“Be the Newbie” – Kiera’s Ironman 70.3 Experience

If you’ve ever thought triathlon is only for the experienced, the fearless, or the slightly mad, think again. Hyde Park Harriers’ Kiera shares her journey from complete triathlon beginner to Ironman 70.3 Bolton finisher. What follows is a story of learning on the go, leaning on the club community, and discovering what’s possible when you just say yes.

Let me start with a confession: I only discovered triathlon was a thing in September 2024, by October I had joined a gym with a pool, and within about three minutes I’d joined Hyde Park Harriers because I forgot how to swim. By November time, I realised I needed a coach (hi Lizzie, if you somehow end up reading this), weekly HPH swim sessions, and the constant sense that everyone else was speaking fluent Triathlon while I was still learning the alphabet. When JP and Clem told me to do “brick sessions,” I thought they wanted me to lift actual bricks. Someone mentioned the “washing machine effect,” and I genuinely wondered if I’d signed up for a sport or a domestic appliance demonstration.

And yet somehow by December, I committed myself to the Ironman 70.3 Bolton start line. Sensible? Absolutely not. So yes, I am a proper newbie. A huge one. And yet somehow, through chaos, confusion, and pure stubbornness, I crossed that finish line in Bolton on June 8th, 2025.

Training for a middle-distance triathlon is not supposed to be simple. But like all triathlons, the structure is clear: swim twice a week, run twice a week, cycle twice a week, sprinkle in some strength, and don’t forget a rest day so you don’t die. That was the plan for the first three months. Then before I knew it, I was training 2–3 times a day. Saturday mornings turned into 75km rides. Injuries became part of the storyline too.

But the biggest lesson wasn’t about hurting legs or brutal weather, it was about mental resilience. Triathlon trains your mind more than your body. The “I’m going to give up” voice becomes familiar, and over seven months I learned how to stop listening to it. Persistence is magic. And surrounding yourself with the right people helps more than anything.

Bolton’s setup has two separate transitions, which is basically a logistical puzzle designed to increase heart rates before the race even starts. Dad and I went through every detail: pumps, bottles, shoes, numbers, making sure nothing would go wrong on race day. Chaos everywhere, but our little corner was calm thanks to him. 

Race Day:

I saw 1am… 2am… 2:30am… 3am… and then my alarm went off. 3:30am – IRONMAN 70.3 day. Not much sleep, but I don’t think anyone really sleeps when they know they’re about to voluntarily exercise for 70.3 miles. My parents arrived at 4:15am. I was two crumpets and a jar of peanut butter deep, wetsuit halfway on like some kind of half opened banana. My bottom lip was shaking, and when I turned my head my family and friends stood there holding signs.. My mum and my dad looked back at me with quiet confidence. 70.3 miles to go. Dads voice in my head “you’ve got this, Kie” 

I’d love to tell you I entered the water elegantly and swam arrow-straight… but absolutely not. After a few people swam directly over me, a couple of heel-grabs, and the sun blinding me, I finally settled in. And then, I was out. First 100 athletes. My family was roaring my name as I ran up to the first transition, pure adrenaline.

My plan for the bike was to keep my heart rate down, survive the climbs, use the downhills, and fuel properly. Shockingly, I actually followed it. Then came the black cloud. If you raced Bolton 2025, you know. I wish I could say I heard every friend and family member cheering, but I only heard my dad.  Maybe because he shouts like a foghorn. Maybe because when it comes down to grit and belief, his voice is the one that has always cut through the noise.

The only slight issue was trying to locate my bike rack number while running on legs that had quietly turned into jelly. I made it into the changing tent and immediately discovered that sitting down to put my running shoes on was a terrible idea. Standing back up suddenly felt optional. I staggered out of transition ready to run.

The run was where the true spirit of triathlon hit me. Strangers were hyping each other up, reading race numbers, shouting names, offering encouragement. It felt like a shared battle rather than an individual one. After two tough laps of the Bolton course, the red finish line came into view. I crossed the line. I’d done it. I was an IRONMAN 70.3 finisher.

To finish… 

Triathlon is often seen as an individual sport, but Ironman Bolton showed me it’s anything but. It’s community. It’s shared suffering. It’s strangers shouting your name and lifting you when you didn’t know you needed it. So to anyone thinking about giving triathlon a go especially if you feel like you’re not “ready” or “experienced enough”  start anyway. Be the newbie. Google everything. Cry at the finish line. Trust the process. Because crossing that line makes every early alarm, every cold ride, and every doubt worth it. And yes I’d do it all again. 

Curious about triathlon or thinking about giving it a go? Hyde Park Harriers Triathlon Club welcomes athletes of all abilities,  from total beginners to seasoned racers. You can find out more about training sessions, membership, and how to get involved on their webpage.