I completed two more Middle Distance events before my colleague asked me if I had thought about completing an Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26 mile run). Completing a Middle Distance twice, effectively, seemed unrealistic but after deliberating it, I Google-searched a 26week Ironman training programme and followed it diligently. After about six months of training, I entered my first sprint triathlon (750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run). It went badly, as I started off swimming too quickly, had to stop to catch my breath and I ended up swimming breaststroke to reach the end. My transitions (changing from one discipline to the next) were also laboured, but I completed it and I found that, even at my rudimentary level, there was a buzz and a sense of camaraderie from being in this environment. As I was starting to feel fitter and training with others, I moved up to a Standard Distance Triathlon (1500m swim, 40km cycle and 10km run). After completing a couple of these, my local town was hosting a Middle Distance (half Ironman) Triathlon event (1.3 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, 13 mile run) which was going to be televised for Scotland’s ‘Adventure Show’. I decided to increase my training and enter with six months leading up to it. It helped to train with people that were fitter and faster than me, and I joined in with the weekly cycling and running time trials, hill reps, endurance runs and HITT sessions. I also found that it’s easy to feel ‘imposter syndrome’ when you haven’t got a particular strength in swimming, running or cycling, but I just slotted in behind others. On the day of the event, the weather was perfect and there was a great atmosphere, with supportive competitors, spectators and marshals, although completing it was exhausting! Nevertheless, I’ve also discovered that endurance athletes have short memories and the feelings of pain and discomfort seem to ease over time. abingdon.org.uk/sports-and-leisure 6 Activities are run by Abingdon School Enterprises Limited on behalf of Abingdon School. Company No.04442429
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