London Fields Triathlon Club launched

London Fields resident Chris Skinner has launched a local triathlon club

A London Fields resident is setting up a new triathlon club in a bid to find other budding athletes to train with.

Chris Skinner, 30, has already recruited 20 members to London Fields Triathlon Club. He is hoping to attract another 30 more before the first training session next month.

Chris has long been a keen sportsman and already runs the successful London Fields Cricket Club. It was earlier this year that he began taking part in the triathlon, which involves swimming, cycling and running, and he is aiming to improve in all three disciplines over the winter months. However, he has found it a hard sport to prepare for just by himself.

“Endurance events can involve quite a lonely training process,” he said. “When you’re in the company of others it really helps your motivation.”

The group’s training schedule will involve an hour-long swim every Sunday at London Fields Lido, followed by an hour’s run around the park and neighbouring area. They will also head to Redbridge Cycle Centre once a month to practice on its road circuit track.

Swimming outdoors in the middle of winter might not be everybody’s idea of fun, but Chris said the heated lido is the perfect place for them to practice their strokes.

“It’s a great place to swim in the winter, if you can brave the 20 yards from the changing rooms to the pool,” he laughed. “It’s the best time of year to be there. Even when it’s very cold and the weather is a bit murky, you get steam rising off the water and it’s beautiful.”

Chris also plans to get qualified coaches to run the sessions, working on each of the individual disciplines as well as easing the transition from one to another.

Anyone interested in joining the Triathlon England-affiliated club may can visit the London Fields Triathlon Club website or email Chris: lftriathlon@googlemail.com