Ironman
Wildmoor member Brian Weetman has recently completed the ultimate endurance triathlon event.
The ironman distance event comprising 2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles cycling followed by a full marathon distance run of 26 miles was held at Henley on Thames on the 18th of September.
The swim began very early with a cold mist covering the otherwise scenic Thames. The first half of the swim against the current proved to be quite testing and although the return was much quicker the cold really began to penetrate the wetsuit, with the cold causing a number of competitors to abandon shortly after the swim.
The cycle was to prove the key to Brian's race as despite the 1800 metres of climbing he managed to average nearly 18 miles an hour and complete the distance in 6 hours and 18 minutes.
The following run was always going to be a matter of survival and with severe cramp in the last 13 miles this certainly proved to be the case. Whilst still under his pre race target a 4hour 47 minute marathon does not compare well with the swim and run.
Overall Brian finished in an excellent time of 12 hours and 37 minutes well under his predicted time and with over 20% of the starters failing to finish the race the day had proved to be a great success.
Brian has now announced his retirement from ironman races but is sure to be seen regularly at the gym and in the pool where much of his pre racing took place. Indeed the foundation of his excellent swim was greatly aided by the coaching of Wildmoors resident swim and triathlon expert Debbie Cooper.
Jon's Challenge - Lands End to John o'Groats
My names Jon Heald and I'm a 25 year old teacher from Warwickshire. I have been a member of Wildmoor Spa for about 5 months. During this time Wildmoor have been helping me train for my forthcoming challenge, Lands End to John O Groats on a bike.
Wildmoor have provided me with outstanding advice and a tailored training program to help make me as prepared as I possibly can for the adventure.
I am hoping to bike around 80 miles per day, chipping away at a 1000 mile total. Currently I am comfortably riding 50 miles in a single session, a long way from the sweaty mess I was after riding only 5 miles in my first session with my trainer at Wildmoor.
We are looking to raise money in support of Sarah Biddle, who was born with duplex kidneys and has been diagnosed as having limited functionality in one of them and is unfortunately unable to take part in this challenge.
We are therefore raising money for the fantastic Kidney Research UK. A charity that fund life-saving research into kidney disease, improve the quality of life of those with kidney disorders and to increase public awareness of kidney problems.
Please visit http://www.justgiving.com/landsendcycle2011 for more information, and details about how you can sponsor.
Challenge Update: Well, largely thanks to Wildmoor's fantastic facilities, training programme and advice from their excellent staff, we made it! Our epic cycle from Lands End to John O Groates was completed on April the 20th, 2011.
We ended up cycling 954 miles in 10 days, 4 days quicker than we'd anticipated. We routinely used warm up stretches and cool down techniques, learnt at Wildmoor, to best prepare us for our arduous cycling efforts.
We raised £1,206.66 in the end, smashing our target for Kidney Research UK. Thank you all for your magnificent support for this fantastic charity.
You can still read our blog at www.lejogon.blogspot.com
Thank again!
Jonny Heald and James Brooks
Great North Run
by Sue Barbour
(Personal Trainer at the Wildmoor Spa and Health Club)
September 2009 arrived … the day I had been training to run the Great North Run. Although I have trained clients for marathons and half marathons running had never been part of my life until 2006.
Health and fitness has for as long as I can remember never been far away. I just love it and the feeling it gives afterwards along with the huge benefits. I guess that’s why I made a decision to change my life in becoming a personal trainer - turning a hobby into a career. My days as an air stewardess and for many years being office based in marketing publishing seem so far removed from today...
...Read the full article on Sue's Great North Run
For contact details and further information visit Sue's Personal Training page.
Stratford Triathlon 10th May 2009
Members of the Wildmoor Spa and Health Club put their winter training into action at the Stratford Triathlon. Personal Trainer and Swim Teacher Debbie Cooper organised swim fitness training/lessons and spin classes through the winter to inspire the team. Top male finisher was “first timer” Ben Lanoe with an impressive 1 hour 11:01 followed by Paul Cassell and Brian Weetman. The 400m swim, 23km bike and 5km run was nothing for Jeff Barnes who has been training hard all winter for the much longer Ironman distance. He is soon off to the sunny shores of Lanzarote for what is termed as “the hardest Ironman in the world”. Despite a foot injury Andy Harris still managed a personal best on Sunday of 1:22:42. Dominic Crowther completed his first event despite navigation problems on the run!
The womens team was headed by trainer Debbie who is just returning to competition after injury, but she still managed 3rd lady and a podium finish. Real improvements were seen by both Marianne Flint and Corinne Elliott. Marianne knocked an amazing 8 minutes off her October time and Corinne managed to achieve her long-term goal of winning her age category. A new bike perhaps inspired her to have such a great race?
In the fun event Gwillum Crockford was 14th male and Liz Jacksons hard work through swim lessons paid off to help her complete her first ever triathlon.
It's back to training now for the Wildmoor team who will be competing again in the October event to try to beat their Sunday performances.
My Half Marathon
by Pat Usher
This was the first year that I decided to have a go at the Stratford Half Marathon. I've done the Stratford Triathlon previously but decided to try a different fitness goal this year. I trained with the Wildmoor Running club on a Tuesday night and it was great to have their support on those cold dark nights, Jade organised our group, but I also did quite a bit of running alone. Sarah Jame's spinning sessions also motivated me to work that little bit harder and improve my cardiovascular fitness.
Poised at the start line I was nervous, although at the same time I was confident as I knew that I'd put in enough hard work and running miles to see me through to the end of the 13.1miles. I crossed the line in 2 hours 22minutes, tired but extremely pleased with my achievement. My daughter also completed the distance in 2 hours 5 minutes.
Also on April 26th Jeff Barnes completed DOUBLE the distance with the full marathon. The marathon was part of Jeff's training for the Lanzarote Ironman to be held on 23rd May 2009. In case you don't know what an Ironman is, it's a long distance triathlon Swimming 3.8km, Biking 180km, followed by running a marathon. If this doesn't sound grueling enough, Jeff will complete this in temperatures over 30 degrees with strong winds. We wish you luck Jeff and look forward to hearing all about it when you get back......
On 26th April Members of the Wildmoor Spa and Health Club Ran the Stratford Half Marathon
It was a glorious sunny day for the Stratford Rotary Marathon and Half Marathon this year. At the start line many of our health club members stood nervously awaiting the gun. Their training had included runs with the Wildmoor Running Club, Tuesday nights, spinning classes and of course the compulsory spa afterwards to help their recovery! Our congratulations go to the following members who completed the Half Marathon:
- Mark Newman
- Mark Barnard
- Christian Golding
- Charlie Michaelis
- Brian Weetman
- Carol McMillan
- Pat Usher
- Emma Butterworth
- Carolyn Evans
- Emma Devonald
Congratulations also go to Sophie Williams, who used to work at a personal trainer here at Wildmoor. Sophie was the 2nd lady in a staggering time of 1 hour 26 minutes, fantastic Sophie.
Racing at the Triathlon World Championships 2008
by Debbie Cooper (Personal Trainer, Aerobics Instructor and Swim Teacher at the Wildmoor Spa and Health Club)
In order to qualify for the Triathlon World Championships in Vancouver I had to race other women from all over the UK in my age group (40-44 years) and come in the top 5. I chose the sprint distance, which is 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run, (the standard distance is exactly double this distance). I had a choice of 3 events in 2007 to qualify from.
The first and nearest event was Birmingham, NEC, (yes we swam in the lake there!) and I qualified at this first event. This was back in August 2007...
...Read the full article on Debbie's race at The World Championships.
Debbie has set up a Triathlon Club at Wildmoor Spa, which caters for members of all levels who would like to know and learn more about triathlon. For more information call 01789 299666 or contact us online.
Tennis comes to Wildmoor:
We are delighted to announce that our three brand new tennis courts are now open and use of these are included in your membership.
The courts are floodlit, with Tiger Turf and to LTA specification. Richard Perkins our resident coach is LTA licensed and is available for individual and group-coaching sessions.
For full details on our Free club sessions and courses see our tennis page...
Wildmoor Spa Wins Day Spa of the Year Award
We are pleased to announce that at the industry’s annual Beauty and Spa Awards, Wildmoor Spa has been voted “UK Day Spa of the Year 2007” by Professional Beauty magazine.
Last year the Wildmoor Spa, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, was voted one of the top 3 UK Day Spa’s. On winning the award outright this year Chairman of Wildmoor, Tony Bird OBE who was at this year’s awards, said;
”We are delighted to receive this prestigious award and to have our Spa judged as the best in the UK is without doubt a great achievement. We have a terrific team of therapists who aim for the highest standards and this award will give all of us at Wildmoor so much encouragement for the future.”
Within such a short space of time the Wildmoor team have worked exceptionally hard to provide a 5 star destination Day Spa. With product houses La Prairie, Decleor, Comfort Zone and Jessica Nails, Wildmoor offers a perfect combination of indulgent Spa Days and treatments.
Looking to ensure every visit is unique Wildmoor also invites guests to experience their herbal sauna, crystal steam room, hydrotherapy spa & pool, caldarium, rasul mud chamber, flotation & relaxation rooms and feature showers.
It was the high standard of the facilities and treatments that the judges felt made Wildmoor a deserving winner of UK Day Spa of the Year 2007.
