Sandie Jardine – Ironwoman

Somebody asked me the other day “why on earth would you want to ride 100 miles on a bike?” My answer was simple; “Because I can!” Wow! would I have imagined I would ever being saying that! No chance! Yesterday for a training run I ran just shy of a marathon…..24 miles! As a training run! Why? Again because I can!

I have become an endurance triathlete, I am not sure how but I have and I love it! I can’t imagine my life without triathlon or Ely Tri Club now. It’s something I am very proud of; I love the atmosphere of the club and the great athletes that have grown and developed alongside the club over the years.

As an oncology nurse my job is very fraught and often tinged with sadness, but it’s not what I do, to me it’s who I am and I wouldn’t ever change that part if my life, but as much as I love it I need something at the end of the day to help “get my head back to normal” triathlon training helps me cope and deal with that part of my life. Plus it’s a great way to be able to eat Kelly’s ice cream and not feel guilty!

But I think the biggest thing I have got from this crazy stuff is the fact that my son has now developed a passion for cycling and keeping himself fit. He says his desire to achieve his dreams comes from watching myself and my triathlete friends pushing themselves through boundaries that few dare to cross.

Phrases like “Never quit” and “Anything is possible, if you want it enough”  are common place in our home and he is now shouting those words back at me! As an Autistic adult he needs something to channel his frustrations and keep his mind focused, cycling is doing that; this week he entered his first competitive race! If that is a result of watching me compete (which he tells me it is!!) then I’m more than happy to take that.

I’ve learnt over the years, it really doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are, it’s the determination to carry on pushing, never giving up, striving to achieve that personal goal, to me that’s what makes a true triathlete. It’s having that mindset to ‘push on’ when everything screams ‘Stop’ Its about being ALIVE!!