With the storm that was Imogen starting to show her force coming through last weekend, it was great to see so many getting out on the club ride last Sunday.

Weather forecast showed that we had a small window to escape the weather and someone was watching over us as we made it down to Freshwater West without getting caught in anything other than a bit of a breeze.

But on the way back, there were wet roads and hail at the sides of the road, but still we stayed dry and made it back to Tenby and down to the Dennis Café for a very welcome coffee. It is great to see so many of our lady members coming out also along with Nicola every Sunday.

SCHOOL COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

A very well done to one of our junior members last week. Kacey Lea Burgess, along with the rest of her winning team of Mabli Evans, Toni Spiller and Fion Barnikel, became the 4 x 25 metre freestyle county school champions. Kacey Lea obviously has been taking hints and tips from dad Andrew.

COLBY PARKRUN

Again with the weather last weekend taking a turn for the worse, with Imogen coming through, there were lower numbers running down at the Colby Parkrun

Nevertheless, two still set new personal best times, with Dan Mumford in second place with a new time of 18:38, very closely followed by Emil Chwistek in a new personal best of 19:45 in third place.

Making it a family affair for the Chwistek family, Wendy came home in 25th place with an excellent time of 25:06.

CHARITY SHOP

DRESS-UP NIGHT

Throughout the year, we are going to be holding a number of events for our chosen charity of the year, Air Ambulance. As most of you will know, Aled, Paula and Mike Smith have been very active members of the Aces, and when they should have been able to celebrate son Aled’s achievements throughout last year, with his successes in Hawaii, Mike and Paula were involved in a serious accident just before Christmas. As a result, the Air Ambulance was called into action and its quick response undoubtedly contributed to them being with us today.

Carlton and Nicola went to see them last weekend, now that Paula has been moved to Glangwili, and they came back with a report that they are both in good spirits and certainly have not lost their sense of humour, and that the hospital is working with Paula to get her mobile again.

So with that in mind, the first of our activities is going to be the Charity Shop Dress-Up Night, being held on Friday, February 26, at the Esplanade Hotel Bar from 7 pm. How it works - please let Billy Connor or Oliver Brace know if you fancy coming, names will be put into a hat and you will be drawn a person that you will then have to buy clothes to dress. These have to be bought in a charity shop for no more than £10.

On night there will be the Aces ‘Cat Walk’, fun and games to raise funds for the charity.

PORTLAND COASTAL MARATHON

Mandy Draper again makes the news this week with yet another event, the Portland Coastal Marathon, which took place last weekend at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. This is a run of dramatic, rugged cliffs, nationally rare plants, hidden coves and stunning views. Mandy completed this very challenging course in 5:47:00, an excellent time, well done.

NUTRITION AND TRAINING TALK

We have been very lucky to secure the services of Peter Herbert from the Carmarthen University Sports Inc.

Peter is one of the top physiologists in the world, having worked with the Welsh rugby team and international boxers. He has over 50 years experience, and is at the cutting edge of research into ageing, so with the Aces that includes a few of us.

He has kindly agreed to come and give us a talk regarding training and nutrition, and with so many new members stepping into the world that is triathlon this year, it should prove very helpful.

Both Aled Smith and Nigel Merrony met with him in their preparations for the World Championships in Hawaii.

Tha talk is being held on Wednesday, March 2, 6 - 7.30 pm, at the Giltar Hotel and is open to all Aces members. Please let Nicola Coates know if you would like to attend.

Activities for the coming week

Aces Club activities for the coming week include the following:

Friday, February 12 - Pool Swim Session with Slacky for those booked in. Tenby Leisure Centre at 7 pm.

Saturday, February 13 - Colby Parkrun, a great local event and well worth supporting, lots of members taking part on a regular basis.

Sunday, February 14 - Club Ride, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 9 am.

Monday, February 15 - Turbo with Rhys at Tenby Bowling Club, 6 pm to start for 6.30 pm.

Wednesday, February 17 - Aces Run Session, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm.

Thursday, February 18 - Turbo with Mike Lindsey at Tenby Bowling Club, 6.30 pm to start for 7 pm.