Claire came to us having very little triathlon experience, but an abundance of enthusiasm to get started in the sport. Follow her journey through 2015 as she makes her mark...

I’m Claire Tucker, a married 43-year-old mum of 2 children...and a complete and utter novice to triathlon. And this year, I’ve decided to take up the massive challenge competing in 2 of them.

I have thus far paid lip service to fitness, but did maintain a certain level by power walking and the occasional, intermittent sessions on our rowing machine. However, now I’m having to find motivation and determination in spades as I begin to train for these events.  

Starting in the winter months has been the first challenge!  I am now that 'mad person' who goes out in the freezing cold and rain on my new road bike, with my new running trainers to do a session - something which previously would have been unthinkable.  I'm finding it hard to believe myself.

Having spectated at the Brownlee Tri 2013 and 2014 and watched Alastair and Jonny race at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and several World Series races on TV over the years, they inspired my son so much that he took an interest in wanting to compete in a triathlon - and his enthusiasm drew me in! Having seen a variety of competitors at the Brownlee Tri, it made me think how lazy I was and that I really should take on the challenge for a charity

In terms of training, well it's been tough, exhausting and cold, and yet the winter hasn’t been that bad yet. My swimming sessions 3 times a week were progressing really well with me already being able to do 16 lengths (400m tri distance) front crawl using a pull buoy, with a quick breather at the end of each length and then managing 4-6 lengths without the pull buoy. However, this week, I've gone backwards and I’m rather lost as to why. I've felt exhausted much quicker than ususal and although I have still managed 16 lengths with the float, I'm sure my body position is all over the place (confirmed by my daughter). The pool has been very busy recently and that really hasn't helped to keep up pace and rhythm.  

My cycling is not as smooth or as fast since getting my Victoria Pendleton 'Initial' road bike last week as the gears aren't working properly – it has to go back to the shop for a service and I hope they won't need it for more than a day.  That said, I'm cycling 18km which is basically my first tri distance, and it's going OK.  Not yet trying to improve on times as the weather has been quite changeable and I don't want to set myself up for failure.  I've today bought some thermal socks as my feet are absolutely frozen in my running socks and trainers and I invested in thick thermal gloves last week - a godsend!

My running (well jogging more realistically) is plodding on. I'm managing to do the 7km required but I have to admit I’m at more of a joggers pace. Still, I need to have targets to aim for and I certainly have enough of those to keep me more than focussed.

My son James has told me he's just writing a Personal Training Plan as part of his GCSE PE theory so he's going to sit down and adapt that for me.  I’m also told that when I’m fast enough, my prize will be to do our cycle training and runs together. I hope he doesn't hold his breath!

So that's how my 2015 has started, alongside working out how to fit it all in with part time work and running 2 active children around to various after school activities.  Still, I can say I'm actually enjoying the challenge and that in itself is a surprise.

What I hadn't bargained on was how proud my family are of me for actually doing it and not just talking about it.  Friends are not only surprised, but equally supportive and this has helped enormously with my motivation.

I don't have a training plan; I'm just making it up as I go along, so to speak.  I’m teaching myself front crawl - which is exhausting - but I am making some progress.  My aim is to be able to swim 400m - all front crawl - for my first triathlon in May, the Cyclesense Tadcaster Triathlon. It’s known to be great for beginners or more advanced triathletes as a warm-up to the season.  At the moment, the challenge seems to be as difficult as climbing Everest, but with going to the pool 3 times a week, I'm giving it my best shot.  

As for the cycling and running, I'm trying to get out twice a week for both. It’s not always possible, so I use our cross-trainer and basic cycle machine at home instead.  

I've still got the Brownlee Tri to aim for later in the year if I’m struggling to achieve my swimming goals. It’s on September 26 - the day before my husband's 50th birthday.  Not exactly ideal timing but he knew I was targeting it so he couldn't say no really!  He says a party is out of the question now as I'll not feel like catering that weekend - poor man, but I'm sure I'll have something else up my sleeve!