Nice Hat

Mind you, there’s no way you’d have got me anywhere near the sea on Sunday – official stats suggested that the water temperature was 9.7 degrees – 1.3 degrees below the minimum temperature you are supposed to run an open water swim in. Crazy fools.

Back to last weeks first and the mighty Bardsleys were at work at the postponed Clumber Park Duathlon – Sharon won her age group (again) and Derek put in the fastest bike split in his, both securing an automatic qualification for the World Duathlon Championships in Ottawa in August.

Friday night’s club session was remarkably busy given the number of TriPurbeck athletes competing in the Purbeck 10k. Justin was the fastest in just under 37 minutes with Neil, Johnathan, David B, Jane and Clare all posting good times. But performance of the night was undoubtedly Sam Brown who posted an excellent 38min time in his first ever 10k (we think). 

Mandy was first in the water on Sunday at 6.30am (good grief woman) in the New Forest Triathlon. After bouncing off the ice and avoiding the walruses and penguins (I may have continental mismatch issues there) she survived the swim and had a good bike and solid run, finishing 4th in her age group as she continues her preparation for ironman Wales.

After a relative lie in, Derek made a decent attempt  at beating his daughter in the Swanage Bay Tri although I’m fairly sure Louise would have been put off by the hat and the fact that she was wearing her wedding dress. Oh no that’s next week. Anywhere, a shortened swim (wimps) and a stunning bike split saw Derek into striking range before Louise cruised away from her old man on the run. Still a great performance from Derek who almost certainly won his age group but who knows from the results and looks well set for qualification for the London World Champs later in the year (you couldn’t accuse him of not getting enough use out of that GB trisuit could you?)   

 Upton Park 5k as the club session this Friday and watch this space for some upcoming news about Friday night aquathons and a new junior Tri…….