From Netball to Middle Distance: My First Triathlon Journey

I used to hear men at the gym talking about Half Ironmans and middle distance triathlons all the time. At first, it felt like something only other people did. But then I started wondering… could I do this too?

So I did what any slightly obsessed dreamer does—I researched. I asked around. A few people recommended 113 Events as one of the most supportive middle distance races out there. That stuck with me.

At the time, I was playing netball competitively at regional level and had just completed trials for the new season in June 2024. But deep down, I knew I had to choose. The risk of injury with netball was too high, and I needed to commit. I spoke to my coach, declined my place… and signed up for my first middle-distance triathlon. Training, commence!

At first, I kept it quiet—fear of failure, I guess. But slowly, I started telling people. I realised I needed to be proud of this choice, to own it. One friend, who’d just completed a full Ironman, introduced me to the Women in Tri UK community. That changed everything.

I instantly felt at home. Women in Tri UK was the most supportive, encouraging, and informative space I’d found—somewhere I could ask the “silly” questions and not feel silly at all. There were training plans, webinars, and more than anything: people who got it. I had always been told triathlon was a selfish, solo sport—but Women in Tri UK made it feel like the biggest team sport I’d ever been part of.

Here’s the truth: I couldn’t swim a single length of front crawl. I wasn’t running. And I had never swum in open water.

But I like structure, so I grabbed a half marathon training plan and stuck to it. I signed up to Bath Half through Women in Tri UK because I knew I’d feel more confident if I could say I’d run that far already.

I also sat down with my husband for an honest chat. I’d read that family support makes a huge difference. I told him I’d need him to not let me off the hook on the days I said I couldn’t be bothered. I needed encouragement, not a “go on, have a break.” He completely stepped up—cooking meals, picking up the slack at home, and becoming my biggest cheerleader.

I followed the Women in Tri UK training plan on TrainingPeaks—something I hadn’t even heard of before. It quickly became my best friend. I loved how you could move things around to suit real life. I could swim, bike, and run individually… but putting it all together? That seemed impossible. I had to trust the process.

Then came familiarisation day organised by 113 events. The vibe was amazing—so friendly and supportive. The bike felt great. The run was tough but doable. The lake was beautiful… but the swim? Awful. I panicked. I couldn’t breathe. I spent the whole lap with my head out of the water, doggy paddling and side swimming. I left gutted. But I didn’t give up.

I booked two more open water swims before race day and spoke to everyone I could—especially the WIT crew. They told me: stay calm, relax, you don’t have to get your head in, just get around. Those two swims helped massively. I had totally underestimated how different open water feels.

Race weekend arrived and it all started to feel real. Meeting people I’d chatted to for months in the Women in Tri UK community helped calm the nerves—we were all in it together, and it felt amazing.

On race morning, I couldn’t bring myself to chat. I needed to be alone in my head. But I knew the team understood.

And then… I did the entire swim front crawl. I came out smiling! I was genuinely proud. The bike was next—my strongest leg. Eating while riding wasn’t fun, but I did it. I even chatted to a few WIT members during the ride. That little sense of connection on the course meant so much.

The run was the toughest part. Lap one was manageable, with a few walking breaks (totally fine—progress is progress!). The marshals were phenomenal. Every lap, they cheered, clapped, called my name, and kept me going. Even other competitors would pass and quietly say, “You’ve got this.” And it helped more than they’ll ever know.

By lap three, I told myself: just 5K left. You can run 5K. My body was screaming, but my mind stayed strong. And then I heard Shouty Dave near the finish—he gave me the final push I needed.

I grabbed my mum’s hand, and we flew down that red carpet together. I fist-pumped the air with the biggest smile. I did it.

I did it.

Looking back, I’m most proud of the swim. And of the fact that I tried to thank every single marshal I passed. But most of all, I’m surprised by my mental strength—my ability to step way outside my comfort zone and complete a middle distance triathlon. For me.

So if you’re thinking about it—maybe wondering if it’s too much, or if you could actually do it—believe me: you can. If I can do it, you absolutely can too.

Thanks to Women in Tri UK, I didn’t just complete a middle distance triathlon. I joined a movement. And I’ll never forget it.