From never having attempted a triathlon until March 2014, where I competed on the bike leg of a triathlon relay team age 57 and nearly 113kgs (over 17 1/2 st), eight months later I successfully completed Challenge Bahrain 70.3, weighing in at 88kgs (under 14 st). Turning the bend into the finishing straight with the red carpet and crowds was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. I crossed the finish line in 6:05:11; seventh oldest person in the event, finishing in the top 50%. I was hooked!
Since Challenge Bahrain I’ve gone on to complete two full Ironman events in Austria and Barcelona and numerous half Ironman distance races. Since my triathlon journey began I have always thought about qualifying for GB at Age Group level. It was a dream maybe – and we all have to dream! BUT, in November 2018 I received an email from British Triathlon saying I had qualified as an Age Grouper in the 2019 ITU Multi-sport World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain. Dreams really can come true!
It all started while I was based in the Middle East in a senior management role, with a full on job working all hours. I really was that couch potato – sleep, work, eat, sleep repeat! Other than the odd cricket match in my 40’s and six lengths in the pool now and again, I hadn’t taken part in any sport for around 35 years. I grew up with sport, achieving representative honours in Basketball, Football and Cricket.
The Olympics in London in 2012 certainly left a legacy with me. Watching from that couch I went and purchased my first bike in 35 years, and set my self a challenge of riding from London to Paris in September 2013, 300 miles! That was the start of me getting back into participating in sport again.
Starting sport again certainly changed my life and health completely. In July 2013 a visit to the doctors was met with “This time next year Mr Clark, I will be treating you for Type 2 diabetes! Everything was at the limit, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels. It was the kick I needed. Fast forward one year and the same doctor said I was an advert for “doing something about my health problems rather than sitting there and waiting for a miracle”. No sight of being Type 2 diabetic, all other levels were normal. Plus, I had lost almost four stones in weight.
Having learnt so much over the years I want to give something back and help other succeed and to be the best they can be, I went out and became an accredited coach with both British Triathlon, including open water swimming, and British Cycling.
If I can do it, then so can others.
Don’t limit your challenges, challenge your limits!
