OPEN WATER SWIM - TIMED 1000M
We are planning a series of timed open water swim sessions in Dover Harbour - the first being on Sunday 5th July at 4pm. See email of 16/06/09 for more details.

TRAINING THIS WEEK W/C 25.05.09 ...
We are well into the race season now, so keep up the training intensity folks - usual training sessions this week - see the "Training & Event Calendar" to see what is going on & where to meet.
Terry has been updating the league tables wilth all you TT, swim & run times - see "LEAGUE TABLES" - still lots of gaps, so send in your times and compare how you are doing to other club members!

INTRODUCING OUR MEN'S CAPTAIN - TRYING TO ATTRACT NEW MEMBERS AT EG TRI ON SUNDAY!!!

News reports & results now on the NEWS page - plus more action shots!

THIS WEEKS TRAINING (W/C 27/04/09)
TUE - 400m swim TT (please email Christine if you are coming) - technique lane as per normal.
WED - "Transition & Brick Training" - great workout & lots of great tips for the racing season.
SAT - Group run.
SUN - Group ride - 2 groups (shorter & longer rides) - great chance for novices to get out riding this week.
See the Calendar & Training Pages for more info.

18/03/09 NEWS FROM THE WEEKEND ...

3 members of Ashford Tri Club were running the Hastings Half Marathon at the weekend - Kate, Will & Paul - see the NEWS page to see the report & how they got along.

KINGS WOOD DUATHLON 08/03/09

Well done to everyone who took part in the Kings Wood Duathlon today. We had some great weather & some great racing!
Race Winners were:

Ladies: 1st - Sally Smoker, 2nd Sally Mortleman, 3rd Rosemary Thomas. 1st Lady Vet - Alison Stagg.

Men: 1st - Keith Brewster, 2nd Phil Lenney, 3rd Chris Neale.
1st Mens Vet - Paul Warner.

Teams: 1st Mixed Team - Ella & James Cassidy. 1st Male Team - Richard Hussey & Richard Hibbard.

FULL RESULTS ON KWD RACE PAGES

FRIDAY THEORY & SOCIAL 27/02/09
The first of a monthly 'Theory & Social' session for 2009 - this week: "Bike Maintenance" talk & demo by Kevin Pitfield.

Meet at 7.15pm in the bar of the Hockey Club, Ball Lane, Ashford (see your e-mail of 18th Jan for directions) - Followed by an 'optional curry' at the Kennington Tandoori at 9pm - All members welcome - you can bring along a friend/partner. Don't forget beer tokens & dinner money!

24/02/09 - THIS WEEKS TRAINING ...
Tuesday - swimming Ashford School 8-9pm (£4)
Wednesday - Circuits or Cycle Turbo, JRS - Indoor Shute 7-8pm (Free)
Saturday - Off Road Run - Kings Wood, 10-11am (Free)
Sunday - Group Ride Novice Group & Faster Group, meet JRS car park 9am (Free) - check forum after 7am to check if going ahead.

TRAINING W/C 2ND FEB ...
Swim as normal 8pm on Tuesday.
Circuits as normal 7pm Wednesday.
Run Kings Wood 10am Saturday.
Cycle Group Ride 9am Sunday (check forum at 7am on Sun for possible cancellation of ride due to snow!)

TRAINING STARTS THIS WEEK!!!
Right - time to shed the excess pounds & get into shape for the new season. Wednesday 7pm, Julie Rose Stadium (indoor shute) - be there for an hour of fitness training, followed by the swim session at 8pm (if you desire!). Hope to see a good turnout - go on you know you NEED to be there!!

 We wish you all a great future – but don’t forget to keep in touch.

 All the best – Nicki (ATC Chair)

WEDNESDAY FITNESS SESSIONS

No session tonight (Wednesday 17th Dec) – Sessions will resume Wednesday January 7th at 7pm.  More details of 2009 training sessions to follow via e-mail & will be posted on the Training Page shortly.

Even in the Triathlon off season, Ashford Tri Club members have found ways to challenge themselves. See the News page for a full report. Well done all who competed!

Pilates Courses - Book Now!

POD+ are now offering Pilates classes. Courses start in January/ February and include free one-to-one session

Click here for more information

Kingswood Mountain Bike Duathlon

Date set for 8th March 2009. Click here for more details and entry form

Myself and a few other like minded triathletes started ATC back in Nov 2005 and we initially had around half a dozen members.  The membership steadily grew over the years, at one point reaching 60 plus.  It has always been my aim to be part of a club that is active & offers something for everyone.  My aim for 2009 is to get the club to grow to nearer 100 members!  The more of us there are the more we can offer you. I would love to hear from you all with any ideas/feedback regarding the club – what you like/don’t like etc. Please send all comments to me via e-mail please.

We had our first committee meeting on Sunday, which produced some great ideas for the club going forward into 2009:

Briefly –

• Club training sessions to continue on Wednesdays Jan – March (running, circuits, track sessions, cycle turbo sessions)

• Sunday cycle rides to resume in January

• Swim coaching & other specialist coaching (TBC)

• Beginners/Novice coached triathlon sessions

• More BT qualified coaches & referees for 2009

• Club to purchase some cycle turbo trainers for members to use.

• Friday Night “Theory Sessions” – guest speakers/advice re training & racing etc

• Target Races for 2009 – specially selected races where the club will be there to support you while competing against fellow club-mates (dates to follow)

• New club kit for 2009 – Fleeces, tee shirts, technical tee shirts & a new range of cycle & tri kit (more details in separate e-mail soon).

• More social events – including a trip to the Tri Show in February, Summer BBQ and Family Sports Fest, Cycle Trip to France & lots more.

• Club organised races – Kingswood Duathlon (Mar & Nov) & possibly a Junior Tri at the JRS in the summer.

• And much more!

Membership renewals will be sent out shortly by the Membership Sec. - Christine Johnson – we are keeping the renewal fee the same as previous years at just £20 for the year, which entitles you to come along to the free training sessions and the other events listed above. Plus, you save £11 on British Triathlon membership, £2 on running race entries, you can enter cycle TTs & get discount at several local running & cycle shops by just being a member of Ashford Tri Club.

 Reminder - LAST WEDNESDAY FITNESS SESSION OF 2008 – Wednesday 10th December 7pm.  Last chance for a “Barron Beasting” – one hour of fun (dare I mention ‘space hoppers’) & fitness before you embark on the Christmas festivities – everyone welcome, even if this will be your first & last session of 2008! Meet in the middle section of the Indoor Shute at the Julie Rose Stadium for a 7pm start.  How about bringing a change of clothes and have a Xmas drink at the Conningbrook afterwards?

The new committee (details here) met for their first AGM on Sunday 7/12/08.

Lots of interesting discussion took place about club activities for the coming year. Some of the highlights are below, more detail to follow.

• The club is to get more trained coaches and referees

• A new high quality kit manufacturers has been found, and orders will be being taken soon.

• The targeted club races for next season were decided

• Plans for new theory sessions were discussed

• The possibility of ATC hosting more races was discussed, with a junior Triathlon (or duathlon) looking likely in 2009, along with 2 MTB duathlon.

SUNDAY MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE IN KINGS WOOD 2nd NOV


Whilst the runners were pounding the boardwalk at Deal, the mountain bikers were thrashing around in the mud in Kings Wood - seen above taking in a bit of culture viewing one the "Stour Valley Arts" sculptures, and in the video link below, embarking on some additional "core stability" exercises AKA the Limbo.

Take a look at this video on You Tube - very funny!!!

THIS WEEKS RACING ...

Good to see lots of ATCers still out racing this weekend - Now the tri season is as good as over - it is good to see people out trying new things (Adventure Racing???) and getting in some local running & duathlon races.
See the "News" page to see what "we" have been up to!

NEW CLUB CONTACTS
There have been a couple of changes on the committee this month, in particular:

PRESS OFFICER - Navin Nauth-Misir will be taking over from Will. So please send all your race reports to Navin.

SECRETARY - Adrian has had to stand down, so Jim Hawkins will be taking over the admin side & Christine Johnson the membership side.

Please see the "Committee" page for their contact details.

LEAGUE TABLES 2008
Terry has been busy compiling our league tables for this year - click on "League Tables" on the menu bar left to view the results so far.

Looks as though Keith is leading the cycling, Rob the running & Ian the triathlon.

Time is running out - but still time to send any running, swimming, cycling & triathlon times to Terry - see the info page of the tables. The results will be calculated towards the end of November with the winners being announced at the Presentation Evening & AGM.

WEB UPDATES ....
Nicki here - I'm taking over the helm again on the web front, so please send your race reports & other interesting news to the press officer in the first instance, who can then send them on to me for adding to the web. You know how much I like my "action shots" - so keep sending in your photos - much more interesting than reams of text!
Thanks - Nicki (16/10/08)

The Only Way is Up.......

.....for Ashford Tri Club at the Hollingbourne hill climb.

Last Sunday saw 7 members of ATC in action at the 'Hell of the South' Hill Climb in Hollingbourne. Read Navins race report on the News page.According to the Wigmore Cycling Club's results page, Navin had a puncture and still managed a time of 7:31.5. Now by my reckoning and the time it takes me to fix a puncture, about 10 mins, Navin actually reached the top before he set off. Way to go Navin!

Lyons 1 Christians 0

ATC's very own Keith Lyons was in action at the World Duathlon Championships a the weekend. Keith came an incredible 23rd in his age group. What a brilliant result. It absolutely amazes me at the depth of talent we have at this club. Well done Keith.

55-59 Age Group

  Run1   00:49.24 T1       00:01.23 Bike    01:14.23 T2       00:01.16 Run2   00:22.53 Total   02:29.41

  So examining the splits, Keith was 37th into T1, 13th fastest on the bike, 24th fastest on the second run bringing him home at 23rd in his age group.  

Winter FitnessTraining

OK - its that time of year, the nights are drawing in, the temperature is dropping, the sofa & TV are calling you

– but WAIT –

Resist the urge of becoming a couch potato by coming along to the:

“ATC TRIATHLON WINTER FITNESS TRAINING SESSIONS”

Folkestone Half Marathon

Also Check out the NEWS page to read Will's account of the Folkestone Half Marathon. Well Done Will. Sub 2 Hours. Great Result.

Sisters are doing it for themselves!

It's great to hear that not just the lads of ATC that have taken the Ironman challenge this year. I have some more fantastic news to report today. ATC member Jo-Anne Perry successfully completed one of the toughest triathlons on the planet,Ironman UK.

Way to go Jo! What a fantastic achievement. I bet you are walking on air. Enjoy the feeling and don't forget to get the tattoo. You have earned the right to wear it! Just remember to put it somewhere everyone can see it. (Not in the middle of your forehead- but hey if that is what floats your boat, put it where you want.)

Read Jo-Anne's great race report on the NEWS page.

Once again Jo-Anne, Well Done! You have done yourself and ATC proud and you will be a worthy entrant into ATC's Hall of Fame.

Sevenoaks September Sprint

Earlier this month our beloved Chairman Terry, was in action in Sevenoaks. Check out the NEWS Page for his excellent race report.

Terry's Tips from the Top

Technique no 4. The cycle dismount

Whilst this was discovered using a mountain bike, but with a little adjustment it should work on a road bike.

• Get up to a decent speed
• Casually let your left foot slip off the pedal so that it catches the front wheel and jams nicely against the front fork
• Braking is instantaneous, so with a little practice you should be able to power right up to the dismount line.
• Allow yourself to be unceremoniously hurled over the handlebars and slam dunked into the road.
• Whether you choose to hit with your head or shoulder/elbow depends upon the level of safety gear being worn and whether you are after death or just a light maiming.
• Allow the bike to inflict further injury as it lands on top of you.
• If possible, get to your feet and disappear before any onlookers make any disparaging remarks about your bike handling techniques

GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING

Smoking means your trainers are on fire

THE BOY IS BACK IN TOWN

Hello fellow ATCers. I'm back and I'm brown and I've put on a few extra pounds.

Wow Nicki! Love what you have done with the website. I should go away more often. Excellent job. I thought I had gone on to the wrong site at first.

Glad to see that some of you were in action whist I was away. We cant all be lying face down on a beach you know.

See the NEWS page for the latest race reports from Porty in Bermuda,

the Vitruvian and Helvellyn 2008. Well done to all of you considering the weather conditions. It could not have been easy.

LATEST NEWS 14/08/2008

This past weekend saw the staging of the largest, and in my opinion, the greatest triathlon in the world. The London Triathlon.

This triathlon holds a special place in my heart. It was in London back in 2002 that I first dipped my toes into the wacky waters of our wonderful sport. Watched by my bewildered 6 month old daughter. I enjoyed it so much that I entered it four years on the trot. What other triathlon takes you from Docklands, along the Thames into the heart of our beautiful capital city.

Several ATC members took the London challenge this weekend. Read their stories on the NEWS page.

London wasn't the only place holding a triathlon this weekend, ATC's Paul Barron was doing his thing and popping his Olympic distance cherry in the equally beautiful city of Cambridge. Also read about Paul's exploits on the News page. Thanks to all of you who submitted your race reports and results. It's great to see so many of you in action. If I have neglected to publish your race reports over the past few months, I humbly apologize, it has not been by grand design, I'm not intelligent enough for that, but simply down to sheer incompetence on my part.

ATC's Roll of Honor

ATC may not be the biggest triathlon club in the country yet, but in terms of members accomplishments in the triathlon, duathlon, running and swimming worlds,we punch way above our weight. We are now almost three years old and it is high time we had a roll of honor recognizing the remarkable achievements of our members.

So, this is a call to all members,don't be modest. Please send in a list of your sporting accomplishments. If you have represented your country in triathlon, duathlon, swimming, running,completed an Ironman, won an event etc, we want to know. Not only will it preserve your legacy for eternity but will also show prospective members that we are a club to reckoned with.

Just imagine, a hundred years from now the City of Ashford Triathlon Club could be hosting the Nicki Barron Memorial Challenge!

KINGS WOOD MOUNTAIN BIKE DUATHLON
SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2008

	ATC are staging a mountain bike duathlon in Kings Wood, Nr Ashford on Sunday 23rd November 2008. The race will follow the format of our previous successful spring duathlons, but with some added spice added to the mountain bike section and a slightly longer course. Our entry limit has been increased and with the help of race sponsors - THE INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CENTRE

we are able to offer more prizes, race tee shirts & goody bags for all competitors.
See the Kings Wood Duathlon Race Pages for more information & an entry form.

LATEST NEWS 25/07/2008

The past couple of week I have been so busy reveling in my own Ironman success that the sheer magnitude of Andy Barwise's IM Austria performance escaped me. Lets put Andy's performance into perspective. The inaugural Ironman in Hawaii was won by a 27 year old Gordon Haller in a time of 11hr, 46min, 58 sec. Andy's Austrian time was 11:35:49. Ohhhh Andy, I'm not worthy. If only we could turn back the clocks! Once again Andy, well done. A remarkable achievement!!

Porty does the West Indies! You lucky lucky ba*tard. Looking at that blue sky, golden beaches and tropical sunshine, I'm sick to my stomach. Damn you Porty!!!! I'm trying to think of something nice to say, I really am, but words fail me at the moment.

LATEST NEWS 23/07/2008

As those of you who know me will attest, I'm not the brightest button in the box. It was pointed out to me yesterday that on Sunday 13 July 2008 Ashford Tri had 6 members doing long distance triathlons. For a club our size that is a remarkable achievement. Those involved deserve a special mention. The members in action where:

Andy Barwise

Adrian Durran

Damien Tonna

Navin Nauth-Misir

Terry Foreman

Stephen Thompson

Well Done lads!!!!

More race reports have come in from ATCers in action throughout the country. Bohdan Rainczuk did the National Age Group Championship in Wakefield earlier this month. Adam Stubbs and Stuart Busby  did the Oly in South Cerneyt Well Done all of you!

LATEST NEWS 19/07/2008

IRONMAN, FORESTMAN, STEELMAN, RUBBERMAN,JELLYMAN, YOURMESSINWITHMYMELONMAN and much, much more!

Well fellow ATCers. I am finally back in town after a 1700 mile round trip to Klagenfurt in order to take on Ironman Austria. I was not alone.Four other ATC members also took the Ironman challenge. The good news is that we all finished! Andy Barwise fair flew around the course, Way to go Andy!!!. Sub 10 hours next year maybe???

A couple of reports relating to this amazing event and others are now on the NEWS page. For once, Adrian has nothing to say! It's amazing what effect Ironman has on a person.

Hmmmmm. Long and hard seems to be the order of the day. With the Tri season now in full swing and judging by the race reports being sent in, it looks like many of you have been busy over the past few weeks. Thanks guys and keep em' coming. Terry Foreman goes long and does the FORESTMAN. Sounds like a great event Terry. Catty goes hard and does the STEELMAN! A sub 3 hour Olympic for Catty for the first time.Well done Catty. I will update the new pages with all the race reports this weekend.

Finally, before you ask...Yes I have had the M dot tattoo done already. My arm is still stinging like hell, but I am now an Ironman and I laugh in the face of pain. HA!HA!HA! OUCH!

LATEST NEWS 24/06/2008

NOT SO QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT AFTER ALL!

Well my prayers have been answered. I asked for race reports and boy did I get em. Thanks everyone who submitted one. Keep them coming. Read the NEWS page for a blow by blow account of some of the hottest triathlon action around. 220, eat your heart out! We have AD and he represented GB! I was so overwhelmed with the response, that I got swept away on a tide of emotion and even submitted one myself. There are 5 new race reports to feast your eyes on!

Psst! Can you keep a secret? Nudge. Nudge. Wink. Wink.Well a little birdie has told me that ATC's very own Adrian Durran is now a Level 1 BTF Coach. Don't tell anyone I told you though. He doesn't want anyone to know. You know how humble he is. Just think, when Britain gets Triathlon Gold in 2012, those triathletes could have been trained by our Adrian. A truly sobering thought.

CONGRATULATIONS ADRIAN!!

IAN PORT WHERE ARE YOU?

Has it been almost a month since our Ian left us for warmer climes? It feels like longer. I still cry myself to sleep at night. (That has nothing to do with Ian - I just included it for dramatic effect). Mr Port, get your lazy arse off the beach and send us a report about life in Bermuda.

HOT OFF THE PRESS 16/06/2008

All QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT?

Hello! Anybody there? Where is everyone? I know the triathlon season is in full swing and you are all busy training and competing and we are all lamenting the loss of our inspirational team captain and good friend Ian, but where are the race reports?? We have had ATC members racing all over the country and abroad( Good Grief! I cant remember the last time Adrian was on English soil!!). I have not had a single race report for ages. Come on! Get them sent in. Share your race experiences with fellow members. I have been so bored lately that I have started reading the Deal Tri website!! Please spare me that. Go to the NEWS page to see Gavin Davis' Muscles of Steel Race Report. Thanks Gavin. Glad to see someone cares and congratulations on popping your cherry.

HOT OFF THE PRESS 19/05/2008

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Whilst I was personally making the sequel to Run Fat Boy Run around the streets of Hythe, training for IM Austria, 15 members of ATC took part in ATC's club championship held at the ever popular East Grinstead Tri. For a full round up of the race and results go to the NEWS page. Well done to all who took part. Great turn out for ATC.Well done Christine. Third overall. Once again setting the standard for ATC. A special mention goes to pod+ and ATC's own Kate Austen who competed in her first tri. Well done Kate!!! You are now no longer a mere mortal. You are a TRIATHLETE!!!

Durran Does Portugal!

While most of us were tucked up in bed, sipping tea and reading the daily's, the indefatigable Adrian Durran of ATC was doing the Half Ironman in Portugal. This leader of men has done more triathlons than most fruitarians have had hot dinners. Read his remarkable race round up on the NEWS page. Well Done Adrian!

The Meeting of Two Sporting Icons!

Formula 1 speedster and thoroughly good bloke,Jenson Button, could not pass up the opportunity to have his photo taken with ATC's own sporting legend Stewart Catt.

Interviewed after the recent Sevenoaks Tri, Jenson said that it was great to participate in a real sport for a change and that finally getting to meet the legedary Catty was the cherry on top. Jenson was happy with his performance at Sevenoaks but said that his time would have been better if he had not stopped to refuel and change tyres on the cycle leg.

An ATC Membership Form is currently winging its way to Mr Button.

THE TAO OF TOMMO

"Before you judge someone you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you judge them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes."

" The only real failure in life is the failure to Tri !"