Triathlon has always been a goal for Sara, offering the combination of her love for competition with pure enjoyment of doing sports.
After completing her dissertation, she was ready to finally take on this challenge and dove headfirst into three months of training in the lead up to her race. "I dedicated my spare time to do brick sessions and a lot of strength & conditioning", she shares.
For her first triathlon, Sara chose the T100 London, Olympic distance. "I thought, why not go all out?"
Race Day: Keep Calm And Swim On
When race day finally arrived, Sara prioritised keeping her mind at ease to prepare mentally for success. Her secret to doing that: being prepared in advance! "No one wants to feel stressed on the actual day of a race, so having everything ready and mentally drawn out is key."
Though she was tired from lack of sleep the night before—her mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming event—she settled into a strong rhythm during the swim and got in the zone when it mattered most.
The day, however, wasn't without challenges. Before hitting that comfortable pace, Sara faced an unexpected low right at the start of the swim. "I had a panic attack at the very beginning, which was weird since I’ve been a swimmer since birth," she recalls.
The erratic breathing made her feel dizzy and threw her off initially. But once she steadied herself, the entire race became a breeze, with a special highlight on the run, which she finished second place in her age group!
And Sara's first triathlon was just the beginning. She finished that race with her eyes on a second one - this time, a sprint-distance race in Surrey.
Advice for New Triathletes: Leading by Example
Sara’s advice for anyone considering their first triathlon is rooted in her passion for representation in the sport. After all, the more of us we see at the finish lines, the more of us will come! Recalling the Olympic Games this year, in which the women have done a brilliant job, she urges: "We need more female triathletes to lead and set the best example for young women." We couldn't agree more!
Sara believes that, throughout her triathlon journey, the support from the FHTUK community has been essential. The group provided comfort and guidance, offering a wealth of experience and advice for beginners like her: "Having the girl support network I felt so at ease. If I had any doubts or worries, I knew who to turn to. There are some amazing experienced triathletes in this group."
Her first triathlon may be behind her, but many more races, achievements, and personal victories lie ahead: "This is the start of something new, yet something that I have always been aware of."
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