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I was never the sporty type.

I was the chubby teenager who conveniently forgot her PE kit, especially for athletics and cross country.

If I did have to wear my gym knickers, I would insist on wrapping my school cardigan around my waist to prevent my wobbly thighs being on show.

And, the day, they got out the trampoline, I never went on it. The fear that I would fall through.

As a child, I was fairly active, doing child stuff, such as skating, biking, hula hooping, elastics, marbles and a little bit of swimming. My parents were not overly active, Dad was in the army and my mum was a stay at home mum. We lived in Germany. My mum liked to cycle and sometimes we would go for long rides – well, compared to today, they were not long, but then, they felt like forever.

I loved to eat and my mum was a bit of a feeder – so I ended up equally wide as I was tall.

I did like playing netball. Or did I? I was tall, conveniently tall to defend, so I would play Goal Keeper. The only issue with playing netball, was, that I had to wear a short skirt.

When I was 17, I was off to play netball and my mum remarked on my fat thighs.

That was the turning point.

I loved it.

I loved the swim.

I loved the bike.

I loved the run.

I loved it all.

I loved triathlon today.

So today, I raced with Britain’s finest triathletes – once again, they were fast. The course was fast. And, I was fast, for me!

Today was a totally different experience to last weekend. The water was warmer, there was no wind, my fellow triathletes were so friendly and most of all I wasn’t intimidated by the speedy bikes – okay I lie, I was initially.

My club mates were also racing – it’s so nice having them there – so supportive. Also, a friend, who moved to Australia and has come back was also there, so nice to see Lorna again, racing!

I said goodbye to my little support crew, Matt and his daughter Eloise (I cried.. wtf… I cried) and made my way to the swim start.

I enjoyed the swim – it was a good swim.

Next up the bike, but first to get through transition – not bad, could do a little better, but not bad. No socks today – now that’s a first!

The bikes, whizzing around on closed roads – 4 loops – just loved it. You could draft today which meant that there were no TT bikes. I found myself alone for a while and then managed to attach myself to a group, especially for the last lap. It was a large group. A friendly bunch. I even managed to throw in a flying dismount – just loved the bike today!

Transition no. 2… speedy .. kind of. No socks again for the run – whoooah!

The run. I can honestly say, I actually enjoyed the run. Good pacing by Miss V, even if I do say so myself.

And then to the finish. I could hear Lorna screaming out my name. Matt and Eloise with the cowbell. Over the finish line. I worked hard. Very hard. I loved it all. It was awesome.

We stayed on, with a picnic (which featured.. pork pies, cherry bakewells and cherry coke – those that know me will chuckle at that) and watched fellow club mates race. The races were staggered all morning based on age groups.

Overall time 1hr 21minutes 57 seconds (750swim / 20km bike / 5km run) – I will take that – I am super happy with my time. Will I get a roll down place, possibly? Who knows, who cares, I just loved it so much.

I think, after all my triathlons, sprint, Olympic, 70.3 and Ironman distance – I have found my favourite distance.

It has to be sprint.

I have fallen back in love again with Triathlon.

Miss V