Following last weeks column on the triathlon I asked, David, one of our seasoned runners how he coped with this new challenge.
“Well, Sally, as you know I have now been running with SE Fitness for several years now and having entered a number of local 10K runs and half marathons, I was ready for a new challenge as I approached the grand old age of 40!
For my first foray into the world of triathlons, I decided to enter the ‘Sprint’ version of the sport which comprises of a 400 metre indoor swim, 20k cycle ride finishing off with a 5k run. Piece of cake!!!
The day begins with a very unpleasant early start with registrations usually taking place at around 6am and my advice to anyone else prepared to commit to this madness, is always find a local triathlon before becoming hooked!!
Nerves started to get the better of me with the thought of the other competitors. My expectations were that everyone would be highly toned, fitness fanatics with all the latest gear and I wondered how I would fit in, but my fears were quickly quashed on meeting some of the men and women who were participating as they were all really helpful and encouraging on finding out it was my first event.
On seeing the other entrants it became apparent that this sport, currently the fastest growing in the UK, attracts the widest range of people – all ages were competing from teens to pensioners, all in various shapes and sizes and levels of fitness but with one thing in common – they loved the buzz and challenge set by these combined events.
I wasn’t sure whether a triathlon would be my cup of tea when I first started the necessary cross training but the exhilaration I got from completing that first event was amazing and I am now completely hooked. I’ve entered two more events this season and am already picking out venues for next year.
World Champion Alistair Brownlee I am not, but I would highly recommend anyone who is thinking of giving a triathlon a go, to do so – start small, indoor swims are easier than outdoors and local events are less daunting than ones further a field but the varied training has also improved my running enormously and I am now fitter at 40 than I ever have been.”
David Stewart