Why You Need a Strong "Why" Before Starting Triathlon Training

Before you sign up for your first triathlon, Half Ironman, or any endurance challenge, there's one question you need to answer honestly…

Why?

Not "why not?" or "because it sounds like a good idea" or "my mate's doing it." But a real, deep down, brutally honest answer to why you're willing to get up at 5am in the freezing cold, sacrifice your social life, and put your body through months of gruelling training.

Your comfort zone feels safe. It doesn’t ask you to do anything awkward, risky, or slightly terrifying.

It just quietly says:
You’re fine where you are.
There’s no rush.
You’ve earned this.

And that’s why it’s so convincing.

Last year, my mum celebrated her 80th birthday. Most people that age are planning quiet celebrations, maybe a nice family dinner, perhaps a cruise if they're feeling adventurous.

Not my mum.

She set herself a goal of climbing Snowdon - Wales' highest mountain at 1,085 meters - to raise money for The Children's Trust.

There I was, huffing and puffing along the country roads as I had just made it to the top of a never ending hill (never again) when two girls flew past me.

Swim. Bike. Run

I was following an online training plan which involved two swims, two bike and two runs. The swimming wasn’t too much of a shock as I was already used to getting up at this time anyway.

So, I announced I was signing up for a Half Ironman at 51, and the reactions were... well, let's just say they ranged from polite concern to "are you mad?"

My husband went noticeably quiet. He pulled that face he makes when he's trying to be supportive but secretly wondering who I thought I was deserting him and the boys and travelling off to the other side of the world.

For 20+ years, I was 'Mum' first. It was my sole purpose, and I wouldn’t change it for anything else. Having babies gave me such immense happiness and joy, that I embraced it like a duck to water.

Let's talk about menopause, shall we? That delightful life phase that nobody properly prepares you for, where your body stages a full-scale rebellion and takes your confidence hostage in the process.

I used to joke that I'd become invisible sometime around my 50th birthday. You know that feeling when you're standing at a bar trying to get served and the bartender looks straight through you to serve the younger woman behind?

Even when it felt like the whole world was against me, I was fortunate enough to have my mum around to support me. We chatted, laughed and went out for breakfast. We also went to watch uplifting films at the cinema. She was my closest ally and enabled me to feel human again.

Clicking ‘Register’ on the Half Ironman wasn’t a brave, cinematic moment. There was no inspirational soundtrack, no Rocky-style montage. It was just me at my laptop, staring at the screen, heart racing like I’d already started the swim. My cursor hovered over the button for what felt like hours as I thought about the expense of the event, the flights, the trip, quitting my job.

I did that 20 km bike ride again. I managed to stop safely at the junctions. All went well. I arrived at the turnaround point and stopped.

Let me tell you about my impressive first attempt at triathlon, which went about as well as you'd expect from someone who thought "how hard can it be?" Famous last words.

If you've ever hesitated to start a new fitness goal because you thought you weren't "fast enough" or "fit enough," this post is for you. Starting isn't about speed or skill - it's about showing up for yourself.

You’ve been running the same loop, swimming the same laps, or spinning on the same bike and it’s all starting to feel a bit… beige. You’re not broken, you’re just bored.

You know the signs.
Your run feels less “runner’s high” and more “why am I doing this again?”
Swimming laps? Yawn. You’re convinced the pool is getting longer, not your strokes stronger.
You check your watch five minutes into a workout like it’s going to offer you a medal just for showing up.

I've heard every myth under the sun, mostly because I've used most of them myself at various points. After a couple of hip procedures, I told myself that as I was approaching fifty, it was time to look after my body. I planned to go for regular walks, join a Pilates class, and continue with my leisurely morning swims. I believed that I needed to start taking it easy.

I started feeling like I was the only one who didn’t get to do what I wanted. I thought about everyone else and made sure they were happy, but no one thought about me.

A Half Ironman requires a huge time commitment. Training for one is an achievement in itself. As I worked through my training plan, I became aware of the importance of consistency and dedication.

I swam like I was a Sunday driver. I swam because it got me out of bed. I could do it early while everyone was still asleep—a good way of getting extra hours into my day.