Ex professional Ironman Steve Clark has enjoyed great success and many headline results over the years in both Tri and Quadrathlon. Steve has been a prominent member of Lincsquad going back to the Club’s inception. He also runs Off that Couch Fitness personal training/coaching and is part of the Fast FWD Events team. Steve has had several interviews over the years in TRI 220/Triathlon plus and other sporting magazines. So we thought it was our turn for our own Questions & Answers with the Fireman/Personal Coach and newly found Father.

Two awards at the presentation night for ‘Ironman’ and ‘Race Performance’ of the year point toward another successful season for 2017. How did winning the ‘Triathlon X’ rank with your other litany of sporting achievements?…….

Yep its right up their especially because it is such a tough course and for me it completes the set as I can now say I have overall wins at all triathlon distances Pool Sprints, Open Water Sprints , Olympic Distance, Half Ironman and now Full Ironman distance.

Did you ever expect the Club to grow as big when you first started out?

 I’m proud to see how the club has grown over the years and to still be a member now as I was one of the original 8 members in 2007 along with Paul Carvill, Andy Veitch, Dan Broughton, Andy Coultas, Ken Collier,  John Pettinger, Paul Armstrong and myself 

How do you find running a fitness/coaching business helps with your own personal goals.

 It certainly helps now as Off That Couch Fitness has grown over the last 10 years. I’m now lucky enough to be able to have my own studio for my clients with Watt bike, Treadmill, Concept 2 and an endless pool so if I’m short of time myself I can do triathlon on my doorstep. I remember travelling all the way to Birmingham to use a Hydro-therapy Aquatic Treadmill pre Kona when I had a fracture to my leg. So to be able to provide this service and things like endless pool swim analysis to the local area is something I’m proud of.

How rewarding is it when your clients achieve their goals and how disappointing if they don’t quite get what they/you expect?

It’s a great feeling and most do but if they don’t it’s a case of sitting down and finding the reason why. It can be as easy as changing the training plan but sometimes the individuals focus and mindset needs looking at its not always the training. 

Over the years you’ve had National and International success at Quadrathlon? Is this something you’d like to revisit in the future?

Yep, my best Quad result was a Bronze at the World champs in Czech Republic and I’ve won the Brigg Bomber 4 times so it’s a race I love. I’ve not kayaked now for 4 years but its something I will return to one day and yes I’ll race the Bomber again but when I’m not sure?

What’s your favourite, Kayak, Swim, Cycle or Run?

The run. I’m lucky enough that on most occasions when it matters to be able to find the run I need. Ironman Wales 2012 always comes to mind as my best run after being down in 12th position after the swim and bike I managed to run a 2 hour 58 minute Marathon off the bike on a tough Wales run course to take me into the top 5 and qualify for Kona. This was also the performance that got me my GB Ironman Professional Licence so allowed me to race on the pro circuit for a season .

Racing for Great Britain, racing at the World Champs in Kona, Gold medal at the Age Group 70.3 European Championships, being crowned British/European Quadrathlon champion all paint a colourful CV. What would you say is your proudest Sporting achievement?

Tough one, probably going under 9 hours for the Ironman something myself and Emily chased for a while with times going from 9:41, 9:39, 9,33, 9:23, 9:14, 9:07 and then boom 8:57!

Favourite films? 

Shawshank Redemption, Basketball Diaries, The Dark knight,  National lampoons Christmas vacation.

Sporting hero/inspiration?

Simon Lessing and Tim Don I remember watching the 2000 Sydney Olympics and they finished 9th and 10th and that’s when I started getting into triathlon.  

Best advice received and by whom.?

A few gems…. always race a different event each year to keep it exciting (Dan Broughton). ‘I haven’t come all this way to watch you have a S**T race so get a move on’ (Christian Brown and Emily Clark) Ironman Wales 2012.

Dream job?

Butler at the Playboy mansion.

Three dream dinner guests?

Edmund Hillary, Bruce Lee and Tim Don.

Most treasured sporting possession?

Probably my photo memory wall in my studio. These are pics from races all over the world not just me but all the people I’ve helped over the years on their sporting journeys. If I’m ever low on motivation I go to that wall.

Favourite meal?

That’s easy Pizza followed by Tiramisu. 

What’s your next challenge/goal in the sport?

 To be a good Dad and then eventually have a good race at IM Lanza. 

Lincsquad are pleased to announce that it will be hosting a weekend of quadrathlon on the 16th and 17th of June 2018. In association with the British Quadrathlon Association this new event is aimed at developing and encouraging more participants into the sport.

visit our events page for more information, click here

Main Awards

Male of the Year, Lincsquads top youth male during 2017 – Jacob Riby

Female of the Year, Lincsquads top youth female during 2017 – Hannah Lonsdale

Race Performance 2017, Who’s race performance impressed the most – Max Underwood Frost

Most Improved, The person who listened to their coach and showed the most improvement – Alasdair Riby

Spirit of Lincsquad, The person who has carried the spirit of Lincsquad throughout the year, supporting & encouraging others, always giving 100%, cheery personality  – Alasdair Riby

Coach of the Year, as voted by the Youth Members – Steve Cannings

Little Legs, as voted by the Coaches – Bailey Harris

Youth of the Year, as voted by the whole club – Chris Durham

Duathlon Series 2017

Tri Start Winners   – Suzie Gibbs (49 points) and Jack Shepard (30 points)

Tri Star 1 Winners – Alice Fearn (39 points) and Freddie Gibbs (49 points)

Tri Star 2 Winners – Isobel Foster (40 points) and Jacob Riby (40 points)

Tri Star 3 Winners – Hannah Lonsdale (40 points) and Alex Butterill (42 points)

So the hastilly applied with duct tape bedsheet/curtain comes down on another season awards night and it was good to see many Linsquadders both old and new as well as young and errr old in attendance.

Nigel Smaller (Youth Chair) opened the procedings with the Youth Awards and the results will be published soon……..

It was then the turn of the TT Series awards. Eleven rounds contested over the usual three courses, The clubs own 9.8mile LQ10/2, the Scunthorpe Road Club 0.3mile Burton Hill climb course SRHC1 and the Kirton/Greetwell SRC11/1

Ladies

1st Pam Challen

2nd Fiona Fisk

3rd Belinda Allen

Male

1st Steve Grocock

2nd Ben Creasey

3rd Jon Challen

We are also pleased to announce Pam (and Jon!) will be taking over as TT Secretary for 2018 and will keep you all posted on the plans for the season. We can already say the penultimate round will be a Two Up TT (two riders working together)  to add a little something new to those who wish to hone their drafting skills for events that allow it. Once again a big thank you to all who marshalled last year and the same requirement to marshall at least one round to qualify for the series will be in place for 2018.

On to the Main awards……..

As usual there was a fantastic response to requests fro nominations in the various categories. Due the large numbers of nominations only the top three were shown. Its very satisfying to see everyone in the club being recognised for their efforts.

The Winners were

Martin Foster – Splasher of the Year – The swimmer with the most enthusiastic style, the most powerful swimmer or the kyaker who just keeps falling in a lot! Martin is an easy sub 6minutes 400m swimmer!

Best WAG – Sarah Evans For the top supporter putting up with their athlete! Ash Evans IMWales 2017 race report is certainly worth a re read.

Newbie to Quad – Kev Lovett – Kev has properly embraced quadrathon and will be one to watch at this years Bomber in May.

Most Miles – Graham Elwood – Graham has already competed in Ultra distance is training for Cotswold Way. An 108miles race held over 4 days!

Youth of the Year – Christopher Durham. Chris has had yet another fantastic year. A move up to Cat 1 status has not altered his humble and friendly attitude. A true ambassador and credit to the sport.

Lincsquadder of the Year – Jess Porte As well manning the sign in desk at our coaching sessions Jess most importantly of all….bakes the most excellent cakes!

Ironman of the Year – Steve Clark Steve just keeps better and better. Winner of one of the toughest races in the UK Triathlon X and first Brit at Norseman.

Coach of the Year – Jeff Chappill – Once again Jeff retains the award he has made his own each year.

Most Improved – Claire Hobley. Since joining the club Claire has competed at Half Iron distance, the London Marathon, cycled the Coast2Coast and will be taking part in Ironman Maastricht this year. One to watch.

Marshal of the Year – Wayne Beedham. A long term supporter of the club. Wayne has marshalled the Bomber and Sprint practically every year.

So we come to the two main awards (or so you’d think!)

Prettiest Bike – Nicola Halls Liv TT bike – So much skullduggary, self promotion and just outright begging clearly worked! A worthy winner.

Sexiest Arse – Gary Horner.  I dont think even with all my experience of writing on here I can fully articulate the moment (and subsequent acceptance video) of when Gary won this award. Fully deserved…..for many many reasons.

Female of the Year – Louise Beedham. Louise has again had another successful year once again winning her British Quadrathlon Age Group. A regular racer at Brigg Sprint and the Bomber Quadrathlon as well other races Louise is constantly flying the club flag in Lincsquad colours.

Male of the Year Ric Longcake – Ric has had a what can only be described as a busy year. Steelman, Outlaw coaching for the club and Club Treasurer.

Christian Brown Award – Louise Beedham. The Christian Brown Award is a very special award and the Committee always try to award it to the person who displays the same grit and determination showed by Chris during his time with the club. Never one to back down he loved a challenge and he is still missed by many in the club. Louise has shows all these characteristics and we know the Trophy is in good hands for 2018.

Final business of the evening was the Kayak balance board challenge where Jacob Riby set the bar at 20 minutes only to be beaten by Beth Hall at 30 minutes and the raffle!

Winners were 2 x 1 hr Massage sessions offered by Jo Findley – (Thank you Jo who is always a great supporter of our club), Early Brigg Sprint won by Dan Ellis, Grantham Sprint entry – Lucy Cresswell, Goole Sprint entry won by Jon Challen, Off That Couch Swim analysis won by Jo Findley, Bomber entry won by Pam Challen. Cycle Route Lincs bike fit – Pam Challen and Cycle Route Lincs Bike Service won by Ric Longcake.

Massive thanks to the Committee and events team for looking after everyone during the past year and good luck to you all for 2018.

David H.

Chair 2018

The final Lincolnshire League Cyclo-Cross race of the season was held at Abbey Farm, Bardney on Sunday 21st January. As a handicap race this meant, as I was told,”The slower riders from the races last year start first”, so somewhat cat & mouse. Yep, I started from the front.
We were set off in intervals, and as the whistle blew, me and a couple of other riders set off at a frantic pace, knowing all too well that the second group would be on their way to catch and overtake us. In my case, that didn’t take very long! The course was undulating with a few ditches, mud, rain and snow. Lots of technical bits and the frozen mole hills didn’t help. I was expecting a 40 minute race, and it turned out to be just over an hour. Must read race info properly!
All in all a great day, I really enjoyed it. Thanks to the marshals, they did a brilliant job and it couldn’t have been very nice standing out in that weather. I got home, cleaned my bike, gear and myself and then sat down for a glass of wine in front of the fire. Lovely.