Hello Grasshoppers,

Wow. Just WOW! I just love all the energy you bring to the track on a Tuesday morning and the fun, laughter, and enthusiasm the newbies bring to the strength, run, walk program on a Tuesday evening. The support and encouragement you all share during ALL the Grasshopper sessions be they running, biking, or swimming are what makes the sessions so much fun whilst enabling a positive training environment. A massive thanks to Katie (KCR coaching) for leading last week’s FridaySocial & TrackTuesday sessions whilst I was away competing.

What I also love to see is the running, biking, and swimming that you’re all doing outside of the scheduled sessions, building your own mini communities. 😊 One such, not so mini, community is the Grasshopper Karaoke singers!! If you fancy an evening of laughs, and singing (if you wish) then give the Grasshopper karaoke night a try? The next session is being held on 14th September at The Kings on Albert Road – all are welcome, including partners. Contact Jen for all details & to join the dedicated singing WhatsApp group!

Other upcoming dates to be aware of include:
Friday September 1st – Grasshopper Beach party. A casual gathering, a few games, a fire to warm yourself around and friends to chat with. BYO food/drink.
Saturday 2nd September – Saturday hills/parkrun combo – start of the regular/weekly hills & parkrun training session.
Saturday 2nd September – Southsea parkrun for newbie runners/walkers.
Sunday 10th September – Gosport GoTri recce. An opportunity to visit the Gosport GoTri location, to review the course and take a dip and ask any questions about triathlon racing, transitions, etc. Limited spaces (free).
Sunday 22nd October – the return of the fun, monthly, Adventure Runs – run, pub food & a beer if you fancy😊 The plan is to lead six of these on the third Sunday of each month (Oct – March).
Friday 24th November – Grasshopper Social at Broadway Coffee Roasters. Ditch the active wear for sparkles & glad rags 😊 Partners welcome, cocktail/mocktail on entry. £10 per ticket.

Please let me know through the Grasshopper App. if you are able to join any of these sessions.

The regular TrackTuesday, WaveWednesday, SocialFriday & HillsSaturday training sessions will continue through September and into winter – with WaveWednesday likely to end at the end of September.

The newbie strength, run/walk program will take a short break after the current program concludes in early September, but there will be a 3rd program scheduled for the autumn/winter period – look out for dates 😊

You’ll be excited to hear that I am working with local artist Mister Samo to design a fresh & vibrant Grasshopper logo, which I look forward to sharing with you soon 😊

Finally, to borrow a Scouting phrase ‘Be Prepared.’ As many of you know I tried, unsuccessfully, to incorporate some flying into my recent IM event. The flying went well but the landing needs more finessing! Fortunately, I have some excellent rehabilitation support from practitioners who have helped me previously and so I’m now not calling on them blind. Any treatment provided will be from a base of personal knowledge! My recommendation is not to wait until you need that support to start building a relationship with a medical practitioner but build that trust from an early stage. It will pay dividends in the long run. For myself that means regular massages & training talk with Sports Massage therapist Emma Bird and discussions, and reviews with physiotherapist Suzanne Gray. Both Suzanne and Emma come highly recommended as well as being accomplished athletes themselves.

Take care, safe training and have fun.

Steve
Grasshopper Coaching