Blog
Stragglers Triathlon Club Blog – June 2013
As we move into the warmer months open water swimming is now in full swing at Shepperton. The water has now warmed up so please make every effort to attend this picturesque venue each Wednesday evening. Remember if you do not want to swim you can go for a run around the lake or enjoy a chat and cup of tea. It costs £5 to swim and if you do not own a wetsuit they can be hired for £5 per session.
Please explore their web site below.
http://www.sheppertonopenwaterswim.co.uk
Club swimming at the Kingfisher Pool finished at the end of April; however those of you who still want to continue swimming indoors on a Friday evening Michelle & Barbara have booked a lane. If you want to attend please respond to Michelle’s E mail which is sent out each week to enjoy the session.
The weather has now got warmer so we will be arranging the usual monthly Sunday cycling sessions in Richmond Park including the all-important social coffee stop in the Roehampton car park café. It does appear that due to the increased popularity of cycling Richmond Park is becoming very busy but it is still a great place to test your fitness and improve your bike handling skills.
Lots of club members swim, cycle and run at different times throughout the week. If you are looking for a buddy just let us know.
Please continue to support the following events – The Thames Turbo sprint triathlons on the summer (Aug) bank holidays. The Thorpe Sprint Triathlon on 21st July – please see the link below for more information and to enter.
http://www.thetriproject.co.uk/casestudies/view/thorpe-sprint-southeast-series-2012
Events
Well done to Vaughan Howells for entering and achieving an excellent time in the Dorney Open Water Triathlon and to Steve Daly for completing his first triathlon in the UK at the Thames Turbo sprint series in May.
We met up with Steve and his brother at Club La Santa in Lanzarote earlier in the year, Steve is definitely going to be one to watch when he’s got a wetsuit on.
As newsletter editorials are not my forte, could you please send me word documents of any of your races, times, photos, other achievements etc. and I can paste them into the blog for everyone to read. Don’t be shy, we all love hearing what everyone been up to
The Jubilee Swim 02/06/13 – Theresa, Jane, Michelle & Nigel
This was a 10km swim from Maidenhead to Eton split into 4 distances;
1.9km – Nigel; 3.5km – Theresa; 2.6km – Jane; 1.5km – Michelle
The event takes place in a manmade relief river channel which helps to stop the Thames from flooding in the local area. It’s just like swimming in a river but without the current. Along the whole length of the channel are running and cycle paths so spectators were able to follow the event as it unfolded. Water was cold but every team member had a fantastic swim and we were ably supported by Jane’s husband Paul who had cycled to the event from home. The sun shone periodically but it did not rain. Happy faces and good time had by all .The bacon roll and cups of tea at the end was well worth the wait.
Stragglers Tri Team – What a handsome bunch Theresa and Jane happy “before” their swim.
Michelle on exit “no one’s having my medal! Guess who !!
Theresa’s Half Ironman – June 9th 2013
Apologies for using the newsletter for a bit of our own trumpet blowing or should I say Theresa’s.
After a year of bereavements, injury, accidents and everything else that could be thrown at us, Theresa completed very successfully her Half Ironman 2013 yesterday.
1.9K swim
90K Bike
21K Run
Total time : 7hrs 10 mins.
Brilliant job well done, great time and she won the Ladies Over “50” prize as well.
Although being promised sunshine, surprise surprise – cold, cloudy and overcast all day with horrible wind. The organiser announced in the morning that the water had dropped a degree in temperature overnight – yippee!! Although she had her lovely Stragglers Tri top on, she had to complete the bike wearing a thick long sleeved cycle jacket. The run was advertised as “challenging” and multi terrain – what they really meant was hilly on flint paths – Yuk!
Anyway a great day, I was able to spectate wearing my and Theresa’s clothes to try and keep warm – lots of photos taken and shouts of support. Standing outside the pub with hot coffee and bacon sandwiches.
General
At present we cannot update our Stragglers flikr account due to technical problems and it will be updated asap.
Well done to all those who have learnt to swim front crawl, ride road bikes, ventured into open water, entered races or just met up for social rides,runs,swims with us and of course all the supporters. Long may it continue.
Here are a few more pictures that have been sent;
Pictures from the first (Easter) Thames Turbo Race Andy, Mary, & Vaughan.
Go Andy Go Mary looking good Vaughan quick out on the bike
Stragglers together during a great day ride to Windsor organised by Graham
Remember the coaches Theresa, Nigel, Lauren, Michelle, and Sue are here to help you the members,
so please support them at the training sessions and social gatherings.
The Coaching Team.
STRAGGLERS TRIATHLON MAR – APR 2013
The month of March started with the Triathlon Show at Sandown Race Course where many a bargain was sought and purchased. Congratulations to Peter Litherland who on 2nd March completed the Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco, USA. This is a tough event which starts with a sea swim from the island to the mainland where the pain continues and Peter came in with a time of 3hrs 45mins – great result, well done.
We have now entered the start of the competition season in the UK with the first event of the Thames Turbo series of races. The event was held on Easter Monday in artic conditions with 3 hardy members taking part – Mary, Andy and Vaughan. Here are their times;
Vaughan 1hr 20min 40secs
Andy 1hr 25min 34secs
Mary 1hr 34min 45secs – first ever triathlon – well done!
Swimming at the Kingfisher pool in Kingston on a Friday evening continues until the end of April when we hope to start open water swimming at the Shepperton venue as per last year. There have been dramatic improvements in everyone’s technique and fitness and we look forward to continuing to develop this during the open water season between May and September. Please explore their web site below;
http://www.sheppertonopenwaterswim.co.uk/
Looking ahead we hope to organise a training day which will include items such as fixing a puncture and the various rules regarding drafting and transition training etc. We are looking to organise the session at a venue locally and will let you know in the near future – a small fee to cover the rental cost will be requested but as you know we will keep this to a minimum.
The weather has not been kind to us recently but on Easter Sunday several members enjoyed a very cold cycle to Windsor. The route was organised by Graham and included a coffee stop in Windsor itself and lunch in the café at the Magna Carta site in Runnymede where Graham had been present in 1215 to sign some sort of document. Well done to Richard for ‘hanging on in there’ to complete the cycling – a great effort! I think most of us covered over 40 miles and a great day was had.
When it gets warmer we will be arranging a cycling session in Richmond Park including the all-important social coffee stop in the Roehampton car park café. As always the ethos of the club is based on inclusion, fun, and hopefully whatever your aspirations are you feel welcome within a supportive environment.
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Please continue to support the following events – The Thames Turbo sprint triathlons on the Spring (May), and Summer (Aug) bank holidays. The Thorpe Sprint Triathlon on 21st July.
Remember the coaches we now have (Theresa, Nigel, Lauren, Michelle, and Sue) are here to help you the members so please support them at the training sessions particularly swimming at the Kingfisher Pool in Kingston.
The Coaching Team.
STRAGGLERS TRIATHLON JAN – FEB 2013
The year started with a social get together at the Park Hotel in Teddington. We discussed individual goals and what members wanted from the club. Most members wanted to take part in a local triathlon and attend a training day which would include items such as fixing a puncture and the various rules regarding drafting and transition training etc. We hope to set this up prior to the competitive season starting in the Spring. The weather has not been kind to us recently but it is hoped to arrange a cycling session in Richmond Park including the all-important social coffee stop in the Roehampton car park café. As previously stated the ethos of the club is based on inclusion, fun, and hopefully whatever your aspirations are you feel welcome within a supportive environment.
Swimming at the Kingfisher pool in Kingston on a Friday evening continues and I encourage all members to attend as frequently as possible. There have been dramatic improvements in technique and fitness and I congratulate the following members who have improved since the last time trial in December – Emma, Andy, Vaughan, Jane, and Steve.
We welcome the following Stragglers who have joined the triathlon community in the last few months – Richard Steeden, Mary Hyde, Suzanne Tracey, John Sawyer, and Chanda Hawkins.
The next major event on the calendar is the Triathlon Show at Sandown Race Course 1st – 3rd March. It’s free entry on the Friday (Tickets via the web site http://www.triathlonshow.co.uk/ ) or £9 for the weekend. There are plenty of bargains to be purchased from wetsuits to bicycles.
Please also support the following events – The Thames Turbo sprint triathlons on the Easter, Spring, and Summer bank holidays. The Thorpe Sprint Triathlon on 21st July.
Remember the coaches we now have (Theresa, Nigel, Lauren, Michelle, and Sue) are here to help you the members so please support them at the training sessions particularly swimming at the Kingfisher Pool in Kingston.
The Coaching Team.
STRAGGLERS TRIATHLON - THE FIRST YEAR
It is now 12 months since the club’s first swim session at the Kingfisher Pool in Kingston. We started with 9 members on that first night and we now have 48. Those who attended that swim session included Andrea, Sue (Login), Barbara, Jane, Jan, Roy, Tricia, Peter, and Mandy. It’s great to say that they all continue to be members and attend the sessions on a regular basis. Two of them – Andrea & Sue, are now level 1 Triathlon coaches. During the next few weeks membership took off and the swim sessions continued into April. Lauren & Michelle haves also passed their Level 1 qualification and we now have 5 coaches in the Coaching Team. Regular cycling days were also arranged with sessions at the Minet Park track in Hillingdon and Sunday rides in Richmond Park. A key element included the all-important social coffee stop in the Roehampton car park café. The ethos of the club is based on inclusion and fun, hopefully whatever your aspirations are you feel welcome within a supportive environment. During the Summer members enjoyed the open water swimming experience at Shepperton Lake which was a great success. In August we enjoyed a training /fun day at the BT Olympic site in Hyde Park. Swimming has again started at the Kingfisher Pool and will continue into the New Year. Two teams entered the Jubilee 10km swim from Maidenhead to Eton which was another great success.
Many members have now competed in their first triathlon and I would encourage all members to consider competing in the Hampton Pool series of sprint triathlons run by Thames Turbo, that take place on the various bank holidays throughout the Spring and Summer. A Stragglers Triathlon suit was designed and purchased by several members, and in the New Year we will be arranging for more suits to be ordered. Members also participated in events from Boscombe to Bexhill, to Blenheim, Deal, Windsor, and Kempton Park (Duathlon). Remember if you join Triathlon England via the Stragglers web site the club receives £5. This will also enable you to obtain membership discounts at most of the events you are considering entering.
I would also like to thank the Stragglers committee who gave permission for the triathlon community to be part of the club. They have supported us financially when we initially registered with British Triathlon and continue to do so.
Remember the coaches we now have (Theresa, Nigel, Lauren, Michelle, and Sue) are here to help you the members so please support them at the training sessions particularly swimming at the Kingfisher Pool in Kingston.
Have a great Christmas and New Year and see you all soon,
The Coaching Team.
JULY - AUGUST UPDATE
OPEN WATER SWIMMING AT SHEPPERTON
Swimming on a Wednesday evening (6pm onwards) has continued throughout the Summer at Shepperton. Members have braved the weather to enjoy this fantastic location and facility. The owners have organised 2 time trial events which have been electronically timed and have organised a BBQ afterwards. There is another time trial in September. There is no pressure to swim long distances and all swimmers are able to get used to the conditions in a pressure free environment. Coaches are there to help you in any way we can, please just shout or drop us an email if you need any help.
Even if you do not want to swim members are encouraged to visit the venue on a Wednesday for a social chat over a cup of tea with biscuits and enjoy the location.
CYCLING
Due to the Olympics and holiday cycling on a Sunday will again become a monthly meet at the Roehampton car park in Richmond Park at 10am. This is an ideal opportunity to hone and develop your bike skills in a relatively safe environment with a social in the café afterwards as well. Please also consider attending the Prime Coaching day in September which takes place at the Minet Park circuit in Hillingdon.
TRIATHLON EVENTS
More of our 'tri suits' will be seen on Bank Holiday Monday(27th) with members taking part in the Thames Turbo series. The race starts at 7am and I would urge as many as possible attend this event to give them support. These events are great for anyone contemplating their first triathlon.
Congratulations to Peter who completed the Blenheim Triathlon in June and the Windsor Triathlon – both at the full Olympic distance.
BOSCOMBE TRIATHLON July 21st by Graham Mortimer
Mandy, Neville, Kirrin, Crispin a nd Myself competed in the first Boscombe Triathlon on July 21st. We all opted to do the super sprint distance, which meant two lapse on the swim, bike and the run.
We were blessed with sun, sun and more sun, a little wind; nothing to worry about and a relatively calm sea.
As there were only around 200 competitors we felt, well Mandy and myself, felt that there would be some first timers to the world of triathlons and we would hopefully finish not too close the last competitor! How wrong were we.
The sea swim started as a mass start on the beach and by the time we actually started swimming, Mandy, Myself and Crispin found us at the back of the pack. We kept a steady pace at start and by the time we reached the 250 meter mark, we had been overtaken by the first swimmer, rounding the marker boy, we were confronted with so many swimmers about to lap us it was a bit of a surprise, we did not know which side of the hungry pack to pass, they were all over the place. By the time we were on our second lap, we felt very lonely, there were some other slow swimmers but most had left the water by the time we went around the marker boy.
I finished the swim with Mandy and whilst getting ready, I managed to put my top on back to front and had difficulties putting my socks on, so Mandy left me in transition, by myself.
The cycle started going up a very steep hill, fortunate a short one and we soon got onto the top with great views of the coast line. the first cyclists were finishing the cycling by the time we got up to the top! Not many competitors in front of me, but enough to try and catch them up, well that was a joke. I did manage to overtake a couple but was often overtaken by some that made me look like as though I was on a casual cycle ride. Neville and Crispin were well in front of us. with Kirrin, Mandy and myself holding up the rear guard.
The run was along the beach promenade, nice and flat running alongside some of the competitors made it easier, until we realised that they were finishing and we had just started.
My legs were just knackered and as much as I tried to will them to go faster they did not respond, surprise, surprise as the swim took a lot out of me. Anyway the run was only the same distance as the Bushy Park run. By the time us three Muskateers finished the first lap, the two speedos had finish the race. Us three finished the run quite close and were elated when we did.
The event was well organised and we were blessed with perfect conditions.
And guess what both Mandy and Graham are competing in their second Boscombe triathlon on 19th August. Results to follow.
BEXHILL TRIATHLON – 17th June
Mandy and Jan competed in this event at Bexhill. Please see the photos on the gallery on our Stragglers club web site – look out for Graham Norton!
DEAL 1KM SEA SWIM – 22nd July
Nigel, Theresa, Julie and Trish ventured down to Deal in the wilds of Kent for this event. The swim was with the current from outside the boat club towards the pier where the exit point was. The worst part was the walk to the sea edge over the stones. There were about 30 entrants and the event appeared to be over in a flash as we swam with the current. Nigel missed the exit point by a few metres and was carried off under the pier where he finally exited (I was blown off course by the wind!) Refreshments were then taken in this resort that time has left behind in the smallest café in town. Fortunately the weather was great and a fun time was had by the seaside. I think we all had personal bests for the distance swam due to the strong current. See the photo of the four of us on the gallery.
BT LIVE TRIATHLON EVENT IN HYDE PARK – August 9th
Ten of our members attended this Olympic event in Hyde Park. We met at The Roehampton cafe in Richmond Park and cycled to Hyde Park through Kensington. I have never been stopped by so many traffic lights! We eventually arrived just before 11am and had a coffee prior to entering the site. We were met by British Triathlon staff and made our way to their stand. This consisted of an endless pool, static bike and running machine – we were not their just for the picnic! Everyone took turns on each apparatus and all entered into the spirit of getting knackered. The endless pool was new to everyone but all said that they enjoyed the experience. A competition was held with each team consisting of 3 members where all had to run, cycle and swim as hard as possible which was dependant on the swimmer fighting the current until no more – still cannot figure out which team actually won. Anyway a great experience. We then enjoyed lunch at the venue and watched Kerry Payne in the 10km swim on one of the large screens. After that it was back to Richmond Park for a coffee via traffic light alley and level crossing lock in (Stuck for 20mins between 2 sets of gates at Barnes). Many thanks to the following members who helped to make this a great day out – Mandy, Julie, Ray, Ann, Andy, Emma, Graham, Jane, Sue, and Vaughan. See pictures on the gallery.
General
We are still as ever keen to sign up new members, so if you know any "Stragglers" who may be interested please get them signed up, it costs nothing.
If anyone would like any coaching, help or advice with swimming, cycling, running or triathlon in general please get in contact and we will do our best to help. Lauren and Andrea are our Level 1 coaches and have continually offered their services – please make the most of your coaches within the club.
We are also looking for other members to become coaches to enable us to move forward so please let Theresa, Nigel, Lauren or Andrea know if you want to become a coach.
Any suggestions welcome, please let us know what you are up to on the "tri" front and don't forget the photos.
Theresa and Nigel
Published 22/07/12
Bexhill Lions Triathlon – 17 June 2012
When Mandy (Astill) suggested having a go at the Bexhill Lions triathlon in mid-June, a picture came into my head of a 750m sea swim in blue water, lapping gently onto the shingle, balmy breezes and a nice, flat run and cycle along the sea front. All finished off with fish and chips and ice cream on the sea front, and a paddle in the sea. It looked a good one for a relative novice like me, and a more seasoned pro like Mandy (she'd invested in a "proper " road bike, unlike me, who is still learning basic skills, like turning right, and stopping).
The organisation was superb – registration was quick, and a decent technical t-shirt – with a choice of sizes – handed out before the start. Race HQ was at the De La Warr Pavilion, with great support facilities, and showers supplied by the nearby sailing club. The course was well marshalled, with the Sea Scouts looking after water stations on the run. Useful for someone like me, who has not yet mastered the art of drinking on the bike, and who then forgot to take a gulp during transition. Overall, great value for the entry fee of £35, and recommended for the future. There were three options – a sprint, Olympic and Olympic relay. We opted for the sprint distance, – 750m sea swim, 20k cycle (two laps, parallel to the sea front). Finally, the 5k run was out and back along the promenade, with a slight sting in the tail of a 500m uphill right before the turn. The downhill would have compensated for the up – except it was into the wind, running a risk of taking off.
In the end, the bad weather won the day, and the sea swim was cancelled, and replaced with a 1.8k run. The balmy, cooling, breeze I'd seen in my mind's eye was replaced with a strong, gusty, headwind. Not easy when you're cycling straight into it on a hybrid bike – but a huge advantage when it's behind you, so I can't moan. Cycling is definitely my weakest discipline – and for those of you who know my running, you may be amazed that anything could be weaker than that! My fairly unambitious target was to get round the 20k in a condition where I could still run the final 5k. After my first go on the bike at the start of 2012, where my legs had buckled after cycling 20k, I might stress that this target was quite a challenge.
Mandy started in the wave following mine, and it was great seeing her when our paths crossed four times on the bike ride and again on the run.
Overall, a really enjoyable event, and to be recommended – particularly if the weather was a bit better.