By admin on 27/08/2005

From London to Paris by plane is a hop, by train is an excursion, by car is a trip but to do it in triathlon format, well there now, is an event. More specifically, it is the EnduroChallenge. This event is more traditionally referred to as the (Marble) Arch to Arc (de Triomphe) which involves running 90 miles from Marble Arch to Dover, swimming the 21 miles to Calais and cycling the remaining 180 miles from Calais to Paris. The event has been attempted and completed in various formats but the defining point of all journeys has centred around the swimming of the Channel.

To wetsuit or not to wetsuit? In order for a Cross Channel swim to be recognised by the Channel Swimming & Pilots Federation (CS&PF) the athlete needs to comply with their rules which specifically stipulate that only a swimming costume and swi ... Read More »

By admin on 20/08/2005

So what did happen on the 21st September 2005 in Sherbourne?

After a pasta breakfast at 2am, I left at 4am for the 6am race start. However, a 2 hour delay meant the race finally started at 8am when the sun had burned off the fog, and after a false start where canoeists had to chase down the elite athletes and bring them back! Exiting the water in 1hr 13mins, I was ahead of schedule and with the shoulder in place it was on to the bike. The bike course was in no uncertain terms the most testing section as you tried to eat as many energy bars as you could hold down, drink 2 bottles of water every 12 miles, keep the sodium levels up by topping up your drink bottles with powder. After cycling the 180km in 6hrs 5mins, I pulled in for the warm down run... Flat it was not and the lactic levels were rising.

Lathered in suncream and sun cap only the ma ... Read More »

By admin on 20/08/2005

The word 'Ironman' has resonance at a lot of different levels. It is the ultimate in marketing hype. So much so that despite that awareness, a body screaming for no more, and a course wholly unsuited to me, there really would have been no decision to make had I been offered that coveted slot for Hawaii in 7 weeks time. 'The Big Island' is portrayed as the ultimate Ironman, the best of the best, the stage for the Gods of the sport. It is also the embodiment of all things American. To be an Ironman is to 'talk the talk', to 'walk the walk', to live the dream; pioneering, ambitious, forward-looking. It is about belief. An unquestioning belief that hard work can take you wherever you aspire to go. Failure is not an option! 'Pain is temporary; quitting is permanent'. It is a journey of discovery, of learning, of self-awareness, and of honesty. It is not just a race. Why, why, why, ... Read More »

By admin on 20/08/2005

Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, Lausanne provided a perfect setting for the 2005 European Championships with clear water, smooth roads and enormous hills. Whereas for most races we arrive early, race, chat and then head back to London, it was great this time to take in the build up for such a big event. From the outset the excitement for the event was evident amongst the athletes of all countries, ranging from the large GB contingent, to the stylish Swiss and extrovert Italians who made Cipolini look in need of flamboyance. As the atmosphere began to build the closer we got to race day, the first class organisation helped us all feel well prepared - from the bike reconnaissance (complete with motorcycle outriders), the Parade of Nations, to watching the Elites show us all how it's meant to be done on the Saturday.

And then the big day arrived. Pull on the Grea ... Read More »

By admin on 13/08/2005

Swanage - "probably one of the toughest courses in the UK", we were informed at the start, was a truly spectacular course in a somewhat quirky town on the Dorset coast. Beautiful clear sea waters along the beach, extreme undulating cycle course through the magnificent Purbecks with breathtaking views (including Corfe Castle) and ending with the run up the bridal path and scrambling terrain to a 400ft ascent where visions of Julie Andrews and the Sound of Music came to mind as we paced down to Studland through the wild flowers!

First home with a very respectable first triathlon time of 2:32 was Jaco Geyer. Followed by Rupa Morris (2:45), Gavin Bradley (2:51) and Jo Perriam (also making her debut) with creditable performances.

However the Race commentator was worth the race entry alone – with classics like "good swimmers tend to fi ... Read More »

By admin on 12/08/2005

Lough Neagh Michelob Ultra triathlon is located on the north western tip of the largest freshwater lake in Europe. The lake also happens to be the most polluted piece of water in the whole of Europe, so I was not at all worried about growing a third ear, I think the two I have are more than enough! Once we were three then we were only one. This is the only race this year where I have not been with other Ful-On triathletes and it reminded me how much more fun it is to have friends with you when you are racing. But don't cry too much, hold back the violins, I did have my Mum and Dad along for moral support.

The race started at the usual social Irish start time for triathlons: 10am. Mine was the 3rd wave off at 10:15. Swim started well but about 500m into it, it got very difficult to see the course markers as they were using large inflatable Michelob bottles and with ... Read More »

By admin on 06/08/2005

It started with a bet. Well actually it started on an evening in October 2004 during which an arse whimpering amount of Zombies, Corona Chasers and shots at the Fine Line in Tower Hill were consumed, but the end result was a bet. A friend who I shall call Paul Battams of the Equity Trading Desk at Barclays Global Investors (to protect his identity you understand) was trying to get me to do a Triathlon. The London Triathlon in 2005 to be precise. Why? Because he was doing the Olympic distance race with some friends and that was as good a reason as any.

Obviously, being of sound body and mind I refused point blank. But knowing me well, he bet me that he would beat me in the race. And he wagered that whoever lost had to pay for a nice dinner with our partners. So having drunk enough to make a rhino's horn wilt, and having delusions of my sporting ability, I accepted. O ... Read More »

By admin on 06/08/2005

This year's World Long Distance Championships were held in Fredericia, Denmark. I had expected fantastic weather, as you would for the start of August. However, the week before saw temperatures in the low teens, persistent rain and howling winds. Thus it was with mixed feelings that I arrived after work on Friday at some pikey regional airport somewhere near Fredericia. Accommodation is worth a quick mention. Barney took responsibility and booked a cabin "that sleeps 7". Yeah, seven dwarves. So I ended up in some distant dump, Tetlow in bed with the team mechanic, and even Barney was in a tent outside the cabin. Good work mate.

The day before was the Vikingman race - an ironman distance event with about 100 competitors and 5 supporters. It pee'ed down, the wind howled and I thanked God I was not participating. Luckily for the fools taking part, though, t ... Read More »

By admin on 05/08/2005

The list of Nottinghamshire luminaries is long and prestigious, but now Ful-On Tri can sit proudly alongside Robin Hood and Brian Clough after our fine showing at the National Sprint Relays, held at the National Water Sports Centre in Notts. With each team member competing one after the other in each discipline, this was no ordinary race - giving us time to recover between each leg and keep the splits fast.

For many our Ladies A team, all GB age-groupers, were in with a strong chance - and they certainly didn't disappoint. After strong swim and bike legs Emily, Jess, Liz and Sarah held on bravely during the 5k run to take the National bronze medal. A fantastic achievement for the girls and the Club as a whole. The Ladies B team recovered well after a puncture on the bike for Jo Knight left her running the last 2.5k of the bike leg in her socks before handi ... Read More »