<?xml version="1.0"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Taut Report - Tri247</title><link>http://www.tri247.com/index.html</link><description>Latest taut report articles from Tri247</description><item><title><![CDATA[Taut Report: North Devon Triathletes]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_5688.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[
  
    
  
  
    As part of a new monthly feature supported by TAUT - the Official Sports Drink Sponsor of British Triathlon (www.taut-sport.co.uk), Tri247 introduces you to the TAUT Report. The TAUT Report highlights the activities of triathlon clubs, their athletes and their events, which form the backbone of the sport. 
    
  
  
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      OCTOBER 2009 - NORTH DEVON TRIATHLETES 
        
      North Devon Triathletes were  known through their formative years as Ilfracombe Triathletes. The name was  changed to help accommodate triathletes that were spread over a much bigger  catchment area.
The last two years has seen huge  changes in the local tri scene and along with the clubs new highly recognisable  green kit, have come a huge amount of new faces. Although it&#039;s never going to be  the biggest club you&rsquo;ll find, North Devon Tri has rapidly grown and now boasts  a membership close to three times its membership in 2006.
      With several members thinking nothing  of travelling 30-40 miles for a training session, the clubs focus is often  around the social side of things. While there are Ironman athletes, race  winners and even World Champions amongst the group, the majority are fairly new  to the sport and the clubs aim is to make sure they enjoy it and stay  triathletes for a long time to come.        
  
  
    There is a club swim session held at  Barnstaple Pool on Sunday mornings (race schedule permitting), after which  groups of members will head out on their bikes or head off to the local running  track where everyone can train together whatever their ability. Many of these  sessions, along with group sessions based around the local beaches, are arranged  through the Club Forum which helps to keep everybody feeling close no matter  how far the physical distance between them.
      The social aspect doesn&#039;t stop at the training however as  North Devon Tri like to meet up and race &#039;en masse&#039; too. 
    
  
  
    Many races in the  South West will find that their biggest single contingent of competitors will  be from &lsquo;Team Green&rsquo;,  22 of them making the trip to Cornwall for  the Hayle Sprint Tri on 23rd August and breaking out of the South West  there will be no less than 8 teams heading up to Dorney Lake for the Team Relay  event on 26th September. 
                
  
  
    Fun is also the main feature of  the events that North Devon Tri organise. While there is no triathlon currently  there are two well supported aquathlons. The Goldcoast Festival Aquathlon is  held in mid June at Croyde Bay and must be the only event in the country where  part of your Goody Bag is free entry into the Festival itself for the day. You  can do the race, watch the other beach sports then kick back with a beer and  watch the bands in the evening. 
      The Krazy Kristmas Kaper takes place at  Barnstaple Leisure Centre and competitors are frowned upon if they can&rsquo;t even  manage to wear tinsel or a Santa hat. Here the kudos goes to the best fancy  dress, not necessarily the fastest competitor. 
    
  
  
    Beware though, our cameras will  be there and the pictures of you dressed up as tinkerbell will be free to all  (you don&rsquo;t get that very often). 
    One look at recent results  however show that both events, seem to attract some very talented athletes  considering their low key status. Why not book a weekend away by the sea and  try one, you won&rsquo;t regret it.
  
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    Working out intensively for more than an hour means you&#039;ll need to replace   the vital salts that help your body absorb fluid effectively. TAUT Endurance can   do just that. Our mix of electrolytes, sodium and potassium helps you re-hydrate   straight away, and with a mix of sugars to help maintain energy as well as a   refreshing lemony taste, it&#039;s just pure performance in a bottle.    
    
  
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      One other benefit of the clubs  social approach is that families become involved in what some people think is  an individual sport (we all know better). Group training sessions are quite  often followed by group social sessions when significant others and children  can get to know each other and find out what lycra clad fool you&rsquo;re out with on  that 4hr bike ride. 
      With gorgeous beaches and the  beautiful scenery of Exmoor on the doorstep it&rsquo;s a training heaven for the  increasing number of Triathletes in the North Devon area.
        
      
  
  
    
    
  
  
    For more information on North Devon Triathletes  go to www.northdevontri.co.uk
  
  
    
  
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Taut Report: Team Bodylab]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_5689.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[
  
    
  
  
    As part of a new monthly feature supported by TAUT - the Official Sports Drink Sponsor of British Triathlon (www.taut-sport.co.uk), Tri247 introduces you to the TAUT Report. The TAUT Report highlights the activities of triathlon clubs, their athletes and their events, which form the backbone of the sport. 
    
  
  
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      SEPTEMBER 2009 - TEAM BODYLAB (BODYLAB RACING)
        
      Team Bodylab (Bodylab Racing) are based  in the North London area and were founded by Chris Wilson who had previously  ran Tri London. Chris, a sports masseur for over 10 years would invite clients  to join him and a few friends for a Friday morning run, clients became friends  and Team Bodylab was born.
      
    
  
  
    We aren&#039;t a normal club, the aim is to  have a group who want to train together and have fun all the way to the finish  line. Training sessions now include turbo sessions, long runs, bike rides and  core /circuit sessions. The Friday run is still the focal point for the club,  very social, all abilities running together, with some nice efforts thrown in  to get the heart beating&hellip;the reward at the end - a scrambled eggs breakfast.    
      We&#039;ve become a bit of a group of long  distance specialists, apart from the belle of the club, Gaelle Lebray, possibly  the hardest training member and a regular representative for team GB - she&#039;s  currently preparing for the Gold Coast whilst working incredibly long hours. Keep up the good work Gaelle - you&#039;re a  winner. 
      &amp;nbsp;    
    
  
  
        
    For the rest of us, the Ironman dream  has captured the hearts of nearly all of us, bike rides leave earlier and get  home later, following either a measured 90 mile loop or one of Chris&#039;s mystery  trips which can end up anywhere. We travel out to woods around Hertfordshire  for long runs (when Chris is driving), or weave around Hampstead Heath exploring  every little track.  
      This year we have seen great results,  from Richard Stabler, qualifying for Kona at Ironman South Africa,  Peter Hayward already two Ironman finishes this year, both raced in Prague at the Long  Distance Europeans, along with Jo Carritt who was first age group finisher overall.   Three finished at Ironman Lake Placid, Paul Sherwood hit the 10 hour  mark, Ian Jamieson his first Ironman and raised &pound;10,000 for the Hope and Homes  charity and Dave Ball overcame back injury to race and complete his 5th  Ironman. Other races we have visited include Ironman New Zealand,  Switzerland,  France  and Quelle Challenge Roth. 
      We&#039;re now starting to plan for autumn,  our main thought is to help Mr Stabler with his preparation for Kona, then  we&rsquo;ll have the end of season celebration. Last year was the Alpes &ndash; Maritime  Marathon and a weekend in Nice/Monaco, what a great race, one to put in the  diary. This year, a training holiday or another impromptu marathon awaits.
  
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    ORANGE AND MANDARIN
        ISOTONIC
      You&amp;rsquo;ll feel at the top of your game with our Orange and Mandarin. The tangy,   thirst-quenching hit of Orange and Mandarin certainly packs a punch, leaving you   reinvigorated and raring to go.
    
  
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    The club is driven by enthusiasm,  largely from Chris, he looks after everyone, lends them kit, wheels, bikes, sorts  out their aches and pains or services the bikes.
      We remember our former member, Melanie  Wiowode, who lost her battle with cancer, the &lsquo;Mel&rsquo; on the back of the shirt is  our little tribute, we told her she&rsquo;d always ride with Team Bodylab, I&rsquo;m sure  she pushes us in the last miles.  The  members become part of a little world &ndash; a team.
      
  
  
    Team  Bodylab runs from the BDC on a Friday morning and has regular rides on a Sunday  morning. The Bodylab website www.bodylab.co.uk is about to be  updated to create an online community with regular features.
  
  
    
  
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Taut Report: Farnham Tri]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_5284.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[
  
    
  
  
    As part of a new monthly feature supported by TAUT - the Official Sports Drink Sponsor of British Triathlon (www.taut-sport.co.uk), Tri247 introduces you to the TAUT Report. The TAUT Report highlights the activities of triathlon clubs, their athletes and their events, which form the backbone of the sport. 
    
  
  
    &amp;nbsp;
      MAY 2009 - FARNHAM TRIATHLON CLUB 
        
      Now in it&#039;s 25th year of existence, Farnham  Triathlon Club is currently reflecting the nationwide growth in popularity of  the sport with a membership level well over 200 (of which 25% are women),  together with a thriving junior section.
      The small West Surrey market town may not instantly be  recognised as a hotbed of athletic talent (although the club can boast New  Zealand&#039;s Commonwealth Games silver medallist Samantha Warriner as a former  member), however the success and longevity of the club is primarily down to a  hardcore of individuals who have ensured continuity in organising regular club  and open races, training sessions and social events for club members, and  welcoming all newcomers, whatever their age or ability. A club for all.    
  
  
    A series of club sprint and Olympic distance triathlons,  duathlons and aquathlons keeps interest and motivation going throughout the  year whilst the club has steadily built up a strong junior section and became  the first club in the South East to be accredited with the British Triathlon STAR  Mark Award in 2005.
    In 2003 the club committee recognised the trend within  the sport towards long distance triathlon races and in order to help prepare  its members for endurance events, the concept of the &amp;lsquo;Ironman Training Weekend&amp;rsquo;  was devised. 
    
  
  
    The &amp;lsquo;weekend&amp;rsquo; represents a pre-season opportunity to  experience a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run (with optional half  distance for those concentrating on the &amp;rsquo;70.3&amp;rsquo; version), timed and accurately  measured, albeit with the benefit of a recharge of batteries between each section.
      As a measure of success the weekend has generated  within the club, the number of Ironman distance race finishes by club members,  which stood at 21 in the 17 years before the scheme started, had rocketed to an  impressive 88 by the beginning of 2009.
      This year&amp;rsquo;s 7th running of the event saw 36  members take part in one or more disciplines, with a dedicated support crew to  take care of length counting, lap timing and the all important provision of  nutritional aid. 
  
  
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    CRANBERRY &amp;amp; BLACKBERRY ISOTONIC
    Kick-start your workout with our great tasting Cranberry and Blackberry drink.   The perfect mix of crisp, dry Cranberry and sweet Blackberry will give your body   a much needed boost, guaranteed to get you back on track.
    
  
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    The club&#039;s regular Friday night swim session at  Farnham Sports Centre pool is given over to the event as 152 lengths make up  the full Ironman distance of 3.8 kilometres (2.4 miles). Even the half distance  of 76 lengths is no picnic.
    The A31 Farnham-Alton dual carriageway is a standing  dish on the time trial calendar of local cycling clubs. Repeating laps of the  circuit not only allows the participants to simulate the frequency of aid  stations they are likely to experience during a race, but also to replicate the  kind of terrain and conditions which so often prevail on long course routes. 
    Saturday  saw a damp and murky start give way to warm sunshine but a brisk westerly wind made  for mental fortitude in overcoming more than six hours in the saddle for some.
    Sunday dawned a fine warm spring morning as the  athletes and their canine companions gathered on the banks of the Basingstoke Canal in anticipation of a marathon or  half marathon run along the towpath between Winchfield and Fleet.
    In contrast to battling against the traffic on the  previous day, the runners can enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the classic  English countryside.
  
  
    Again, loops of a flat off-road terrain afforded an  accurate representation of the kind of run course often experienced during a  long course triathlon. Over a truly scenic route, the runners created intrigue  amongst the early morning dog walkers and anglers along the way.
    
  
  
    
  
  
    Thanks to faultless organisation and preparation  amongst the club committee, the Ironman Training Weekend once again passed as a  tremendous success. With club members already looking forward to appearing at  races such as Ironman Austria,  France and UK, Challenge  Roth, DIUK, Wimbleball 70.3 and The Vitruvian, the club will be well  represented at long distance events throughout 2009 and beyond.
    
  
  
    
      For full results and more information on the weekend,  the club in general and what it has to offer to budding triathletes of all  ages, abilities and ambitions visit www.farnhamtri.org.uk.
    
  
  
    
  

]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Taut Report: Hillingdon Tri]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.tri247.com/article_4973.html]]></link><description><![CDATA[
  
    
  
  
    As part of a new monthly feature supported by TAUT - the Official Sports Drink Sponsor of British Triathlon (www.taut-sport.co.uk), Tri247 introduces you to the TAUT Report. The TAUT Report highlights the activities of triathlon clubs, their athletes and their events, which form the backbone of the sport. 
    
  
  
    &amp;nbsp;
      APRIL 2009 - HILLINGDON TRIATHLETES 
        
      Hillingdon Triathletes are based in the London Region, and are one of the longest standing clubs in the sport. They are also known for the vast number of grass roots races they organise, with a yearly schedule of over 30 events, covering triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon, cycle time trials, children&#039;s events and much more. Their flagship events - the three race Hillingdon Triathlon Series - is the longest continually running triathlon series in the country, now well into it&#039;s third decade. Race organiser since day one is Dave Wardle, who remains to this day the Chairman of the club, and one of the many unsung heroes that exist amongst the club triathlon scene across the country. 
  
  
    Hillingdon Triathletes is a very friendly club and attracts athletes of all abilities from novices to Age Group world medal winners, but has a policy of welcoming everyone, irrespective of their ability or sporting ambitions.
    For 2009 the club has moved to an online membership and race entry system, which has greatly reduced administration, as well as increasing membership renewals and race entries: a win-win all around! 
    
  
  
    In late March the club promoted it&#039;s first event of the year, the Spring Sprint Duathlon at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit, Minet Park Hayes. The weather proved to be very kind, entries were up on 2008, and the home club provided winners in Roger Fowkes and Colette O&#039;Neill in some competitive and close racing. 
        One unfortunate event was entrant Will Slack managing to crash and suffer some severe road rash and a broken collar bone. Perhaps he was taking his &#039;Lance&#039; impressions a little far..!
        
  
  
    One of the most popular events for club members over the past couple of seasons has been the National Relay Championships. Having entered seven teams in 2007, and nine in 2008, plans are already taking place to make it into double figures in 2009. With a regular flow of new members, this looks very likely. 
    The highlight of the 2008 event was the Men&#039;s over-50 team winning their category in an incredibly close race by just seven seconds. All four of the team have been members of the club for over 20 years each! 
    
  
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    Working out intensively for more than an hour means you&#039;ll need to replace   the vital salts that help your body absorb fluid effectively. TAUT Endurance can   do just that. Our mix of electrolytes, sodium and potassium helps you re-hydrate   straight away, and with a mix of sugars to help maintain energy as well as a   refreshing lemony taste, it&#039;s just pure performance in a bottle.
    
    
  
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    Hillingdon members have for many years regularly competed in major international events at all distances. Club member John Franklin recently raced at the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa where he won the 18-24 Age Group and secured a sport for the 2009 Ironman World Championships in Hawaii this October. 
    Members are also due to race Ironman Lanzarote, the ETU Triathlon Champs, the ITU Duathlon Champs, Ironman Germany 70.3 and many more as the season progresses. 
  
  
    To find out more about Hillingdon Triathletes, check out www.hillingdontriathletes.co.uk 
  
  
    
  

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