WHEN SAMANTHA MAY began a 12-week triathlon course at her gym she had no idea that it would lead to a full blown addiction to the sport. 

Encouraged by her sister and her sister’s partner, she finally gave the sport a try in 2012 and has since gone on to compete in and be placed at several competitions in the UK, as well as a marathon in Amsterdam.

Having been quick to admit to a degree of partying and drinking in her 20s, Sam has put most of that behind her and now focuses on the next competition in her calendar. 

She is currently training for the ‘Lanzarote Ironman’ in May 2015 and in this interview gives us some insight into her life in the sport, as well as advice on how newcomers can get involved.

Sam Tweets at @TriTheWorldOver and blogs at

tritheworldover.blogspot.co.uk where you will find her inspiring musings a delight to read!

Your passion for triathlon began after a 12-week course at your local gym. Did you have any idea then that the sport would have such an impact on your life?

Certainly not! I signed up with the goal of completing (not competing) in my first triathlon. My sister and her other half had been trying to coax me into the triathlon world for years but I always thought it seemed far too extreme for someone like me. Plus, in my 20s I enjoyed the party lifestyle – smoking, drinking and socialising seemed more of an appealing combination of activities than swimming, cycling and running!

Did the three sports come naturally to you and have you always been a sporty person?

Swimming has always been a passion of mine. I started at an early age and swam in various galas and competitions for my local squad up until the age of 12, then the hormones took over. I was sporty at school and was captain for the basketball team and played at county level – but this soon changed when I discovered boys and smoking! I only rode a mountain bike growing up and as for running, it was always a struggle as I am not naturally athletic.

What are your achievements in triathlon so far and could you tell us about the competitions you are currently training for?

My first season of triathlon was 2012, where I entered a handful of local races organised by Raw Energy Pursuits – with all pretty average results. At this stage it was all very sociable and fun.

The following year, 2013, I focused on improving my running and finished two marathons, Brighton and Amsterdam, in just over four hours. This made me stronger mentally and physically. That same year I raced my first half Ironman distance event in the New Forest, ‘The Swashbuckler’ and surprised myself with a time of five hours 39 minutes. I had caught the triathlon bug.

I also won my first trophy for ‘first female’ at a local open water swim event. Just as I began to get my teeth into the sport, I broke my ankle on December 31, 2013, falling in a pothole on the South Downs. At the time it felt like the end of the world but my recovery became a journey of self discovery.

By August 2014 I was racing again in ‘The Owler’ Sprint Triathlon in Kent – coming first in my age group and second woman overall was an epic comeback (see pic below where Sam is on the left).

At the end of August I raced my second middle distance triathlon, ‘Berlinman’. I was chuffed to finish in five hours 30 minutes. This year my main focus is ‘Lanzarote Ironman’ in May. I have various other local events planned such as The Brighton half marathon in February and many other local REP events.

How strict is your training regime and how hard or easy is it to motivate yourself each day?

I wouldn’t call it strict. I love training and it has become a way of life for me. I am happiest when I am active and I train most days, sometimes twice a day. I am totally hooked on the sport so it is a pleasure and not a chore. The weather sometimes makes it hard to stay motivated but I am lucky enough to travel the world with work and get to train in some amazing places. Bermuda and Antigua are my favourite work destinations. I visit Lanzarote frequently to train – it’s a magical place.

Out of the three sports is there one you excel at and one you struggle more with? How do you plan your training to focus on both your strengths and weaknesses?

Swimming comes naturally to me but being a fast swimmer means nothing in triathlon. You can gain most of the time on the bike. I really struggled on the bike – I was slow and hated climbing.

During my recovery the bike became my friend. It was the safest way to strengthen my ankle with minimal impact. I spent three glorious weeks in Lanzarote and this improved my cycling immensely. With cycling it really equates to time in the saddle – the more you put in, the more you get out.

I aim for three sessions of each discipline a week. One distance (endurance) one speed (intervals) and one whatever I fancy. The key in triathlon is to keep your finger in all sports and not focus on just one. It really is the power of three!

What advice would you give to someone starting out in triathlon and are there good starting points in terms of clubs or forums they can join?

Research to find out the clubs local to you and sign up. It’s a great way to meet like-minded folk and to be inspired and motivated by others if you lack the self motivation. The triathlon world is very special and the people you meet are incredible. I love the triathlon community. Twitter has been a revelation for me – a plethora of training tips and ideas. I have met some great people through this social network.

You’ve been blogging about your triathlon story so far. How important to you is it to share your triumphs and struggles with other like-minded people?

I find writing a great way to relax. I’m always on the go, so it’s cathartic to be able to sit down, write and reflect on what I’m working towards. If it inspires one person out there also, that’s fantastic. We all have our ups and downs in life, it’s not all plain sailing and I have found writing a good way to channel my emotions.

Since competing and training, what are the lowest and highest points you’ve been at?

The lowest point would most definitely be breaking my ankle. Going from being active and fiercely independent to relying on friends and family to help complete the simplest of tasks was hugely frustrating. My recovery was life changing and my outlook and perception on life has changed greatly. The lowest point was staggering to watch the Brighton half marathon to cheer friends on, barely able to walk and thinking I may not able be able to run again. The highest point was standing on the podium for the first time in August at ‘The Owler’ Triathlon.

If you could sum up your message to anyone wanting to make a positive change in their life through sport, in no more than one sentence, what would that be?

‘Believe in yourself and all that you are and know that there is something inside you greater than any obstacle’. Not my words but I love this quote.