Newsletter Aug 2024
Chairman’s Update
Dear Tri2O’ers
Welcome to your August 2024 Newsletter and a very warm welcome to our recent new members, I hope that you enjoy being part of Tri2O, if you have any club or Triathlon related questions please just ask.
I hope you got a chance to catch some of the Olympics action, so inspiring to see all those athletes across such a variety of sports at the top of their game competing for “Gold”. Our Team GB Triathletes did us proud and that run finish from Alex Yee was unbelievable !!
Congratulations to all Tri2O members who have taken part in races / events over the past two months, some epic challenges and wonderful achievements, please keep posting your pre and post race / event selfies.
Club Championships – Remember if you have competed in any of the Club Championship Events listed HERE – enter your details and time into the Club Championship entry form found… HERE
Thanks to our Club Captain Paul Archer for organising the recent “Fish & Chip” bike ride to Hayling Island. This is an annual favourite of mine, it covers a wonderful route South to the sea, with some great banter along the way and a well earned refuelling on the beach!! (one day I may even join the hardcore team who ride back🤔)
It was great to enjoy a Pizza with other Tri2O members who joined our Social evening in Reading a couple of weeks back, look out for the next one coming soon.
If you are willing and able to help the club with your input and ideas and keen to get involved there will be 3 main committee roles becoming vacant later this year, Chair, Communications and Social. If you are interested please drop me an email chairman@tri2o.club to arrange a chat.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the Summer and I look forward to seeing you at a Tri2O event very soon.
Best wishes
Mike Nash
Chairman
Membership Update
- Clavelle Olivier-Smith
- Connor Nichols
- Warren Edwards
Please don’t forget to sign up to your sessions on Stack TeamApp in advance and join the club Facebook group. You will have had a welcome email with the links – please let me know if you did not receive this.
Running News : Yee-Ha!
As always, our parkrun is followed by coffee, cake and a great social catch up on all things swim, bike, run!
Loch Awe Swim
by Stella-Sophie Ferguson
Private event (31st July 2024)
Swim – 38.1KM/23.7 miles Torran Bay to Kilchurn Rail Bridge (Loch Awe, End to End)
Total Event Time: 16 hrs 17 mins.
The adventure began innocently enough with a simple WhatsApp message from Vicky Elson Smith in February 2022, asking if I, Stella, would be interested in joining her for a two-person relay across a Loch in Scotland. It took me all of 20 minutes to agree, kick-starting what would soon evolve into a monumental challenge. We initially planned to swim Loch Lomond, but eventually settled on Loch Awe, the longest inland Loch in Scotland. With waters ranging between 14-18 degrees, we swam the 40km/23 mile end-to-end distance in just 16 hours and 17 minutes. We followed marathon swim rules, which involved individual 1-hour swims, armed only with our swimming costumes, goggles, and hats.
Our preparation for this swim was intensive. Vicky and I consistently attended swim sessions at Tri2O, where we received invaluable training and support from Jennie and Georgia. In addition to our in-water training, our regimen included strength training and pilates. From April onwards, we began longer open water swims in water temperatures just over 10 degrees and entered long-distance and endurance swims such as the Level Water 24 hour swim and a 5KM swim at Queensford. To qualify for the Loch swim, we had to demonstrate our capabilities with a qualifier swim in sub 16-degree water temperature, consisting of a 90-minute swim, a 60-minute break, followed by another 60-minute swim.
The journey kicked off at 23 minutes past midnight on Wednesday, 31st July, with me starting the swim in pitch darkness. I swam from the land across to the boat, and then took on the first hour of swimming alongside the boat. Loch Awe, longer than both Loch Ness and Loch Lomond, provided a captivating swim filled with beautiful scenery and a unique ‘finish line’ under a railway bridge. The final stretch of the swim tested our resilience with shallow waters that required us to crawl on stones and breaststroke.
Throughout the swim, we were supported by an on-boat crew that consisted of David Ferguson and Tri2O club member Hella Lipper. We were confined to a small boat with no shelter from the weather or sun, and the only available toilet was a bucket. During the night swims, we relied solely on head torches to find warm clothes and food to refuel and warm up.
Despite the challenging conditions, the swim was a beautiful experience with crystal clear water, no jellyfish, and stunning scenery. Upon finishing the swim, we were greeted by the boat pilot’s 3-year-old daughter who generously shared Percy Pigs with both the swimmers and the crew, adding a touch of sweetness to our accomplishment.
Throughout our journey, we were guided by Stuart from Loch Swim Alba. His expertise and local knowledge, particularly regarding Loch access and weather conditions, were crucial in our successful completion of the Loch Awe swim. This distance challenge is definitely a unique experience for those who enjoy the thrill of cold water.
This challenge will forever be etched in our memories, not just for the physical exertion it demanded, but also for the fun anecdotes and moments we shared along the way. From the innocent WhatsApp message that started it all, to the joy of sharing Percy Pigs with a 3-year-old at the end of a gruelling swim, every moment was a testament to our shared spirit and determination.
Dates for your diary
- 08-Sep-2024 : Reading Triathlon 2024
- 19-Sep-2024 : TVT Social Aquathlon
- 22-Nov-2024 : Tri2O AGM (To be confirmed)
We would love to hear from you
The next newsletter will be in Oct 2024, please send your contribution to info@tri2o.club before 10th Oct 2024.
We would love to hear from you, particularly if you have taken on a new challenge or are new to triathlon.
