Reading Jo Pappenheim’s account of her triathlon event in Tonbridge brought memories of my own triathlon career in which I competed over 15 years up to 2001 culminating in the Age Group World Championships in 2001 in Edmonton, Canada.
I was then a member of the Deal Tri Club as well as Rye Wheelers, and I was persuaded by the GB Team Manager (also a Tri Club member) to make up a team of four representing Great Britain in the age group 65-69. I had to compete in the Brighton Triathlon of that year to qualify. I was the only one of that age group in the qualifying event, but still had to “do” the course!
The World Championships was an amazing experience ,and looking back I too wondered how I managed to complete the course. The swim was in a lake in which each “wave” of swimmers had to swim a circular course. Not being a great swimmer I recall being overtaken by the second wave! I was OK on the bike but I can only describe the run at the end as a stagger!
The distances for the Olympic distance were swim 1,500k, bike 40k and the run 10k. That was my last triathlon event but memorable in so many ways. My knees had already started to trouble me and some years later I had a knee replacement. I still could cycle and changed my sport to cycle racing which did nor affect my knees.
I competed in many time trials and until two years ago completed my 6th “12 hour” time trial gaining my over 80s Club Award and cycled the Prudential London Ride the same year.
Unfortunately I suffered a heart attack recently and after a period of rest I am having to try and regain the fitness I had prior to the attack, but I doubt I shall be competing in any more time trials. I shall rest on my laurels and enjoy social cycling with my cycling friends now.
Thanks Jo for setting me off on memory lane. Don’t stop competing! Triathlon is a wonderful sport and understandably increasingly popular.
Photos: Nick Taylor and courtesy of Granville Bantick