My Passion with Simon Bollon: Thriving on running, swimming and cycling through pain barrier

We read so many articles about the nation getting fatter and increasingly unhealthy but the triathlon scene seems to tell a different story.

The growth of the sport has been phenomenal and continues to expand at a rapid pace. When I first competed five years ago there were 20 entrants. At the Beverley Triathlon this month, I was in a field of over 200 competitors all swimming, cycling and running as fast as their bodies will take them.

Ever since my school days when I represented Yorkshire at football and athletics I have carried an obsession with sporting challenges and sports coaching. From 5k runs to the Great Knaresborough Bed Race, swimathons to ultrafit competitions, I’ve done them all.

Unlike so many people, I never stopped competing and taking part in sporting events after leaving education as I valued the fitness and social aspects of being part of a running club or football team and it helped to have met my partner who was a keen long distance runner.

My own participation declined slightly as my partner’s improved fitness and commitment to distance running meant I became coach rather than the coached.

After the birth of my second son in 2003 my partner Caroline’s running stepped up a level and I soon found myself joining her on the long runs as our only time to spend together.

My interest in her development became slightly obsessive as I pored over relevant articles and training tips and at the same time I started to grow a passion for participating myself.

After several races where Caroline would be lifting trophies just as I crossed the line in the middle of the pack I realised I wasn’t going to experience the same level of success so I needed something new. Then my best friend suggested a triathlon. The initial thought was one of pain and sure enough the ensuing training lived up to the expectation but that pain and feeling of pushing myself to the limits was exactly what I subsequently thrived upon.

The pressures of running a business makes training properly a near impossible task so this year I will be competing in sprint triathlons where the training demands are lower but the excitement of the big day and the strangely enjoyable pain of training remain. Weekends are dominated by sporting ventures with both my sons showing the same sporting traits and a love of competition whilst Caroline has now completed her sixth marathon and something like 50th race.

We’re also proud and honoured to have supported a number of local and national charities raising thousands of pounds along the way. At least if I am raising funds for charity it lessens the disappointment as my times get slower with age.