August 2019 will open on Monday 6th August Click here
“After a few quiet weeks off due to Duke of Edinburgh commitments I was back in action and this time it was the 100 mile ride on closed roads around London and the Surrey hills. Well I know we wanted rain but….. Not on Sunday.
The day started at 7am and as I cycled to the start it was dry but incredibly windy. I arrived in good time and went to the start funnel and the rain started and continued for the whole day. At points it did ease off, but mostly it was pelting down and bouncing off the pavements. Everybody was exceptionally cheery despite the rain, and soon I was off on the lovely closed roads which were mainly pothole free. The first part of the ride is flat and fast and I was only slowed down by the gusting wind and the huge puddles that were forming on the roads. Richmond park was tough as the wind blew across the open space and caused a few incidents, but it didn’t slow me up and I rode on until the first hold up which was at Leigh hill. Due to the weather conditions there were many accidents on both Leigh and Box hill and I was diverted off the course which meant there were further hold ups through Dorking and Leatherhead. Once through this I picked the pace up again and was pleased to get up Wimbledon hill and onto the home straight. Despite the hold ups I completed the tide in a good time of 6hrs 45 mins.
The worst conditions I have ever ridden in but was still great fun.”
Claire
MIDNIGHT MARATHON
Just a quick one this week about the Midnight Marathon. Starting at 9.00pm sat eve from QECP the route is an out and back to Cocking along the Southdowns Way. Lots of feed stations , a race director like Basil Fawlty and lots of crazy people coming out at night to support. About 240 runners took part but this year I think I was the only Tuff. A few other friends did it as well. The start looked like it was going to be wet but there were just a few spots of rain. The first hill is 20 metres after the start line and the route includes Harting Down, Cocking and another big hill somewhere in the middle of these. The dark is disorientating even when you know the route. The feed stops were stocked with lots of fruit, sweet and savoury snacks. Great medal, and tee shirt and hot food at the finish, Whats not to like. I would definitely recommend this event as something a bit different to the normal marathons around
Jason
FORT WILLIAM MARATHON
Linda Wright has been in action again undertaking another marathon; this time the Fort William Marathon. The race is a challenging multi-terrain route taking in the sights of Fort William, including Ben Nevis, Thomas Telford’s Caledonian Canal and Neptune’s Staircase, The Commando Memorial, General Wade’s High Bridge and the old railway viaduct. An undulating course – congratulations Linda
SEVEN STILES FUN RUN LEAGUE
A race taking in some of the courses from Henfield Leisure Centre many Tuff’s have raced at other events. This one is part of the Fun Run league taking in part of the Downs Link and river trail over a 4 mile course and, oh of course; seven stiles. Taking part wearing their running club vests were Neil Rabone, (32:12), Tony Pearce & Elaine Rousseau
PARK RUN
At Worthing Park Run Danny Cunnett was first Tuff home in 21:04. Roy Barraclough, Jay McCardle, Amanda de Ridder, & Antony Oliver ran. There were two notable other attendees; Francis Blake, one of our newer members, clocked up his third Worthing Park pushing his PB down each time and congratulations to Cathy Oliver who has now clocked up her 50th Park Run. Up At Bushey Park Run; Kirsty Keith was in action again racking up her 64th race. Closer to home Jason Rae ran at Bognor Park Run, prior to heading off later in the evening for his midnight marathon.
