Lakesman Sandie Jardine is the oldest woman! to have competed and succeeded in this tough race. Beating her goal time by two hours coming in at 15.50 was completely unexcepted.

An inspiration to us all – a triathlete who personifies the spirit and ethos of our club.

Read her race report here:

Race day I actually felt fine the normal nerves just weren’t there…. Just my friends pushing me on. Team ‘Go Sandie Go’ was the best surprise ever!!!! The time to get in the water saw me faffing at the back of the queue and Kat screaming at me “get in you’ve got 1 minute” Oops! I just said in my head…..its here, it’s now and it’s time to put that DNF to bed and ‘The plan’ into action.

The swim was brilliant, gorgeous views of Skiddaw and the mountains, in water that was clean and 19 degrees! Just kept my stroke and focuses on spotting the bouys, counting them in until I turned the final corner and saw the exit point! I managed to pass about a dozen swimmers, I knew that would all change on the bike but I was happy to be coming onto the pontoon with athletes behind me. 2.4 miles done! A PB at 1.42 (30 mins gained)

Into T1 and I kept focused on my plan! Always back to the plan! This was about finishing within the time and keeping safe!

My nemesis the bike, ‘The plan’…… Whatever happens keep steady, focused, calm and at my race pace; even up the hills I had to execute ‘the plan’. I hit the first section of hills happy and confident as Laura, Martin and I had already sampled this section, so that was soon behind me and the more undulating although quite technical middle section came into play; along with head winds and torrential constant rain! That was definitely not in’The plan’!

The final hilly section caught up with me! At 80 miles they shoved in two short but hard climbs which with the weather just broke me….. The dark bit! Laura had warned me but I expected it a bit further in, not this early! I still had 30+ miles to go!

I don’t know how I got to mile 97 and the feed station but I did. I got off the bike and cried! I just felt nothing but fear of failure, no pain, just battling with the awful weather! The marshals were awesome, gave me lots of hugs and pep talking, told me I most certainly wasn’t last and to believe I could do it! I actually got back on and told myself ‘the plan’ get back to it! 112 miles in and I finished the bike in 8.11 only 11 minutes of target!

T2 and I was ecstatic, I’m a runner through and through, these old pins of mine have seen me through lots of marathons and even an ultra-marathon so at this point I knew I’d finish! I had 7.3 hours time left!

Off on the 5 lap run the ‘Go Sandie Go’ pink T-shirts all standing by ready to cheer me on, they had been standing in awful rain all day just for me and I will always love them for that! True amazing friends! ‘The plan’ this time was run/walk I have nothing to prove for running a marathon, I’ve done loads but I have never done one after 114+ miles….. I wanted to finish strong so my plan was run a mile, walk a mile and boy did that pay off… At times early on my legs were saying run but I kept to ‘The plan’ always the plan!!

Laura ran lap 3/4 with me as as always when the going gets tough it’s the two of us battling it out, being there for each other to get the job done! Then it was the victory lap!!!!!!

BOOM BOOM BOOM I had done it! 140 miles full distance triathlon and I had done it! The finish was amazing and My friends were there to share that moment with me!

I had planned under 17 hours, if I did that it would be good. It was never about time for me as I’m Mrs Slow! It was about the challenge ! But when I saw my time I was absolutely blown away 15.50! I just don’t know how that happened but it did! I guess it’s about ‘The plan’ staying disciplined, focused and putting the training into play.

I worked unbelievably hard for this, I found how to train to bring out the best from me and for once did what my coach said! Today I feel brilliant and can walk around normal without stiffness, yes this body is tired but it’s not exhausted! Which tells me I got right! Injury free and happy!

At 54 years old I was the oldest female to complete the Lakesman! And I am seriously proud of that!!!