Izzy’s Journey with Wakefield Junior Tri Club

Where It All Began

I started training with Wakefield Junior Tri club when I was about 8. I was OK at running as I had been doing parkrun for a year or two but was new to both swimming and cycling. I would often get left behind at the start of races, but the treats at the end were always worth the effort!

This is me at the finish of my first triathlon at castle Howard in 2018 where I finished 60th in the T1 race

Growing in Confidence

Fast forward on a few years and as I grew and developed skill, I found my swimming and cycling becoming my strengths and started to really enjoy racing on my bike as often as possible, whether it was time trials, criteriums and, of course, triathlon.

Until I was about 15, I mostly just attended the 3 WJTC training sessions each week, with an extra coached session with Calder Clarion Cycle club each Thursday and maybe a jog with my dad at the weekend. I didn’t really train so much during my GCSE year, but once I completed my exams, I decided to give triathlon a real focus. I developed a training plan and have been really disciplined following it.

This is what my typical week now look like:

• 3 Swim sessions including a coached session with (Wakefield senior club)
• 3 or 4 Cycles, often on a turbo trainer during the winter, and try and attend the adult chain gang session (which is a fast, non-stop, exciting, and slightly scary experience)
• 3 or 4 Runs (lots of off-road, plus some faster sessions on road or the track)
• 1 or 2 Strength and Flexibility sessions

This has transformed my strength and speed in all disciplines, but it takes time to build up to a training plan like this. I took my time to increase training volumes to make sure I wasn’t putting too much stress on my body and made sure I had easier weeks every few weeks especially ahead of races.

Transitioning from the WJTC to the senior club has been a positive experience for me. There aren’t that many young people there, but everyone is really friendly and supportive. I was encouraged to complete in their summer series and won the female trophy last year, winning lots of prizes (mainly chocolate 😊)

Loving the Racing

I love racing! Cycle criteriums are the best fun and a huge test, here I am attacking the peloton up the cobbles at the Wyke cycle track – shortly before falling off going too fast in a corner and finishing last ☹

The mud is just as much fun, and this year I won the Yorkshire Junior Cyclocross series.

A European Highlight

But the real highlight (so far), was competing in the European Age Group Sprint Championships in Istanbul last year. Transition was on the Asian side of Istanbul, the swim was in the Bosporus (which separates Europe form Asia), with the cycle crossing the stunning Faith Sultan bridge shown below.

2025 Europe Triathlon Championships Istanbul Elite Women

I was definitely a little nervous before the start, the water was colder than I had expected and the river faster flowing!!

But the whole race went so well, I had an amazing experience and was leading as I left T2 and started the run, but eventually finished 2nd in the under 20s category, sharing the podium with two other British girls 😊

What’s Next?

With a little luck I will start at Oxford University this year and plan on increasing my training further and hope to race for the University Triathlon and Cycle teams (and who knows, I may even give rowing a try!). I would like to travel the world and compete in some of the iconic Ironman races and win more European and World Championships Age Group medals. I will continue to race cyclocross and criteriums such as the annual Otley Road races.

Following inspiration from WJTC coaches Alex and Greg, I also hope, someday, to show my dad how to finish the Montane Spine race!!

My Advice to Junior Triathletes

My advice to junior triathletes (especially those who, like me, are not winning races when they are younger)

Keep working hard and always listen to the coaches at training sessions. The rewards don’t always come quickly and patience is really important, but with the right focus and allowing yourself to develop at your own speed, you can achieve anything!

Izzy

🏊‍♀️🚵‍♀️🏃‍♀️