Race Reports

Well done to all 33 athletes who took part in today's event. This is a big record turnout, and could have been higher but for a couple of injuries. We had fantastic weather and I think the vast majority really enjoyed the day even though that flat run is much more challenging than it looks, and the bike is fairly tough!

This time it was deliberately minimally marshalled, so we could test out a whole bunch of new signs, which of course, allows more people to race and because it was all low key, it allowed everyone to test kit and fitness and strategy.

A big thank you to our two timekeepers, Debbie and Roger, without whom we would not get any results, and also a big thank you to Martin and Lara Shoesmith for their huge effort in getting all the extra signs out and collecting them again afterwards.

The men's sprint race was dominated from the off by Phil Couch, but the women's race looked very exciting, with nothing to choose between the first five out of T2. Clio Lawrence kept something back for the second run though, to eventually win by nearly 2 minutes from Sarah Hinton who had posted the fastest bike split.

The men's standard race was comfortably won by Neil Giles, but the next 3 had a fairly tight battle throughout with only 3 minutes separating them at the end.

Lara Shoesmith moved up to the longer distance this year and did exceptionally well to win.

This race is not only about the winners though, and a few performances are worthy of mention. It was so good to see Del back racing again, and completing the sprint course was a great effort. Last year Rebecca Moore just did the 5k run, but this year completed her first duathlon, and has clearly progressed hugely over the last year. Emma Smith did her first standard distance Duathlon, but she had plenty of strength for the second run, and finished really strongly. All three of them clearly have a lot more to come.

We also had two relay teams, and several stand alone efforts. It was also great to see a couple of husbands taking part - they both look like potential future members of the club!!

The race results are available on the Duathlon event page and the BAR standings on the BAR event page.

Over the past three weeks Mid Sussex Triathlon Club members have been running marathons in Manchester, Brighton & London, with Dr James Graham running all three.

Manchester Marathon 8th April

James Graham completed this marathon in 2.59.52, coming 21st in his age group. Sarah Moore also ran this marathon coming in with a time of 4.23.25.

Brighton Marathon 15th April

James Graham was running again coming in with a time of 3.12.58, placing 29th in the 50-59 group. Doug MacTaggart and Clair Hunt also ran, coming in with a times of 4.24.36 and 7.04.21

London Marathon 22nd April

Five members ran the London Marathon this year with Mike Jaffe being the 1st club member to finish in 3.12.40, James Graham, running his 3rd marathon in 3 weeks came in on 3.13.23, with Steve Alden the 3rd member to finish in 3.33.36. Kevin James was close behind, finishing in 3.40.49, whilst Clair Hunt completed her second marathon in a week with a time of 7.30.56.

Uckfield Triathlons 22nd April

Meanwhile other members got their Triathlon season underway closer to home at Uckfield. Phil Couch and Paul Richardson took on the Standard Triathlon (600m swim, 22km bike & 5.25km run) with Phil finishing 4th overall in 1.08.36, and Paul finishing in 47th place in 1.31.31. Lawrence Wintergold came in 5th in the Sprint Triathlon (400m swim, 16.5km bike, 3.5km run) in 51.19 with Jon Clark following on in 1.05.36.

Bluebell 10 mile Angmering

Sam Drake enjoyed the picturesque Bluebell 10 mile event in the grounds of the Angmering Estate, completing the course in 1.59.21.

Running a half marathon has been on my bucket list for a while so when I saw the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 25th March, it seemed like an exciting one to take part in.

I encouraged my sister in law, Sacha to join me. She ran the London Marathon 4 years ago and vowed she'd never run again so when she agreed, I was really excited! I also put a post on Facebook asking if any of my friends would like to join us.  A dad at the school, Wayne, was keen and we trained together.  We hosted a cake sale to start raising money for Tommy's who we were running for.

I then found out a tri club member, Clair,  was taking part who is also a friend so our team was building.  Clair invited her friend too so now we had a team of 5. 

Our training was going well, despite winter illnesses, the weather, work commitments and various other excuses we found.  Everyone's race packs arrived a few weeks before the big day except mine.  I emailed the organisers and they said not to worry, they were being sent out in waves.

I still hadn't received it by the Thursday so I gave the organisers a call.  I was starting to panic a little bit.  It turns out my registration didn't go through and now it was too late to register. There was another Rebecca Moore and they thought I was the same lady.  The other Mrs Moore lives in Wimbledon, we are in Burgess Hill!  As you can imagine, I was devastated! With it being my 1st half marathon, I'd been training hard with my buddies the thought of letting people down really upset me. My race buddies were amazing and really encouraging.

My hubby sent an email explaining that this was their error and we asked for special dispensation due to all the hard work I'd put in and the excitement I felt for this event.  Thankfully, after a day of waiting, I received an email explaining I can collect my race pack on the Saturday before the event.

This threw another spanner in the works because I couldn't get to London on the Saturday. I rang the organisers again explaining this and they organised for me to collect my race pack on the day.

With the trains messed up on the day, I thought I was destined not to complete this race but my sister in law collected my pack for me and we all took part in the event.  Tommy's came up trumps in the end and we all completed the race with smiles on our faces at the beginning and the end!

It just goes to show, good comes out of bad.

There was a good turnout at The Steyning Stinger by members of the Mid Sussex Triathlon Club.

Six members tackled the Half Marathon with Pete Harris 1.58.51 and Rob Hoodless 1.59.17 coming 2nd & 3rd in the 55-59 age group and 27th and 28th overall. Rachael Baker 2.17.59 was 7th in her age group and 88th overall. Amanda Durrant 3.00.53 and Sam Drake 3.17.42 also competed. Simon Hodge initially started the marathon but switched to the Half.

Four members were in the marathon with Chris Dawson being the 1st member to finish in 4.46.38 followed by Doug MacTaggart 5.53.12, Jean Fish and Sarah Hinton, both in 6.43.30. 

Sam Drake commented that the event was amazing, despite the mud, with terrific volunteer marshals and a well marked route.

Photo of Doug MacTaggart, Sarah Hinton, Jean Fish & Simon Hodge.

I decided to do Brighton half 2018 to achieve a PB as I have done it several times now. My goal was to train really hard and lose some weight, so I could 'fly'…. Well this never happened. I did no training except for about 5 miles, once every 10 days since November and I gained 7lbs. So, I wasn't very hopeful for a PB!

I drove to Brighton with a friend and we were very late! We parked by the station and as we walked down towards the start, my calves were near to freezing in the arctic conditions.  I could not feel my fingers tips despite wearing gloves, so I was dreading the event. I have never once taken a bag to an event, not sure why I did this time (?), but it turns out the bag drop is practically in the marina and about 10 miles away from the start (well not that far but it felt 10 miles - both ways).

The race started at 9am and we finally got going at 9.20!! Turns out lots of other people started late too! We jogged down towards the start line, past lots of kids who were doing some sort of race after us - good for them! And eventually I got going.

The first 3 miles were pretty brutal but as I warmed up as I went up hill and started to overtake people, I felt more confident and into it. I came across the first drum band who were excellent and dressed again in their gothic black and purple attire, then another band….

I saw a few of the club elite runners whizz past me on the other side down the hill which is always nice (if a little dis-heartening!). I finally got to the top of the hill and headed back down. The run went really well, and as usual there were lots of different characters, lots of different shirts to read, a man pushing a wheelchair, a man with a prosthetic leg, and all different types of people. 

I love the encouragement and enthusiasm of the Brighton spectators it makes you feel like you are running an actual marathon.  The high fives the kids give and the random people who have bowls of jelly babies are always encouraging.  As I got to Hove and turned around to come back along the seafront at 9 miles, It was COLD, windy, brutal and a real slap in the face but I carried on; and still at my 10 min mile pace :).  When I hit 11 miles I thought "It's the home stretch now …"  and I upped my pace. Well I thought I did, it felt like it, but turns out I didn't.  Anyway, as I came through the crowds towards the end, as always, they boosted my energy and I pounded the last mile. I came in at 2hrs 15 (my average time/pace fastest is 2h06).  I was so pleased with my result, what with the lack of training, and the freezing conditions. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and never struggled.  This was my 9^th half marathon and the first one I have found relatively easy and thoroughly enjoyable, and,  I wasn't a dribbling tired mess for the rest of the day either!

Next year I hope to train harder, be lighter and get under 2 hrs!

That's the plan anyway…… ;)