Michelle completes first triathlon

After little sleep due to nerves, followed by a bowl of porridge, Michelle made her way to the 7am start of the first event, which was a 1.2-mile swim in the rowing lake.

This was very weedy and sometimes felt like wading through a swamp, but she cleared the water in 31.54mins to be 15th lady and fourth in her age group.

Michelle then went through the transition from swim to bike, and with a bit of more practice (taking 3mins 27secs ) finally started the 56-mile bike race.

This was around Nottinghamshire country roads, which were mainly flat apart from Oxton hill. Utilising her training around the Derbyshire hills, Michelle finished in 2hrs 57mins, eighth in her age group, this after a toilet stop half way.

A bit more time was lost at the next transition (4mins 17secs) before she commenced the 13.-1mile run in the midday sun.

Keeping well hydrated, running two laps of the lake and a tail up to Lady Bay Bridge, her training at Sutton Harriers was obviously paying off as Michelle started passing numerous athletes that had passed her on the bike.

Finishing with a sprint, passing one last man, she crossed the line in 1hr 36mins, giving a overall time of 5hrs14mins.

Anyone who would like to train for the running part of a triathlon can so at Sutton Harriers Running Club. Email Phil Bird at [email protected].