Jake Gyllenhaal's triathlete credentials

This weeekend, a triathlon (the second largest in Britain) is taking place just down the road from me at Blenheim Palace - the home of Winston Churchill and clipped vowels. These pictures below were taken by me in past visits to the Palace because today it was chucking down with rain and, as they say, if you're watching someone swim, there's no point getting wet yourself.



As Jake Gyllenhaal is still doing his best to avoid every single camera in New York City - another kind of feat, I'm sure you'll agree - I thought I'd take a look at how Jake would excel as a triathlete, combining excellence in swimming, cycling and running. As someone who proudly walked out of the Beverly Center clad only in a pair of speedoes, Jake's swimming credentials are assured. But here's a reminder.



Incidentally and totally off topic, this reminds me of Peter Sarsgaard's story from the filming of Jarhead in Mexico, when he decided to take a swim in the hotel fountain even though Jake was right in the middle of a sentence. Jake had to remind Peter of the story because he can't remember it himself - margaritas can do that.


Jake's running prowess is also assured, judging by the number of running outfits he has, his Nike 'Thing' and his hunky trainers (and I'm not talking shoes). Jake has that greatly envied skill of being able to run up hills and down hills.



Talking of running up hills, Jake can also cycle up hills. And not just hills, an Alp! Back in 2006, Jake made it up the Alpe d'Huez. Nevertheless, Jake's recent 2009 biking excursions have attracted the attention of the Bike Snob who lambasted Jake for his pie plate. I have a bicycle, in fact I have two bicycles, but I thought a pie plate was a plate you ate pie off. I was comforted to discover this blog because I thought Mr WDW (who has five bicycles and four and a half motorbikes) was the only bike snob left. He is now an avid reader.


My conclusion: if any star was born to pop by here and go through his paces in the lakes and private, potholed roads of Blenheim, it's Jake Gyllenhaal.


Includes pictures from IHJ, links and WDW.