Triathlon Success!
Firstly, we would all like to say a big thank you for all of the kind messages we received both before and after the event, and the generous sponsorship given for our nominated charity MCS. Everyone was so supportive and we couldn't have done it without your encouragement. We’d like to thank the organisers Tricoaching UK for doing such a great job and the other competitors and spectators at the Whitecross Leisure Centre in Lydney on the day who really boosted morale on the course.
If you’ve forgotten to sponsor us, or were waiting to see how we did, don’t panic, you can still do so on this site. So don’t delay, sponsor us today!!
Here is a run down of the event with all the details:
When most of you were having your Sunday lie in last weekend, the MCS triathlon team were arriving in Lydney to start their first ever attempt at a triathlon.
Nerves soon shook the last yawn out of us as we made our way to the Whitecross Leisure Centre swimming pool to be part of the first starting group at 7.45. We'd all thought it best to pace ourselves for the swim, but the competative atmosphere combined with nerves certainly had an affect! Before the race there had been some concern about the transition stage, where you have to go from dripping wet to bike ready as quickly as you can, but with the weather hotting up it wasn't really a huge problem - just found getting dry socks on wet feet a bit tricky!
Next came the gruelling 22km bike ride which included a testing hill section up to Bream and St. Braival. Gill had serious bike problems with a wobbly seat and a chain falling off, but still managed carry on after some quick roadside repairs. Sunday developed into a blisteringly hot day and the 5km run around the sports field was a real test of endurance. It was a 3 lap circuit on pretty heavy going long grass and during the 3rd lap several of us felt like we had legs made out of lead! The team and our cheerleaders (Thanks Tim!) were starting to get worried as they waited for Katherine to finish the bike course, but somehow she had slipped under the radar and finished the run just in time to stop the search party!
So, despite starting to get sunburnt (see photo!), we all made it to the finish line with big grins, feeling on top of the world. The organisers of the event Tricoaching UK had laid on a professional sports masseur for the competitors and as this was their first ever triathlon, Sam & Mel encouraged everyone to take advantage of this to prevent all the aches and pains (for more photos see www.mcsuk.org). The recently released times have revealed some real talent: Mel completed the whole course in just over 1 1/2 hours. Initial enthusiasm to sign up for more triathlons still remains; watch this space!
The team were taking part in this challenge to raise money to help save our precious seas shores and wildlife. We are so close to making our fundraising target, and would love your help to get there now we've done our bit and completed the challenge!
The UK’s coastal and marine environments are some of the most beautiful in the world, supporting an astonishing diversity of habitats and species, as well as providing vital resources for economic development, food and recreation.
However, coastal habitats are under increasing pressure from development, tourism and climate change. Further offshore, marine habitats and wildlife such as the endangered marine turtle, sharks, dolphins and seals are threatened by activities associated with fisheries, aggregate extraction and offshore energy developments.
2006 is a critical year for marine conservation in the UK as the government will this year be debating our first Marine Bill, in what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to protect our nationally important marine sites and species, and better manage the many industries that impact on and compete for use of the marine environment.
This MCS triathlon team event kicked off the MCS Coastal Challenge campaign and clocked up 137km towards our MCS Coastal Challenge total; only another 18,333 km to go to make it around the whole UK coastline!
If you would like to help MCS make their target, all you need to do is pick an activity from walking or cycling to swimming or sailing, let MCS know the distance you will cover and get sponsored to help MCS's vital work to protect our precious seas, shores and wildlife. For more information, please email fundraising@mcsuk.org, or ring 01989 561587 and speak to Katherine.
Thank you for taking the time to visit our site and for your support of the MCS triathlon team,
Sam, Mel, Gill, Katherine & Jon
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