Over 60 Turbos in action
Event review
Three events in the past week have drawn out more than 20 Turbos apiece.
On Saturday, 29 junior Turbos were part of 134 participants in our Junior Aquathlon held at LEH. The feedback received has been resoundingly positive once again & massive thanks owing to Steve and all of his team of volunteer marshals who ensure these events go ahead, make it such a positive experience and help the club attract new recruits.
Before that, last Wednesday, the Thames Hare & Hounds Parkland Relays on Richmond Park. Turbos had their biggest turnout in my time at the club (and possibly ever), with 5 Open / Mixed teams of 4 and 2 Women’s teams, with more coming to join the cheer squad. We not only had the most vocal and energetic support, we had considerable success in the relays themselves. Jess recorded our fastest women’s split (for which there are online records) in leading the women’s team home in 9th, over 4 minutes quicker than we’ve achieved previously, whilst the Men’s quarter of Scott, Ben, Charles and Ian finished 7th with the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th best splits we’ve had (only behind Will Russell). Our Vets team finished 4th, only a minute off the winning time (next time!) https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8FXfa0t9Yd/
We also have an invite to the Imber Court relays hosted by 26.2 on Tuesday 16th July at 19:00. It would be fabulous to replicate the camaraderie. Please sign up on Spond so we know whether we’ll have teams to enter. Teams of 4, running a 2.5km leg (and perfectly possible to make it to HOP for swimming afterwards, if that’s what takes you)..
Then on Sunday, Windsor kindly hosted out Standard Distance Club Championships (oh, it also doubled as the British Champs). Again 18 Turbos took to the start line in the standard distance, with more in the sprint and relay events – with others cycling in from all corners to offer support. Had it been a MOB match, Turbos would have taken the team prize (Evo had more, but we had more higher finishers) – and it certainly felt it, with so many wearing our distinctive trisuits or donning running vests.
The roll of honour, with lots of Top 10s :- Alec & Ian made up 2/3rds of the winning relay team. Ed 2:13 (2nd AG, 20th o/a), Sam P 2:17 (4th AG, 9th o/a on swim), Adam 2:19 (7th), Steve 2:21, Duncan 2:24, Mike 2:27, Will 2:28 (7th), Lewis 2:28, Jason 2:37, Richie 2:37, John W 2:38, Jonny 2:38, Eero 2:40, Sarah 2:42 (6th), Phil 2:46, Mark FS 2:56, Emily 2:56 (8th), Maria 3:06 (12th in her 1st ever Olympic distance) & Ben, after a puncture, 3:26. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8AucrKNTLx/ Big thanks to Corin, Soph & James for cycling over toe add to the Turbo cheer squad.
Also this past weekend, Ani and Charles headed to Chantilly for the 70.3 as part of the Castle Series, finishing 6th woman and 13th overall respectively.
The previous weekend saw the first Turbo Ironman action of the season, with Oli and Eamonn heading to Hamburg. Oli underlined his fabulous improvements in the water with a 1:02 swim on the way to a 12:16; but wasn’t enough to match Eamonn’s overall consistency 11:55. Lots of 70.3 action, with Rob Hart winning his AG, finishing 10th in the Deva 70.3 in 4:30, Guy set a massive distance PB with a 5:12 in the Cotswold 113, whilst Jonny 5:24 and James 6:22 kept me (4:42) company at a decidedly uneven Grafman course.
Event preview
I was chatting with Phil Parnham about the pleasure derived from watching Turbos put in the hours and see their efforts rewarded in big improvements. Oli, Sam, Rob and Sarah fall squarely into this category; two more women in the same bracket test themselves next week.
Firstly, Jess is out in Nice currently for the Nice Ironman, racing on the World Championship course. Also, we have Matt D & Nicole (going in her first IM) in action in Austria, whilst Bonnie & Clyde will be looking for another medal haul at Cairns 70.3. To track on Sunday. Track them here: Jess, Nicole & Matt D, Kester & Meg.
The second is Vicki who joins Caz as part of a 4 woman crew hoping to break the women’s record for the Race Across America. To do this, they’ll need to cover the almost 5,000 km course, with 60km of climbing in 6.5 days, averaging over 30kmph. Had you asked me 6 months ago about their chances of the record, I’d have been politely dismissive – but the progress Vicki has made from cycling novice is nothing short of staggering.
Vicki, Caz and their two American ‘Four The Record’ teammates, start on Saturday. You can track their progress here. Their other challenge is to raise £20k for Inspiring Girls (you can read more about their challenge & cause here – p.s. it’s more than girls they’ll be inspiring). https://www.instagram.com/fourtherecord_/
Also in a busy weekend, Ben is at the Swashbuckler, Atish & Martin are in Eastbourne, John W is at Dorney & Jason on home turf at Walton.
And please don’t forget our annual club ride to Brighton (07:30 start from HOP). https://www.strava.com/clubs/8506/group_events/1657574
Social events
As you’ll have seen from Alan’s email, with a combination of circumstance, including the England v Denmark match earlier in the evening, we’ve made the decision to push back the DHF reverse aquathlon a month to Tuesday 18th July. Please sign up via LoveAdmin so we have numbers for the BBQ after. The reason we’re doing this: https://dylanhowellsfoundation.org/
This means next Thursday reverts to a regular Thirsty Third Thursday, with drinks in the Beech House from 9pm (regardless of whether you’ve been swimming beforehand). These evenings are brilliant for meeting people from across the club and welcoming newer members. However at the end of Thursday’s session, we will be staging the first of a series of 432m swim time trials (12 lengths under the lane ropes), which count for the swim only element of the club championships.
Another reminder that on Sat 22nd June, James (and possibly a few other handy mechanics) will be putting on an Intro to Bike Mechanics, aimed at those less familiar with fixing their own bikes (I’m sure even those more familiar than a complete bike numpty like me will find it useful). https://www.strava.com/clubs/8506/group_events/1663884
I’m hoping the next update will also bring a finalised date for a wine tasting session hugely kindly hosted & organised by Chris Scott. This will be limited in numbers & I suspect quickly oversubscribed – so will be a case of getting your names in early.
A reminder of the new junior BTF supervision requirements
Jonathan wrote to all the junior parents previously to detail the supervision ratio guidelines being imposed. In practical terms, we will need to supplement coach numbers with junior parents to be present at sessions (or seniors with coaching aspirations). If you believe you would be prepared to help the club with this, please contact Jonathan on junior_rep@thamesturbo.co.uk.
Wishing all those racing over the next week the very best of luck & success. Hoping summer returns soon & looking forward to seeing you at training or at the social sessions shortly,