As if in an effort to prove that you can do anything if you set your mind to it, Sue Foster completed her first triathlon in September, just a year after returning to regular exercise.
Sue, 47, from Stanwick, completed the Sywell Triathlon, comprising a 500m swim, a 12-mile bike ride and a 5k run, in aid of The Travers Foundation after being diagnosed with workplace stress in 2019 and deciding that exercise, not medication, was the solution.
Starting with a Park Run and aqua aerobics, followed eventually by open water swimming sessions at Sywell Reservoir, Sue found her health improving and her determination increasing.
“When I arrived at my first Park Run I sat in the car and cried because I thought I had no place there, but I made myself get out and do it – walking all the way round and finishing last, but I did it,” explained Sue. “With the help of the Couch To 5K app, I moved on to a mix of walking and running, gradually increasing how much I was running. Tri-January is a yearly introduction to triathlons, and I took advantage of free-swimming sessions at Northamptonshire Tri Club, which eventually introduced me to open water swimming. At that point and I just thought ‘why not train for a triathlon?’. I had to learn to do front crawl, and I only had a mountain bike, not a road bike, but I made the decision and it just went from there.
Sue, 47, from Stanwick, completed the Sywell Triathlon, comprising a 500m swim, a 12-mile bike ride and a 5k run, in aid of The Travers Foundation after being diagnosed with workplace stress in 2019 and deciding that exercise, not medication, was the solution.
Starting with a Park Run and aqua aerobics, followed eventually by open water swimming sessions at Sywell Reservoir, Sue found her health improving and her determination increasing.
“When I arrived at my first Park Run I sat in the car and cried because I thought I had no place there, but I made myself get out and do it – walking all the way round and finishing last, but I did it,” explained Sue. “With the help of the Couch To 5K app, I moved on to a mix of walking and running, gradually increasing how much I was running. Tri-January is a yearly introduction to triathlons, and I took advantage of free-swimming sessions at Northamptonshire Tri Club, which eventually introduced me to open water swimming. At that point and I just thought ‘why not train for a triathlon?’. I had to learn to do front crawl, and I only had a mountain bike, not a road bike, but I made the decision and it just went from there.
“After being really ill with stress, I found that I was doing something that made me feel good physically and mentally, I lost four stones and went from a size 18 to a size 10; I was really proud of myself and so were my family, and it has made such a difference to my life.”
Sue chose The Travers Foundation as her charity because it has supported her 19-year-old son, Matthew, who is a talented organist. The organisation, which was set up to support young people’s development in sports, music, and the arts, helps fund Matthew’s music lessons.
“It’s a fantastic charity and all about supporting young people,” said Sue. “My target is £1,000 and I’ve raised almost £900, and I know there’s still pledges to come in. People supported me – I had people encouraging me and pushing me on right through the event, including people who weren’t even part of the event cycling or running alongside me to keep me going and motivate me.
“Finishing the triathlon was exciting and energising and I’m very proud of what I have achieved, and as The Travers Foundation is all about trying to improve yourself, it seems like the right cause to support.”
Find out more about The Travers Foundation at www.travers-foundation.org.uk
To support Sue Foster’s fundraising, visit her JustGiving page here
Sue chose The Travers Foundation as her charity because it has supported her 19-year-old son, Matthew, who is a talented organist. The organisation, which was set up to support young people’s development in sports, music, and the arts, helps fund Matthew’s music lessons.
“It’s a fantastic charity and all about supporting young people,” said Sue. “My target is £1,000 and I’ve raised almost £900, and I know there’s still pledges to come in. People supported me – I had people encouraging me and pushing me on right through the event, including people who weren’t even part of the event cycling or running alongside me to keep me going and motivate me.
“Finishing the triathlon was exciting and energising and I’m very proud of what I have achieved, and as The Travers Foundation is all about trying to improve yourself, it seems like the right cause to support.”
Find out more about The Travers Foundation at www.travers-foundation.org.uk
To support Sue Foster’s fundraising, visit her JustGiving page here