Full Name
Gemma Charlotte Houghton

Birthday
28 July 1982

Born
Wigan, England

Occupation
Solicitor

What do you like about STG?
It’s just a really friendly club and I felt very welcomed by everyone when I first joined. Plus there are lots of good training sessions that fit nicely around work.

Marital Status
Single (but very marriable!)

Plans for 2009/10 sporting wise
I’ve entered Port Macquarie half ironman. As it’s my first half, I haven’t really thought much beyond that really. I just want to get faster!

Favourite session and why?
All the swim sessions because I find swimming quite therapeutic (yes really!)

Hobbies
Hmm, struggling to think of anything apart from triathlon (terrible)……music, reading, shopping, eating and drinking good wine (do any of those count as hobbies?)

Favorite Food
very rare tuna steak and mashed potato with green beans and then chocolate cake (although I’m trying not to eat tuna because apparently tuna stocks are running low and I feel guilty about that).

What is the most treasured thing you own?
My bike, Rory

Favorite movies
Scent of a Woman, Cool Runnings, Miss Congeniality (sorry!), The Shawshank Redemption, Matilda…

Who inspires you?
My Mum!

What’s the most embarrassing thing you've ever done?
Where do I start? I do something embarrassing almost every day! The other day I had been swimming and was in a massive rush to catch the bus afterwards; I somehow managed to leave still wearing my swimming hat. Luckily the staff on the reception spotted me but that was pretty up there in terms of embarrassing things!

Finish this sentence. Going to training is easy because ...
... everyone is so nice and it’s great to train with other people.

Pet hates/Dislikes
Bad spelling, other people’s feet and custard.

If you could be any animal what would it be & why?
A bird, so that I could fly (not a pigeon though)

Favorite songs of all time
Queen: Don’t Stop Me Now, Glasvegas: Geraldine, Canzonetta Sull’aria (that opera song from The Shawshank Redemption), Stereophonics: A Thousand Trees…

Favorite article of clothing
I suppose my pyjamas.

Favorite superhero
The pink power-ranger

If you could go back in time what era would you visit first
1960

If you could take anyone on a date, who would it be?
Jude Law, but he would have to take me.

Do you have a training tip for us?
Is this a test? If yes, then I would say consistency (did I pass?). If it’s not a test then I would say that you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of getting enough sleep when you’re training (obviously not when you’re actually training but you know what I mean). I don’t get enough sleep and that’s why I’m not in the Olympics... yet!

18 competitors, 3 coaches and a swag of supporters headed to Port Stephens for the NSW Triathlon Club Championships which was held on 1 May. STG entries were down this year due the increased popularity of the event and the limited entry spots but those who raced did the club proud. We took out 13th place, which was our equal best performance and a great result given the low number of members racing. We would have definitely taken out the best tent award if there was one. Col and I need to work on our tent erecting speed though.

There were some outstanding individual performances that are definitely worthy of a mention. Kate Guthrie knocked 10 minutes off her time from last year, finished first in the female 30-34 age group and was 11th female overall – a very impressive effort. Gina Ricardo (pictured) was 3rd in the female 15-17 age group, and Lynelle Masters finished 7th in the female 35-39 age group. For the men, Nick Glozier finished an impressive 9th in the 40-44 age group and Mark Timbs was 13th in the very competitive 30-34 age group.

What was equally pleasing were some of the improvements from last year’s race. There were some big ones but Steve Ellis and Nicola Harrison were the stand outs with a 17 minute and 18 minute improvement respectively. Steve and Nicola have both trained hard over the past 12 months and this is deserved reward for effort.

A big thank you to everyone who made the effort to get to Port Stephens and either race for the club or support those competing. You all helped to make it a great weekend once again and your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Next year’s goal is the elusive top 10 spot!

Click here to view this years STGers race results.

I had the pleasure of watching 8 STGers racing at this year’s Australian Ironman at Port Macquarie. The sun was out and conditions were perfect for spectating as well as eating pasta and drinking red on Vinnie’s balcony overlooking the course (thanks Daniela and Vinnie), but challenging for competitors.

Ironman debutants Mark Timbs, Steve Ellis & Shanon Purcell were rewarded for their solid training efforts with times in the 10 hour zone. For those who have tackled the Ironman or Half Ironman distance you will appreciate how impressive this is.

In his second Ironman, Mat Birch also finished in the 10 hour zone and achieved an Ironman PB of 46 minutes. This PB was exceptional given his first Ironman was the very flat and fast Ironman Western Australia.

John Ellis, who only decided he would give the Ironman a go 8 weeks ago and Mick Elliott, who competed in the Boston Marathon this weekend both had great races and finished in 12:09 and 12:42 respectively.

Femi Coppi finished her second Ironman in a very good time of 13:06 and Sam Playfair, despite some major bike troubles, successfully ticked off her first Ironman and has already entered Ironman WA in December!

FYI - all finished in front of Tony Abbott!

Thanks to Shelley, Nicola, Gezz, Vinnie, Denise, Kirsten, Emma B, Susan & Zara Elliott, Jo & Emily Timbs and Lisa, Taj & Tyson Purcell for their support on the day – I know those who raced greatly appreciated it.

Susan King (Kingy) and her good mate Stuart Brown are about to tackle 250 kms of Kimberley outback on foot in aid of Cure Cancer Australia. Below is a note from Kingy about the event and how you can support them.

My friend Stu and I will be running, walking, crawling (and quite possibly flying if getting evacuated) 250km across the outback in the Kimberley region of Northern WA, Australia. Carrying all food, clothes, sleeping bag and supplies for 6 days, our backpacks will start off weighing around 9kg. The course is all off road and we will average 40km per day for four days and then for good measure, 80km in one day and then we will finish off with a lazy 10km! Temperatures are likely to be in the low 30's (C). For more info on the race have a look at the following website: www.4deserts.com/beyond/australia/

WHY? We are doing it to raise money for Cure Cancer Australia, an organisation that funds researchers finding cures for cancer. This is something dear to both our hearts. I lost both an Aunty and close girlfriend to cancer in the last couple of weeks and I want to find a cure for cancer so it no longer destroys families.

We will be doing this in the orange colours of Can Too, the fundraising organisation where we met and began our running 'careers': www.cantoo.org.au

You can follow our training and progress at: susandstukimberleycaper.blogspot.com/
How can you help us in our quest? You can offer us some words of encouragement if you see us at training over the next couple of weeks and also give us encouragement by sending an email whilst we are doing the race to skg459@yahoo.co.uk

It would also be fantastic if you could sponsor us at the following website (type King in the search box):
www.cantoo.org.au/sponsorshipform.aspx?PageID=18

PS - If you think we are nuts, send this to your friends! The more sponsorship the merrier!