Sporting success

I enjoyed Anna Bartter’s article ‘Celebrate your own success’ (Spring edition). Like Anna, I wasn’t good at PE at school, but since then, I’ve kept fit by swimming and going to the gym.

Several years ago, I joined other colleagues at the school where I worked in a sprint triathlon, as part of a relay team. I did the 400m swim and felt cheated when I high-fived the head of design and technology as he set off on the 25km bike ride. Could I train for all three components of the event the following year? I knew that with training, I could!

When I crossed the finish line of my first full sprint triathlon, I felt euphoric. I sobbed like a child when awarded my medal. All I’d wanted to do was to complete all three events and live to tell the tale.

I’ve done several sprint triathlons since, aiming to get quicker each time – though for me, the success lies in taking part and enjoying it.

Claire Brown