The highlights for our club are coming thick and fast. Last week’s BBQ was a brilliant event. I can’t deny that I allowed myself a burst of pride at what a brilliant group of people we all are.
Today’s Challenge race events were another highlight. There were some outstanding moments and some excellent performances. Whether it be Leo Staufenberg demonstrating the rewards that countless hours of determination bring, or the truly heroic duel between Tom Sides and Zavier that finished with a win to Tom and with it a spectacular technicolour yawn.
Whether you achieved a personal milestone, gained a deeper insight into your next training focus, or simply embraced the joy of competing with commitment in a sport that you have made a real investment into; you all represented yourselves and us with excellence.
Thank you!
It can become a cliché when it is said that endeavours like this club “would not be possible without the support of…” but in our case, voluntary contribution is in the fabric of everything we do. We have top class training programmes due to the input and oversight from professional triathlon coach Merryn Johnston. Students ride carbon fibre road bikes, swim in wetsuits, wear brand new goggles, that have been donated to the club by people like Penny Batchelor, the Heath family and Rob Ormandy. The food the 60 of us ate at the BBQ last week was purchased, cooked and served by the McMurray and Sinclair families. The lane hire at the pool and other costs are all paid for by a significant donation from Noeline Munro (my mum). Every time we run, ride or swim, our safety team Belinda Sides, Merryn Johnston, Alex Guichard, Pete Smalley, Richard Sides, Michelle Watson, Mark Watson, Tony McMurray, Nigel Smith, Penny Batchelor, Amanda Inkster, Chris Heath, Emily Heath, Thelma McMurray, Lisa Foggin and Karenza Heath pedal, paddle and stride quietly beside us – keeping my safety ratios correct, providing their expertise, encouragement and the odd tube replacement and putting themselves between you and any possible danger. You arrive to training well fed, healthy, with all the gear you need due to the supreme co-ordination skills and dedication to your success and happiness of your families. Not one of these people support our club because they want to be thanked – yet the most important thing we can do to acknowledge all of this is to say thank you. Never feel silly for doing so, and don’t worry if they brush you aside – when you notice someone doing something you value – tell them so!
Tomorrow:
Club Ride: Mt Barker Sets – Meet Room 23 at 3:30 pm. Group ride for strategy including pace sets.
New younger riders to the club must undergo our road cycling initial rider training before they can head out on the open road with the team. The first session of this will run on Friday 22 February
Monday 18 January:
Club Open Water Swim – Sighting Skills, Pace Sets, Swim Strength – Meet at the new carpark in Roy’s Bay at 6:00 pm.
If you wish to participate in our open water swim sessions, please speak to Chris to arrange an opportunity to complete our club open water test.
Thursday 21 January:
Club Run – Meet Room 23 at 3:30 pm.
Our Thursday afternoon runs have been going very well, and are very well attended. We’ve been aware of the conflict for some athletes between these and Val Burke’s running for speed coaching.
You’ll be pleased to know that Val is eager to collaborate with our club in the development of our runners. This means that our Thursday sessions will be combined with Val’s. Val and I will then work together to develop a tiered programme that best fits the needs of everyone concerned – and all you athletes can rest assured that you can show up and enjoy your time without feeling conflicted about whether you’re in the right place.
I’m very excited about this and grateful to Val for her being open to this collaboration. Parents and other parties are, and will always be integral to this process, and are invited to continue to attend and participate in our sessions whenever you are able.
Tomorrow’s session will now be a non-exercising introduction. Runners from the Tri Club should meet as usual at 3:30pm outside Room 23. Unfortunately I have parent interviews that night, but Merryn and Belinda will be there to meet you, and they will wander over to Val’s group on the field to make introductions. Val will also speak about Friday’s Athletics day and you can all take a well-earned rest.
Friday 22 February:
Club Ride: Treble Cone Ride Out – Meet Room 23 at 3:30 pm. Riding for volume with a technical focus on the ‘attack’.
Lisa’s Cycling Intro Sessions:
We are very excited to have new members keen to join our MAC Tri-Sport Club. For safety reasons, before we can take students out on the road, we deliver a skills programme where we complete a bike check and practice using our gears, brakes and test our balance skills through a series of games.
We will start our cycling skills sessions next Friday 22nd February (after Athletics).
We will meet outside the English rooms with the rest of the team at 3.30pm. The session is expected to run from 3.30pm – 5.30pm and will be held on the back field of school. Please ensure that your bike is in road worthy condition and that you have a helmet with you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I look forward to meeting with you all on the 22nd.
Lisa Foggin
Our training and event calendar can be found at: http://trisport.mtaspiring.edutronic.net/training-calendar/ – and you can merge it with your own device if you like
Our club is all about participation, and alongside the excellent commitment of the student athletes, we welcome family members and members of the community to join us in all of our training sessions. They’re designed to accommodate all levels and abilities and are a lot of fun. If you have it in mind that you’d like to join any of our regular sessions, simply let me know and we’ll make sure you have all the information you need.
Righto!
Chris + The Team
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