Normally found inspiring other people to take part in events and challenges, this year, our very own Dan from Fundraising put his money where his mouth is and took part not only in the London Marathon but also in the London Triathlon as well!
We caught up with Dan to ask him how it all went and to see if he had any advice for budding triathletes.
What made you decide to take part in the triathlon this year?
Well, I had a milestone birthday this year (turning 30!) and decided I needed a big challenge to mark it. This is why I decided to focus my efforts on completing my first marathon and also taking part in a triathlon. I'd never really been massively into sport before, but this year, I decided to have a go and see what I could do.
How did you prepare for the triathlon?
It would be fair to say that I was not completely prepared for this challenge! My friend Lisa from work had to teach me how to swim! I borrowed a bike from another friend's boyfriend which I hadn't ridden before the race, as my own bike had no tyres. It was a bit tricky because the seat was pretty low, so my knees were around my ears! I think the wetsuit company inadvertently sent me a children's size wetsuit. It was tough to get into it. I like to think I looked like Batman in it...but I have been reliably informed that I did not.
I swam in the Serpentine to get used to the idea of swimming outdoors, not in a climate-controlled, indoor swimming pool. It wasn't too cold with the wetsuit, but I did manage to swim into a duck - and several unimpressed swans!
Which distance did you go for?
I went for the Sprint event, which is 750m swimming, 20k cycling and a 5km run. There are several options to choose from though, ranging from the Sprint through to the Olympic race - that's the full length one that Jenson Button and Vernon Kaye took part in! I was pleased with my time of 1 hour and 34 minutes although the main achievement was just completing the course
What was the atmosphere like on the day?
On the day itself, swimming was the best part even though I was out of my comfort zone of hand rails and being able to put my feet down. The Thames is far from being crystal clear. The water was dark and murky with an overwhelming smell and taste of petrol. Once the race started, it was a bit of a free for all with arms frantically windmilling and kicking at you from all directions. It was a fantastic experience though - I'd be back there tomorrow!
Another great achievement was managing to overtake some people who had expensive racer bikes, even though I had a muddy little mountain bike! You can do a triathlon quite cheaply, with a bit of determination.
Have you got any advice for other people thinking of taking part?
One thing to remember is that taking part in a triathlon doesn't need to cost a lot of money. Lots of places will let you hire a bike and a wetsuit rather than buying them. Make your training fun and you'll find that you end up making friends, challenging yourself, and gaining confidence and self belief.
What will your next challenge be?
I'm doing another triathlon this September and then we'll have to see. I absolutely loved taking part - I'm proof that anyone can do it if you just put your mind to it.
What can I do if I'm thinking of taking part?
Take a look at our Virgin London Active Triathlon 2012 page to find out more information. For advice on training or to find out more about the event, contact Team RNIB. We've also got a Team RNIB community and a facebook event page where you can meet fellow runners and triathletes.