Don't Tell Me I Can't......Compete In A Triathlon!

Mel Hayes didn’t think she was fit enough, but she surprised everyone

- James Hanman

The river in Chester was a mass of arms and legs, with everybody fighting for space. Dressed in a wet suit, swimming cap and goggles, I gently lowered myself into the cold water and took in the incredible atmosphere. I was about to start my first triathlon, and while I was nervous, excitement outweighed any anxiety. At 44, I was doing something out of my comfort zone, and before any doubts could creep in, the klaxon began to blare…

I enjoyed sports in my teens, but I stopped for a few years when I went to uni. And, after my husband Andy and I welcomed our daughter Mia in 2001, followed by Joe in 2004, I was initially too exhausted from being a mum to work out. It wasn’t until my mid-30s that I started thinking about exercise again.