I decided that I needed a challenge and “persuaded” my sister that a sprint triathlon would be a good idea and a suitable challenge. It involves a 400m swim, followed by 23km cycle and a 5km run. We chose to get sponsorship for Arthritis Research UK as our mother had suffered severely from this debilitating disease before she died. I am pleased to say that we have currently raised just over £1,000 (which is double our original target of £500).
We started training 3 months ago and found that individually, each event was fairly manageable (even though we both struggled with the running, never having done it before). It was only when we put all the elements together that we realised it was going to be tougher than we had imagined! The worst part was getting off the bicycle after 23km and then running. Our legs felt like jelly and our knees felt like they would fold backwards.
After our rigorous training schedule (although perhaps not rigorous enough), the Warwickshire Sprint Triathlon was held on Sunday 3 October in the lovely town of Stratford-upon-Avon. The weather on Saturday (the day before) was fine until 7pm when it began to rain and continued to do so, right up to the race on the Sunday morning. Our start time was 11.30 and by this time there was just a gentle drizzle, but the road conditions were far from great and the run was just a muddy quagmire in parts, making it really hard work. But we completed it!
We came in at 189 and 190 out of about 230 ladies (and higher than we had originally anticipated). Then we determined that we would never ever, ever do anything as silly again. Upon reflection however, we have decided to attempt one more Triathlon, at the same venue in May next year - just to see if we can improve a little!
Thanks to everyone who helped us raise so much money for Arthritis Research UK.
Janet Sutherland
Patient Advisor
Longborough Dental Practice
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