7 lessons from 7 triathlons:- a Tim Harris perspective.

I am a big fan of challenges that rely on the ability to just keep going no matter what, and when Richard suggested completing a triathlon every day for a week it sounded right up my street even though I was just a recreational swimmer and cyclist my immediate thoughts were that it will just be a case of keep going.

But I found out it would take more than that...it would take lessons in economy, efficiency, technique, timing, confidence, fuelling and approach.
My training before the event was limited and fortunately not knowing how much the week would demand from my body was a blessing in disguise as it did not put me off the challenge. As I set about sorting and organising my kit for the week I had no idea how much I would learn in a week.

The fact that I had three extremely experienced and efficent Triathletes completing the challenge too gave me an opportunity to sponge of their approach, experience and knowledge, thrown in with that was a whole lot of inspiration. To see Richard, Steve and Kev set about on their swim, bike and run was both inspiring and motivating.

In addition to this I had members of Team Feat Triathlon club swimming, cycling and running with me all week too. I quickly learnt to settle in to my swim: my biking with Ivan, Jacks, Phil and (the star of my week)Nicky was an education every time I got on the saddle.

As I ticked off each triathlon off during the week, I was picking up tips and lessons in both preparation and performance. My pace remained steady throughout the week and conserving my energy was getting easier with every triathlon.

And so for Sunday...an Iron distance triathlon! Nervous is an understatement as I donned my wetsuit for the 3.8km swim, but the fact that Nicky was alongside me the whole way and that Richard, Steve and Kev were all in the same boat (not literally...that would be cheating) was a comfort and I was able to settle into my pace and having learnt some lessons in sighting earlier in the week I kept nicely on course!

The bike was still incredibly daunting but with Nicky and being joined by Phil and Jacks the ride was under way without me thinking about the massive distance that is 180km. With these guys around me I was constantly reminded to drink, eat and relax and the miles flew by, even a niggle in my knee form tendonitis was pushed to the back of my mind!! As I cycled I was confident about completing the marathon at the end of the day as running is something that I have always been able to just keep going.

The miles eventually dissappeared and then I was so elated to have finished the bike leg that I was on a high as I set about the run with another group that again included the ever supportive Nicky.

Feeding off what was a victory by completing the cycle I was a happy runner and confident with my pace and was hoping to catch a glimpse of Richard, Steve and Kev...I missed Richard who had done so well that he was already well into the last few miles by the time I got onto the ridge but saw both Steve and Kev who were both running well at this stage. I saw them both twice and each time I was reminded of the fact that I was completing this challenge with these guys and this spurred me on to the last lap.

With the suuport stations that Jamie (from the Trussell Trust) had set up with Carol, Jacks, and Nicky's family, the Marathon run was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. This coupled with the fact that all four of us had raised a massive amount of money and publicity for the Trust, led me up the last hill and on to the Fordingbridge road for the last time.

The sense of achievement and pride that flowed through as I crossed the line with Nicky, hand in hand, which I felt was symbollic of the support that she had provided all week, was incredible and a feeling that I won't forget.

It was an honour to do a challenge of that scale with these guys and will lead me into a winter's triathlon training with many smiles and memories!

Tim