As a heatwave struck the UK this bank holiday weekend, most people headed to the beach or Osbornes. But not Team Newcastle Triathlon (TNT)... they headed to Swindon.
Leaving at 11am on Saturday morning, 16 keen boys and 14 keen girls set off on this BUCS road trip. The 7-hour journey required planned hydration, slick pit stops and temperature adjustment - perfect practice for the race. Having arrived in glorious Swindon, the triathletes treated themselves to many carbs at Pizza Express. Practically leaving the kitchens bare. Sleep 6am hit most of TNT like a brick, but triathlon sleeps for no one. Rolling out of the Travelodge at 6:45 they were ready to head to Calne, race HQ. Although some were fuelled by questionable nutrition including; bulgar wheat, 1L of chocolate milk, a chicken burger, and some lentils.
[pullquote]The effect of the heat continued throughout the rest of the girls’ races - with the added bonus of sunburn[/pullquote]On arrival it was already scorchio, at this point TNT knew that racing today would be particularly savage. 3 more TNT female athletes also joined the fun at HQ. The first girls set off at 9:15am with more setting off every 30minutes - it was reported from the first wave of girls back that the run was basically 100°C. The effect of the heat continued throughout the rest of the girls’ races - with the added bonus of sunburn. This quickly saw a massive dip in the TNT emergency sun cream reserves. The first of the TNT boys set off at 12:30am, with none other than President Tom JT smashing the swim to annihilate the competition on his brand new shiny baby (bike). At this point, the effects of sunshine had only worsened with many of TNT retreating to the shade and showering each other in bottled water.
After TNT’s penultimate athlete crossed the line all eyes were on golden boy Tom Whelan (who had won Richmond sprint triathlon the weekend before). They watched him crush the swim, smash the bike, and boss the run. Coming in with the club’s fastest time of the day by 5 minutes. The burning sun was beginning to set and it was time for TNT to head back north to cooler climates. The whole club did amazingly well this weekend, with numerous PB’s and for some the completion of their first ever triathlon (officially catching the tri-bug).
