The Season continues....
There's a lot of catching up to be done now the season is in full flow.
Stuart and Ann did the maratona di les dolomites, Italy, Ann completing the 106k 3130m climb in 8h 34 through pure grit and determination and Stuart beat his 8h target by 12 mins in 7h 48 on the full course 140k 4300m climb. As he said 'boxes ticked all round in the worlds' most beautiful scenery'.
There was a great turn out from TTC at the Tenby Long Course Weekend with Martin providing a summary 'A great LCW Tenby a course that can only be described as brutal, the Friday evening swim saw 2200 people in a mass beach start that was a chaotic, two laps to make up the 2.4miles, two jellyfish stings and huge calf cramp later and I was out in 1hr16m, Saturday was bike day 112 miles of relentless climbs and technical descents (one proving a bit too technical and I crashed into a hedge) 8000ft of climbing later and I was done in 6hr40m, Sunday was run day, and as I’m returning to Tenby for Ironman in a few weeks I decided to drop down to the Half Marathon, again extremely hilly and finished in 1hr52m. A very tough weekend but one I can’t recommend enough, the support from the people of Pembrokeshire is amazing. I will definitely be returning next year.' Also representing TTC were Becky who managed a top 50 finish in the Women's' race and Stu together with Jen-Sue in the shorter race despite being full of cold.
Closer to home, there were TTC members in both the individual and relay events at Upton. David provided the write up for this one 'I suffered like a dog in the heat last year. So I panic bought aero bottles and hydration gubbins. Race day dawned hot, damn hot. - I strapped on the bottles and hoped my tubs didn’t pop in transition. The 1.5k walk up stream passed quickly as we listened to the trickle of abuse from PJ’s mic. Into the wetsuit to boil in the bag while we listened to the briefing “do not drink the river...ever’. Then into a sluggish, warm Severn to take 1.30 off last year’s swim time (thanks TTC coaches). I got out of T1 pretty sharply and felt good until the first bump. I hit it square on, ejected my water battle and heard a loud pop as a following car splatted it across town. A Sense of doom descended until I reached down to feel that the aero bottle was still strapped on. It’s didn't last long. We cooked in the sun, but I stayed functional. A few quick guys came past but I held a decent pace without going too deep. Off the bike and onto the transition carpet. This one always hides some nasty surprises. This year I only hit one rock and something squishy. Sorry to anyone who was offended when I described the rock. I think the squishy thing was already dead when I stepped on it. T2 was pretty slick and I made a controlled start to the run. Plenty of drink stops. My legs kept going despite PJ’s unique brand of encouragement echoing around the course. I finished in decent shape and was 3.30 up on last year’s time, coming in 11th overall and 3rd vet in a time of 2.21'.
Kathy managed a creditable 1:48 in the Sprint race. Dave Taylor took 3rd Vet in 2:20 in the Standard race followed by David Wright in 2:56. Chris's sprint team took 10th in the Standard relay although the opposition looked a bit inexperienced at the medal ceremony.
The ever popular Cheltenham Tri in the Park also took place recently with the Club represented by Russell and Kate. It was silverware all round as Russell made 1st male Vet and Kate 1st overall. Russell said it was a great race with a great atmosphere.
Finally for this one is the Droitwich Sprint Tri where Stu finished 2nd Super Vet in 1:07, followed by Julia in 1:31. They were followed in by David who having being surprised by the relay event earlier in the year, completed his first proper triathlon in 1:41 despite a few bike problems. It was also a welcome return to competition for Sue who was pleased with her swim and finished in 1:46.
