2009 News - April

 

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Beckenham Relay - Wednesday 6 May

Instead of the scheduled track session we will be putting together CPT teams for the Beckenham Running Club 3 x 2.6 mile Relay.

Teams of three, each cover 2.6 miles. You can register on the night, from 18:00, at their HQ - Beckenham Cricket Club, Foxgrove Road, Beckenham, BR3 5AS. The race starts at 19:30, approximately 10 minutes jog away from the clubhouse. Entry costs £7.50 per team. There is a bar for food and drinks after the race.

If you would like to be on a team, please contact Haydn, our running coordinator.

Don't forget to wear Club kit. We won the mixed team category last year!

New member

Welcome to new member Fiona Bettles.

 

Weekend roundup - 25/26 April

We had a good turnout for Jon's turbo/run/transition session on Saturday morning, with quite a few new members attending for the first time. We were also joined by two of the junior members.

On Sunday, the 08:30 group were planning to cycle to Box Hill when I cycled by on an early ride before going to watch the London Marathon. I also spotted the 09:30 ride heading along Upper Elmers End Road on my way home. I hope Jon I managed to the catch the group, he'd obviously arrived a few minutes late!

Bruce and I found a good spot to watch the London Marathon, just before the 23 mile mark, where we managed to spot David, looking completely knackered, Suse, running well, Alan, Berit and Steve. We cheered and clapped but some were too focussed to notice! We met Greg and Suse in the Porter House afterwards for a celebratory drink.

Congratulations to everyone who finished. Results have been added to the April results page and to the London Marathon Roll of Honour, where Ewan has now taken the top spot. Well done to Berit who got a PB and to John P for going faster than he has for the last few years!

Fintan forgot to put his chip on his shoe so didn't get an official time this year. He's pictured here passing John at about 13 miles! He was captured on the Runner's World photo wall too.

Meanwhile, Dawn and Riaz did the Princes Risborough Sportive which is part of the Southern Sportive series. Dawn reports:

"I decided to do the mid-route version rather than the long one as off to France for a week training camp on Wednesday and didn’t want to tire myself out before I got there. I was hoping to do a time of about 3:30 but a couple of things put paid to that.

I punctured about an hour into the ride, as did countless other riders, due to a nice section where there seemed to be a lot of flint on the road. But hey ho these things happen and I was pleased that I managed to fix it all in under 10 minutes. I actually changed the inner tube in about 5 but then faffed around for ages trying to put the old inner tube back into my saddle bag!

The main problem though was the hills. They just kept coming and coming. At one point I was reminiscing how I’d rather be doing the Hell of Ashdown route (in the snow!) than this ride as it was just relentless. Of course for every up there was a down but the road surface was quite bad in places so I was going down them more cautiously than I normally would (and if you’ve ever had the misfortune of getting stuck behind me on a downhill you will know how slow I usually go).

That said it was a beautiful day, the route was practically traffic free, and those cars that I did encounter were very well behaved and often pulled over to let you get past on the narrow uphill climbs. I would definitely recommend it, but boy it was tough!"

Dawn finished in 4:08, with Riaz, cursing the hills, just behind!

A CPT winner

Congratulations to Geoff Dillon who had his first victory at the weekend at the Bromley 5k, in Norman Park, Hayes. Geoff reports:

"There were a few decent runners there, but I think it was primarily a fun run and I was the only person wearing a running vest. So, I had the surreal, but wonderful, experience of shooting off from the start and running away with it, not to mention equalling my personal best, of 18.16.

The hairiest part of the race was darting in and out of the masses of fun runners around the track (the race started with three laps of the track). The best, was running back into the 'stadium' unchallenged and having my first experience of breaking the finishing tape, before enjoying 15 minutes of fame being feted by some of the crowd and competitors, and finally walking away with about £50 of kit and vouchers.

I don't think any formal results will be published, but I can confirm that I definitely won!"

Banstead Woods 5k

As there won't be any Club training sessions on Saturday 2nd May, due to most of the coaches being on a training camp in France, I'm planning a return trip to Banstead Woods to do the 5k timed run, if anyone would like to join me?

This is a weekly event, for all ages and all abilities, and it's free to enter, you just have to register your details in advance, before 6pm on the Friday, via their website, which also has course maps, results, news etc.

If you aren't in a hurry to get away afterwards, the organisers have arranged with the Ramblers Rest pub to open from 09:30 for coffee and pastries.

It's quite popular so best to get there early to secure a parking place and to share cars wherever possible.

Pub quiz

As the May pub quiz falls on a bank holiday Monday, 4 May, we are assuming that people will probably have other plans so officially there will be no CPT team there, but don't let that stop you going if you have the urge, as the pub quiz will still be going ahead with or without us! The next CPT quiz night will be on 1 June at the White Hart as usual.

London Marathon and post-Marathon curry

Good luck to all CPT members running on Sunday; Sheryl Clark, David Drury, Suse Fairfax, Chris Hall, Simon Jackson, Dan McCormack, Ewan McKay, John Petrides,
David Rose, Berit Sund, Steve Wells, Ian Wheeler.

As Suse, our social secretary, will be on her way to France next Thursday she isn't organising or celebrating with a post-marathon curry, but we thought the tradition was worth continuing with or without her!

So, the traditional post-Marathon curry will take place after the swim on Thursday 30 April at the Belash Tandoori at 21:15. The Belash is opposite the Moon & Stars in Penge.

All past, present and future marathon runners, supporters, or anyone else who fancies a curry, are welcome so, in keeping with tradition, wear your medals, finisher's t-shirt, or any other marathon related goody you fancy.

This event is always well attended, so if you intend to come along, please let me know so numbers can be confirmed with the restaurant.

New member

Welcome to new member Mark Cunningham.

 

Coached turbo/run/transition session - 25th April

Jon will be coaching a turbo/run and transition training session on Saturday 25th April.

Time: 09:00 - 11:00
Venue: Under the Jubilee Stand next to the Crystal Palace Sports Injury Clinic
Cost: £5.00
You will need: bike, turbo, trainers, drinks, food etc.

Let Jon know if you need to borrow a Club turbo.

JP mentioned an event going on this Saturday at the sports centre, if this is the case we might have to change the meeting place, will keep you posted.

Weekend round-up - 18-19 April

Apologies to Neil Barnes for missing him off the results for Thames Turbo on Monday. Please ensure you put your Club details on entry forms (although Neil assures me he did), as not only does it help me find the results but it also ensures points count for London League races.

We had a couple of competitors at each of this weekend's London League races, the Ful-on Duathlon and the Dragonslayer, but again not a full team. Details of these races can be found on the January news page, it's not too late to enter!

Tim Thomas has written a report on the Ful-on Duathlon where Tim Don 1:03:09 (was on the start line and finished 5 minutes ahead of everyone)! Although our Tim hopes to catch him next time with his new wheels!

"Tim and Nell were the sole CPT entrants at the second Ful-on-Duathlon, a London League event at the MOD test centre in Chertsey. The race comprised two hilly and muddy 5k runs separated by a challenging 20k bike made up of four laps of the test circuit. A feature was the fast perimeter track and the technical undulating 'snake route' through the middle of the site which caught quite a few out in the wrong gear.

I never realised duathlons were so hard though a good early season sharpener event well worth a stronger CPT contingent next year. PS: tell Jon H his recent transition session helped me pass and beat (for the first time) an old rival who was fumbling about with his trainers in T2".

Photographs from the Ful-On Duathlon can be viewed at Dodsworld.com.

Results are also available from the Darent Valley 10k, the Thames Towpath 10 the Sevenoaks Spring Triathlon and the Cambridge Duathlon.

No-one joined Phil for his Saturday morning cross country run so he went adventuring to find some different routes. His new route, taking in High Elms, isn't as hilly as other routes but includes Bogey Lane!

The weather wasn't quite as warm as forecast for the Sunday rides but did brighten up the longer we were out. There was quite a turnout for the 09:30 group so Phil split the group. He led a small group on a longer route, via Merstham and Reigate and various other small villages and hamlets in the Surrey country side before heading to the cafe at the top of Box Hill. We just got there in time to see the other group, led by Bruce and Bernie who had finished their tea and cakes and were heading back to Elmers End. There were a few first-timers out who all worked very hard on a fairly long ride. Hope you all made it back safely. Bruce managed to squeeze down a second piece of cake as he decided to cycle back with me as I was struggling and wanted to find the shortest, flatest route home!

South London Swimming Club 2009 Aquathon Series

Tim Thomas has asked me to let everyone know that the popular SLSC Tooting Bec Lido evening Aquathon Series is now booking.

These 8pm Wednesday evening races are on:

3rd June
17th June
1st July
15th July

Each race costs £12 to enter (£10 for SLSC members). An additional £2 per
race for a day license is added for non British Triathlon Association
members.

Races are 11 lengths of the lido (1100yds) and 3 laps around Tooting Common
(4miles) - we are proudly Imperial!

Jon Horsman is the reining vets champ so he needs some challengers!

Contact Tim Thomas (SLSC race team) tim.thomas@ukgateway for more info.

New members

Welcome to new members Paul Eaglestone and James Snowden.

 

Discounted cycle insurance

The ETA is currently offering all Crystal Palace Triathletes a 10% discount on their comprehensive cycle insurance. With ETA cycle insurance you can be sure you’ll have the best level of cover and also you’ll be donating to our ongoing sustainable transport campaigning.

New member

Welcome to new member Kati Pusey.

 

Easter weekend roundup

There were eight members present for Jon's turbo/run/transition session on Saturday morning. The session included a warm-up on the turbo, some one legged drills and a couple of faster sprints to raise the heart rate. This was followed by the main set which included three six minute builds, changing into a harder gear but keeping the same cadence every two minutes, then dismounting and running for 2.5 minutes out into the park then 2.5 minutes back. We finished off with some mount and dismount transition practice.

Can't say much about the Sunday rides as when I woke up it was raining, so shut the curtains and went back to bed! I know Anna and Emily braved the mist and damp cloud but by the time they got to Biggin Hill the fog was so thick they decided to cut their ride short and return home.

We had a really good turnout for the Easter Monday social ride to Penshurst, with 22 riders setting off from Elmers End, some on brand new bikes but only Noel with an Easter helmet! Phil even made it out with tired legs after his mountain bike marathon in Wales with Richard and Glyn on Sunday. Suse led and Greg followed behind making sure we didn't lose anyone. Fintan and Leah decided not to go as far as Penshurst but everyone else made it to the tea shop for a welcome slice of cake and cup of tea. The ride back was at a slightly easier pace, especially up Hubbards and Polehill! Thanks to Greg and Suse for leading the ride.

There were also a few members racing this weekend, at the first Thames Turbo Sprint Triathlon (photos by www.philoconnor.com) and the Steyning Duathlon (where Carl Ferri was spotted racing for Addiscombe Cycling Club).

No times from the Merida Spring Mountainbike Marathon or the Cotswold Spring Classic sportive. Richard says he thoroughly enjoyed his Welsh adventure, but Glyn's knee didn't. They had glorious sunshine throughout, and hard dry trails, so different from last year's mud misery it was unrecognisable! I just wish they had caught Phil falling off on camera!

April offer from For Goodness Shakes

For Goodness Shakes are offering CPT members a 30% discount off purchases in April, using Club code - 10CLUB20. If you spend over £50 you will also receive a free technical t-shirt.

Go to the For Goodness Shakes website to find out more and to order online.

 

 

Coached turbo/run/transition session - 11th April

Jon will be coaching a turbo/run and transition training session on Saturday 11th April.

Time: 09:00 - 11:00 (75min turbo/run,  45min transition training)
Venue: Under the Jubilee Stand next to the Crystal Palace Sports Injury Clinic
Cost: £5.00
You will need: bike, turbo, trainers etc.

Let Jon know if you need to borrow a Club turbo.

The running will be short out and backs in the park, something for all abilities and race distances.

April pub quiz night

We had two teams for pub quiz on Monday 6th April at the White Hart in Crystal Palace. Nigel's team, Too pissed to care, were doing well but took a big gamble in the Wipe Out round losing all the points in that section and finishing with 34 points, letting Gregory's Girls take the lead with 39 points and 4th place overall, just missing out on the opportunity to go through to the 'play your cards right' eliminator. We also celebrated Bruce's birthday with some cake and candles.

Suse will let everyone know the details for next month's quiz in due course.

Easter Monday Social Ride - 13th April

Don't forget that, weather permitting, there will be a social ride leaving Elmers End at 09:00 on Easter Monday. See details on the March news page.

New members

Welcome to new members Ben Leedham and Hannah Dallison.

 

April pool closures

St Joseph's is closed for the next two Tuesdays, 7th and 13th April. Normal sessions will resume on Tuesday 21st April. Dulwich Prep is closed this Friday, 10th April but will be open next Friday 17th.

Weekend results - 5 April

This weekend's results include the Paris Marathon, the Hillingdon Triathletes Spring Sprint Duathlon, where Neil mistakenly cycled 13 laps instead of 12, the White Oak Fast & the Furious April Duathlon, the Paddock Wood Half Marathon and the Kingston Breakfast 16 mile Run.

In the men's team results at Paddock Wood the CPT team came 28th out of 42, with Geoff Dillon, Phil Wright, Tim Symonds and Glyn Tully making up the team with a finishing time of 6:22:17. The winning team finished in 5:05:13.

There's also one late result from 28th March, the VPH Open 5. Rob recommends this 5 mile road race in Victoria Park for next year as it's fast, flat, well organised and chip timed, and as you can see from the times it attracts a strong field.

Photographs from Paddock Wood are available on www.marathon-photos.com.

Race entries now open

Entries are now open for the following events which are popular with CPT members:

15 Aug - Clash of the Tritons - London Region race, see January news page

20 Sep - Brighton Marina Triathlon

 

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