Helen Blamey swam 1500m and was second in her age group, and 17th female overall out of 76  in the Human Race Open Water swim series race at Windsor. Her time was a reflection of the huge current – 41.57, of which she estimates 30mins of that was going upstream and 12 coming back!

Lloyd Cosgrove and John Sawers were flying the flag for VTC at the Swashbuckler down in the New Forest – 1.9km swim, 80km bike, 22km run. John came 65th overall (8th age group) in 4:55:18 just overtaking Lloyd on the final kms of the run, who came in at 4:58:50 placing 75th (21st in age group). John says: “This was an excellent race with stunning views out on the course and excellent organisation – recommended to anyone looking for their first stab past Olympic distance.”

Clarkie took part in the Brit Sprint Champs in Nottingham on Saturday. This was also the first of the 3 available qualifiers for places at the 2013 Grand Finals in Hyde Park. The racing was fast and furious; there were 7 qualifying places up for grabs in each wave. Alan was in the qualifying places until they hit the run where he lost about 8 places and finished 12th.  It was a great venue to race and you knew you were racing some of the best in the country. He has one more chance to qualify at end of the month in Bristol.

Mark Yeoman raced the MK sprint: the swim as fast and he pressed on hard with ex elite Stephen Harrison and they exited in around 8.30 mins for the 750m. Stephen looked to get away on the bike and Mark tried to keep in touch, coming in to T2 still in second, but around 1.30 down. “Harrison has wheels to burn so I looked to find a rhythm. I was soon over taken by a 20 year old whippet, but over the first lap I held the gap. However on the second, although I ran a negative split, I was pipped into 4th overall over the last 500m. Solid time over all and about 1min off 2nd. “

City to Summit, ‘triathlon’s toughest weekend away’, an Ironman event which only the fittest and craziest attempt, which Anna Gilmore not only attempted, but completed in 14:39:19 and came in second female home. 

This event begins with a swim in Edinburgh’s Firth of Forth, this year so cold (8.9 degrees!) Anna wore kit straight from a James Bond movie – a thermal heat seeker vest – an additional neoprene layer under her wetsuit, in addition to hat and gloves. Anna was third female out of the water.

The bike leg of Anna’s course took her 112 miles towards Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis , maintaining her third position all the way. Not to be put off by the deep snow and white-out hailstorm, Anna then began her ascent of Ben Nevis…  in to second place!

Anna says: ‘ It’s honestly a very accessible race… it was all about dressing properly because it was very exposed and windy and eating lots and that’s it’

6% of the starters did not finish, most of us would not even get to the start line, we’re really proud of you Anna, well done.

Our recent influx of members seems to have brought a flood of Simons and Andrews … so who is who?

Andrew number 2, is Andrew Pirie  – he claims to be 30, but was asked for ID when we all met him for the first time at Viceroys’ social. ‘Ironman Andrew’ has completed 12 Triathlons; 3 London Marathons; 1200 miles Rome to London bike ride unsupported for charity;1 Ironman in 2012 Bolton and has another 3 Ironman events booked for this year – welcome to the club!

Just weeks after Viceroys weekly coached track sessions at Stompond Lane began, the news of Mark Yeoman’s good work has so spread that he coached a full house of 14 runners this week. Adapting his programme to equally challenge our 6 minute and 10 minute+ mile runners was an impressive feat, but one which was met with enthusiasm by all, as each time we passed the 400m line he gave individual words of direction and encouragement… or he shouted at you across the track if you thought you were safe for a few seconds.

This week’s popular session focused on increasing cadence to benefit pace, maintaining and increasing pace when (physical and mental) fatigue sets in and negative splits… in addition to individualised support where needed. Although pain and the feeling of physical sickness may (briefly) have been mentioned at the end of the session, everyone is strangely keen to sign up for more next week!

Andrew Tugwell was hijacked by Chairman Yeo during a swim session – Andrew joined us for a Tuesday night bike ride, challenged even the fast boys and has not looked back since.

Andrew’s first tri at Dorney reflects that although not a triathlete before this weekend, his sporting background (boxing, kickboxing, 5k,10k races encouraged by his dad who has always been a great runner)has certainly stood him in good stead. Thursday night runners will also testify to this newcomer’s fitness levels!

Andrew says: “If I hadn’t spoken to Mark that day none of this would of happened,so thanks.”

Trevor Hartley completed Wiggle 1/2 Olympic Triathlon Sunday 26th,at Dorney. After an awesome swim where he exited the water 5th, he had a tremendous bike, faster than last year which was the same 21k distance. Then it all went pear shaped!

Trevor fell off his bike at the stop line and his calf immediately seized up – thinking he was out of the race, he limped into transition only to find a near empty rack section, he was in 2nd place.

Trevor put on his running shoes  and went out on the run, probably having lost about 2-1/2 minutes but  he still finished 3rd in the 55+ age group – well done Trevor, those Thursday night Viceroys handicap runs obviously helped you struggle through the pain.

Today is exactly one year since Nicola got hit by a car cycling over Walton Bridge to meet the Viceroys for the first time. That was a pretty low point, she’d broken her teeth, her bike was a write-off and the driver couldn’t be traced.

She never wanted to be a triathlete, she joined Viceroys because a friend told her that triathletes would be friendlier to ride with than a pure cycling club! But whilst I was waiting for her injuries to heal and to buy a new bike, she thought she may as well learn to swim. Mark still laughs about her first session at Shepperton lake, when she barely got her face wet!

But today, says Nicola (our club secretary), “Thanks to fantastic coaching from Mark and great support from all the Viceroys, I did my third triathlon today. And the swim is my favourite discipline!”

A few weeks ago Graham Alsop made it in to cycling weekly in his Viceroys kit as he climbed to the top of Box Hill and now Carla Gilbey has been found fronting a flyer for an upcoming event!

Proud to wear pink? Congratulations to Rory on reaching the highest levels of triathlon, with confirmatation of his overall placing for the 2012 Ironman 70.3 season – 2nd in GB and 15th in Europe.

In Rory’s words: ‘Amazing support throughout the year from friends and family that made me secure a place at the World Championships in Las Vegas. Relentless focus and training structure from close friend and coach Mark Yeoman got me to the start lines. Looking forward to seeing what we can achieve over this season and beyond.’