Life in the North West appears to be doing Louise Minchin the world of good.
A competitive team sports player at school in Ascot, the mum-of-two admits that until the move ‘up north’ two years ago, she had never taken on a personal challenge like a triathlon before.
Unfortunately, training for the Deva Triathlon on Sunday, June 8, came to an end in April this year when, on day one of a ski trip to Austria, Minchin damaged her shoulder.
She explained: “It was our first day and it was bad light – I hit a bump I hadn’t seen, flew 5m and landed on my shoulder.
“I was in a lot of pain and couldn’t really move my arm so I had to stop my swimming training. I really wanted to do the triathlon though so I decided to put together a team.”
Team Louise comprised runner Nyree Dempsey, a friend Louise has made through her daughter, swimmer Barry Johnston, whom she met via Twitter, and Louise on her bike.
She said: “I set myself a challenge to finish it in 1 hr 30 mins but managed to finish in 1 hr 24, so I am really pleased.”
The 40km ride through Handbridge, Rossett, Farndon and Aldford will itself have been good training for Louise’s next challenge – a 300 mile bike ride from Cornwall to London, starting on June 20, which she is attempting with husband David.
She said: “The North West is great for cycling and we have made great use of the cycle paths all over – Chester, the Wirral Way and into North Wales. It’s been really great training together.”
The couple are taking up the challenge to raise funds for the RNLI and Child Bereavement UK after close friends Nicko Milligan and his daughter Emily were killed in a speedboat accident last year.
To sponsor Louise in her 300-mile bike challenge visit her fundraising page.
Click here to see a gallery of photographs from Sunday's Deva Triathlon.
