Earlier this summer the Evening Telegraph reported how 37-year-old Melanie Ryding had been selected for the international event in Australia after losing four stone in four months.
And yesterday Melanie, from Wellingborough, joined three other mem
bers from the Northants Triathlon Club to compete against people from all over the world in their first race.
Melanie, who lives with husband Mark and starts her new teaching job at Rushden Community College when she returns to the UK, took up triathlon racing after losing weight in June 2006 when she discovered she could no longer fit into her size 16 jeans.
She said: "Its going well, but took a few days to get used to the nine-hour time difference.
"It seems strange to be among so many athletes. I feel rather out of my depth at times, they all seem so experienced."
The first race was the aquathlon, which included a 2.5km run, a 1km swim and then another 2.5km run, which Melanie entered by choice as an extra training session.
Melanie will be competing in her main race, the triathlon, in the 35 to 37 age group on Sunday and said: "My first race went well. I only did it as a warm-up and I did not know what to expect, as I have never raced against the world.
"It seemed strange to have people I don't know calling and cheering me on and even stranger to see everyone with their country names on them. It was like something off the television. I managed to finish the race in front of some very good GB athletes who normally beat me by loads and I was not last, which was the main thing I feared.
"This reassured me that these people are all just human, like me. I feel good, and am ready for Sunday. Bring it on."
If you would like to try a triathlon visit www.justracinguk.com.
