Weekly Newsletter 28 October 2013

TRIPLE SPRINT
This Sunday’s club race is one that is sure to test the full range of triathlon skills, and is one that is always memorable for participants.

The race will consist of three short course laps of 250m swim, 6km cycle and 2km run. All female competitors will go off the gun at 6:30am. Males will follow 10 minutes later. This format is guaranteed to speed up transition times and bring on that certain discomfort and unfamiliar feeling of going from run to swim. You can do as many laps as you like, just be sure to notify the timekeepers when you finish. 

As always, those on duty are required to be there at 5:45am to set up and please don’t forget to sign on when you arrive. If you are unsure if you are on duty, you can check online at http://www.coffstri.com/duty-roster.html or contact Mark Griffiths at [email protected].

For those racing, please arrive early as registrations will close at 6:20am sharp and the gun will go off at 6:30am. 

You may also want to arrive early to take advantage of the 6 new fluoro HP bike pumps very generously donated by Daniel and the team from Rainbow Cycles. These are top of the line pumps, easy to fit and easy to measure your tyre pressure. From now on they will be will be placed at the end of each bike rack for all members to use. Please handle these with care and please place them back where they belong after you have used them. A big thanks to Rainbow Cycles for this generous donation.

KIDS FOUNDATION
Since 2008, Andrew Wellington and Paul Courtney have been raising money for the Kids Foundation. Their next fundraising event will be the Ride to Port Brad Foster Challenge. 

Taking in 450km of fantastic coastal scenery, the ride will start in Byron Bay on 28 April 2014 and finish in Port Macquarie on 1st May 2014. For more details, see the attached poster, or check the website at http://www.kidsfoundation.org.au/events2/2014-cycle-challenges/ride-to-port-2014/. To donate to Paul or Andrew’s fundraising appeal, you can contact Paul at [email protected] or Andrew on [email protected].

HOW I GAVE BIRTH TO A 70.3 FINISHERS MEDAL
Another Perspective - Port Mac 70.3 by Judy Chesney
It all began with what seemed like a good idea at the time. After all, how hard could it be? Lots of people do it.

20 weeks ago I registered for Port 70.3. It was nearby. I thought it might keep me fit over winter and keep the kilo-creep at bay.  At first it seemed OK. Training was not too tough. I worked through the program, booked the accommodation, bought the gear.

Then I started to hear the stories. The hills. How hard the course was. It was going to be hot. But I was already committed. I couldn’t back out.

Then the training got tougher, harder, longer. Consuming my life, my weekends, all conversation.

Practise, practise, practise. Eat, train, sleep.  Count the weeks. One day at a time.

Until I couldn’t wait for it all to be over.

Then all of a sudden it’s the day. But I’m not ready I hear my Butterflies say. I pray for a broken leg or pneumonia to give me a legitimate excuse to back out. But NO. Too bad it’s Time. At least I know some other people who will be there.

I make it through the swim OK.  I make it through the bike by walking up THE hill. OK. Then the run. Three hours is plenty of time.

Hard to get the legs going. Why can’t I run any faster? Keep going.  One lap down.  Gu making me feel nauseous. Familiar faces run by offering encouraging words. Walk through the aid station. Keep running. So slow. “Well it doesn’t matter if I don’t finish in time, does it” I say to myself. But I mind. Run the course now. It’s just as far back to the start. The field thins out and I look for other people. Aid stations are packing up.

Another runner comes past and is with me for a few strides. I hear a volunteer say “keep up that pace and you will make it in time”.

Almost instantly my calf muscle goes into a massive spasm and pulls me to a screaming halt. The volunteer comes over and asks if I can walk it out, but I am struggling to even put my foot flat on the ground. I curse and squeeze my leg, begin to hobble. And then I find it - my own mental toughness.

I will not let my body stop me. I can see the flags at the finish. I can do this. It’s possible.

“Gently. Steady. Come on, you’ve got this.”  There are no negative voices.  I find a little stride that keeps me moving forward just holding back the cramp.

And then I am in the chute. Yes, I’m going to make it!  And there is the Coffs crowd making a victory arch for me at the finish line with less than 2 minutes to spare.

Wonderful, extraordinary and truly memorable. OMG – how wonderful that finisher’s medal feels.

But I did not do this alone. I could not have done it without the wonderful support I received throughout my training and on the day. I have to thank my coach, Phil Benoit, for freely giving up his time and expertise to put together my program and to encourage me through it all and be there on the day.  For my tri club friend Judy who swam the chilly ocean waters with me week after week, and Mel who road endless kilometres miles back and forth. Jenny, Leanne and Karen who offered me wise words of advice and encouragement on the whole journey. And last but not least, all the fabulous Tri Club members who encouraged me and  willed me to that finish line on the day - Michelle, Jo, Leanne , Lee, Tina, Phil, Peter and the others. We truly have THE best Tri club!

And as the pain subsides - would I do it again?  Maybe.

NEPEAN TRIATHLON
It was a “Who’s Who” of Australian triathlon at the Nepean Triathlon on the weekend, with the likes of Emma Moffatt, Brad Kahlefeldt, Aaron Royle and Ashleigh Gentle all competing. Emma Moffatt took out the female prize on the 1km/30km/10km course in 1:34:39 and showed her generosity by donating her $2000 prize money to the bushfire appeal. Aaron Royle won the men’s race in 1:26:35.

Richard Pearson had his first hit out as a professional triathlete and came in a respectable 12th overall in the men’s race in 1:32:44. This is sure to be the first of many professional races by Richard and just the beginning of fantastic professional career. Well done Richard. You have the support of all the CHTC members behind you in every race.

FOR THE CALENDAR

• CHTC Christmas Party
  Saturday 7th December at 6:30pm at Mangrove Jacks at the Promenade, 321 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour. Tickets are $20. For catering purposes, tickets need to be prepaid via EFT to the Club bank account (BSB 704 328 Account No 197693 S11). Please use your name as the reference in the transaction. 

• Camden Haven Triathlon
  Beautiful location and organised by Port Macquarie Triathlon Club, Camden Haven Tri is a great local event. The 600m swim, 28km cycle and 6.5km run takes place on Sunday 1 December at 7am. Check out http://www.portmactriclub.com.au/camden-haven-2011/ for more details.

• Dorrigo Show Fun Run
  Conquer the legendary Dorrigo hills in this 13km challenge. Or test your legs in the 6.5km run or kids 1.5km fun run.  Coinciding with the Dorrigo Show on 24th November, the events kick off at 8:30am and entries are available at the start. Contact Kellie Cochran on 66 574006 or 042980845 for more details.

• Club Championships
  Forster. 5th April 2014. CHTC will prevail. 
  All competitiveness aside, it’s a great weekend away with a lovely triathlon thrown in for good measure.  CHTC have again booked accommodation at Forster Holiday Village. The cost for the weekend is $80.00 which includes two nights’ accommodation, drinks and pizzas on Saturday and the much-coveted special event shirt. CHTC is spotting $20 of the entry fees for members, so please contact Club President Michael Dougherty at [email protected] to express your interest. 

WISE WORDS

“I can. I will. End of story.” – Challenge family (triathlon events) slogan