A personal document of one triathlete's action-packed year.
From never having attempted a triathlon up to March 2014, eight and a half months later this 57-year-old successfully completed Challenge Bahrain!
At the ripe old age of 55, I purchased my first bike in 35 years during the London Olympics. I set myself the challenge for 2013 of riding from London to Paris for the British Heart Foundation whilst my weight was just over 17 stone (around 110 kg). The ride went well and soon after, two colleagues were looking for a team member to ride the bike leg of the Abu Dhabi International triathlon. I reluctantly agreed and last Christmas purchased a road bike for the event in March 2014.
Taking part in that triathlon changed my life and health completely. The atmosphere around the event, riding the same course as the Brownlee’s and doing a circuit of the Yas Island F1 track was truly amazing. I got the bug and joined Riyadh Triathletes Club in Saudi Arabia, where I’m based for work. First swimming twice a week with the club, and then getting out on the bike only on Fridays and Saturdays.
Running was my Achilles’ heel. I had only run before on a football pitch, cricket pitch and basketball court - again 35 to 40 years ago. Calf problems flared up regularly which caused me to stop training, so I downloaded a training programme for tri beginners and a specific running programme. I spent almost two months on a treadmill walking and getting my legs used to the workload. On June 10th I managed to jog slowly on a treadmill for 5km without stopping for the first time ever in my life - I was so happy!
My first entry in a triathlon was for Riyadh in May and was a super sprint. There was definite room for improvement, but the support and encouragement from the other members was fantastic and pushed me to persevere.
I entered a sprint triathlon at Dorney Lake, Windsor as a target for July and so carried on with the running (albeit slowly) hoping to be ready in time. Training was ticking along well, but my run still left something to be desired. The day arrived, as did the wet weather, but a good turn-out nonetheless. With many nerves I completed the 400m swim in just over 9 minutes, bike in 39 and braced myself for the run ahead. Taking my time, I finished in 1hr 26 minutes - 14 minutes ahead of my target. I didn’t pass one person on the run, but it wasn’t about that - I just wanted to finish my first full triathlon.
I was officially hooked.
Back in Saudi there were more events, slowly increasing in distance. Runs were still a struggle but improving all the time. The final event of the Riyadh tri season was in September; the Olympic Distance! Away I went, beginning with a 29 minute pool swim. The bike was tough, with hills and a very strong wind. An hour and 26 minutes later and it was time for the run. The first 6km progressed nicely, but then the problems started. I took on too much fluid and became over-hydrated; taking almost an hour and a half to complete the final leg.
With the temperature soaring over 41 degrees, it took me three days to recover. But with support from experienced triathletes in the club, I was knocked but not broken.
With weight loss now reaching two and half stone, the training continued and for the first time, I was tempted to enter Challenge Bahrain 70.3! 18 other members from Riyadh were also taking part so I knew the support would be there for me, so I decided to give it a go. I upped training and ran my first ever 21k three weeks before the race.
To say I was pleased with my swim is an understatement. With a target of 45 minutes, I conquered the 1.9km open water swim in 34 minutes. I went through the transition with a huge smile on my face and set off on the bike. The 90km went by quickly on the road and 2hrs 47mins later, it was into T2. The first 6km went well and I felt strong, but by 9km I started to struggle. My plan of ‘if in trouble, walk through the aid stations’ was put into action. This inevitably slowed me further, but I kept plugging away.
Entering the F1 track stadium with just over 1km to go, the emotions set in. Turning the bend into the finishing straight with the red carpet and crowds was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. I crossed the line in 6:05:11; seventh oldest in the event and finishing 25 minutes ahead of my target time. This year the target is to knock another 35 minutes off!
The atmosphere, support and encouragement from other athletes are the things that set triathlon apart from other sports. Everyone is there for each other.
This year I have the ITU Olympic Distance Triathlon in Abu Dhabi, the sprint distance triathlon at the Vitality World Triathlon London, Challenge Weymouth and once again Challenge Bahrain to set my sights on.
My next focus is to challenge at age-group level. A dream maybe - but why not?
