The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Anyone can do it
Ahead of the M3 Monikie Triathlon Festival on July 7 and 8, Gayle joins an open water swimming training session with the Tristars aged nine to 14
Gayle Ritchie tests the theory that anyone can be a triathlete – and she’s almost convinced.
If you can swim 400m, ride a bike and run 3km, you’re more than prepared for a novice triathlon.
That’s what Monifieth Tri Club’s triathlon organiser Mark Hopkins tells me, as I pull on a wetsuit, swim cap and goggles and prepare to plunge into one of Monikie Country Park’s reservoirs.
In a fortnight, Monikie will be the site for three triathlon events run by the club, also known as M3 – the sprint, the team relay and the Tristars triathlon.
I’m fairly confident I can complete the running and cycling elements, but open water swimming is another kettle of fish.
There’s the fear of not seeing what’s beneath you – the water is very rarely crystal clear – but Mark assures me there’s little to worry about at Monikie as water quality is regularly monitored and “the fish are more scared of us than we are of them.”
The other thing that troubles me – until Mark puts me right – is believing that Tri events don’t involve leisurely breast-stroke float-arounds; they’re timed competitions, after all.
That’s not always the case as some races see waves of slower people set off early so they can swim without the panic of faster folk hot on their heels.
After discussing my anxieties, M3 coaches suggest I join the kids’ training session. Some of them have never swum outdoors, but as Tristars, they’re all brilliant swimmers and members of local clubs, unlike me.
First up, Elise Methven of Triathlon Scotland encourages us to acclimatise to the chilly waters by wading in, opening up the necks of our wetsuits and allowing the water to flood in for 10 seconds. Brrr.
Coach Eric Blyth of M3 then has us all run in and swim out to an orange marker buoy. The further out we get, the bigger the waves and with the wind whipping them into our faces, I swallow and choke on a load of water. I struggle for breath and panic, switching from front crawl to breast stroke while I recover.
Back on dry land, Eric has some advice. “Keep your head in the water and lift it up only to sight,” he says.
That’s easier said than done. The shock of the cold, the roughness of the water and my inability to breathe bilaterally (I only seem able to breathe to the right) makes it somewhat challenging.
The session continues with us racing against each other and learning how to enter and exit the beach correctly.
I only wish I had a better wetsuit, as this one, designed for windsurfing, billows and weighs me down.
At all times, the safety crew, complete with rescue boat, is there to support us and anyone who flounders is given a helping hand.
Before I head for a shower, I catch up with Mark who imparts some words of inspiration. “Anyone can be a triathlete,” he says. “It doesn’t matter if you are fast, slow, a beginner or a world champion. We all have personal goals and being a member of a club is a great way to achieve them.
“If you can swim 400m (16 lengths), ride a bike and run 3km, you’re already in a position where you can complete a novice triathlon. Finishing your first race is exhilarating and beats sitting on the couch.
“The triathlon community is very welcoming. We have coaches and members who compete on the international stage, members who have been on the podium at world championships, and brand new members yet to race.”
The Monifieth club has won awards galore and there’s loads of investment pumped into it, with the focus this year on building the children’s section, hence, the Tristars event for kids aged nine to 14.
The swim is often the most intimidating part of a triathlon, even for multisport veterans, so it’s a case of knowing what to expect and putting in the training. Overcome that fear and Bob’s your uncle.
And with fantastic camaraderie and friendly, supportive members and coaches, you can be sure M3 will help you on your way to achieving your goals.