I'm Alex, and I'm embarking on the thrilling journey of conquering my very first triathlon from absolute beginner level. Despite my love for sports, I'm absolutely not an endurance athlete. Until now, my only foray into endurance fitness was taking on the national 3 peaks challenge in 2012. These days I work in a sedentary desk job, and have a young family, which means taking on a triathlon feels like a massive commitment, but one I’m hugely excited for!
Everyone has their reasons for taking on a fitness challenge like this, which can be very personal but often shared. I’m entering into the dynamic world of triathlons not just as a personal challenge, but for the social camaraderie with friends who've already embraced this exhilarating lifestyle. Plus, this challenge comes with the incentive of improving my fitness to ensure a healthier, active life for my family. While I currently play basketball and do gym-based strength exercises, triathlon training promises to boost my stamina and cardiovascular fitness, laying the foundation for long-term well-being.
Honestly though, peer pressure played a pivotal role in my decision to sign up for a triathlon. My friends and I had children at very similar times and every time we met up they would ask when I was going to join them for a run, or cycle ride. It became increasingly difficult for me to decline their invitations, and eventually I caved in, and here we are!
So, what can you expect from this blog? I'll be chronicling my experiences as a total newcomer to the world of triathlons, something that still feels a bit overwhelming at the moment! There are lots of different areas to navigate, from the different types of races, the extensive list of gear that may or may not be essential, training plans to muster a half-decent effort across three distinct disciplines and a diet plan to fuel my body like the high-performance machine it aspires to be (wishful thinking, perhaps!). Along this exciting journey, I'll have the support of my more-experienced friends and the invaluable insights from the experts at MyTriathlon.co.uk, and I can't wait to share all my discoveries with you.
Keep up with the adventure on MyTriathlon.co.uk/Blog and on our social media channels
And if you’ve got burning questions or pearls of wisdom to share, don't hesitate to reach out. Whether you're a fellow novice or a seasoned triathlete, your input is not just welcome; it's eagerly anticipated!
Let's make waves together in the world of triathlons!
Posted by Alex Carmichael and Ally Wall on 9th Jan 2024
Alex Carmichael is an average person, just like me and you. A desk job, a family he cares dearly about and friends who have peer pressured him into getting his Triathlon on! Follow his journey with preparation for the big day and who knows, it may inspired you to get your cycling helmet on too!
