Catherine Stocks – joined 2021
August 2021 and I’m standing on the edge of Colwick lake in my halter neck beach swimming costume waiting to start TFN’s ‘Go Tri’ aquathlon, questioning my sanity having hardly swum since school… Race starts, can’t breathe, feel like I’m going backwards and am never going to get out of that lake. Gave myself a talking to (someone always has to come last, even in the Olympics!) but I’m NEVER doing this ever again.
But then the run, I like running, great support on the way around and I did finish and I wasn’t quite last. A friendly club member told me they’d been in my exact position a year before, joined the club, went to coached swims and they were now doing triathlons. In a moment of madness I signed up to TFN and got persuaded (by another mad friend) to enter a middle distance tri (I then discovered most people start with a sprint, oops!)
The coached swims have been great to hugely improve my swimming technique and confidence, friendly running sessions, loads of race tips and also some group rides with local members. Plus a fantastic club, banter and encouragement on the Whatsapp group and lots of socials and fun.
Fast forward 10 months and, despite a stress fracture training for Manchester marathon and being out of action for 8 weeks, I survived my first sprint triathlon at Staunton Harold (nabbing first in age category – no one needs to know there were only 4 of us) and went on to complete Holkham Half Outlaw 3 weeks later, totally surpassing all expectations.
What a journey, awesome club – joining is the best thing I’ve done and loved it all!
