Who Are KiT?

Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: I think just training for and completing Challenge Roth (The greatest long distance triathlon on earth don’t you know!) is an achievement when you have a demanding job and a family

Favourite piece of Tri equipment: The snacks. You can go far on a jam sandwich

Least favourite discipline: Running, although you could say I’m rather rubbish at the 4^th discipline which is nutrition (I think someone said a lime in your gin and tonic counted as one of your 5 a day?)

Favourite discipline: Swimming…I am a bit of a messy shark but I get the job done! I’m also good at transition (I don’t hang around as I’m probably thinking about my next meal)

Swim – Open water or Pool? Pool every time – you can just switch off and follow the black line. Saying that there is nothing more fun than a tasty punch up and kick fest in a mass swim start!

Run – Off road or On road? If I have to it has to be road

Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? Love a fast flat bike but an undulating bike course can help with the legs in the run so prefer the latter!

Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: Without doubt the achievement I am most proud of is competing in the Ironman Word Championships in Kona, Hawaii 2022. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think it could happen…..just goes to show ‘Anything is Possible!’

Favourite piece of Tri equipment: My bike. If I had the money I would buy more of them 😊

Least favourite discipline: Running – it always seems to hurt, and if ever I get an injury it is always whilst running!

Favourite discipline: The bike. I have always had a passion for bike racing from a very young age.

Swim – Open water or Pool? Open water – I don’t mind training in the pool, although I find it very monotonous, and much prefer racing in open water.

Run – Off road or On road? My knees and ankles prefer the smooth road surfaces.

Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? Up and down when training, fast and flat when racing.

I have always been what they call ‘sporty’ –  I grew up playing rugby and riding bikes 1) because my dad was a founder member of Frampton Cotterell RFC, and 2) because we never had a car so if you wanted to go anywhere you had to ride your bike.
I competed in road races and TT from school boy to senior level, before taking around a 20 year break to play rugby. I remember at the time, when I was bike racing, thinking about trying triathlon, but events were few and far between, so thinking about it was as far as it got.
As my rugby playing days were coming to an end, at around 2011, I took the plunge: bought a new bike and decided to give triathlon a go. At this time I could only swim about 50 meters without having to take a breather. Since then I have built up from sprint to full Ironman distance, competing in my first full at Outlaw Nottingham in 2017.
Like many people, I can be a bag of nerves before the starting gun goes off, especially if it is a sea swim (I said above that I prefer open water – but that is generally if it is lake swim – I have no sea legs at all), but once underway the adrenaline starts to flow, and the buzz and sense of achievement you get when you cross the finishing line is amazing…. and that is addictive.

I joined KiT in 2018 when I heard that there was a large contingent going out to race IM Barcelona, which was my next race, and since then I have met some amazing people at the club and made friendships that will last for life!

Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: Westonbirt Sprint Tri (my only Tri)

Favourite piece of Tri equipment: Running Shoes

Least favourite discipline: Swim

Favourite discipline: Run – Bike scares me!

Swim – Open water or Pool? Open Water when the sun out

Run – Off road or On road? On Road

Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? Fast & Flat (well slow and flat really)

I have only every completed one triathlon I was planning on doing more last year but due to my bike accident and then my breast cancer diagnosis that was kind of put on hold.  This year I would like to regain my confidence on the bike and rebuild by fitness. I am happiest when I am out supporting my fellow club athletes screaming at them to keep going and not give up. I completed London Marathon 21 weeks post mastectomy surgery this is probably the hardest thing I have ever done. Kingswood Tri club has added a new perspective to my training and even as a novice triathlete I have felt well supported and encouraged.

Proudest Triathlon achievement to date: Outlaw Nottingham 2023 – 33min PB

Favourite piece of Tri equipment: Road bike

Least favourite discipline: Running – Boring

Favourite discipline: Swimming – I was made for Mermaid life

Swim – Open water or Pool? Open water – So many beautiful places to swim

Run – Off road or On road? Road

Bike – Fast & Flat or Up & Down? Up and down

I come from a swimming background, swimming for Bristol North in my youth. It took 20 years before I got back in the water and that was because I joined a running club and someone said “why don’t you try a triathlon”
So that’s where is started in 2018!
That first tri was scary but such a buzz and then I was hooked!
I’ve complete full distance Outlaw twice and done several other events over the years. 

Lots more to come I’m sure!