F4L Coaching are going to be running a series of swim technique sessions through February / March 2012.  

There are TWO options:

1.  F4L Coaching encourage you to attend a set of 3x 1 hour sessions: each consisting of 1 swim analysis session with video feedback (including underwater footage) and then 2 swim technique sessions working on the technique errors from the 1st session.

There will be a maximum of 4 people in the session.  The sessions will take place at Willowburn Leisure Centre, Alnwick starting at 7pm and will last one hour.

The cost of the sessions is £50 - this covers the 3 sessions

DATES:

Saturday 25th February (analysis / video) + 3rd & 10th March

2.  F4L Coaching are also running an additional one-off session: F4L Coaching have hired a lane at Willowburn Leisure Centre, Alnwick for some swim technique sessions in February / March 2012:

These will be ’swim technique’ sessions for MAX of 3 people per session (working on frontcrawl). 

There will be video feedback (including underwater footage) so you can see more clearly what it is we need to correct - you’ll also get a feedback sheet with notes too.  The sessions are £17.50 per person per one hour session.  First come, first served - anyone welcome.

Saturday 17th March - 19:00 until 20:00

For more information on other F4L Coaching check out the website: www.makeitcount.org.uk

Paul Jones (Level 3 Triathlon Coach) - F4L Coaching

Email: paul.jones@email.com

Website: www.makeitcount.org.uk

One of our friends and fellow Tri Northumberland club member Steve Shepherd is doing the Cap to cap ride 2012 to raise funds for charities, read below for info:

After the festive break we had a great bike ride on Sunday.

we meet on Sunday`s at the Queens head hotel / pub in Guide Post at 0915hrs then head over to Morpeth and pick the rest of the crew up at 0930hrs at Morpeth Chantry.

anybody is welcome to tag along - non members, recreational cyclists are more than welcome. we usually take it steady for the first hour so we can all catch up on the craic, then it get`s a bit faster on the way home.

This Sunday see us meeting up en-route with our friends from Tyne Tri Club and going out for a ride together 

Last Sunday we headed up to Cambo and up to the Gibbett, which was made a bit harder by the stiff breeze on our faces, but boy did we fly home…..with Jeffers sucking my wheel !!!

Note from Jeffers

I’ve been practicing that a bit recently and I’m getting quite good a it now! I think I can safely say that I’m the best wheel sucker in the club!

the picture below shows us meeting up last year at the chantry in Morpeth.

left picture below: Brian and Pete right picture Gazza.middle left picture - Davy middle right picture Stevie & Gazza (again) bottom picture left Geoff, bottom piture right Simon.

Jeffers - where`s my picture ????

Baz

Note from Jeffers

Sorry Baz…Didn’t have my wide angle lens fitted!!

Note from Baz: Yes, i agree -U wouldn`t be able to fit my shoulders in !!

After the festive break the track sessions are continuing to go from Strength to Strength. some hardy people are even going to the swim session at Blyth afterwards….i just go home for something to eat  :-)      but i will start going soon……..

The track session is on Saturday`s and starts at 1600hrs. The swim session at Blyth starts at 1730hrs.

All abilities & non members welcome and will be catered for: jeffers took these pics below last year of us warming up …he just kept popping out from behind a tree to snap a shot…..

coach Wright (Zeberdee) is on the left of the picture with the yellow top,Gloves and hat on.

below picture: The `young` Dave Stephens leading the way followed by Baz, Gazza, Craig and Stevie. 

this pic shows us doing the main set: 6 x 1k @ T pace on 4min with 75sec RI, 3 x 800 @ T pace on 3m 14sec with 1 min Ri, 2x 400 @ I pace on 1m 30 sec with 30 sec RI.

cool down; easy jogging + stretching then a few beers and a good sleep….

Baz

How good is this weather ?

just been out for a lovely little 1.5hr bike ride in brilliant sunshine and it is also quite mild… 

i did the Bothal, Ulgham Widdrington, Druridge, Cresswell and Lynemouth route.The views over the coast today are fantastic.I did 30 Min’s Tempo in the middle and the knee seems to be holding up quite well …don`t you just love days like this

Happy days

Baz

Well the knee op has been done & xmas is out the road……I have had 3 weeks of rehab (for the knee !! ) and i went for my first very easy Jog yesterday down to the beach.

The sun was just starting to peak its head from the horizon and what a sight it was, it even made me stop for a few seconds  to admire just how nice a sight it was ( wish i had my camera for you) …..i have missed things like that when i have not been training.  

anyway enough of that nice stuff,Have you noticed how quiet Jeffers has been lately ?  Seemingly, the reason why he is so quiet is that he has been trying to fit his new bathroom suit, why might you ask does he need a new bathroom suit ? well,keep this between ourselves !! but with all the weight he has put on over the xmas Holiday`s he went for a shower and cracked the shower tray and it leaked through his ceiling !   unbelievable !!! what a Man 

Note from Jeffers

Baz I think you mean bathroom suite. My bathroom suit is like my birthday suit! Anyway I have not put any weight on so I should be able to ‘whip your hide’ when it comes to racing this season.

Note from Baz:

Looks like it is going to be a cracking season…..with jeffers paying for the beers !   

Happy New Year & all the best for 2012 from the event team.

The 2012 Events entry website & links below:

http://www.vo2maxracingevents.co.uk/   

http://www.vo2maxracingevents.co.uk/Events

Cyclists tackling Bothal Bank

Remember Bothal Bank………..Entries opening soon.

‘Try Triathlon’ is aimed at first time athletes, for those who want a new challenge and to get fit and healthy outside of the gym environment.

The programme is led by qualified England Triathlon coaches, with sessions catered to suit your individual fitness, goals and lifestyle. The triathlon sessions will cover a mixture of swimming, cycling and running. There is limited space so make sure you BOOK EARLY. You will be required to book on all 4 sessions and it is recommended to attend all to get the full benefit of the programme. You will need to bring swimwear, running trainers and athletic wear for the first session. Further details will be provided at the first session.

Only £20 for all four sessions!

WHERE IS IT TAKING PLACE:

- Ashington Leisure Centre: 11.00am – 2.00pm
- Saturday 25th February 2012
- Saturday 31st March 2012
- Saturday 28th April 2012
- QE2 Lake Ashington: 6.00PM – 7.30PM
- Thursday 10th May 2012

HOW TO BOOK:

Contact Tom Lavender: tlavender@bval.co.uk or
07540412086 to book your place. Limited space so book early

The online entry payment system for our 2012 events has taken much longer than the provider said it would… ( only 11 weeks longer ! )

Banks must be doing so well in the current economic climate that they do not need any nore business ………………..so for the time being we have opened up entries to Cheque payment and bank transfers until they sort the online card payment side of things out.

I keep telling everyone that i`m not that good with anything to do IT, computers and me just do not get on    but i have been thinking,

we have all payed by cheque sometime in our life and i even know that cheques are on their way out in the next couple of years……(bye bye cheques it was good when it lasted). I know all about card payments,even i buy things over the `internet` and enter other events…( i can do the basics !)  I know when i enter an event or buy something i get charged extra for using my card as payment…..ok for a small event, say a few quid for arguments sake, but when i enter a big event (IM or challenge event that costs £300 - £400 , i get charged about £10 upwards for the privilege of using my card to enter online !….i know ur asking where is this going ?, well i think Bank transfers could be the answer, they easy, simple and do not have any extra costs attached and the payment is done straight away, all we have to remember is to put the reference number we are given on the bank transfer……….    

Jeffers, for once i must give you credit that you have come up with a Gr8 idea  

2012 Events entry website & link below:

http://www.vo2maxracingevents.co.uk/      http://www.vo2maxracingevents.co.uk/Events

Baz

Note from Jeffers

Baz I nearly fell asleep reading this!..You don’t half ramble on at times!!

Yes…Anything that’s cuts out the middle man and stops those banks getting thier hands on everybody’s cash has got to be a good thing…and if it’s good enough for the National Lottery…It’s good enough for me.

Bitterly cold today at the track, but it soon got hot !

warm up: 10 Min’s easy to steady

main set: 5 x 1k on 4m 15sec with 1 min jog RI.

cool down: 5 Min’s easy.

A brilliant session, hopefully see you all tomorrow on the bike.

Baz

We seem to have been waiting ages to announce this…………

Our 2012 Events are now open for entries. 

Unfortunately it’s taken longer than expected for our online payment solution to be set up, so in the meantime we have decided to open up event entries and accept payment by either cheque or bank transfer. Online payments will be coming along as soon as possible! 

Jeffers

Note From Baz: Jeffers….how are people supposed to enter when you have not even told them where to go to enter…….do i have to do everything myself !      :-) 

Here is the link to the entry website: http://www.vo2maxracingevents.co.uk/Events

Baz

Note from Jeffers. Sorry Baz … I was just so excited and completely forgot!!

Anyway. It does make a change…you tidying up after me…..Has to be a first! … btw, while i’m on … can I have that tenner back I loaned you last week?

Jeffers

Note From Baz: I have now left the country   

Baz

I love Friday`s……..

met Gazza at the pool and the first thing he say`s is am `wrecked` and `i have never trained all week` ( now i know he is telling fibs as he always says that!!) and i think to myself OK let`s have a hard session then …………..i know i should not , but i have to.He would do the same to me.  

warm up - 10 Min’s swim + drills

main set: 5 x 100 on 1.35 with 15 sec rest. 5 x 100 on 1.30 with 15sec rest. 10 x 50`s on 40 sec with 15 sec rest

cool down: 5mins back stroke.

It must have been a hard set as Gazza was hanging over the side of the pool with his arms aching after the 50`s, swearing and saying some naughty things about me……….The joys of Friday swimming  

See everyone at the track tomorrow 4pm start.

Baz

Gale force winds, Rain, Sleet and eventually the snow will come……..OMG - How depressing, so there was only 1 thing left to TURBO !

warm up - 15Min’s - Z1 - top of Z3. (146w-239w)

Main Set:  30Min’s @ mid Z4  (ave 270w). Cool Down - 10 Min’s easy spin.

session time 55Min’s.

What a great session, My legs were stinging a bit and i knew before i started that it would be a tough session.

Baz

The cold has crept into Northumberland and the Snow is on it`s way……brrrrr

We had a great bike ride this morning Starting out from Morpeth at 0930hrs.We headed over the hills towards Harwood and then onto Cambo, We had  the wind in our face going out , but we kept the tempo up ( just to keep us warm ! ) 

Once we turned at Cambo we had the wind on our backs and we flew back east towards Morpeth…

hopefully see you all next week

Baz

Hi
 
thought you’d like to view our short video of the event, we will have our other events online very soon. Despite Hurricane Katia’s best efforts, the event was a great success and a tribute to everyone involved, especially the marshals and athletes who toughed out the windy conditions.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I6kk-4v7ts
 
Regards
Gary, on behalf of the event team.

http://www.trinorthumberland.co.uk

 Do I need a Triathlon specific bike to do a Triathlon?

No. You can race on any type of bike, it’s entirely up to you. As long as it’s safe and in good order you’ll be fine. If you are a novice you’ll probably be doing a “sprint” triathlon (750m swim, 20K bike, 5K run), and at this distance it doesn’t really matter. You will be slower than most of the field if you ride a mountain bike, particularly if it has knobbly tyres, but does it really matter? You are out there, doing your first triathlon. Fantastic! What an achievement! 

As your level of fitness and confidence improves, the distance you choose to race may get longer and then it would be sensible to invest in either a road bike or a triathlon bike. 

You can buy an entry level road bike for a few hundred pounds. If you are hooked however, and a lot of you will be after your first event, you might consider buying a ‘Tri Specific’ bike. 

I have a few bikes. A winter bike, a summer bike, a tri specific bike, a bike on my turbo trainer, a mountain bike and to be honest, they take up a lot of space and I really just ride my summer bike for most of the year. If you are starting out just buy one bike to train and race on. There’s time to branch out later when you are absolutely sure it’s right for you. If you don’t want to buy new, someone in one of the local tri clubs will probably have one they’ll let you have cheap.

Make sure what ever you buy that it fits you. You’ll be on it a lot and you need to be comfortable. You don’t want to pick up any injuries that can be avoided!

If need any advice on anything Triathlon related, we are only too happy to help.Email us at trinorthumberland@googlemail.com

Baz

I love early morning swim sessions, especially easy ones ! 

Warm -up  - 10mins swim + various drills.

main set - 2 sets of 300 swim, 300 Paddles, 300 Pull + paddles , 300 pull. all at easy pace. 

cool down - 5mins back stroke.

That is it, training has started for the season ahead……. 

Baz

Well , it was time i got back out on my bike and what a day i picked…….(not one of my better ideas!)

I met Gazza and Jeffers at the Queens head and we rode to Morpeth, to pick everyone up..we got to Morpeth and no one was there

We decided to do the Morpeth Duathlon bike route + recci a bit more for the future….(not my idea mind you , as i had been out socialising till the early hours)   

It was a miserable day, Dull, light rain and mist. Straight away Gazza had his foot down and the pace was hot.We headed over to Pigdon, stanton and on to Netherwitton and then up the trench (one of my favourite uphills).Now instead of turning toward the Dyke neuk and back to Morpeth via Mitford as any sensible person would do…..we had to head to Rothley xroads. I was starting to struggle at Rothley (where Gazza was waiting for us….smiling) and the only reason Jeffers would not leave me was that he was having such a gr8 time seeing me struggle.

We headed to Scots gap and then back along to Hartburn where i`m not at all ashamed to say i sucked Gazza`s wheel all the way back to Morpeth at a gr8 pace   :-)   

A great bike ride and somewhat enjoyable. Got to say,the Morpeth Duathlon bike course is something special.

Baz

Note from Jeffers

Baz. You forgot to mention that you spent all afternoon asleep on the Sofa! … Ha Ha Ha…What a wimp!  Your right about the Morpeth Duathlon bike course though …. Fantastic! and what a great Run course as well ! … That’s going to test a few people!

I suppose it is a once in a lifetime chance to get to run with the Olympic torch and we get the chance to have it all day……The link for the route in Northumberland  is below.

local route link - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-15528021

Happy days…

Baz

It’s always nice to have a bit ‘craic’ at the end of a race.

From Left to Right:

Tony Richardardson (The Morpeth Mod!), Neil Dick, Stephen Locker & Alan Hays.

Fancy doing some long distance running this season?

Why not join the North East Marathon Club.

http://www.northeastmarathonclub.co.uk/

The membership fee is £8 and the Lakeside Way Marathon is free and confined to fully paid up members.

This is a handicap marathon where members will start at 15 minute intervals according to their estimated finishing time ie. 5hr 30 runners at 9.30, 5hr 15 runners at 9.45 and so on. It is important that you try to be as accurate as possible in estimating your running time (As a guide, expect to take 20/30 minutes slower than your normal road marathon on this course) - Details below  

 NORTH EAST MARATHON CLUB - MEMBERS ONLY MARATHON

 LAKESIDE WAY KIELDER

Sunday March 25th  2012 from 9.30am 

THIS EVENT IS FREE TO FULLY PAID-UP NEMC MEMBERS ONLY. (Held under ARC rules)

Venue: Kielder Village

Start/Finish: Outside Anglers Arms pub

Facilities: Toilets in pub, public toilets nearby. The Anglers Arms has kindly offered us use of a static caravan for changing & baggage as well as allowing us to park free in their car park.      Course: As last year. Follow footpath by stream to bridge, left across bridge then immediate right to follow the Lakeside Way well-signposted footpath clockwise around the Lake back to road at 25+ miles. Turn right to bridge then left up same footpath back to Start. Map supplied.

Refreshments: These will depend on number of volunteers on the day. A degree of self-sufficiency will be required and runners should be prepared to carry their own drinks if necessary. Drinks provided at the Dam (12miles) & Leaplish (approx 18 miles)

Clothing: Please come suitably attired for whatever the weather throws at us. Remember, you can always take clothes off but you can’t put on what you haven’t got!  Road shoes ok.

Limits: First 50 members only. Time limit: 6 hours.

Registration: On the day

A  message from the Regional Chair – Steve Robertson 

The venue for both the Regional AGM and Awards Night is on the 18th November at the “Holiday Inn Newcastle Upon Tyne” near the Seaton Burn roundabout/Junction between A1 and A19.

The AGM is free to attend, and open to everyone, though only TE members will be eligible to vote and stand for committee positions. If people want to stay for the awards event, they will need to buy a ticket separately. Attendance at the AGM does not give free entry to the awards event.

The AGM agenda will be:

Chair’s overview of 2011

Presentation of financial position

Votes on regional championships for 2012 - criteria to be posted beforehand.

Open Discussion/AOBElection of regional committee

Many thanks,

Steve

We received the below email after last weekends Woodhorn Duathlon, i`m sure we can relate our own experiences with this……read on.

After completing the Woodhorn Duathlon yesterday I just wanted to contact you to say thank you.  But first a little bit of history.
 
For many years, at school, through my University years and up until I got married at 25, I was very much into athletics competing as a hurdler and jumper, specialising in high jumping.  When my daughters hit their teenage years I got back in to the world of athletics as they were keen and I took my coaching badges and starting coaching a sprint group at my local athletics  club.  As time went on the girls got older and in to competitions and I hit 40.  Sadly, even at 40 I found I was the top high jumper at the club and was introduced to veterans athletics.  For 6 years I won every high jump competition I entered for my age group.  I never went to the British Championships due to the costs involved (’a medal is waiting there for you’ I was often told by certain people to try and get me there) but I did manage to get to the Scottish Championships and broke their Championship Record as well as winning the North East Championships on 7 occassions.  As the girls got older and found other things to do (mainly studying) I kept the group going at the club but it was not quite the same anymore.  I was also getting bored with high jumping, something I never thought I would say.  A guy at work, he has since moved on, one day mentioned triathlon as a way for him to get fitter - he even went bought a tri-suit that same day.  Dave Turnbull his name is and he seems to have done okay since then.  I thought it looked interesting, (triathlon that is not his tri suit) and looked in to the potential for myself.  I cycled to work (almost an eight mile round trip) and I had ran a half marathon.  My swimming was almost non existent mind.
 
I trained a bit and then bottled it. Entered for the 2010 Ashington tri,I managed to find an excuse not to do it( Yes, We know - but we forgive you). But then in August 2010 I went and did the Hebburn triathlon.  That night my Facebook status said it was both the best and hardest thing I had done in my life.  I loved it.  I then went and did the Stockton mini sprint with my wife, winning an award for 3rd in the over 45’s and finished the season off at Newbiggin for my first sea swim (and Tri Northumberland event).  My wife and I even went across to Helvellyn to support Dave and watch the event.
 
This year I have managed even more.  I started at Ashington (rubbish felt crap) then did the QE2 - what a lovely venue - and was very happy.  I had decided to do a standard event and did Druridge Bay which was incredibly hard.  I was aiming for 3 hours and did 3:03 (so will have to be there in 2012 to beat it).  I’d actually also planned to do the Castles Challenge but tried aero bars the week before and came off.  The doctor then said my knee was too infected to swim.  I was devestated but then Tri Northumberland decided that people could enter on the day for the Bay Festival and I did the 900swim/40k bike/10k run, another great day.  My 5th and final tri of the season was back at Hebburn, taking 13 minutes off my 2010 time and taking things full circle.  Then yesterday back to QE2 for a marvellous occasion.
 
2012 is going to be different and hard.  First Morpeth and then Ashington.  But I will miss the QE2 due to, hopefully, completing the Edinburgh Marathon on 27th May.  I don’t think I will be recovered by the following week but you never know.  Then Druridge and Hebburn, then on to Helvellyn. 5 more triathlons and a marathon and no doubt some other stuff in between.  Strangely enough the costs are probably far greater than one trip to the British Masters Athletics Championships but I feel I am getting more value for money.  Did I also mention my wife is even happy for me to buy a new bike which will go in to 4 figures. I’m hoping she will do Morpeth and Ashington too next year.
 
But for me the most important thing is the sense of achievement.  I’m not winning meaningless competitions all the time (I have drawers full of athletics medals and one triathlon award) and there are more people finishing ahead of me than behind, but I have a sense of satisfaction in completing the events and a sense of friendship with fellow triathletes and marshalls and organisers offering support, advice and help.  It’s almost like a big happy family.
 
So there it is, triathlon has changed my life in a very positive way and for that I say thank you in no small part to Tri Northumberland who organise such a lot that is easy for me to access.
  
my very best wishes

Bruce Robertson

Note from Baz: 

Bruce, that is gr8 + can you tell your wife to have a word with mine, i need a new bike !      

I always say to people, that the hardest thing is to enter and turn up at an event. It is amazing how many people do not turn up.Once you are on the start line it is a great feeling and when you finish…..well, that is something else…..does not matter what event you are doing.

So - what you got planned for 2012 ?

A Message from Michelle Scott, Regional Programme Manager ,Triathlon England (Northumberland, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, Durham, Tees Valley and Tyne & Wear)

It’s that time of year again!

This year’s North East Regional AGM will coincide with the Regional Presentation on 18th November at The Holiday Inn in Newcastle, starting at 6.30pm. This is an ideal opportunity for club representatives and club members to come along and have their say about what goes on within the region and to meet the committee etc. After all, it is your region – come along and support it!

The full AGM agenda will feature on Tri Northern Pulse Shortly,(and this news page !) but I will also circulate before the AGM.In the mean time, there is a list below of the roles that the current committee members play within the region. These roles will be up for discussion at the AGM and will give people involved in triathlon in the region to have the opportunity to ask to be put forward for election if they feel that they fit the job description.

The people who currently fill these roles can be viewed in the ‘committee’ section of the website.  Please be aware that you have to be a Home Nations Member (Triathlon England ) to be able to vote and be elected for the committee.

Technical Co-ordinator

Chair Person

Secretary

Vice Chair

Treasurer

Webmaster

Welfare Officer

Young Person Co-ordinator

(There are 2 position’s available for Events Co-ordinator and Grand Prix Co-ordinator however the exact roles will be discussed further at the AGM).

This is also a good opportunity to keep in date with CLUB / STAR Mark as one of the sections of criteria is to send a representative to the regional AGM / County Meetings.

This is your chance to have your say! Bring forward new ideas, and share your enthusiasm with the region. 

I hope to see you all there. 

Kind regards Michelle

This is the last event of the year for Tyne Tri and they need your help. Come on give it a go…. 6 more people who are willing to marshal are needed from 07:30 till 12:00 (at the latest). It’s good fun and your help would be most appreciated by those involved.

Also, If you still want to complete but haven’t bothered yet, please get your entries in quickly. You can enter the event via http://www.trihard.co.uk OR you can still enter on the day – but please let Shaun at Tyne Tri know in advance so he can make provision for you at Registration.

Registration runs from 07:15 to 08:00 and the event starts at 08:15

Further information is on http://www.trihard.co.uk  OR http://tynetri.org

Well done to everyone who competed at the inaugural QE2 Duathlon yesterday.The event team would like to thank you for competing in the event and making it an enjoyable morning for us and we also hope for you.
Apologies for the added bit of cross country into the event……A wayword sign put paid to you keeping clean, we will make sure it does not happen next year.
Thank you for the feedback so far and we’re keen to hear your comments, so we can keep improving the event, please let us know what you think.You can either leave a message on this News blog : http://trinorthumberland.sweat365.com/  or facebook. 
 
The provisional race results are now on the website: http://www.trinorthumberland.co.uk/results/2011-results  The timing company had some issues yesterday and a lot of the splits are missing, but all the finish times are there ( phew !)  The results will be confirmed by Wednesday 1700hrs, so if you have timing queries, let us know before then.We will try to retrieve as many queries as we can and tidy the results up for the age group medals.
There are some great photos from photographer from Sun city tri ..many thanks, just follow the link below + we have some other photos and we will put them on our face book page today.
Direct link to the Ashington QE2 Duathlon Gallery:  http://www.suncitytriphotos.co.uk/thumbnails.php?album=10
Results - Top 3 female / Male overall.
 
Female
1st Emma Pearson  - Absolute Tri.  

2nd Ellen Tullo - Heaton Harriers.

3rd Jenny Holland - Tyne Tri.

Male
1st Stephen McKenna - Tyne & Wear fire service.

2nd  Daryl Oguona - tyne & wear fire service.

3rd Elliot Gowland - Redvenom.co.uk

Baz

Thank you to all the Marshals who gave their time up at today`s QE2 Duathlon, it is much appreciated.

Well done to all those who took part in the QE2 Duathlon today, it must of been enjoyable as there were lots of smiling faces at the finish…….or were they smiling cos they had finished …….

I hope you agree with us that Woodhorn museum venue is idealy located to stage the Duathlon and we hope to move the swim start, finish + transition of the QE2 triathlon to the same location next year…let us know what you think.

If you have any feedback, either positive or negative, please let us know as we are always willing to listen to suggestions for change and we have no problems in changing things if they are not right for you, the competitor.

The provisional results will hopefully be out asap, The Timing company are on to it now and will get back to us….as soon as we have them, they will be sent out to you.

Time to dust those running + cross country shoes ….list below.

Sat, 22nd Oct: Sherman Cup/Davison Shield, Temple Park ,South Shields.(HL)

Sat, 29th Oct: Farringdon,Sunderland.(HL)

Sun 13th Nov: Town Moor 10k, Newcastle.

Sat, 26th Nov: Shibdon Pond,Blaydon.(HL)

Sun 4th Dec: Blyth Sands Race.Blyth,Northumberland

(Sat, 10th Dec: North Eastern, Cramlington.(HL)

Sat, 11th Feb: Wrekenton,Saltwell.(HL)

Sat, 3rd March: Alnwick, Northumberland.(HL)

Sat, 24th March: Prudhoe,Tynedale.(HL)

For the Harrier leagues,you need to be a member of a running club.

Baz

Our Events are now confirmed for 2012.

Morpeth Duathlon - Monday 9th April (Bank Holiday Monday).                          (This is a new event for 2012 and the course looks gr8 - their will be a short (novice) and long (experienced) event & course…should be fun.                             

Ashington Sprint triathlon -Monday 7th May (Bank Holiday Monday). 

QE2 Sprint triathlon - Sunday 3rd June.

Challenge Swim Northumberland - Saturday 30th June.

Northumberland triathlon (Sprint & Standard distance)- Sunday 1st July.

Newbiggin Sprint Triathlon - Sunday 9th September 2012.

We are currently working on having our own event entry Website, This should be up and running to take entries from 1st November 2011, but we will keep you informed. have a nice rest and get ready for the QE2 duathlon on 30Th October 2011.

Baz

Why do we like to organise triathlons ?  Read below…..

Hi Gary,
I’d just like to say a big thank you for organising the Newbiggin Sprint Tri (2 weeks ago). I had a secret desire to try to qualify for the Euro Champs via the Newbiggin tri. It was my last attempt to achieve something big in 2011.

I took up triathlon last year and registered to do IMUK because my twin brother asked me to donate a kidney. I expected to have to undergo the op in autumn 2010 but the docs gave us another year so I thought OK I will do IMUK again and see if I can scrape a place at Kona. I missed the roll-down by an hour and I am sure I could do it given another year and a more hours training but I will go under the knife in summer 2012 so that’s a no-go.

As the 2011 season was drawing to a close I noticed that Newbiggin was the final chance for qualifying for Euro Sprint Champs. As a Yorkshireman, I thought the conditions might be more challenging with a sea swim and the likely strong winds suiting a northerner (I suspected there wouldn’t be many southerners there either because of the distance). As a Chistian, I thought maybe the Lord would want me to go to Israel rather than Hawaii. I went online, discovered that the race was full, went on the reserve list and turned up on the day. I managed to scrape the 5th slot by coming 17th and I am now going to represent GB in Eilat in April 2012. AMAZING.
I really enjoyed the race. I liked the challenging weather and terrain. There were more crowds supporting than you normally get at a tri and the lifeboat centre was fantastic for my family - it saved them getting fed up hanging around all day for me.
So once again Gary a hearty thank you for making my day…week…month…year. If I have recovered by Sept 2012, I might come and do it with my twin brother!
God bless.
Richard Buckle.

I need not say anymore, but thank you Richard and our best wishes to you and your Brother for 2012.

Baz

We are now only a few marshals short for the QE2 Duathlon.

If you are available and would like to assist  for a few hours on the 30th October, just let us know.

Baz

We have just returned from the Challenge Barcelona Maresme after a long weekend , there is so much to tell you about that we will be writing for weeks…….we had some good laughs and got some corker photos and stories to tell.

Credit to the `Challenge` family , they organised a great event.

Baz

what can we say !!!  how hot has it been in Northumberland over the past 2 days ?

I have been lucky enough to get out on the bike for an hour or so, taking in the last throws of summer..  

A load of us from Tri Northumberland and Tyne Tri are off supporting the guys in the challenge Barcelona this weekend, unfortunately i had to withdraw a few weeks ago through injury…looks like I`m the kit man….good luck to all.It will be a memorable journey..

+ who else will make sure Jeffers dresses himself correctly  

Baz

We’ve kept the training going as long as we could at the QE2, but lake temperatures are dropping now and, believe it or not, it’s actually warmer swimming in the sea!

As from Thursday 22nd September and for the next couple of weeks, we will be swimming in the sea at Newbiggin. Meet 6pm in Church Point car park in the water for 6.30pm.

Please don’t swim in the QE2 lake now, as we have advised NCC that training is finished for the season and we don’t want to jeopodise anything for next season. 

If you can’t make Newbiggin, then thanks, It was great to see you all at the QE2 lake and we’re looking forward to seeing you all training again, from early May 2012.

Tri Northumberland’s Iain Ross swam the River Tyne last weekend and this is his account.

The idea for this event came from an old friend of mine from Tynemouth ASC, Tony Greener. who’d ran the Great North Run a number of times and every time he crossed the Tyne Bridge he looked over the river and thought how interesting it would be to actually swim the race rather than run it. He was surprised when his request was granted by the Port of Tyne. Harbour master Michael Nicholson said: “They must be mad. We’re keen to see all uses of the river, legitimate uses, and if they’re daft enough to do it then we’re probably sane enough to let them.” Here started the preparations for the 1st ever swim down the river Tyne. Initially, I said no to Tony’s approaches for participants as I’d suffered injuries to a knee and elbow during the winter and felt too unfit for such a daunting challenge. With a few encouraging results in open swims over the summer I was regretting my earlier decision, but I knew that final safety procedures had already been submitted and accepted by the Port of Tyne.

Following a chance conversation with Ben Newman at the Newbiggin Sprint I discovered that he’d had to drop out and was unsure if someone else had taken-up his place. Knowing Tony he’d already have a contingency plan for this eventuality but I thought it was worth a try. Thursday afternoon came and my mobile rings. It was Tony – I was in the swim!

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After the initial euphoria panic starting setting in as I got prepared for the big day, even involving me driving to Jeffers house to borrow a wetsuit just in case I split mine on the day.

The brief periods of sleep I had on Saturday night were haunted by thoughts of all the possible traumas of the following day – intense cold, pollution, rat urine, colliding boats, supermarket trolleys, sunken cars, dead bodies and every other spooky thing in the water imaginable. It was a relief to hear the alarm going off at 5am on Sunday morning.

Following a Safety Briefing and Swim Plan review in nearby offices it was into our suits and off to the Fozzards Pontoon opposite the Pitcher & Piano where we were met by the BBC, our friends and families and a growing number of passers-by curious to know what the hell was going on. Unfortunately, the kayaker assigned to me didn’t show up so I shared kayaks with another old friend of mine from Tynemouth ASC, Paul Bowman.

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To minimise disruption to commercial shipping movements further downstream we were setting off in 3 waves with the slowest first and fastest last. On the dot of 8:00am the first swimmers entered the water to rapturous applause from us all. Then it was an anxious 10 minute wait until it was my wave. I do remember looking into the water and being daunted by how dark it looked. It was also about a 4ft drop into the water so it was either dive or jump. Never mind, it was too late to pull a sicky now! Tony started the countdown 10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1…jump!.

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The cold hit me like a tonne of bricks forcing me onto my back for some controlled breathing while swimming a slow backstroke until I’d recovered enough from the sudden temperature drop. I then flipped over for my first ever look into dark waters of the River Tyne. It had a deep bronze tinge to it from centuries of peat staining from the upstream valley. This was rather unnerving at first but the water was quite clear and I could see my hands during the power stroke.

Although this event wasn’t intended to be race I quickly discovered I had to maintain a good pace just to keep warm enough. Also apparent was how variable the current was with other swimmers passing you by and falling back again in a seemingly random nature. Whilst I’ve navigated down the river before this event gave me a unique view of the river banks that I’d never experienced before. Sometimes you would take a breath to the sight of modern offices and other times it would be parks, houses and moored boats. Time seemed to slip by and I suddenly realized I hadn’t seen my bright yellow kayak for a while so I had a quick look backwards as I took a breath. No sign of him so I repeated this on other side and still no sign of him so I stopped and treaded water to get a better look. Paul was about 400 metres upstream. The roving RIB came shooting straight over to me to ask if I was OK. I was a little thirsty by this time and had no idea how long we’d been swimming for. About 80 minutes apparently so no wonder I was feeling thirsty. The RIB crew offered me a lift back upstream to my kayak but I didn’t fancy another jump into the chilly water so decided to just tread water until Paul caught up. I even had time to pose for a few photos for the RIB crew while I was waiting.

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As soon as my kayak arrived Paul’s competitive spirit got the better of him and he sped off down the river while I had a nice long drink, a couple of energy gels and a chat with the kayaker, Niall. During which time Louise and Tony had rendezvoused with us. They had already stopped to refuel earlier so Niall carried on to catch up with Paul while I followed Louise and Tony on our journey. We made regular stops from here on and we even engaged in some ship spotting too – another 1st for me that day!

Without realizing it the ebb tide had pushed us to the South side as we went around the natural meanders of the river and we were heading straight for boat moorings at one point. It was a flat-out sprint against the tide but we just managed to clear the moorings in time – phew!

As we approached the busier commercial area the water was getting much rougher indeed with the odd waft of diesel too. The scenery was radically different too with ships, cargo vessels, ferries and cranes towering high above you creating a spectacular but eerie sight. You also got the odd glimpse of people waving with many boats from the marina stopping to watch this rather unusual spectacle on the river.

Despite the pace picking-up in the last half mile breaking the tidal current at the Groin for the “U” turn into Littlehaven Bay was nothing like as daunting as I’d envisaged and the bronze-tinged water quickly turned shallow and sandy as the finish line approached. Standing up after so long in the water proved a little tricky with a few stumbles before I made it onto dry land with a huge smile on my face. The beach was absolutely buzzing as everyone else had clearly enjoyed the experience too.  We were met by RNLI staff on the beach who escorted us to South Shields Sailing Club for a hot shower, a buffet and a good chat about our unique experience rounding-off a simply wonderful day.  

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Think I’ll be smiling about this day for some time to come.  An utterly bonkers event but it was absolutely brilliant!

My thanks go to all those who sponsored this event in support of the RNLI and to Tri Northumberland for the loan of a Zone3 wetsuit.

The sponsorship page will remain open for some time yet if others would like to make a donation then please visit the web address below, or alternatively a Google search for “First Tyne River Swim” will get you there too.

Cheers

Iain

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/tyneswimteam

Tri Northumberland hosted their second qualifying event of the year on Sunday 11^th Sept. This time the prize was qualification for the Eilat ETU Sprint Triathlon World Championships on what turned out to be an epic day for all concerned.

Triathlon is fun

Starting in three waves it was Junior Kieran Hill fastest into T1 in an impressive time of 11:41 considering the waves. Closely followed was Ben Newman just 3 seconds down. Not far behind Ben was his sister Becki Newman in 13:49 leading the women’s race with local harrier and race favourite Jane Mooney, over 90 seconds down in 8^th position.

Extending his lead off the bike ahead of team mate James Wislon now in 2^nd position Newman was first out onto the run course with another promising junior making his in to 3^rd place after a strong swim/bike was Matthew Griffin. With some strong runners close behind it was by no means a certainty who would make the podium.

Newman’s Redvenom teammate James Wilson could not quite catch him on the 5.2 km run even after making up 39 seconds but it was the battle for 3^rd position that had the crowd exited at the finish line. While Griffin suffered for his efforts on the run, it was another two Redvenom athletes Harry Coates and young Fergus Roberts in a sprint to the finish. Roberts could not match Coates pace though and came in 4^th with Coates rounding out the podium in 3^rd.

running up to transition

There were plenty of position changes out on the bike course in the women’s race with ex World Champion Joyce Mark, returning to racing, making huge gains making lightweight of the wind turning a 3 minute deficit into a 2 minute lead out of T2! Becki Newman slipped back to 3^rd place off the bike and suffered on the run to finish in 7^th with Natalie Batey chasing Mark in 2^nd and Mooney down in 4^th. The question was could local runner Mooney make up a massive 3 minutes in 5k to take home another multisport victory?

Jane made light work of the run course and in a whirlwind, took the win with an amazing 20:56 run, a full 3:35 ahead of Mark who held on to 2^nd place ahead of Batey in 3^rd.

Marius Van aswegen

Congratulations to everyone who finished today’s racing, especially those who braved their first ever sea swim (it’s not always that rough, honestly!). Thank you to all those who provided some great sprint finishes. If you are looking forward to seeing the photographs, they will appear on www.mattnuttallphotography.co.uk soon.

For those who applied to qualify, full results will be sent to GB Team Manager. Good luck, enjoy Eilat and bring back some medals!

Congratulations to the lucky winner of the Zone3 Aspire wetsuit, Brian Shiel! He will be coming to our weekly Thursday night open water swim training session for a fitting. Vo2 Max Racing Events are the northeast dealer for Zone3 wetsuits and other racing apparel –contact Zone3@vo2maxraingevents.co.uk for more information or to arrange a wetsuit demonstration.

Many thanks to all the marshals, medics and all other volunteers, once again another superb job and you really do make the difference. Special thanks must go to the water safety crew - the RNLI, Newbiggin Sailing Club and Blyth Kayak Club for their assistance, especially on a day with such difficult swimming conditions. Thanks also to our sponsors UTS, Zone3, Northumbrian Water, Eat Natural, Dorset Cereals for all your support.

We look forward to seeing you race at our next event, the QE2 Halloween Duathlon on 30th October, more information here.

Regards,

Event Team

Full results can be found here.

Back in May I took part in Ironman Lanzarote and qualified for the Ironman World Championships Triathlon in Hawaii. I have decided to take this opportunity to raise some funds for CHUF. CHUF not only operate in Newcastle but also have special units that travel the country to help out in other hospitals that do not have the specialist equipment that they have.

I have set up a just giving page (justgiving.com/Elliotgowland) you can also text a donation by texting QGNN73 £5 to 70070 (change the amount to what you want to donate and you won’t be charges on top of your donation for the text). Or ask Tony at the RedVenom stand to point you in my direction on race day and you can give me a cash donation if that is what you prefer. My target is to reach £1000 by the time the starters gun goes off on October the 8^th at 7am Hawaii time. All your donations are greatly appreciated.

Have a great race at Newbiggin and I’ll see you all there:

Many thanks

Elliot Gowland

RedVenom.co.uk

Just a reminder to everyone racing at the weekend. There are designated areas for paking Please see plan below. 

There will be no parking at transition as we have to keep that free for the Church and Maritime Centre.

Congratulations to my brother John Barker!!!

Ironman World Championship qualification for Hawaii was sealed at the weekend in Bolton at IMUK after months and months of training finally making years of hard work all worthwhile.

I went down to support John over the weekend and it was great to watch as he had the perfect day having nailed the tough course.

A swim PB got the day off to a great start (58 mins) followed by a run PB, although a little on the short side, a 3:06:52 for an ironman marathon is a superb time after what is one of the toughest bike courses on the Ironman circuit. 7th in his age group in a time of 9:47:13 and 35th overall.

John with his certificate

It’s off to Kona in October for John to fulfill his dreams to get married… Oh, and race the best in the world at the home of triathlon as well.

Well done from all at Tri Northumberland.

Also, congratulations to Steve Proud of Tyne Tri who came home in a superb 12:46:18 and all the other competitors from the Northeast.

Davy

Note from Baz,Gazza& Jeffers: well done John, what a brilliant performance, Wow - Kona & getting Married…what is the most daunting !!!  

We are at the QE2 lake again tonight and every Thursday night for some time to come!!  

Water temeperatures will no doubt be very pleasant again….You will still need to wear your wetsuits though! 

See you all there…We’re in the water at 6.30pm.

Jeffers

Our Friends from Alnwick who took part in the Newbiggin Challenge swim on Saturday are also doing a big sponsorship swim next week. Jane Hardy,Rebecca hoskins and Sarah Moor  are planning to swim the 4 miles between Eigg to Muck in the Hebrides on July 30th in memory of Matthew Philips who died in February, aged 5 and proceeds go to a very worthwhile cause; brain tumour research.If you wish to give any sponsorship to this worthwhile cause, you can at;  http://www.justgiving.com/swim-for-matthew/ 
 

Please join us in wishing Jane,Rebecca and Sarah the very best of luck.

The Bay Tri Festival weekend is coming up in 2 weeks time (23/24th July) and we were hoping you may be able to help out.
  
Couple Triathlon - Sunday 24th July
We still need Bike marshals, Run/swim marshals, and transition marshals.
The triathlon starts at 9am and there will also be a sprint and standard triathlon wrapped up in this event. It is a fast course though but we still expect the last competitor to come in around the 6 hour mark. We will probably look to rotate the marshals so you don’t have to stay in the same spot the whole time.
Event details are here
http://www.trinorthumberland.co.uk/2011-events/the-bay-tri-festival
 
Set up Crew - Saturday 23 July
If you can spare a couple of hours on saturday to help set up for the Triathlon on Sunday that would also help us alot. More hands mean less work. 

As usual there will be food and drink available for you all plus a ‘Ladhars’ Fish & Chip bar voucher, and you’ll receive a goody bag similar to the competitors.
It’s always a great day out and gives everyone the chance to meet up in a relaxed race environment. There’s no pressure and we want everyone who helps, to enjoy the day.
If you are not participating and you think you can help out at either of the above, can you please let me know and give me an idea of what you would prefer to be involved with. Swim, Bike, Run or Transition.

You can email me back at trinorthumberland@googlemail.com  or you could speak to me, Gary or Barry at one of the pool sessions at Elswick or Blyth or open water training at the QE2/Newbiggin

Hope to hear from you shortly.  

Neil (Jeffers)

If you’ve missed the cut off for entries on line don’t worry…There will be entries on the day.

Couple Challenge Swim 

(Plenty of places available)

Registration opens at 9.30am on 23rd July.

1500m swim - Age 15 or 16 on 31.12.2011 you will need to bring a signed parental consent form with you.

3000m swim - Minimum Age 17 on 31.12.2011 

Couple Challenge, Sprint & Standard Triathlons

(Some places available on the day and are offered on a first come first served basis)

Registration opens at 7.00am on 24th July and closes at 8.15am. It is also open from 2pm till 4pm on Saturday 23rd July.

We will try to fit you in prior to the event however. Just fill in our day entry form which you can download here then email it to Barry at trinorthumberland@googlemail.com and we’ll let you know if there’s a place for you.  

Sprint - Bay Blast - Age 15 or 16 on 31.12.2011 you will need to bring a signed parental consent form with you. Again you can download that from our 2011 Events page.

Standard Distance - Breakwater - Minimum Age 17 on 31.12.2011

Middle Distance - Couple - Minimum Age 19 on 31.12.2011