Weekend Round Up week ending 23rd May

The race scene is picking up, and Tuff Fitty’s scheduled training sessions are seeing high levels of attendance. Whilst it is fantastic to see so many smiling faces, we are fully aware that several of our members are still, or just starting to finish a period of isolation. This is a useful time to explain we wish to help and support anyone looking to ease back into training. Please contact one of the committee or coaches, we can add you onto the track and trace for the Lido swims if anyone wishes to come and look and see how the sessions are run. Equally our Track sessions can be an ideal comeback because as Tuffs run round and round, no one is left behind, regardless of fitness levels. Anyone looking to ease back into group training, do please feel able to reach out with any questions or concerns.

THE THREE FORTS CHALLENGE

Whilst many races had been staged ‘virtually,’ The Three Forts Weekend had a different twist. Some runners could run either the full marathon or half Marathon ‘actually’ yet other runners could participate ‘virtually’. Indeed the virtual run is still open if runners are inspired! A local start from Hill Barn in Worthing but from there the course earns its title of ‘The Tough One’. taking  3450 ft of climb with stiles and rough tracks underfoot out as far as Devil’s Dyke for the marathon. The half is not for the fainthearted as that covers 1,450ft of climbing out to Steyning Bowl – banner photo.

In the Half Marathon Chris Sloggett took part and he ran to support one of his friends from Henfield Joggers at a slower pace than he is accustomed as he was trying to nurse the tendinitis in his knee. However he did advise “It was a good day for it though. Not hot or too windy, and useful to rebuild the strength in my knee” . Leah Simms was also on the start line. Leah reported that she took it easy as she was using this as a training run for her forthcoming 70.3. She was frustrated that despite this, she took a tumble and cut her knee. She still finished and pleasing to report she is back training.

James Togneri also undertook the half, reporting “What an awesome event ! I did the half Marathon.  I absolutely loved it, the course is just brilliant lots of hills ,downhills and great views . All competitors were lovely and it was very well organised. I ran a half marathon PB and felt great all the way around. I can’t wait to do a flat course”  

James

In the premier event – the marathon, Jason Rae ran, and sent us his thoughts.

“I ran the route this year with a friend  as number 14 of our 52 weekly marathons for a year challenge. This started in Feb as I slowly regained an interest in running whilst the golf courses were shut during lockdown 2 , and now my weekly schedule is based on getting a 26 mile run in. I think we have covered most footpaths in our local area and still never repeated a run route twice”.

“It was great to be running with others again and there was def a positive buzz as runners passed each other. The first hour was rainy  then it seemed to clear which just left a strong headwind on the way back from the turn point at the Dyke”.

“I saw a few tuffs running the marathon- Jay Mccardle and Linda Wright. Alex Webb was out on his Gravel bike so it was a welcome rest to have a chat for a few mins before the last hill climb, then back down to the finish.

Jason

QE HALF MARATHON

Held in the Queen Elizabeth Country Park south of Petersfield, Tiff Orton & Debbie Boxall took on the half marathon challenge where the race info pointed out that there were ‘some hilly challenges that will take you on a journey of over 500 metres of elevation gain’. Tiff reported in:-

“Weather; it May rain, it May be sunny 🌞

Having completed Second Wind Running events before,  Debbie and I signed up straight away knowing how good the bling is!

A beautiful trail half marathon through the Park into woods and it looked so green after all the recent rain. Conditions under foot were more familiarly found in winter but a great day out, fantastic medal and fab goodie bag. An event we would definitely recommend”.

Tiff

PULBOROUGH VINEYARDS RUN

Another event delayed from 2020 which was then further delayed once again to get past Roadmap 3 restrictions. Jon Roper takes up the story of this trail run starting from Nutbourne Vineyards which packed 3 stiles & hills into each lap:_

“A 2.5k lapped event, 3 hour limit as many laps as you want. 3 Tuffs took up the challenge (thanks to Trev for his number as he was away, hope I didn’t embarrass him too much with my hungover time!), Chairman Clive, Grumpy Glenn and myself. Good medal, coffee and cake (in fact 3 slices of cake each!). Weather was better than anticipated. Would be a fab event if we could get a whole heap of Tuffs doing it! Would definitely do it again. (next one Sun 3rd October)”

Jon