N1 Tri Club member Michele Thornberry took on her first ever open water triathlon at Bristol Harbour last weekend, writes Ellie Dominey.

Held over the standard (or ‘Olympic’) distance, this event comprised a 1500m-swim, 40km-bike and 10km-run.

Michele joined the club last year with a background as a competent runner and decent cyclist, but, like so many of us, she struggled with the swim phase.

Unable to swim more than one length front crawl without gasping for breath, she has worked tirelessly since joining with one of the N1 coaches - Jane Beech - to improve her technique and confidence.

So, to go from this to signing up to a standard event with a 1500m swim phase (60 lengths of a standard pool) was a massive undertaking.

But, determined and undeterred, Michele gave it her all and, although her swim was still slower than average, she survived and went on to attack the bike and the run and to finish in a time of three-hours-and-nine-minutes.

Three hours is a strong benchmark for female club athletes and to be so near to it on her first attempt is nothing short of an amazing personal achievement.

Michele is testament to the saying ‘if at first you don’t succeed...’ and has showed that perseverance pays off. Well done from all at N1!