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Congratulations, you have defeated January!!
 
February arrives with lengthening days, a half marathon, and the start of the Duathlon series. Time to end that hibernation and get back into racing and training. 
All the usual features are included in your newsletter below including some race report and information on how to get the most out of your club: by taking part in the remaining cross country race, which has been an amazing series so far, by joining more of the coaches sessions, including the new bike skills sessions, or by just continuing swim, bike, run with a smile on your face. 
 
You may already have noticed that the club has once again achieved the bronze Tri mark accreditation and can display our sparkling new logo. Thank you to everyone who contributes to this important element of the club administration.  
 
Talking of administration, we are still looking for a new secretary. Super Andy has been holding onto this position despite also conducting the duties of treasurer, but we do need to spilt these roles. Please speak to one of the committee if you would like to become involved with your club. 
 
Portsmouth university are looking for volunteers to help with a cold water swimming study, something that we seem to be pretty good at as a club. 
Keep a lookout for the advert on FB over the next few days. 
 
Hopefully see more of you out training and racing. Remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather and if it ain’t raining it ain’t training. 
 
Alex Higgins
Chairman
 


 

 

.

 


The management committee needs to appoint to the vacant position of club Secretary.

This is a key role within Portsmouth Triathletes which has the primary role of ensuring the club operates in accordance with its own constitution and promotes the values of Triathlon England. The administration functions of the post include arranging and minuting the meetings of the management committee and organising the AGM. The Secretary also has the responsibility of ensuring the club has its various affiliations in place as agreed with committee.

 

Full training will be provided for this role. Please contact Andy Elder at treasurer@portsmouthtriathletes.co.uk for details


Thanks,

Andy Elder - Treasurer

 

Portsmouth Triathletes Cycle Sessions

Alternate Saturday mornings from 1st Feb

HSDC Car Park, College Road, PO7 8AA 9.30am-11.30am

 

We have managed to secure the use of this facility until the end of April.

We hope to cover all aspects of cycle training for both our adults and juniors.

 

The first session on Saturday 1st February 9.30am will cover one of your staple Triathlon training session the basic Brick (cycle/run) set (Adults), we will go over how to structure a good session at home. (You will need a Turbo for this session) if you don’t have a turbo and want to come let me know and we should be able sort something out.

 

We will then move on to ‘Transition’ with the first Portsmouth Duathlon on the horizon you may need/want to brush up on your race skills. (Adults & Juniors)

 

Going forward we will cover all aspects of cycling, cornering, breaking, mounting and dismounting, there will also be a bit of group riding if numbers allow.

Lesley Quiney

 


Bahrain Race Report from Alex Higgins
December - Mince pies, work Christmas dos, mulled wine, winding down the year; that’s what it usually means for me, but 2019 was a bit different.

December 7 2019 was to be the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship in Bahrain and Royal Navy Triathlon had chosen this to be a supported club overseas event. The superb reputation of the event, the unusual race location, and the fact that the RN already had a permanent presence there made it an obvious choice.  Being able to get accommodation and food in the Naval base would also reduce the cost and make it an even more attractive option.
 
In the end there were 17 of us from across the Naval Service, 14 matelots and 3 Royal Marines, mustered at Heathrow T5 on a chilly Wednesday in early December with the tour lead, Si, shepherding us through the seamless travel arrangements.  After a long uneventful flight and transfer to UK Naval Support Facility Bahrain we settled into our functional accommodation, rising early the next day to rebuild and check bikes ahead of heading off to registration. 
 
I’d consider myself a bit of a veteran of Ironman events now and this is where this event started to be like every other IM event, but just a little bit better.  Registration was completely slick; it’s never normally a chore, but this was just easier and we started to get the free stuff!
Obviously we got a bag, but this was a bigger better bag than I’d had before, and a race cap - nice.
Registration was followed by the Welcome Banquet (no simple pasta party here)  Rows of silver salvers filled with international cuisine.  We took our oil while Paul Kaye delivered his usual comprehensive and entertaining race brief.  We were also introduced to “The Legends” relay team (Marathon swimmer Chloe McCardel, Manx Missile Mark Cavendish, and The Mobot Sir Mo Farah) who would attempt to break the IM 70.3 course record.  Although they all hung around at the end for photos Can seemed terrified by the mass of fans that descended on him, while Mo took it in his stride.

The following morning I headed back to the race venue to rack and do the check swim with a couple of others.  The swim was to take place in a tidal, but very sheltered bay and I always feel better after a bit of acclimatisation; it was warm, but not unpleasantly so.  
On the walk back from the venue we bumped into Mo again; I think he was stalking us.  Once again he was chatty and genuinely engaging - top bloke. 
Now to rest.  In order to avoid most of the heat of the day the race started at 0630, so this was going to be early start.
  
Race day arrived and the usual pre-race checklist starts: breakfast, tyre pressures, nutrition, kit, ablutions, white bag check-in, wetsuit on, swim seed.
The race got underway and we all started to shuffle forward and into the water.  I’d seeded at 42-45 mins, but once in the water I settled quickly and was passing more than being passed.  The check swim from the previous day was paying dividends in aiding with identifying sighting marks against the cultured shoreline.  Each of the main turn buoys had a lead-in channel attached to it so there wasn’t the usual scrum to get round the corners.  I was soon at the shallows and steel ladder marking the exit - 41mins, very happy, PB.
 
T1 passed without event and I collected my bike and headed for the exit.  Helpfully transition was edged with flags of all the nations represented and had noted during racking that my bike was in the 2nd row, lined up with the Azerbaijan national flag.
 
The bike course was a single out and back lap from Manama in the north, down the centre of Bahrain island with a lap of the Grand Prix circuit on the way back.  The route out of the city used the main highway.  The Crown Prince also races so there is no issue getting permission for road closures.  The combination of good road surface and flat course makes this a pure TT race.  I was going along very nicely, with the opportunity to be comfortable on my bars for longer than I have done in any other race.  Down near the turnaround point I did think that maybe I should have a look at the Bahrain countryside, so I sat up for a few seconds to look around.  Having taking in the featureless desert I settled back down on the bars and got on with the job in hand; you don’t come to this race for the scenery!  The route back north was more of the same, but the detour onto the GP track was a welcome change and it was a surprise how hilly it was.  One of the Royal Marines later admitted that he had gone round the track making car noises as he went past people.  The approach back to T2 was a loop back round the bay where the swim had taken place which introduced a brief, but unpleasant bit of headwind, but I finished the bike in 2hrs 35mins - PB.
  
As I stepped onto the run course, Christian Blummenfelt was finishing in a new IM record having beaten The Legends on his own, putting in faster splits than both Cav and Sir Mo!  They were in no such danger from me, but I was feeling good.  The course was 3 laps, looping along a dual carriageway with feed stations about every mile.  I’d set off at a comfortable pace and got to the lap band station at 3 miles averaging 8:30/mile and everything was gravy.  I came back onto the dual carriageway when the breeze dropped and the sun started to move from behind the high-rise buildings.  I later found out that the temperature had peaked at 31degsC and out on the blacktop it felt relentless.  I wilted in the sunshine and my pace dropped dramatically and no amount of soaked sponges or bottles of water was helping.  My previous 70.3 PB was 5:53 and I could see that target slipping away with my current pace.  I collected my final lap band and set myself for a final effort; I must have looked impressive as my entrance to the final bend before the finish made it’s way into the official race video (https://www.facebook.com/681803898619175/posts/1750257961773758?vh=e&d=n&sfns=mo - 2:36).  I watched my spacing as I entered the finishing chute to make sure I was clear for the photo and glided along the red carpet. - 2hrs 21 mins, meh, v slow.
 
I went through the finish and collected the piece of steelwork that was the medal and the finisher puffer jacket, no t shirt here!  Finish time 5hrs 50 mins - PB, very happy!
I was now starting to worry about the baggage limit for the flight back!  The finisher area was clustered around a small park with a catering tent and white bag collection.  The RN contingent had secured a shaded corner and we gathered there to recover and spin stories of our individual races.  Al that remained was to collect kit and head back to the base before returning for the awards dinner in the evening.
 
The evening was similar to the opening banquet, but this time with the Royal Family in attendance to hand out the awards security was stepped up.  We tucked into the fantastic spread while taking in the achievements; the RN team had taken one AG win and were offered 5 World Championship slots, a good haul. 
 
Overall I would recommend this race.  Bahrain may not be people’s first choice of location, but this is a slick race experience.  It is not an attractive race course, but it offers a fast, flat, race with loads of gizzits (free stuff).  The bag is amazing!!!

 
Goodwood 2020 entries are now available through the following link.

Please help boost and promote this in and out of the club.

Rob Piggott


http://www.portsmouthtriathletes.co.uk/spring-duathlon-at-goodwood-2020/

This is our first major club event of the season and takes place in April. Please support this in any way you can. Great if you enter but we will be dependant on volunteers to help with the race. More details on this will follow in here or on FB.


Ed.




Some of the Juniors at our last session at QE.


For the Juniors

Hoping you are well and your triathlon plans for 2020 are coming together nicely!
We have two events coming up, as well as out usual training offer. Please also see the website.
Our next training session will be: Transition Skills
On: Saturday 1st February 2020
At: South Downs College - Closed off area on the right.
Time: 10:30 am
What: Transition skills

What you need:
* a road worthy bike
* clothes appropriate to the activity and weather - gloves, long close fitting top and bottoms
* cycle helmet
* trainers and bike shoes if you use them
* race belt if you have one
* drink
* snack
* enthusiasm 
 
Our next training session will be: Run and Fun
On: Saturday 22nd  February 2020
At: Queen Elizabeth Country Park ( Gravel Pit Car Park)
Time: 10:30 am
What: Run session (followed by fun!)
What you need:
* running shoes
* clothes appropriate to the activity and weather (covered legs, covered arms, gloves, hat, extra layers)
* cycle helmet
* other clothes and shoes to change into
* drink
* snack
* car park funds
* enthusiasm and a smile
* cup/mug for hot chocolate afterwards!
 
We look forward to seeing you there.

QE PARK SESSION

We had a great turn out for our Christmas Holiday run and fun session at Queen Elizabeth Country park. We are hoping to make these a regular holiday feature.

SWIMMING

Our Wednesday night swimming sessions are very much enjoyed by the youngsters that attend. We have lane spaces, so if you have a youngster keen to improve their swimming skills please let us know by emailing juniors@portsmouthtriahtletes.co.uk

MEMBERSHIP

Don’t forget to add your youngsters to your family membership when you renew this season.

CYCLING

We are joining wit Portsmouth North End Cycle Club at South Down’s College on alternate Saturday Mornings to improve our bike handling skills. Further details can be found on our website.

Our next training session will be: Transition Skills

On: Saturday 1st February 2020

At: South Downs College - Closed off area on the right.

Time: 10:30 am

What: Transition skills

What you need

* a road worthy bike
* clothes appropriate to the activity and weather - gloves, long close fitting top and bottoms
* cycle helmet
* trainers and bike shoes if you use them
* race belt if you have one
* drink
* snack
*enthusiasm

 

Our next training session will be: Run and Fun

On: Saturday 22nd February 2020

At: Queen Elizabeth Country Park ( Gravel Pit Car Park)

Time: 10:30 am

What: Run session (followed by fun!)

What you need:

* running shoes
* clothes appropriate to the activity and weather (covered legs, covered arms, gloves, hat, extra layers)
* cycle helmet
* other clothes and shoes to change into
* drink
* snack* car park funds
* enthusiasm and a smile
* cup/mug for hot chocolate afterwards!

Any queries to juniors@portsmouthtriathletes.co.uk

 

Best wishes

Fran Marshman - Junior Co-ordinator 

 
Portsmouth Triathlon 2020  entries are now available through the following link.

Please help boost and promote this in and out of the club.

Rob Piggott

http://www.portsmouthtriathletes.co.uk/portsmouthtri2020/

New Season Kit order

It’s that time again, where us hibernating triathletes start planning our first venture out into the spring (hopefully) sunshine!

So, in preparation, I will be opening the Pactimo kit store to allow you all to purchase your kit for the new season. Maybe you thought about treating yourself to a new tri suit or have been looking for a cycling gilet? It comes fully branded and in club colours which makes you nice and easy to spot by your supporters during that all important race!

 

I will be opening the store on Monday 17th February and it will close on Sunday 1st March. The normal lead times around around for to five weeks meaning the kit should be with us in early April.

Some of you are already familiar with the process but for those who aren’t - go to https://teamstore.pactimo.com/stores/select Put in Portsmouth Triathletes as the password. It will then ask you to register online and the items in the shop will appear, allowing you to see the designs, what is on offer and sizing options. Place your order, pay and then the kit will arrive in one bulk delivery to me, and I will then distribute it!

One important thing, if people are using a Visa Debit there is a risk that the transaction may be blocked if you have not informed your bank. Pactimo are a US based clothing company and so banks will block the transaction to protect the client. Visa and Master card are accepted but not American Express. ENTERED ORDERS CANNOT BE CANCELLED, if a wrong size is entered they can alter it BEFORE the Team Store is closed but not afterwards.

Pactimo have changed their policy on sending fit kits and so unfortunately these will not be available for this opening. They advise using the size guide on their website to get an accurate fit. We also have a number of club members with kit and I am sure would be happy to advise as well!

As always, any questions please send an email to clubkit@portsmouthtriathletes.co.uk and I will do my best to answer them.

 

Happy Shopping

Social Bike Ride
Every Sunday - All Welcome
Contact Nigel Donaghy
Check for details on Facebook
Southsea Parkrun
Join your Tribe for a 5k run along the seafront every Saturday

Walk, run or a combo of the two..
All welcome to run and join us at the Coffee Cup for a natter afterwards
 

Editors notes....

I had technical difficulties between the keyboard and the chair this month hopefully it will improve.

A small reminder that a number of DBS are due please ensure that the process in progress - applies to coaches and anyone involved with Juniors- any questions talk to Lesley Quiney. Our BT affiliation number is C1136


I plan to do a Newsletter every month and the timings will be as follows.

End of week1 I will ask on Facebook for input and there will be a 2 week window.

By around the end of the 3rd week the window will close.

I will then publish in the 4th week.

Until I get to grips with everything send any items to kevmct54@hotmail.co.uk

Ed.

As Alex mentioned, here is the logo we will promote as we are a bronze accredited club.

 
Portsmouth Triathletes Privacy Statement
The Portsmouth Triathletes club respects the personal information provided to us by our members. 
The club will only retain personal information of members for the specific purpose it has been provided. The club will not pass, or sell on, the personal information it holds on it members. The club will ensure that any other party, approved by the club, which collects and retains the personal information of club members’ does so for the specific purpose required by the club. This can include on-line membership and race entry information. 
The club will manage the data it holds on its members in accordance with the 2018 General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
If you have any queries or wish to make a complaint in respect of the way the club manages the data its holds on its members please contact the Club Secretary at secretary@portsmouthtriathletes.co.uk 
Copyright © 2020 Portsmouth Triathletes, All rights reserved.


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