19 September 2022
You get to Summerhill (on the IMW bike course) and your attention turns to Wisemans Bridge and the climb out and then the famous Heartbreak Hill climb. Those climbs are ‘tasty’ but in your mind you know you’re going to get a massive boost soon after, because the Cardiff Tri support crew are waiting for you just past Heartbreak Hill. It is truly a great feeling knowing the blue, black and yellow support crew are going to be shouting, screaming, dancing around in fancy dress all to give you encouragement and a well needed moral boost. However heavy those legs feel for those 30 secs the fatigue evaporates and you float on the bike. As the day evolves the Cardiff Tri support crew moves towards New Hedges & Tenby Town Centre and support ‘pops up’ when you least expect it!
Nearly 10 years ago I joined Cardiff tri as a novice swimmer, inexperienced cyclist but a half decent runner. I’ve now competed and completed triathlons at all distances from Sprint to Ironman. The structured club sessions really gave me the platform and skills to develop into an experienced triathlete. I would never have contemplated entering Ironman Wales swim without the swim experience gained via the club. However, without doubt the biggest positive I have gained from Cardiff Tri has been the experience, tips and knowledge from other like-minded triathletes. The knowledge of triathlon held within the club from both past and present members is immensely rich. It has really helped give me the confidence and composure to develop and progress from my first Try a Tri Event at Fairwater Leisure Centre to numerous sprint tri’s, olympic distance, half ironman to a full ironman.
Racing with my home city emblazoned across my chest in the blue, black and yellow of Cardiff Tri has been a real honour. It is an even bigger buzz when racing with other club members, the camaraderie is fantastic as is the support. I’ve learnt so much about the sport I love from fellow club members. Sadly, my time as a triathlete is drawing to an enforced close due to a long-term knee injury (I might squeeze in the odd sprint tri in the future!) but the support from Cardiff Tri will always have a special place for me