Nerida, left, with with other FIT women Jill, Rae and Penny at the Aquathlon in London 2012.

This week we’re talking to Nerida Clarke about her time at the World Triathlon Champs in London and Chicago. Nerida participated in Aquathlons, then learnt to ride a bike with FIT, and then eventually went on to represent Australia in two world championships!

In 2018 the World Triathlon Championships will be held on the Gold Coast. If you’re thinking the world champs may be a goal for you – watch this space! FIT will be organising an “intermediate” triathlon training program for the summer season, and it’ll be a great start if you want to qualify.

Find out more about the Australian Age Group Team on the Triathlon Australia website.

How did you hear about the age group world tri champs, and find out that it was something you might be eligible for?
I have been around the world of Triathlon for quite a while – in fact for about 15 years as a volunteer, spectator, Board Member and supporter of my son and husband who competed in a number of races and qualified for World Championships first in Hawaii then Germany and the Gold Coast. I went as a supporter to these events and actually competed in the Aquathlon in the Gold Coast event when you didn’t have to qualify for it. Having seen all the inspirational performances by people of all ages at these events I decided that I would no longer be a spectator and that I would learn to ride a bike (thanks to FIT!)  and qualify for World Championships in London in 2013 which I did and then competed again in Chicago in 2015. 

How did you decide which races to enter to qualify?
Being a relatively new cyclist I decided to do the Sprint distance as it had the shorter cycle leg and I chose qualifying races that were close to home with the least amount of travel and those that friends were attending (to make sure we could share in the obligatory post-race celebrations!)

What kind of training did you do to qualify, and to race at the world champs? Was it different from your usual training?
On the 2 occasions I have qualified for Worlds I have basically used FIT sessions as my training base doing something 6 days a week but also including in this some brick sessions (running off the bike) As my cycling was pretty poor in London (having only had a road bike for 6 months prior to the race) I decided  for Chicago that I would put a lot more effort into cycling training and committed to a winter of Mary-Ann’s spin sessions which really built my bike strength and saw my bike time reduce dramatically.

What was your experience of racing like? Did you have to travel? Any memorable moments from the event? Would you do anything differently if you were doing it again?
The racing experience has been fantastic – the world of age group Triathlon is full of great friendly people who recognise that everyone has made a great personal achievement to be selected to represent their country. The travel to races has always been combined with a holiday afterwards which has been fantastic – the only pain in that is travelling with a bike (in my case in the 2 overseas tris I have done I have hired a bike).

There are many great memories of Worlds – swimming in the Serpentine in Hyde Park with a water temp of 13 degrees, cornering the bike in pouring rain, riding past Buckingham Palace on completely closed roads, swimming in Lake Michigan and looking at the skyscrapers of Chicago, crossing that finish line holding an Aussie flag provided by a spectator and wearing the green and gold with your name on your bum! (Who would have thought at the age of 60!)

I hope I can do it again on the Gold Coast which will be nearly 10 years since I first competed.

What advice or encouragement would you give to other FIT women who might be thinking about the age group world champs as a goal?
If you’re thinking seriously about it start saving now, as competing is self funded. Costs include things like the full Triathlon Australia membership, the cost of travel to qualifying events, accommodation at the event, several hundred dollars to enter, for the uniform and functions at the event; the welcome event and dinner function at the end. This is the reality of competing!

But my advice is – set yourself a goal and go for it!  Never die wondering. The amazing camaraderie of FIT can take you anywhere.