Welcome to the Ipswich triathlon club handout.

As of 24th February our three main events were still:

• Culford is currently scheduled for 25th July
• the Junior is currently scheduled for 29th August
• the Duathlon is currently scheduled for 26th September.

However, you may need to be aware that duathlon race director Nik Bestow has been alerted to a clash of dates between the duathlon and the Clacton triathlon weekend so he is looking at whether or not we can - or need - to try for an alternative date.  For the time-being though it remains 26th September.

Introducing our own time-trials
The 2010 Ipswich Cycling Association evening cycling time trial series starts 31st March.

This year's time trial series starts with Ipswich triathlon club promoting the first two and last two events. These are all five miles long and are aimed at offering an easier start and end to the more traditional 10 Miles TT Series held through the summer.

If you haven't done these before they are a great chance to test equipment for the season, and to get you match fit, but our club co-ordinator Antony Birt needs volunteers to help with marshalling. He is hoping to get enough volunteers so different people can do different weeks and therefore get a chance to race as well. Please take a look at the ICA website http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tim.m.butler/  for more details and contact antony.birt1@btinternet.com if you can volunteer.

The ITCH League 2010

You should have received an e-mail notification giving you details of the ITCH League for 2010, which I have published at http://ipswich-tri.org/JOIN/itch-league/itch-league-2010-info.htm .

The main change from 2009 is that I have dropped London from the league but, to compensate, have introduced two alternative standard distance events: the Merchant Taylors at Northwood, and the new Dambuster Triathlon at Rutland Water.

Since sending out that e-mail I've been told that entries for Cambridge triathlon have opened.

The Club Championship 2010 - Cambridge

As mentioned in January's ITCH, the committee has decided to keep the club championship linked to a single local standard distance event. The event we have chosen as the decider for our 2010 club championships is the Cambridge Triathlon.

Cambridge Triathlon is now open for entries. See http://www.cambridgetriathlonclub.com/ for current news and a "hot spot" link to the on-line entry pages, which takes you to http://www.howesplace.com/ctc/ctc_entry.php . Please identify your club as "Ipswich triathlon club", not just "Ipswich".

Charlie Stannett - itch@ipswich-tri.org

First of all, thank you to those who offered suggestions at the AGM. We are working our way through these and I’ll keep you updated.

One issue that cropped up was membership cards. After some discussion, the Committee decided not to introduce cards, mainly because we’d have to increase the cost of membership to finance this. It’s worth mentioning that all Tri Club members should receive a membership card from UK Athletics. This will get you a discount in most sports shops (10% in Sweatshop). New members joining part-way through the year may have to wait until the following year before they receive their card (this is down to UK Athletics) but can use their Tri Club Membership letter instead.

Fed up with cycling in the snow/sleet/rain? The Club has a number of turbo trainers available for short-term hire, free of charge. Please contact Dave Copland davecopland@btinternet.com for further info.

Some of you may have noticed that we’ve discontinued the spinning classes at the Fitness Unit. Whilst these were popular initially, numbers had declined and we felt it was no longer a good use of Club resources to subsidise these sessions. Our thanks to Ross for organising this.

Mary can by e-mail to chair@ipswich-tri.org

For my first "interview" I introduce club ladies champion Lucy Bowditch.

You two [Stannetts] got me first interested in triathlon, but it wasn't until my back gave me jip that I really gave it much serious thought. Biking came first and then swimming with the excellent help from a friend already acquainted with triathlon.

What is your main motivation and/or inspiration?

My main motivation is my addiction to exercise! I enjoy the "feel good" factor of exercise and adore being outside in the fresh air, it keeps the demons at bay.! I really enjoy competing and wouldn't have the same drive to push myself in training if I didn't compete.

What does your family think about you & triathlon?

My family excluding [husband] Mark don't really understand my commitment to the three disciplines of tri, and do get a little irritated by the time the biking consumes sometimes.! They accept it though

What has been your happiest sporting moment?

Lucy won her age group at IMUK 2008...

My happiest sporting moment was beating my expected finishing time at IronMan UK and winning my age-group. I had a fab day from start to finish, and felt my hard training had been rewarded beyond my expectations.!

And what about your worst?

My worst sporting moment was horrendous back pain experienced at last year's Vitruvian, I felt very silly lying down in the middle of the run, but had no choice. I did finish the race slowly so it wasn't so bad. Another horrible and embarrassing sporting moment was my first and probably my last time trial when I got lost on a very simple dual-carriage way and whizzed to the finish shortly after starting.!!!! I even drove the course first, something I have never done before and won't again.!!!

How much training do you do fit in (on each discipline)?

I train for about 2hrs daily but 3hrs plus when out on my bike. I alternate my disciplines with swimming being least favoured.! I have to be quite a bit more flexible during school holidays, less biking and more running. I run about 30 miles a week, bike about 100 miles in winter and 150 weather permitting in spring and summer, and swim about 6-8000m per week.

What is your favourite training session?

Favourite training session is biking on a bright sunny day with Mark and or friends preferably not on my own, and I adore long runs in the snow on a crisp clear wintery day. ( pain-free) I also enjoy our open water swimming sessions in the Deben river on Sunday mornings followed by a brisk 5 mile trot around Waldringfield. I hate turbo sessions and don't like swimming in chlorinated busy pools.

Apart from triathlon, what are your other obsessions?

My other obsessions are my children, house and animals. Mark fits in too somewhere.!!!!

How do you indulge yourself on a rest day?

I only enjoy rest days when I've trained hard the days leading up to a rest day. I don't relax very easily and don't really indulge myself on days off. I feel that exercise is my indulgence, and I'm very lucky to be able to have the time I do to train.

What are your plans for the near future?

Triathlon plans are not ambitious this year as we are taking a long summer holiday with the children and won't get much opportunity to bike, so don't want to commit to many challenges involving cycling. I am however looking forward to my four mile open water swim from Woodbridge to Ramsholt in July, that will be a challenge for me.! I will take part in a few Olympic and a couple of 70.3 events but nothing too demanding time wise. I am presently trying to improve my cycling technique and endurance.

Next month Kate features club vet champion & cake-eater Dave Copland. Kate can be contacted by e-mail to kate@ipswich-tri.org

Any queries please email Isabel Smith development officer on sport@sinkfarm.com or phone 07970 937899

Isabel - 27 February 2010

Please contact Charlie or Isabel if you are interested in a short programme of skills & drills coaching specifically scheduled to help you with Culford.

At the moment we haven't had a lot of interest shown in either this or the cycle maintenance idea but, who knows?  Charlie has been asked if he can arrange another intensive swim-coaching session so carry on watching this space.

4th March: Valley Road hills (8 x 400m hill run)

Please watch out for e-mails/Twitter updates about forth-coming Thursday sessions.

You are reminded that Gresham's Sports Club has recently introduced a membership 'swipe' card which enables members to get a discount on drinks. They will shortly issue a generic Ipswich Tri club membership card for our members' use, which will be kept in the box/behind the bar. It may take a week or so for the card to be issued: in the meantime, please say that you are a member of the Tri club when ordering.

Time is as before (9am - 10am) and we might need to cancel the odd date if it clashes with a race. Also, if you know of a life guard who could be called upon as necessary, could you let Greg know.

Please note that on some occasions we will be reserving one lane for use in coaching juniors.

If you want to be on a ring round list for notification of changes at short notice then let Greg Allen have your number. Greg is on 07501 464143 or e-mail greg.jamie@talktalk.net

For further information about swimming arrangements, contact Greg Allen on 07501 464143 or e-mail greg.jamie@talktalk.net

Just a couple of people have expressed interest in this but we've decided that if a few more people also express interest, we'll see if we can arrange something. If you're (still) interested, please e-mail charlie@ipswich-tri.org so we can take a firm view.

To order kit - for delivery on club nights - contact John Wankowski on club nights or by e-mailing him at kit@ipswich-tri.org - please include your own name and contact details in the e-mail!

You are reminded that club kit vouchers distributed during 2009 are valid until the end of 2010.

Mar 31 - ITC event, volunteers needed - Henley Community Centre - 5 miles

Apr 07 - ITC event, volunteers needed - Henley Community Centre - 5 miles
Apr 14 - Combs Gardeners Arms  - 10 miles
Apr 21 - Combs Gardeners Arms  - 10 miles
Apr 28 - Combs Gardeners Arms  - 10 miles

May 05 - Combs Gardeners Arms  - 10 miles
May 12 - Combs Gardeners Arms  - 10 miles
May 19 - Combs Gardeners Arms  - 10 miles
May 26 - Crowfield Rose  - 10 miles

Jun 02 - Crowfield Rose  - 10 miles
Jun 09 - Crowfield Rose  - 10 miles
Jun 16 - Crowfield Rose  - 10 miles
Jun 23 - Crowfield Rose  - 10 miles
Jun 30 - Crowfield Rose  - 10 miles

Jul 07 - Henley Community Centre  - 10 miles
Jul 14 - Henley Community Centre  - 10 miles
Jul 21 - Henley Community Centre  - 10 miles
Jul 28 - Henley Community Centre  - 10 miles

Aug 04 - Henley Community Centre  - 10 miles
Aug 11 - Henley Community Centre  - 10 miles
Aug 18 - ITC event, volunteers needed - Henley Community Centre - 5 miles
Aug 25 - ITC event, volunteers needed - Henley Community Centre - 5 miles

See http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tim.m.butler/ for start times and further details of Ipswich Cycling Association.

Volunteers needed for ITC-organised events - contact antony.birt1@btinternet.com if you can help.

Charity 5 Mile Sudbury Fun Run on Good Friday 2nd April 2010.
More details can be located at www.sudburyfunrun.co.uk

"a range of coaching activities for the triathlete in your family that will still allow you to spend quality time together and where you can experience the unique environment of Kelling Heath and still go home refreshed and relaxed.

Break 1:-  Arrive Mon 10th May- Depart Fri 14th May
Break 2:-  Arrive Mon 4th Oct- Depart Fri 8th Oct

The triathlon package will include:

• Morning swim coaching sessions carried out at the leisure centre pool
• Coach led bike fit and skills sessions
• Coach led run technique sessions
• Evening coach clinics (Q&A about your training)
• Nutritional evening – Join us for an evening looking at healthy eating with an opportunity to enjoy a family meal in our restaurant (additional cost)
• The Kelling Heath Leisure Triathlon – We take you and your equipment to an open water swim venue.  After the swim you will be able to ride back to Kelling Heath on a selected route of a distance according to your requirements, followed by a run around the park trails.

All coaching sessions (incl. open water swim) are led by an experienced L3 triathlon coach."

See http://www.kellingheath.co.uk for more details. For further information, costs and booking details then contact activeoutdoorsport@ntlworld.com or telephone 07962 430136.

Wetsuits - Abbie Thorrington has been having a bit of a clear out:

2007 Snugg slipstream, black with silver panels. £45 plus p&p
2008 Snugg slipstream, black with silver and blue panels. £50 plus p&p

Both were made to measure so will fit 5ft 4in - 5ft 8in, 58-65kg, will allow return if not right fit.
Both only used for one season racing, good condition with no splits/holes etc

Also

2009 ladies Aqua Sphere Wracer. Perfect condition, just a little big for me, only worn the once. Size medium £130 p&p

Contact Abbie by e-mail [athorrington@yahoo.co.uk] or telephone 07837891732.

Profile Design CGT bars - carbon clip-on shorty aerobars "ITU approved for Olympic distance triathlons which require draft-legal Aerobars" (see http://www.profile-design.com/profile-design/products/aerobars/carbon-aerobars/cgt.html for picture & spec). Hardly ever used (it's a long story). Current price new seems to be around $120 (eBay) - $240 (Amazon.com) from USA (Wiggle sell the metal ones in the UK for £98) so offers invited around £70. Sound reasonable? Contact Charlie Stannett charlie@stannett.com or 01206-298888.

Wanted

Sponsors - please sponsor Charlie Stannett, who is using his club place in the Virgin London Marathon to raise money for the RNID - see http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CharlieStannett (or, if you want to use PayPal, see www.justgiving.com/charlie-and-ronel )

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