Ironman Tips: Following her recent IM, some tips from Kelda for anyone else attempting the distance >>>

I've just read an article in Cycling Weekly which explains British
Airways' new policy on baggage allowance. All passengers are allowed one item of sporting goods on top of their standard baggage. However because of new baggage handling equipment at Heathrow they have reduced the size of sporting goods allowed to below the size of a bike bag/box. Although this policy is based on Heathrow it appears that BA are applying it throughout the country and it is being introduced on 1 Jul. If you're flying to germany via BA I'd give them a call and check you're ok to take your bike.

Unfortunately there is not a lot around. The stuff I have is now baggy round the elastic (wasn't good quality to start with) - and not a good sight on the bike!! We are still waiting for new order to arrive so not sure if it will be here before dambuster or if Martin Ball the kit manager will have anything in addition to the items ordered. Sorry, not a lot of help really.

Inter Services. Doesn't seem to be a lot of information for this event forthcoming. Is there an admin order available pse. Need some sort of authority for booking flights etc through our travel cell. The longer it takes the more expensive the flights get! Tks, Bev

Hi, I have entered in Junes Dambuster Triathlon and may have left it to the last minute but I have no RAF tri Kit and was hoping to buy or borrow any female kit.

If anyone has any feedback for Susan, please get in contact via the Webmaster.

Message Forum is now live. Members can post comments directly to the forum. If this is not to your fancy, then the email option will still be operated, but the intention is to gradually move over to the web based option. Any queries to the webmaster. Cheers

Work commitments now mean that I cannot do the Dambuster Triathlon either although it is not because I am off to Oz like Phil. I too have entered and paid for the race and so it is available to anyone who wishes. I am away until 5 Jun but will sort out the details if someone is interested upon my return.

[WM: If anyone is interested in the place, please contact the webmaster and I will put you in contact with Nick. However, please note that the decision to transfer entries lies with the event organisers and not RAF Tri.]

Just to let everyone know that the races held at Dorney Lake are great fun on closed roads and in a teriffic atmosphere. I did Race 1 in the Eton Supersprint series last weekend - 13 May with a good result (3rd in the F40+) and would do more if I wasn't so far north!! If you want a good race - open water - great for all levels, look on the humanrace website. Dave Allen was only a minute behind - how does he do that without training?!!

Mike Masters - Fish in the water, fish on the bike, fish on the run!

I am competing in Austria IM (yes, yes, I know that there are others within RAF Tri who are also going 'long' this year), but I have decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK. I thought there was no point in going all that way and not helping to raise money for a good cause. I would be grateful of any donations from RAF Tri Members and their friends/colleagues/family members.

I chose Cancer Research UK after a very good friend, a pilot, and my former Flt Cdr while I was on 33 Sqn, Richie Rees, died of cancer last year. Richie was one of the unfortunate ones who lost his battle, but the fight to find a cure goes on. Please give generously via the Secure Link, or if you would rather send a cheque then please email me via the webmaster and I will forward my address.

I will also be collecting at the Sprint Event at Cranwell on 24 May 06. Thank you for your generosity.

I am sure that anyone who knows him will want to wish Kev Brock all the best at IM Lanzarote on Saturday. He should be acclimatising in Lanzarote by now. This is Kev's first IM (Pick an easy one, why don't you Kev?!) and having met him at La Santa this year, know how much this means to him and how hard he has trained. In your own words Kev, "Tear their f%$£^&g legs off!"

Spare Place for Dambuster: I have entered and paid for a place at the Dambuster, but won't be able to attend due to being in Oz until August [WM: Harsh Life!] - plenty of races in the Brisbane area instead! NO LONGER AVAILABLE

If anyone has failed to get in and would like the place, please contact the webmaster and I'll pass your details on to Phil.

Message Deleted.

Hi Guys, I noticed from the results for Turriff Sprint and probably Erskine too that some of you are still using RAFTA as the club rather than RAF Tri, there is a club ranking system in operation north of the border but if we don't all use the same wording we won't accumulate the points!

Blinkin Eck! Mike Masters is reporting swim times of 5:07 for 400m! Now that is slippy; tell us about your bike Mike? Sounds like you are on top form!

To any budding Ironmen from the TLD website:
"There is no point beating around the bush as we stand today Longest Day Triathlon is dead in the water. We have less that 100 entries so far and realisticially require over 200 on the start list come race day."

I have managed to reserve a last minute place in IMUK (at twice the price) if the worst happens!

Racing News from AL Udeid by Mike Masters. Full details within the News section.

Ref Matt's question on receipts for the Sprint Tri. If he entered on line, there was an option to print off an email confirmation of entry; that would be sufficient for claim purposes.

Matt - give me a ring if you need info.

Mark

I've entered the 3 sprints coming up (cran/odiham/brize) online and have not received a receipt. I need this for claims etc. Anyone know how I can get it? [WM: Has anyone else had problems with this?]

Please can all those people who borrowed race kit from me at the Duathlon ensure that it is returned to me (smelling of roses!) at the Cranwell race. If you're not going to Cranwell then please post through to me at the following address:

Sqn Ldr J C Crewe, ASTOR IPT, 1 Hangar,

RAF Waddington, LINCOLN. LN5 9NB

Thanks JC

I've missed the boat for ordering some Tri kit as I didn't know if I would be racing this year due to injury. Has anyone got a spare tri top they want to sell? Size medium please. Thanks, Daz Sharpe 95271 x7715

Kit Update - Fellow Triathletes, a few kit updates:

Firstly, for some time we have been looking for a suitable running / training jacket to wear at events. Moette have come up with a design which has been kindly modelled by our Chairman [Jacket-Front, Jacket-Rear]. The jackets are made of a rip-stop material and have a mesh lining. They will cost about £25; if there is sufficient interest (20 takers) I will place an order. If you would be willing to purchase a jacket please email at kitmanager (at) raftri.co.uk by 30 May 06.

Secondly, the price of subsidised RAF Triathlon Polo Shirts for new members has been increased from £5 to £6 to cover postage costs. However, if you would like to order additional shirts you can do this directly with the supplier by visiting Gilmour Corporate Clothing (www.rafclothing.com) and selecting RAF Sports Board Garments, RAF bespoke polo shirts (remember to select the Triathlon logo!).

Thirdly, the order for the RAF Race Kit has been submitted and I hope to get an update in the next couple of weeks. Unfortunately if you haven't placed an order with me you have missed the bus!

Rachel, I'm very keen to help any ladies with their training. Drop me an email at ladiesteammanger (at) raftri.org.uk and I'll coordinate some good training with one of our coaches.

I'm an officer cadet at St Athan and am just starting training with the hope of eventually being able to do a triathlon. I have a reasonable level of fitness (running at 8.3 km/hr for 20 mins) and am a keen mountain biker but don't really know how to really start training. I have looked at a few websites but most seem to give either programs starting from the "couch" or the other extreme. Any help would be much appreciated and if any one can point me in the direction of a cheap road bike that would be magic. Cheers [WM: Training and Triangles sections recently updated - good source]

As I sit in my new abode in Pakistan, I thought I was really enjoying my life in the sun with servants in the house and allowances to top it off. I then took a look at my expanding waistline and schedule of work, cocktail parties and visits next week and I realized how much I miss the triathlon scene. To make it worse, reading the reports from Lanzarote made me feel 10 times more envious (and fat!). RAF Tri has so much to offer and Sally put it best when she said it is not 'clicky'. The elites contribute and the novices gain; the elites then have to live up to their reputations and so the training cycle builds. The backbone of the organisation is building as very few are leaving and therefore we have a growing band of long term triathletes. Keep up the good work Pete and the Team and spur us all on to greater things. My aim is to start a Pakistani Triathlon Team so watch this space - and look out for the 'Pakistani old git'. By the way I may be looking for donated old bikes to ship out by Herc. The Brit club has a superb open air pool and I might need a coach or two on a Mil flight to Islamabad. Any volunteers?

Hello, anyone travelling to Cranwell for Sprint Champs from the frozen north - or Leuchars possibly? Been trying to contact a few of you up here but no one is answering! I've entered just hope someone up here who can book MT has too . . .

Mike, as for your stubble problem, there is no answer!!!! Just use razor blade and shaving foam 2 - 3 times a week!!!

Tourists, just to keep you informed, the CDs I promised to prepare for you all are well on their way to completion. I’ve experienced delays with receiving some photos and had problems with the CD printer. All these issues are now sorted and as we speak the disks are being burned and printed. I expect to get them to you all just before, or immediately after the Easter break.

Mark Saggers, can you e-mail me a list of names and addresses for all those who attended La Santa so I can distribute the disks.

A huge congratulations to all the ladies that took part in the IS Duathlon at RAF St Athan. Well done especially to Rachel and Angie who both put in a gutsy performance at their first Inter-service event.

Have you tried volunteering? RAF Tri needs your Support. If you cannot participate in the Race Series this year have you thought about becoming an RAF Tri Volunteer? We are looking for enthusiastic people to assist as Race Marshals, Poolside assistants and Transition Marshals. We all know that without volunteers, races simply do not happen - so if you can please lend a hand, all at RAF Tri travelling expense. Goody bags and T-shirts come as standard.
E-mail one of the Race Director's Team:
Si Bellamy(General): racedirector (at) raftri.org.uk
Neill Gowans(Brize Norton): neillgowans (at) raftri.org.uk
Brad Goggin (Odiham): brad (at) raftri.org.uk
Si Hamilton (Cranwell): hamiltonsi (at) hotmail.com

If you can't join them- support them!

Race Refunds 2005 - details now available. See News Item >>

Mick, I thought it best to put it to the METROSEXUALS of RAF Tri. However your comment about asking the ladies hasn't gone unoticed. Yesterday evening I deciced that I would do a little market research. After asking a few young ladies what their prefered method of smoothness was, I had the answer.....IMAC it, (but read the instructions first). My error the first time round DO NOT LEAVE IT ON TOO LONG. After an entertaining evening of sharing tips and comparing smoothness I was satisfied that I now have the ultimate way to pick up the ladies. Thank you Triathlon. I do beleive that the research needs to be continued futher and that a disertation should follow at the end of next year.

With regard to the futher derogatory remarks about gender classification for the coming season. I may run like a girl but I would like to clarify one thing: I will be very much competing in the all male catagory. My bionic knee held together for a sub 40min 10K Cross country at the weekend which I am very pleased with. The man is now a machine. Sorry I won't be at Cranwell (at the end of the week on a warm weather training camp). Going for a couple of months but should be back in time to help you over the line at Dambuster. Good luck to everyone at the Inter-services Duathlon and the Cranwell Sprint. Should hopefully see you all at Odiham.

Ironman Austria Accommodation.

Just received a message from Tony Bromovsky who has wonderful accommodation near Klagenfurt,Austria. If you are considering doing IM Austria I would highly recommend it. Also ask Breezy and Neill for their views. Klagenfurt airport 10 minutes away. Race HQ 15 miles away. Ideal for training. The owner and staff there are fantastic. Website and more information under the News Item >>

Polo T-shirts update. Most of you should have received your polo t-shirts by now, or they are still on their way. Rachael Tubb's, Jennifer Hill's and Aaron Henderson's will be posted out shortly. I have re-ordered some more stock for John Embury, John Mellor and Owen Thompson and I'll despatch these when they arrive. Many thanks.

Mike, Don't do it mate, shave your head instead. PB for me at Cosford last year! ;-)

Mike Masters post cannot possibly go unanswered. Firstly Mike, you should have addressed your request for information to the lady triathletes, as they obviously have more experience in such matters (although I do know that Nige Porter prefers the "smooth" look as well). And with your comment about "experimenting" can we expect a change of gender group from you this year? However, you should be honest, and admit that this is just a cover story for when you get your butt kicked (again) by the vets (Page 1 Para 2 - Mike's Book of Excuses).

Seriously though, hope your wounds recover and you make it down to Cranwell in May.

Please note that the link to the RAF Triathlon race kit order form that was linked from a Kit Update message put on the website message board (Serial 197, 26 February) was incorrect; it was last years and had been linked by mistake. Find attached order form for this years race kit. Apology for the delay in getting the order form out but I have been having the perennial problems with our supplier. I urgently need your requests and cheques! I will be placing an order with the company at the end of March; hopefully the kit will arrive before Dambuster!

I suggest that you beg, steal and borrow RAF Tri race kit for any RAF Tri sanctioned races. Naturally, the Committee expect our members to wear the RAF Tri kit for sanctioned races (part of the deal to be able to claim travel expenses), however, if you haven't got kit because I haven't been able to provide it, it is not your fault! If you want to know what non-RAF tri kit is available please give me a call.

Martin Ball

'Stressed' Kit Manager

Bristol and District (BAD) Triathletes are holding a Womens Triathlon Taster Day on 8 Apr 06 at Badminton Girls School, Westbury Road, The Downs, Bristol. It's free of charge, begins at 1pm until 4 pm. For more info see www.badtri.org or BTA homepage.

Thanks go to the La Santa posse for a great week in the sun. I’m looking forward to next year already…

For anyone who is interested, the Australian Institute of Sport have produced several cook books for athletes. They contain recipes which are nutritionally sound, quick and easy to prepare and yummy AND scrummy. Details of all of their products are here.

I have Survival For The Fittest and Survival From The Fittest; they both come highly recommended. I can cook most of the recipes, that’s how easy they are.

Brad, please can you let me know the details of your underwater spy camera?

Vicky, please post my bolts back to me! XV Sqn, RAF Lossiemouth will do.

Thanks once again, Ben Shep

Thanks to all who went to La Santa for a fab week. In particular thanks to Saggers, Brad and the coaches who contributed so much to my learning. I’ve never been away with such a mixed bunch who are so keen, fun and helpful. Looking forward to next year already! See you at Dambuster if not before. Steve

If you think 220 this month is plastered with pictures of Matt you should see the pacesetters website.
Over the last couple of weeks I've been "Experimenting".

Wk1 Shaved legs, stubble grew back after a few days.

Wk2 IMAC'd legs, after a quick trip to casualty with chemical burns and chaffing legs were stubbly after a few days.

Q. Should I try waxing or will that grow back in a few days as well. I put it to you guys, how is it best to maintain that sleak finish. [Well if that wasn't an invitation to the masses then...]

Hooray for Triathlon! Thanks to all, especially good to see Saggers make it halfway through the week, even if most of us were too knackered to join him on any tough training sessions! Missing the sun already, British weather sucks...I can feel my hard earned tan simply fading away. See you at Cranwell!

Great to hear that 2006 provided yet another superb tour. Unfortunately I didn’t get to go this year, so very jealous! I did eat twice the amount of calories for a week though just to sympathise with you all. Unfortunately my wife refused to cook a choice of 12 dishes and wouldn’t let me follow my meal with 3 desserts, fruit salad and coffee. Oh well, I’ll have to wait for next year. Talking of next year, for those who are not aware, the 2007 Tour is being organised by Ian Hall (ianhall (at) raftri.org.uk), so if you have some good ideas or want to encourage us to do something completely different next year, feed your ideas in through him.

Now its time to concentrate on the year ahead. Make sure you take a good look at the 2006 race programme – be ambitious with the races you pencil in for yourself. We need as many as possible at the Duathlon Interservices – contact mensteammanager (at) raftri.org.uk if would like to join the team. Our sprints this year will be Cranwell, Odiham and Brize Norton. Please encourage as many people as possible to attend from your stations. Why not book a minibus and seek to fill it! You will have authority to use MT. Also, the RAF Standard Distance Championships is filling up fast (Dambuster) so get your application in soon if you haven’t already. This is a very good race to pick for your first Olympic distance triathlon. The race will probably be full by the end of this month so beware.

Top Bods – for you elite guys out there, if you have significant success at any race in 2006 please file a quick report into Frank Whittle at publicity raftri.org.uk and the webmaster; it all helps with our sponsorship profile.

Kind regards

Your Chairman

No doubt there will be lots appearing on the site in the next few days, but just wanted to say a huge thanks to Brad, all the coaches and fellow triathletes for a great week away with loads of quality training, coaching and most of all - a fun week. Best wishes to all in the forthcoming season. Bev

How much PR for RAF Tri and Saucony!!! Should we now ask Ironman for some sponsorship? Well done Mat, I always thought you were a model triathlete. [also see Ident 200]

Just want to say thanks to Mark Saggers and all the coaches for and fantastic week in the sunshine and another really good tour. Yey again I`ve learnt so much about what I can actually do and it`s been great to have so much advice from people willing to help those of us who are less experienced. It was also really good to meet some new faces and to be involved in a really friendly, unclicky sport. Cheers everyone.

I'd just like to say thanks to all the guys and girls on the tour who made it such a success. Big thanks to Sags, Brad and the other coaches, this was my 3rd time out at La Santa and it gets slicker and more professional every year. Well done everyone who took part, especially the gang out on the Ironman bike route on the windiest day of the week!!! Loonies!!! Everyone have a great season!
Phil ;-)

Those of us lucky enough to go on the La Santa Tour to Lanzarote this year have now returned. Once again a big vote of thanks to all those involved in making the trip possible. A challenging but productive week thanks to the work of Saggers, Brad and all the coaches who put in the effort to make it so. It was also good to see so many new faces with a good mix of abilities. Time once again to dig out the thermals & waterproofs ready for the next bike ride - hope to see you all at Dambuster. Sean McHugh

Aqua Sphere goods for sale - swim skins, suits, masks…
For excellent prices on all aquasphere products, search my name on ebay (beccy2108) or email me for private sales. A full range of products can be found at www.aquasphereusa.com Just email me and I will beat any price!! All queries and questions are welcome. beccy2108@yahoo.co.uk

So how much did Mat pay to have his picture 3 times in this month's 220? [Fancy a sweepstake? Or was it just his charm?!]

That was one heck of an Ironman Mat, leaving the waters of Waikiki, cycling around Oahu before arriving back into Kona! Wow, even more amazing time than I thought! Kelda

The Admin Order for the Tour was emailed last week. If you have not
received it please contact me asap

Kit Update:

RAF Polo Shirts: I will be dispatching them shortly and I'll be looking to send them to a nominated person at each main station wherever possible. I have orders for 50 polo shirts and have re-ordered in a number of sizes, please be patient you will get one! Those that are on the tour should receive them at the airport!

Now, what you can do for me! If you haven't ordered or know someone that would like to order, please tell me what size you want and contact/address details. If you haven't paid please send me a cheque for £5 payable to 'RAF Tri' to my work address ASAP.

I'm still chasing up what is happening with the RAF Race Kit and hope to get the info out in the next week or so (blame the suppliers, I always do because I'm an engineer!) - rest assured I'm on the case!

Kelda, I now have your copy of the worlds video (albeit it in bit of a battered state but watchable!) Do you want to email me your address (bev_childs hotmail.com) or I can bring it with me to Kinloss at the end of march. Can you let me have a contact number too so I can get in touch for training venues etc. Tks
Bev

Important information is available for all Coaches - accessible via the Training Development Page. There's also a useful Running Calculator.

I am going to be away on det until the middle of March due back on 12/03 but on trail so who knows. Keep sending your applications and I will catch up.

Many thanks to Brad and all the other coaches who gave their time and professionalism to the training weekend. Great to see so many new faces and good incentives for us old buggers too!
Bev

Due to a late notice cancellation, there is a space on the tour. Somebody at the AGM expressed an interest to go... Could anyone keen please contact Mark at sec raftri.org.uk or mob 07738160964.

Also, please be advised that the proposed Coach Travel from Cosford to the Airport will not be happening.

I forgot to ask this weekend. Does anyone have a race top that I can borrow for a Duathlon at the end of this month whilst we are waiting for the new kit? Cheers Nick Maxey. Thanks for everyone's top tips to us novices... fingers crossed we remember some of them

Thanks to Brad and all the coaches for an excellent training weekend. It was also fantastic to see so many people attend. I left my camera behind but once I'm reunited with it I'll send all the photos to the Webmaster so everyone can laugh at the drills we did. [Web: likewise on all counts...]

We are hoping to run a childrens' tri here at Waddington in the summer. It is all very conceptual at this stage but do you know of anyone on the committee etc who may be able to offer advice or even act as referee. If you have any other thoughts they would be gladly received.

Any volunteers, please contact Fred directly...

Entry forms for the Dambuster are now on www.pacesetterevents.com [or also on our site - bargain]. Remember this is RAF Triathlon's flagship event, being our Olympic Distance Champs and selection race for the Inter-Services Men's Teams. As it's also a BTA World Championship Age Gp Qualifier it'll be extremely popular - last year the race was full early in the year. So make sure you get your entries in ASAP. If you've never done an open water event or Olympic Distance event before, it's ideal, as there'll be loads of support from all the other RAF Triathletes. They are offering online entry, but it's not live yet so we suggest you do it the old-fashioned way and print out the pdf entry form to make sure you get your place.

Jimmy Sockell

[FAO: Brad]

Hi

Could someone tell me who is running the training at Cosford on the 11/12 Feb 06? and is it only open to RAF or can civilians come along?

Hi

Although the websites aren’t up and running I approached the Dambuster Race Director, Mark Shaw, and he happily sent me details and an entry form for the Dambuster.  An early entry before the websites come online may be a good idea due to the World Qualifier status.  Could you post the form on the website to give everyone a potential head start on entering.

Entry Form

Cheers

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