The Roth edition
Roth
We had 14 individuals and 3 relay teams take to the start line in Roth. This was only possible due to the relationship that Phil has built up and maintained with Felix over the years. It should never be taken for granted; and we should all feel incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to compete. The main entry opens on Monday and will be sold out within seconds – if you’re choosing this route to try and get a spot, good luck.
For me, it was my first visit. There is no amount of videos you can watch to prepare you fully for the reception you receive on Soler Hill, nor the atmosphere in the stadium for the lights displays welcoming home the final finishers. With the whole community getting behind the event (7,500 volunteers, 40,000 spectators for the 5,000 participants), it was quite the most exceptional event I’ve ever done – think the London Marathon on steroids.
Right the formalities:
James 9:27
Rob H 9:44
Ed 9:46
Sam H 10:11
Charles 10:28
Willy 10:58
Simon B 11:21
Phil 11:40
Ani 12:08
Matt B 12:29
Alex 13:21
Steve R 14:20
Nick 14:31
The relay teams:
Julian / Alan / Steve 11:24
David / Sophie / Corin 11:57 & Brett / Mark J / Jon 12:52.
So I’ll start with James – it’s one thing to plan out the race on paper on what you think you should be able to do and delivering it. He targeted <9:30 (having not been under 10 before) and absolutely nailed it (including a 4:48 bike). Then Rob; his improvements over the past year have been superb – but his discipline to hold back on the bike, to have more for the run paid dividends (3:25 marathon). Both just utterly awesome; watching them doing so well gave me a real fillip on course. To achieve these times requires all the hard training, with absolutely everything going as planned; an ill-timed illness, a bike mechanical, missing your nutrition or race conditions not being conducive, could have quickly derailed everything.
All the participating Turbos excelled, but the most impressive achievements aren’t necessarily from those with the fastest times. With a narrower 15 hours cut off, there’s less room to just get round. It’s been inspiring watching Jon’s, Steve’s & Nick’s training efforts to get themselves ready and gave such a buzz seeing them each coming into a floodlit stadium to take their acclaim (the latter two improving their previous Roth times by 20 mins). But extending sympathies to those not able to make it to the start (Ian – Covid) and to the finish (Jonny – broken collarbone, all wishing you a speedy and full recovery).
To have a trio of Turbos under 10 emphasises how much our training has inspired one another. Indeed the Turbo camaraderie was the outstanding theme from the weekend. We’ve all seen how the entire club has become closer and more socially, actively engaged over the past couple of years. But I’ve looked at historic Turbo posts with a little jealousy, believing there had been a greater team spirit (willingness to go on training camps or to continental events together) in yesteryear. But to have Alan describe the current club spirit as the best he’d experienced means a lot. You’re all part of this; you’re all making this club special – and those joining now are lucky to be experiencing such a welcoming, supportive, encouraging, inspiring environment. We are awesome; but please don’t take this for granted and keep getting involved.
Race results and previews.
Roth wasn’t the only show in town last week (just the greatest). We had 4 Turbos at the Outlaw Half Holkham - Lewis 5:26, Julian S 5:47, Sarah M a superb 5:48 (to finish 7th in her AG) and John T 6:09 (2nd in the 65-69s). At the Plymouth Triathlon on a tough course, Ben came home 2nd overall in Ben 5:56, whilst in Sweden, Ian B completed the IM Jonkoping 70.3 in 5:46.
All the results have been entered on the attached Club Championship spreadsheet, with Sarah’s result lifting her into the lead in the women’s standings.
Friday sees a number of Turbos and friends head to Guildford for the latest in the Phoenix Aquathlon series. This weekend sees Jimmy head to Cornish Swim/Run/Swim/Run Hokey Cokey event, Tim Cox to the British Middle Distance Champs in Ironbourne. Finally Thomas and Ryan head out to IM Vitoria Gasteiz – both would have been outstanding sub-10 candidates, but instead are trying to overcome recent appendicitis and illness respectively, with all expectations out of the window, where just finishing will be an achievement.
Go Turbos!
Social events
The DHF reverse aquathlon is next Thursday (18th July). Please sign up via LoveAdmin so we have numbers for the BBQ after. The reason we’re doing this - https://dylanhowellsfoundation.org/
The aquathlon being a 3rd Thursday, an informal group will be heading to the Beech House tonight after training.
We also need a couple more volunteers (preferably women) to run the Imber Court Relays this Tuesday (16th July at 7pm www.26point2.co.uk/imber-court-relays/ ) to fill a second relay team after a couple of drop-outs – a reminder 4 legs of 2.5km (and sufficiently early to make training at HOP after). Please sign up on Spond and let me know if you’re interested.
Finally next Friday (19th), we return to the standard bike and bike format – social Surrey hills ride, finishing at the Hare & Hounds in Claygate (bring lights and warmer clothes). Please sign up on Spond / Strava if keen to attend, so can plan groups / encourage others.
Junior news.
Hopefully the junior parents will have seen Jonathan’s email about the PTO/London Triathlon junior training session at Herne Hill Velodrome, on Thurs 25th July from 16:30 ahead of the London T100 event.