Long Eaton Triathlon Club

Our amazing coach Mark Boardman, and his son in law Colin, took part in Ironman Tours last Sunday, and we’re so in awe!

Colin had an incredibly fast swim but then sadly had an issue on the bike leg which forced him to pull out. There’s no question he’ll be back to settle that score 🤩

Meanwhile Mark absolutely dominated the course! Here’s his race report in full.

“The Course. The race is set in the beautiful Loir Valley, with lots of small villages and châteaux lining the bike course. The race centre, transitions and finish are all within a large exhibition hall, which gives the event a very different atmosphere from others - not least because the DJ is incredibly loud.

The swim takes place in a river with only a slight current, which is barely noticeable. The bike route consists of two different loops with a crossover point, which is great for spectators as they get to see you twice. The run, however, is three laps along the river bank and is less inspiring. The race organisation was excellent, with separate bags for transition, bike and run personal-needs, as well as post-race kit. It also felt like a truly international event, with over 50% of competitors coming from outside France.

My Race. I was a little nervous at the start but soon settled into the swim and came out with a time that was about what I expected. At points the swim was enjoyable, although it got very hectic around the turn buoys.

Into T1 I felt okay and focused on a steady ride ahead. However, as I tracked my 5km splits, I soon realised that the smooth, closed roads and very few hills were helping me produce great times. Knowing that my heart rate was staying low, I was not concerned about overdoing it. The many feed stations also gave me the chance to take on more calories than expected, which paid dividends later on.

As in training, my left knee started aching at about 120km, a legacy of a serious knee operation about 15 years ago. By around 130km it was really sore, but thankfully over the last 50km it came and went without causing too much trouble - until I got off the bike at T2. Then it became very painful, and I had to walk through the large transition area thinking that the run could be a real struggle, or worse, that I might have to stop.

Still hopeful, I put on my trainers and aimed to complete at least the first kilometre, which took me through the large hall and past a lot of great support. I thought that a slightly amended running style, with a lower knee lift, might help, and thankfully it did; it was only really painful on the slopes around the course.

The run was very hot (31°C), but by using the “walk the feed stations” technique, I managed to keep going all the way to the finish, which brought an amazing feeling of achievement. On reflection, I was lucky that the ride went so well and that the run was manageable despite my knee problem. I would highly recommend this event to anyone considering their first full Ironman. It was an amazing experience, and I am very grateful to Colin, my family and the club for all their support.”

It’s worth adding that mark did the run in 3:56 (Strava time - 4:07 chip time) - an *incredible* time for an Ironman run, let alone carrying an injury! 🙇‍♀️

Massive congrats to Mark, and Colin, bad luck - but there’ll be a pay back event in your near future we’re sure!

So proud of our juniors who took part in the Derby Junior Triathlon on Sunday!

Distances are determined by your age group, with most doing a 200m swim, followed by a 4km bike and 1.2km run 🏊‍♀️ 🚴 🏃

When I was their age I was so lazy - I’m in awe of their determination, dedication and spirit. GO TEAM LETC! 🌟

Inspired by the incredible moon slingshot earlier this year, during May, LETC had a challenge: which team could log the most miles, and in doing so be crowned the ARSETEMIS winners (yep, we are that childish when it comes to naming things 😁).

The results are in!

In fourth position, logging 3,338 miles was Team "No Arse Left Behind"
In third position, logging 3,624 miles was Team "Mega Mark's Massive Missile"
In second position, logging 3,627 miles was Team "Arse Force One"
And in first position, logging a hugely impressive 4,127 miles, was Team "One Long Run for TriKind" 🤩🥳

About 40 club members took part, and everyone did their bit - getting us to a whopping 14,716 miles (and for the record, that's 6.16% of the way to the moon 😆). Well done all, and special congrats to One Long Run for TriKind!

Micky not only had a PB at Outlaw last weekend, he also marshalled 🤩 a lot of triathlons run on very fine profit margins and rely on volunteers to make it happen, so massive thanks, Micky! Here’s his race report for the weekend.

“Outlaw weekend 16-17 May 2026

“Sat 16th I had signed up to volunteer at the Sprint races so I could be around as it was Sara’s first open water triathlon. I had signed up to be part of the finishing area team, this involves giving out medals, t-shirts and seeing all the athletes come to finish off their events.

“Really enjoyable to look after the athletes and work with others from different clubs, and really special to be able to hand your best mate her medal and T-shirt, and an added bonus Outlaw looked after the volunteers with a snack bag, lunch, endless coffee, T-shirt and a £50 voucher to another Outlaw event.

“Sun 17th
Waking to an email from Outlaw regarding final decision to be made at 0500 ref the swim. Well, decision was made to shorten the swim to 1500m due to health and safety with regard to the water temperature.

“The swim now involved a circuit around 4 inflatables then around 3 of the same drifting to the left and getting out.

“To say it was a bit of a washing machine on the second part of the swim is a understatement, with 4-5 waves of swimmers passing through the same route for about 500m 😂

“Next the bike; was my best section. 56 miles and smooth ish lanes with the odd pot hole 😉 and the last 2 miles with many pot holes.
Head and side winds on parts of the course and a limit of 20mph on one 300m section.
Under 3 hrs for 56 miles and a new 50 mile PB 😎 My fuelling was good and lasted me into the run.

“Now for pudding was 13.1 miles of circling Holme Pierrepont’s regatta lake and white water section. 3 laps of flat and undulating grass sections and around the lake with a headwind on the home straight. Felt strong with the help of water, electrolytes and gels from the well stocked feed stations.

“A lovely weekend of triathlon activities meeting so many inspiring people and clubs from all over the place. Recommend being a volunteer if you fancy it.

“My first 70.3 was at Nottingham half in 2022; 2026 was a PB by 22 min (although in 2022 we did the full 1900m swim.)

“Great local event for your first 70.3.”

Epic race Micky! Well done!

Claudia bossed the Sherwood Smash last weekend! If you’ve not heard of it and you’re curious about whether you’d like it, she’s written up this ace race report 🤩

“Sherwood Smash 10k: firstly for all the pre-race coffee lovers... "Boom coffee" is just what it says, gives you a hit to wake up those senses.

“While I was waiting to get going, my only thought was "I am glad I don't need to swim in that pond"!! I was frozen blue…

“The event was brilliantly organised, with races from 5k to 16k. beforehand I was envious seeing the 16k-ers at the startline, then during the race I thought 5k would have just done nicely, by then it was too hot 🥵

“I finished in the time I set myself and really enjoyed the 2 lap runaround. And parking for a fiver was just a bonus.”

Well done for digging in for the 10K! The event sounds ace 🙌🏻 and the medal looks great 😊

Amazing race results keep coming in for LETCers! Claire took part in the very scenic White Peak Half Marathon and bossed it - here’s what she had to say:

“Race report - White Peak Festival of Running - Ian Milne "Swift Half"

There are 3 race options at this event- full marathon, half marathon and the "down in a shot 10k". I've done the 10k twice but this was my first time doing the half marathon. You park at Cromford Wharf - plenty of parking in the field but not enough loos at the race village, big queue for 2 portaloos. Toilet block wasn't open this year!

After registering you get a bus to the start at Frindon. (There were more portaloos there.) Had about an hour to wait from the drop off till the start. The race then follows the High Peak trail back down to Cromford. The first half is mainly flat. You then pick up the same route as the 10k which is flat for a while and then has 3 downhill stretches - 2 are very steep! After the final descent you then run alongside the canal, cross over and do about another 2k to the finish.

This was an enjoyable race. Some lovely scenery. The weather was pretty decent too - not too hot and only a drizzle of rain. Think there were 4 water stations on the route. Some support too with several children cheering us on and wanting high 5s. The downhill sections were fun but hard on the quads! I used a fell running technique I had been taught to save my knees. Got some decent speed up. The last few km along the canal do feel like a slog though!

I made it to the end in an official time of 2:29:41 which was a marginal half marathon PB for me! Got a decent medal and a nice travel cup at the end plus there was water and biscuits. Celebrated with homity pie in the Scarthin Books cafe in Cromford afterwards. 😋”

Fantastic work Claire! It sounds ace. Really well done 🫡

Next up we’re celebrating Nikki’s incredibly hilly duathlon 😅! The “Storm the Castle” event is variously described as “one of the UK’s hardest”, “challenging” and “gruelling” - you don’t make it easy on yourself, girl! Here’s Nikki’s race report:

“Storm the castle, Ludlow, duathlon- well organised and good facilities, the marshals on the course were all lovely ❤️, quite a small race in terms on entries, I think just 100ish for the full course.

The review by British Triathlon has this as one of the toughest in the UK, should have read that before I entered!! 🤣. The hills were big!! With a lovely one to get back to the castle which in total you run 3 times and cycle up once and a lovely bit in the woods called "lactic ladder" that you run 4 times!!!

However, the scenery was stunning and I had a great time, would recommend as Ludlow was a fantastic town to walk around the day before, just make sure you do lots of hill work in your training!!! 🤣🤣”

Incredible effort Nikki! Well done!

SK, Josh and Micky took part in the Outlaw Triathlon this week, Sara doing the sprint and Josh and Micky doing the half distance. On what sounds like a particularly challenging swim, they all smashed it! All of them with a distance PB 🤩🥳🙌🏻

Race reports from SK and Josh:

SK: “Today i did my first outlaw sprint.
I was totally overwhelmed at the start. Out of my comfort zone and scared of the open water.
But we got going at 10am and it felt like carnage, note to self, drop back and let those in the know go and get a good start without getting caught in it all.
750m is the furthest swim I have done in a race. That was quite overwhelming too. But as the buoys got closer, I felt a little more capable and pushed.
Got a good stint on the bike. The course was flat and felt quick, even for a slowy like me.
The run is always the hardest part for me. But I did it and I did it in a better time than any other race environment so can't complain.
Already thinking about next year 🙏”

Josh: “The swim was shortened to 1500m due to cold air temperatures, making for a very cold transition into T1. The bike leg went perfectly, executing a strong sub-3-hour split and course PB. Took it steady on the run after battling an ankle ni**le all week, but managed a 5hr 36 finish.

The atmosphere was really good around Holme Pierrepont this year, lots of supporters and great vibes!”

Epic effort from team LETC! Well done!

Lots of race results to celebrate this weekend, so let’s kick off with the Ashbourne Sprint Tri.

Leah, Simon and Drew were representing LETC and snagged two podium places - Leah first in AG and Second Lady overall, and Drew second in his AG! Incredible effort from everyone - well done!

Here’s Leah’s race report:

“Having not swam for 8 weeks because of an infected insect bite, I was a bit apprehensive of the swim, but with lots of dressings for my leg the swim went ok (not my fastest but where I thought I would be!). Run out of transition to the bike felt like miles but once I was out and riding I felt ok.

“Up the hill was a bit of a struggle and I was enjoying the down hill until it came to a sharp right turn and a slight uphill. I was in the wrong gear and couldn’t pedal and then my chain fell off.

1 minute later I was back on and the frustration powered me on. The run went up the tissington trail and back down - I definitely enjoyed the down more than up! Managed 1st in catagory and 2nd female overall 😊😊”

Fantastic work from all 3 - well done! 👏 🏊‍♀️ 🚴 🏃