Beth's 2008  70.3 UK Half- Ironman Challenge
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Below is an overview of my experiences in the sport of triathlon, and a little about my motivation for taking on this challenge.

 Firstly, let me begin this by saying that compared to many I am not a particularly gifted or well accomplished athlete. I did not take up recreational running until I was at university in 1991, using it as a way to control my weight and let off steam.  Following my graduation I moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where I lived for the next eight years.  With a climate more conducive to outdoor activities, my running became more regular and eventually I entered some local races.  Within a year or so, I started to place well in my age group, but was plagued by minor injuries which enforced training breaks. I am unsure of the exact motivation, but ultimately I decided to try my hand at becoming a multi-sport athlete, and entered my first sprint triathlon.  This was ironic for two reasons, firstly I did not own a bike, and secondly my swimming was restricted to any stroke which enabled me to keep my face out of the water!  By luck, one of my friends just happens to be one of the top masters’ swimmers in America, and before long he had taught me the basics of front crawl.  I bought a racing bike, and consistent training with some good cycling groups enabled me to become a competent rider. 

  My first few sprint races were just for fun, but I soon found myself in love with the world of triathlon and the friends and fellow athletes it brought me into contact with. My ever competitive nature drove me to enter more races, and before long my calendar was filled with sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, where I usually finished in the top 25% of women.  In my best seasons, I was well placed in a few local triathlon series and won my age group in a number of events.  Eventually my aspirations moved towards completing races of longer distances.  I became known as a very strong cyclist, and my technique on the swim although not perfect, at least enabled me to come out of the water with a chance of having a strong race.  I completed the Florida Challenge ½ Ironman in 2000.  The following year I entered Ironman Florida and my training was going exactly to plan until a matter of weeks before the race when I was knocked off my bike on the way home from the pool.  Although not badly hurt, I was forced to take a few weeks off from serious training whilst my body recovered. It was then that I made what I consider to be my only major mistake in triathlon training, when I tried resuming my schedule where I left off.  Although I started the race a few weeks later, the damage had been done and I was sick, tired and over trained.   I pulled out after the first lap of the swim, a decision which I regret to this day, still viewing Ironman as ‘unfinished business’. 

I continued to race extensively, and also trained a few competitors who completed Ironman distance races. When I returned to live in the UK in mid 2002, I put my racing and training on hold whilst I built a new life and career. It is here that I must back-track a little and explain that I was born with congenital heart defects, and had open heart surgery as a child to repair some of the damage.  I considered myself cured, and once old enough to be responsible for my own medical care chose not to have any follow-up. For twelve years I had only a feint scar to remind me of my past.

All this changed one morning in October 2003 when I awoke feeling that my heart was trying to get out of my chest.  Denial is a wonderful thing, and I simply presumed that this was some sort of temporary illness and would go away, which fortunately after four days (!!) it did.  I decided that a visit to my GP would be prudent, as I was rather scared that it might happen again.  She seemed concerned and cajoled me for neglecting my heart for so long, referring me back to the hospital for tests.  The results soon made it apparent that one of my heart valves was badly leaking, and that my heart had enlarged considerably over the years to cope with the strain – no wonder I was feeling less healthy!  As luck would have it, I came under the care of a great cardiology team at Derriford hospital in Plymouth, and ultimately went on to have a valve replacement at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in August 2005.

 Whilst I was unwell I got in contact with the Grown UP Congenital Heart (GUCH) Patients Association in this country. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that there was a whole group of people like myself, and an organization who organized activities such as local meetings, weekends away, and a yearly conference.  Especially valuable is a web site and message board, where patients and their relatives can chat and share experiences.  It was difficult for me to become involved, as I have always been a rather independent soul (an only child), and had learned to distance myself from my illness, viewing it as a weakness which I did not want to talk about. However, by pushing myself a little, I have found a number of great new friends, attended the national conferences in Southampton and Newcastle, and recently become a member of the Management Committee. 

Most of all, I have learned to appreciate how fortunate I have been with my condition.  Many other GUCH patients are significantly worse off than myself, and could not entertain having the quality of life which I now enjoy.  Many are severely restricted by their condition, and face an uncertain future of declining health and abilities.  In contrast, I seem to have escaped relatively lightly, and am hopeful that my recent surgery will the last for many years. My consultants in Bristol and Plymouth seem extremely surprised by the speed of my recovery, and could not believe that I was back in the gym swimming, biking and running within a few weeks.  To be honest, it was quite a struggle at times, and not all together pain free, but it felt so good to be alive!

Pre-surgery I had already made secret plans to continue to enter long distance triathlons and endurance events, a fact which surprises my doctors who are used to most GUCH patients choosing more sedentary hobbies. As a way of saying thank you to all those who have helped me through my illness, I intend to compete at races in the UK and overseas whilst raising money for the Grown Up Congenital Heart Patients Association (GUCH).  I do not know how competitive I will be, but within a month of surgery I was back on a good training schedule, and continue to feel stronger every day. In April 2006, I re-certified as a personal trainer, and also intend to return to coaching endurance athletes. The world of triathlon has changed my life for the better, and I hope my passion will inspire others to experience the rewards which come from our great sport.