Team Thacker

While I may, more often than not train on my own, It is always nice to have a friendly face to finish in front of!
Let me get one thing clear I am an absolute nightmare to be around before the start of a race and overall I know that the lot of a triathlete’s partner is not a particularly easy one. At least most amateur football or rugby matches start no earlier than 9am on a weekend. In comparison most triathlons start at around 9 - 10am and require registration and racking by 8am this means an early morning start to get to the venue, it is not even like there is much conversation before and frankly if the result if rubbish there is not much conversation afterwards either!

However, despite all this my fiancé, Helen accompanies me to my races and while she may refuse to come anywhere near me initially after the race – there was a very bad incident the first season I took part in the London Tri where my fiancé carried my wetsuit, still containing most of Victoria dock to the car, two days later she was in hospital – no test could confirm that it was as a result of the wetsuit but needless to say I have the job of carrying the wetsuit after events – but a big hug and a cup of flask provided tea is very welcome after the race.

As well as my fiancé, Helen, I have acquired a new running partner, Poppy our 1 year old Cocker Spaniel. She accompanies me on my runs over the dunes at Merthyr Mawr and makes the whole thing a lot more enjoyable. Although I have to admit that I am still amazed at the speed which her little legs can carry her up the dunes while I struggle like some sort of big yeti to get over even the slightest sandy incline. I have also started taking her along to my cross county training, while only a small little thing, I only run for around 60 mins at a time as I am no marathon runner, hence competing in sprint and marathon distances rather than ironman events which quite frankly put the fear of god into me.

So this is my initial support crew ably assisted from time to time by other friends and relatives, I will try to include a few pictures of the support crew at the races over the coming months.