The wonderful world of triathlon!

From no experience to training towards World Championships qualification in just three years.

If you had told me 3 years ago that in 2011 that I would have just completed my second year of triathlon with four age group wins, I think I would've fallen off my chair in shock! I completed my first sprint triathlon in September 2009 and I can still clearly remember how I felt at 5.30am that morning. I was cold, nervous and wondering what on earth had possessed to me to do this, seeing as I could barely swim two lengths without stopping just four months previously! Having said that, once the pain was over, there was an overwhelming sense of achievement and I rushed home to start looking for up and coming events the next year.

I completed the 2010 season, having done five sprint triathlons. No major wins but consistent improvements towards the end of the year. So it was back to the drawing board over the winter and six months of fairly gruelling training. I started the 2011 season full of nerves and excitement for the year ahead. The intensity had been upped and the base fitness had been built: I was as ready as I was ever going to be. My weekly training diary has consisted of around 15 hours of exercise, which is split into five run (two sprint and three paced runs), three swim and one long cycle session.

Two years down the line and I have now completed my 2011 season and I'm pleased to say that I'm pretty damn happy! Highlights have been my age group win at the wonderfully run Dextrose Hyde Park triathlon, which is set to be the 2012 Olympic course and my age group win last weekend at the Windfarmer triathlon. My times were 2 hrs 26 at London Hyde Park and 2 hrs 19 at the Windfarmer for Olympic distance. It is always nice to see improvements and I feel like all the hard work has been worthwhile.

So, where to next? It's now a month of rest before we hit the arduous winter training again and I have been assured by Jon that things will be tough as we try to take it to the next level. I hope to consolidate on my successes this year and, all going well, qualify for the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS! Eeek, it still scares me when I say that!!!

As ever, this rest period is a time to reflect on what we've done through the season and to thank the amazing people who have got me to reach my potential. My coaches, Jon and Paul who have helped me realise that there is no substitute for hard work: if you want to go faster, you have to train harder... simple as that! My friends, who have put up with my incessant chat about training and Natasha Price (Central Health Physiotherapy MD), who has very kindly agreed to sponsor me. I could not do it without this.

So, if you're interested, why not try a triathlon yourself? Triathlon is one of the most fun, welcoming, yet insanely addictive sports out there. Many of my friends cannot believe the level of determination and motivation that I and many others have for this great sport. But seriously, what's not to love? The sport offers an environment to challenge yourself and achieve a goal, no matter what level of fitness you are. There are a wide variety of distances and courses to suit all levels so... go on, give it a go, I can promise you, you will not be disappointed...

Check out the British Triathlon Federation for events.

Laura Fidler, Physiotherapist at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth