Sandman Triathlon 2023: Testing My Endurance Limits Post-Chemo
From Exercise Addict to Recovery Road
Before I became ill in 2014, I was, and still am to some extent, an exercise addict, regularly competing in triathlons, runs, and various bike events. Since my illnesses, getting myself fit enough to compete in such events has been no easy feat, having navigated the complex path to recovery following chronic fatigue and a cancer diagnosis.
To date, I'd only completed one other triathlon in 2019, while unknowingly carrying a sacral stress reaction—a chemo legacy issue—which was becoming increasingly acute. Despite the huge discomfort and my inability to do much more than hobble on the run, I struggled through to the end—and yes, I still managed to beat my husband! 😊
So, Sunday’s triathlon, run by the aptly named ‘Always Aim High Events’ company, is the first one I’ve competed in since fully regaining my health and my fitness. The event consisted of a 1.5km swim, a 58km cycle, and a 10km run through some energy-sapping sand dunes. I finished 2nd in my age group (40+), and 8th female overall.
Sandman Triathlon 2023 (Anglesey): 2nd place in my age group
A few pictures from the event
Getting ready for the swim
Relieved to be finishing the bike
Running out of transition
Thankful to have survived the sand dunes
So What’s Next: Prioritising Rest and Recovery
My ultimate life goal is to remain in great health. But being prone to some typical ‘Type A’ personality traits, I have a natural tendency to put too much emphasis on the work/training element and not sufficient emphasis on rest. As I fully appreciate now, this can result in burnout with at times catastrophic results. Consequently, while I work to increase my fitness, I similarly prioritise rest and recovery by building lower volume and intensity weeks into my schedule, and ensuring that I always keep to them.
As per my last post on this subject, running is the one area where I’ve struggled to get back to my previous form, so this is where I’m focussing at the moment. I’ve a hilly 15-mile trail run at the end of October, but my primary goal is the 2024 Manchester Marathon. Due to one injury after another, I’ve not yet been able to build up my mileage to marathon distance. 2024 will be 10 years on from my last marathon distance run, so if I can complete this, it will be another huge post-illness achievement for me. I have a plan (I always have a plan!), and I am working with a great physio at the moment who I am hoping will help me finally get over that line injury-free. I’ll keep you posted!
Me & the Knutsford Triathlon Club (KTC) crew at the 2023 Sandman finish line
Getting Fit After Chemo: My Unwavering Belief
For the most part, I always had faith that I could regain my health and fitness, but there were certainly times when I questioned myself. These doubts were most prevalent, as you’d expect, in the first couple of years after the chemo. Chemo took my health woes to another level, leaving me a broken shell of my former self. I lost all my muscle mass, I was so thin, I was weak, and I was plagued with debilitating fatigue.
This new norm was not going to fly for me. I had taken the bold step of choosing my own path to health, and I was prepared to do everything in my power to regain my health, vitality, strength, and fitness.
“We fall, we break, we fail... But then we rise, we heal, we overcome.”
I redirected my goals, I channeled whatever energy I could muster into improving my health, one day at a time, and I became a little obsessed. I won’t go into all the details here, but the fundamental aspects to my new way of living were as follows:
A 100% wholefood plant-based diet, eating primarily organic products, juicing daily (multiple times).
A drastic reduction in my overall chemical exposure (household products, cosmetics, pesticides/herbicides/fungicides, etc.).
To sleep as much as my body needed.
To move/exercise only as much as I felt able but to move daily.
To consciously work on my ability to handle day-to-day stresses as they arise.
To develop healthful, positive relationships and distance myself from ones that left me stressed or depleted.
The development of a regular Kundalini yoga practice.
At this point, I had totally removed myself from the medical system, so I was able to take full control of my health. This was incredibly empowering. Day after day, I prioritised my health and ensured that I was making the best choices for my long-term health.
Illness was never going to define me. Our bodies are amazing vessels and have an incredible will and capacity to heal, regenerate, and repair if only we provide them with the right environment to do this. I honed in on this fact, and I have made it a reality for me.
💖 Find Your Support & Strength (CTA)
If you are navigating the process of regaining fitness after chemotherapy, struggling with energy, or looking for a safe roadmap to rebuild your strength and resilience, we can support you.
Our Cancer Support Programme is designed to provide the necessary knowledge and guidance—especially on the nutritional needs and immune support required—to help you achieve your best possible health outcome and quality of life.
If you do not have an active or recent cancer diagnosis but are interested in long-term health, disease prevention, and achieving your personal fitness goals, check out our Optimise Health & Healthy Aging Programme for more information.
👋 Let's Stay Connected
If you would like to read more about my personal experience with breast cancer and my journey back to great health—which is the foundation for all my programmes—you can find more in-depth information here:
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