Weekend Round Up 1st -2nd May
Group training is picking up very well as permitted, and Tuffs have been keen to seek out the early Covid return to race events, so plenty to report already as follows:-
TUFF FITTY SWIMMING
Tuff Fitty have now completed a month of swimming at Arundel Lido to take advantage of the ability for groups to swim in outdoor pools. Thanks to all our members and coaches who have made the sessions so successful in the nice surroundings of the Lido, with the castle as backdrop, whilst in toasty 28.3 degrees water. The open air and wide surrounding area makes this as Covid friendly as we can get. Tuff Fitty had been keeping watch on plans for the Governments Roadmap 3 and how this would affect our return to Littlehampton Wave. The Wave have advised that they are taking a measured approach to building their activities back up to the point where it is unlikely that Tuff Fitty can return in the short term.
The Lido is therefore confirmed to continue our two hour evening slots on Friday’s and Sunday’s at least through until Roadmap stagepost 4 on the 21st June and we hope to secure bookings after that to hold some of our traditional members races/BBQ if such events are permissible. Whilst aware the Arundel location is further for some, many members have stated they much prefer swimming outdoors, and the showers are available for use again. Swimmers will have noticed that following our coaches ‘back to water schedules’ the coaching has built to the point where all of the first hour each day is fully coached – sessions which have been receiving great reviews. Your committee are keeping abreast of developments reference our partner swim venues to ensure our group swimming, can continue uninterrupted.
TRACK NIGHT
Holding a weekly running track session has always been a significant part of Tuff Fitty’s structured training. Since our return on the 31st March the attendance levels have been very impressive. The upside of this is that following the warm up and drills, there are plenty of different speed groups for runners to be part of making the sessions equally applicable for all, regardless of ability. Excellent value at £2 (it is suggested you bring a drinks bottle for trackside) and coaches Andy & Dave look forward to seeing you.
BTF AREA COACHING COORDINATOR
We are pleased to announce that Clive Patterson-Lett, one of our Level II coaches, applied for, and was successful, in being appointed to the South East regional committee as Area Coaching Co-ordinator for all 45 affiliated BTF clubs in our region. He sees his role as improving the provision for coaches and communication within our region. With so many of Tuff Fitty’s own coaches ‘home grown’ it is pleasing how our club has the structure to enable coaches to develop their skills, as demonstrated here. As the region moves out of the pandemic, Clive will no doubt have a busy time helping to match the regions coaches to available resources. We wish him every success in his new role.
For clarity Andy Ward remains our Coaching Co-ordinator for Tuff Fitty and should be the first contact for ideas and questions about our own swim bike and run activities; he is always pleased to hear from you. If this article has stirred thoughts of your own in starting a coaching pathway, Tuff Fitty is pleased to support coaches through their qualifications if we get pay-back in terms of time delivered coaching. Please contact Andy for further details.
BLUEBELL 10 MILE / 10K TRAIL RUN
Staged by our friends at Raw Energy Pursuits the Bluebell 10mile/10k race had been postponed from last year so was oversubscribed. Runners were fed through a starting pen, then competitors were started in small groups meaning social distancing was maintained. The whole start system was very civilised, and even the loos didn’t build up a queue! Despite the Covid layoff there were some strong performances from Team Tuff. Jon Babbage was first Tuff home in the 10 mile race in a time of 1:08:10 – 12th Overall. Adrian Oliver, was next Tuff home, with Clare Worgan, Michael Redgrave, Katie Goddard and Shelley Babbage completing the contingent. In the 10k Chris Sloggett was first Tuff home in 15th place in 48:17 followed in 19th place by Oliver Thomas in 49:02, two strong performances over undulating trail terrain. The good news didn’t end there with Malcolm Brown 24th, Catharine Western and Allyson Morris completing the 11 Tuff runners. All runners were able to download their own photos courtesy of REP & Sussex Sport Photography and our banner shot this week is one of Sussex Sport’s snaps showing Chris Sloggett striding along in club vest and first Tuff home in the 10k
Some of the Tuff contingent shared their experience of the morning :-
“Having only raced once in 2020 (TF Frosty), missing 2 events due to injury, I was determined not let this opportunity pass – to prove to myself that I was past injury and COVID-19 vaccinations”.
“As always, all these events are fantastically well run, staffed by ever friendly stewards (most were local Tuffs heros), and fun. Although start times were allocated in this staggered start, it was a matter of turn-up-and-run”.
“Once again it was a beautiful sunny morning – cool, but perfect temperature and slight Northerly wind. The well signed route (despite locals trying their best to disrupt proceedings by removing the signs) was familiar to those TF regulars to the Monday evening Fox Run. Although I was tempted to go & pose with the triangulation post, I did not fancy being arrested for taking a selfie while inappropriately kissing the item in front of an audience…leave that to Paul...”
“Despite being a staggered race, it was fun seeing a variety of abilities out – those like Emma Macready flying past everyone, to those only interested in photographing the Bluebells..”.
“Before long, the final hill up to the Fox confronted us, finishing the race in the Fox pub garden. Once again the TF stewards were out in force directing, timing, and handing the collectors 2020 Bluebell race medal designed by our very own Stew Smith. My time of 1:27 for 10 miles was neither terrible or amazing – but I completed it! Bring on the next event’s!”
Adrian
“This was my first time doing the 10 mile run and I have to say it was fantastic. It was so well organised, instructions were clear from the start. Setting off in groups of 6 was brilliant. The marshals were amazing. So nice to see other Tuff’s. Beautiful run. Looking forward to Dawn on the Downs. Thank you to REP and to all the marshals”
Shelley
“It was an interesting event. Very different from previous years, but having the rolling start meant no hanging around at the start. It was a great route and although the bluebells were being a bit shy it was sunny and not too windy. Knowing that the last 3km were all downhill, if you forget about the hill back up to the Fox, you can really go for it. I surprised myself with a time that was respectable despite a lack of training and a few extra lockdown pounds. Really well organised as you would expect from the tuff team”.
Chris
There was great work from our own Debbie Boxall who was REP’s event manager and hat’s off to Jon Roper who was out the previous afternoon and all race morning cycling the route, setting up the signage, replacing the markers torn down, covering over 60 miles, impressive on his MTB. Further Tuffs at Race control included Tiff Orton, Trevor Harvey, Glenn Parisi, Andy Ward, Jane Custance, Marc Rice & Clive Harvey. One lady (not a Tuff) crossed the line and was really screaming loudly, “argh an actual medal, and it’s not in the post!” such was the emotion she demonstrated in that the ‘Race scene’ is back after so long. Well done to everyone.
BEDFORD AUTODROME DUATHLON
A report reaches us from Stephen O’Donnell from a race he completed in April, which served as the Sprint Duathlon World Championship 2022 Qualifier. The location was Thurleigh Airfield on the autodrome circuit, so it was traffic free for both the run and cycle with transition in the pit lane. Stephen reports:-
“I was the first runner off in wave two at 10:03:50 with everyone crossing the line in a staggered start. Whilst it was a nice sunny day, it was very windy with a temperature of just 5 degrees. Unsurprisingly as a qualifier, it was a well attended event with four separate waves containing about 250 competitors in each. It was a sprint race so 5.4km run, 23km for the bike and2.6k run for some odd reason. I have been using my time at the Wednesday track sessions to work on my run as I felt I was off the pace, but finished 9th in my age group.
Stephen.
ASHRIDGE DUATHLON
At Berkhamsted on the Ashridge estate in the Chilterns, Saturday 1st May saw a World Standard Champs qualifier. Having raced the Sprint distance qualifier just a couple of weeks earlier at Bedford – see above, Stephen O’Donnell was back in action again in a 10k/39k/5k Duathlon. Stephen stated:-
“Ashridge Standard duathlon ran today started at 0830 with a staggered 2m start by all participants. Cold in the morning but ok weather about 10C by race time. Trail run for 10km 4 laps followed by 3 x 13km bike laps including a 14% climb. Poor road surface and lots of speed bumps meant i went for a slower but safer road bike with 28mm tyres. Very tough competition again came 11th should be enough to qualify by roll down as the guy who got first place wasn’t registered 😁 result but beaten by Mark York again. Started to rain 15 mins after the end of the race”
Stephen
GOODWOOD RACES – Run Through Events
There has been particularly strong attendance from club members cycling around the Goodwood Motor Circuits track recently, but the 25th April was the turn of the runners. Various distances from a 5k – 1 lap, through to 5 laps for the half marathon and 11 for the marathon. To be Covid friendly the 10k was set off in two waves – amongst the runners was Kev Pearson. One of our coaches proving he can still match his words of wisdom with delivering on track with a strong time crossing the line 6th in his age group. Also running was Pete Littleboy. Pete produced a great performance in a ‘Goodwood sandwich’ as he had cycled the track days at Goodwood on the Sundays either side of his run and reports as follows:-
I arrived at Goodwood racetrack for the HM distance of 13.2miles which is 5 laps but it was busy with others competitors doing marathon distance 20milers 10k 5k all on the track, but in a Covid safe environment. As we set off in pairs with the sun shining for an out and back loop before starting the 5laps it became apparent the gusts of wind were building. This felt like an hurricane later in the race so it wasn’t going to be a PB day, but still very enjoyable with helpful & encouraging people/marshals, and a fun atmosphere. I was happy with a chip time of 1:34:05 as it was great to race again and pick up some bling and cloth and a good recovery pack.
Pete
