Welcome to ITCH - the Ipswich triathlon club hand-out - for February 2009...

I haven't received any race reports for the final event but full results are available at http://www.raceres.org.uk/ - as far as I can make out we came ninth overall out of 19 eligible teams placed. Well done to everybody who turned out on some very cold, miserable days!

All I remember about this race was that it was very cold and very bleak, but the banana at the end was really nice!
 

Full results at www.gbrc.org.uk

See www.greateastrun.org.uk for a full report, including:

"The tenth running of the Elgood's Brewery Great East Run took place on Sunday 15th February, in cool conditions with occasional drizzle and a moderate breeze. For the first time, electronic timing chips were used. These greatly reduced the amount of help needed at the finish and enabled the times to be collated in a matter of minutes. The announcement of the results of the early finishers could be made whilst the later finishers were still running. Chairman of the race committee Roland Shaw said the Race Timing Systems technology was a success and would be used for the club's biggest event in the racing calendar, the Bungay Marathon, which takes place on April 19. All finishers, helpers and marshals received an excellent goody bag, and a bespoke Black Dog medal together with a welcome bottle of Elgoods award winning ale, appropriately named Black Dog Mild. Free hot soup was also provided for all runners."

We did indeed receive a bottle of beer and soup, all of which was excellent (even the odd inclusion in the goody bag of a skipping rope and a leaflet about giving up smoking), but it wasn't clear to me that timing mats were used for the start of the race. Not so criticaI for me as I had decided to use the race as a "pace judgment" exercise, and so would rely on my watch. Indeed I found myself running for most of the first half with TriAnglia's Stuart Ingram who had also decided to use it as pace-judgement training and had his watch set up as well. In fact we seemed to be surrounded by triathletes doing something similar - we were the ones all wearing warm clothing - but we hooked up with a former cyclist who helped pass the time by telling us how he used to train for time-trials.

I eventually finished in 109:54 by my watch which is nowhere near my PB but was absolutely bang on for what I was trying to do on the day, which was to finish relatively fresh and in 110 minutes.

I stayed on to see the cyclist finish - and he came in at something like 2:00:22 by the race clock. Note the 22 seconds: this is where the use of timing mats at the start can be critical.

The mystery cyclist had told us that his wife had promised him a good time (well, take him out for dinner) if he broke two hours - and I know I had taken something like 30 seconds to cross the start line!

See www.greateastrun.org.uk for full results.

If you want to be on a ring round list for notification of changes at short notice then let Steve dB have your number. Steve is on 07795 564322 or e-mail stevedb@btsgroupuk.com

This is still being organised but the proposal is to bring in a "name" coach for a full day's session - probably a Sunday - with places being offered on a "first-come, first-serve" basis. The price to participants is likely to be of the order of £50 - watch this space.

Unfortunately half the committee are tied up with Ironmans and things that weekend but does anybody else want to coordinate a team entry? If so, please let Adam or me know by e-mailing itch@ipswich-tri.org .

Meanwhile, see https://www.entrycentral.com/index.php?raceID=100487 for further information.

The run will take place in Lode, on 15^th March 2009.
Last time we managed to raise £1,000 for Cambridge Mencap, this time we are raising money for Cam-mind. www.cam-mind.org.uk

For more information look at their website: www.newmarketcyclingtriathlon.co.uk

FIZIK ARIONE Tri 2 Wingflex Saddle
Reputedly, one of the best saddles around...
Came with new bike, but doesn't suit my backside! Used four times (now replaced).
Colour = Cool White. For Sale at £60.
Contact Mike or Mary 01728 660034 or e-mail mfitness@btinternet.com

ZOGGS Lap Pro - "'tap-pad' watch face lets you "record laps swum with ease whilst swimming". Never really used in anger but original battery needs replacing.
Will exchange for reasonable donation to www.justgiving.com/crusaiders - e-mail charlie@stannett.com or phone 01206-298888 to let me know!

Quintana Roo Triathlon/Time trial bike. Ultegra chainset, cassette and brakes. Mavic CX 650 wheels. Airstrike 2000 aerobars. Suit someone up to around 170cm in height. Good condition £375
Tel Mary on 01728 660034

Massage - Jackie Chubb has a regular room at Rede near Bury St Edmunds, available any time.
Open to members & non-members but booking is essential on 01284-789576 or 07985-496918.
 

Wanted
 

Please sponsor Charlie Stannett & chum Ronel Van Der Merwe via their justgiving page - visit www.justgiving.com/crusaiders

Race reports - thanks to everybody who has written items. Please continue to send them in, to itch@ipswich-tri.org - thanks.