October was a quiet month for the votwo/USN race team - most recovering from a hard, hard season of racing!

Fortunately Ute Baird (pictured above) - our ever improving Ultra distance runner was on hand to roll out some PBs over 'short' distances though! Below are her thoughts on a couple of rather good results:

My colleague was in the green pen 2-2.30 hour runners. I felt after 5km I was running in my zone. From 10km onwards I encountered traffic. Mile 8 onwards it became frustrating. There were a couple of uphills and people sarted to walk. I slowed right down at one stage but managed to put in a little surge to make up time. I finished in 1:37:43. I came 1080 out of 15,000 and 86 in the ladies including elite women. 2010 PB: 1:39:49; 1310 out of 12,000."

Nicki Aitkin (pic below) was also swapping her run shoes for some tri kit, and performing rather well for a 'novice'!:

Nicki: "I Entered the Warwickshire Triathlon last minute purely for fun so off no specific training - 2nd lady (154 in total), 1st in my age group in 1.14.25.  Had the fastest run by 2 minutes and 6th fastest on the swim, just the bike I need to work on which is my weakest link...I did ride on my old bike though so that's worth a few minutes for starters!!  Beaten only by Sara Burling, GB Gold medal winning triathlete so chuffed to bits.  Rice pudding for breakfast and number 666 must be a lucky charm...."

This month we've got Anja Heijnen out in Phuket, Thailand for the Phuket triathlon, Nicki at the Florence marathon and Ute once again out in the 45 mile Breacon Beacon Ultra which will probably be the last 'proper' races for any of the team this year. 

We'll be finalising team members for 2012 shortly and will post some updates on any other winter training results, races and news as it occurs......watch this space.....