This week’s events seem to have all been about trying to equal out events with the Isoman, and then the Equalizer Middle Distance triathlon. New events for members to take on, and then to come back and report for more of us to look to try in the future. Also a chance for the club to say thank you for everyone’s efforts with fundraising for our charity Air Ambulance with the Tenby Aces Family Fun Day.

Isoman Triathlon

We have all heard and know all about Ironman in Tenby, and also what it has done for the local area, both in terms of fitness and taking part and also commercially for the area. But few have heard of Isoman, so when a few heard of this last year, it was something that they felt they had to try, although I am not sure if that is still the case.

So what is Isoman, well basically it is Triathlon equalised. Most triathlons lean towards the cycling and to a slightly lesser extent towards the running. Ironman pros will spend only 10 per cent of the time swimming, 54 per cent on the bike and then 36 per cent running.

Isoman changes this to create an equal level for all three disciplines. Therefore this has the competitors doing a swim of seven miles, a bike leg of 61.3 miles and then a marathon of 26.2 miles, although there were options to choose different lengths to personalise your own event, with half, quarter or even relay teams on offer.

Six of the Tenby Aces made the trip up to Redditch to take part in the second holding of this event. All based around Arrow Valley Lake, with five members deciding to take on the full distances on offer, these were Nicola and Carlton Coates, Adz John, Ceire Merrison and the Observer’s own Andy Adamson. Erika Malein took on the quarter distance.

All of the full distance athletes were in full agreement that this was one tough event, even more of a challenge than our own Ironman Wales! In spite of that all, Aces finished, with Adz finishing 12:32:21 after 3:30:49 swim leg, 3:24:28 bike leg and 5:52:10 running. Andy came in next after 13:02:05 from 3:32:07 swim leg, 3:21:39 bike leg and 5:57:21 running. Our next three were quite close, with Carlton in 14:47:54 after 4:24:36 swim leg, 3:53:29 bike leg and 6:11:54 running, Ceire in 14:53:21 after a 3:53:34 swim leg, 4:23:23 bike leg and 6:19:58 running, then Nicola, who managed to recover from a tough time on the bike, to finish in 15:04:20 after a 3:56:01 swim leg, 4:30:17 bike leg and 6:23:14 running.

Erika completed the quarter distance in 3:01:44 after a 48:43 swim, 1:04:55 bike leg and 57:12 running, which gave her a third placed female finisher over the quarter distance.

There was even local support for the Aces rustled up by fellow members, thanks to Andy Cotton.

Full credit to all the Aces for this event, which truly turned out to be a very hard one, and one that I am sure more members will want to try themselves in the future.

Equalizer Middle Triathlon

So what was the equalizer middle distance, well it is a battle royale between the sexes, with the women’s field setting off 32.30 minutes before the men. Why? The thought of couples out there debating the point every time you train. That the guy you train with is getting kind of nervous that the bragging rights might be going elsewhere this time or that even the very best guy is not sure if he can close that gap to the very best of the girls! It’s time to back up all that pre-race banter and smack talk! Let’s face it, the ladies often get a rough deal at middle distance races - sandwiched between the pro men and age groups or the last wave to go off because its safer!

So the race itself: With the swim being the flattest part of the day except for a very cheeky run uphill to the transition. The two-lap cycle brings you a challenge and your bike/gear selection is crucial. Balancing out the time spent climbing versus fast decents and rollers that let you get tucked down on the tri bars - it’s up to you. Having tested the legs on the bike, there is a fantastic multi-lap run waiting for you. Underfoot is forgiving in nature with a mixture of gravel path, grass and a small amount of tarmac.

Olly Simon had entered the race and so would have to sit patiently with the other men waiting for the signal to start and to chase down the women leading the field, only to be beaten into second place by one lady who managed to stay in front by 3 minutes 49 seconds.

Tenby Aces Fun Day

Last Sunday saw a chance for the club to give something back to the members and their families after all the sterling efforts that have gone on recently, with lots of events being held, either competing or taking part in some or all of the events that we have done for the Air Ambulance, our charity of the year.

Well done to Olly and Elaine Brace and Billy Connor for organasing the event, and also to all those who helped out setting up the event. Lots of preparation went into getting everything ready and at least the weather was kind for us on the day.

Gareth kindly took up the reins with the barbeque and along with the other food prepared by Elaine, there was plenty available on the day.

The kids present on the day took full advantage of the bouncy castle lent to us by Paul Russell and also fully participated in the games organised.

On the day there were rounders, tug of war, sack races, amongst others, with Dave Poole advising us that he had been the sack race champion since his time in school, so expectations were high and he didn’t disappoint when he won his race.

The kids were also treated to medals at the end of the day, which put smiles on all their faces.

Caldey 10k

The first Caldey 10k will be held on Saturday, July 16, with myself and Paul Slack meeting up with Ben Childs from the island last week to map out the course. A beautiful course has been mapped out, with it being a two-lap race, but also being opened up to those who would prefer to do just 5k rather than the 10k full distance. It will be a multi-terrain race and it is being held to raise funds for our charity of the year, Wales Air Ambulance. The event is open to anyone, not just members, and if anyone would like to attend, then please contact myself or Nicola Coates. The numbers are limited and we will have to have final numbers and entry fees by next Wednesday.

The main details are as follows, entry fee for runners will be £20, but this will cover the cost of the boat trip and the entry, spectators are very welcome and they will have to pay £10 for adults and £5 for children, which will cover the cost of the boats, which are being laid on specially for the event. The boats will be leaving Tenby at 8 am in the morning, with a view to the race starting at 9 am, with most of the runners completing the course before the main visitors arrive on the island.

The island would love people to stay and enjoy the island for the day before heading back to Tenby on one of the boats later in the day.

Activities for the coming week

Friday, July 8 - Slacky’s Swim Session for those booked in. Tenby Leisure Centre at 7 pm.

Saturday, July 9 - Colby Parkrun, a great local event and well worth supporting, lots of members taking part on a regular basis.

Sunday, July 10 - Club Ride, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre, although we will be out supporting the Long Course marathon runners en route.

Monday, July 11 - Sea Swim Session, meet at North Beach at 6 pm.

Tuesday, July 12 - Club Ride, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm. Route detailed below.

Wednesday, July 13 - Aces Run Session, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm.

Thursday, July 14 - Club Ride, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm. Route detailed below.

Route for Tuesday, July 12: Route 53 (Cresswell Quay and Devonshire Drive) - Tenby, Heywood Lane, new Hedges, Pentlepoir, turn left into Templebar rd, Broadmoor, Jeffreyston, turn left to Cresselly, down to Cresswell Quay, Whitehill, turn left to Carew, left at Carew Inn, Sageston, old road to Redberth, right over Knapp to Heatherton, left into Devonshire Drive, right to New Hedges, Heywood Lane, Tenby (approx. 21 miles).

Sweepers - Wayne Duigan and Nicola Coates.

Route for Thursday, July 14: Route 8 (The hills anticlockwise) - Tenby, Saundersfoot, Wisemans Bridge, Amroth, Llanteg, Tavernspite, Templeton, Reynalton, Jeffreyston, Redberth, Heatherton, Gumfreston, Tenby (approx 25miles).

Sweepers - Gareth Jones and Tom Beck.

Rides leave Tenby Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm and helmets must be worn on all club rides.