GB Age Group Triathlete Anne Dockery

Agegroup Multisport Podcast (Triathlon,Duathlon,Aquabike,Aquathlon)

On this episode we have the pleasure to chat to Anne Dockery.
Truly inspirational story that Anne shares after listening to several of our other podcasts and being inspired herself to get in touch and share her journey.
Anne Says "I started running when I was 55 as I had been a heavy smoker and I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis. Had just married an American who suggested I run to strengthen my lungs. So I did and that was the start of an amazing adventure. I ran many local races and did quite well. Runners in Florida turn to triathlons in the hot summer months and I was persuaded to tackle my first triathlon when I was 63. On my husbands huge bike and being terrified of the swim in the lagoon. But I survived and even won my age group. My coach was a lady of 70+ and she is still doing triathlons.
It was wonderful in the warmth of Florida and I tackled quite a few fun events but I dreamt of representing GB. Whilst visiting my mum in Yorkshire I decided to find a triathlon and the only one I found was a British championship race at ST Neots. I bought a wetsuit that week and tried it in an indoor swim pool and thought I would die!
At st Neaots I had a lot of issues but I got into the water and I managed to get out of the water having felt like a minnow amongst the tarpon when the 40 year old men came by!! I could hardly haul myself out of the river and wondered how on earth I would get on my bike. I had an audience cheering me on as I tried to extricate myself from the wetsuit…took 7 1/2 minutes! I was frozen solid on the bike ride and the bike I hired was far from ideal. I was needless to say, next to last! But I would not have missed this race for anything. So thrilled to have finished. It was my 65th birthday the next day,.
My next attempt was a little more successful. I wanted to qualify for the Worlds sprint triathlon in Mexico 2017 as it was a quick flight from Florida so I headed to the Dorney Sprint Triathlon May 2016 qualifier . This time I had friends to support me. What a difference. I was last out of the swim: again the hired bike left a lot to be desired but I ran well and came second in my age group . So I qualified!!!
Back in Florida I went to masters swimming twice a week in hopes of improving. 10/10 for trying!
However was forced out of the swim in Mexico 2017 . I knew I was going slowly but was perfectly capable of keeping on to the end so was spitting mad when they told me I had to come out. I was allowed to finish the course which brought other benefits and ,later, I learnt the currents had changed and were becomingb dangerous. Hence my removal, along with a few others. I would not have missed this wonderful experience for anything.
Back in UK in 2018 I discovered Duathlons. I qualified at Oulton Park duathlon in april 2018 and found my self heading to Worlds in FYn …
I had bought a new bike and booked with Nirvana and off I went in July. I did not know anyone! But in short time I had a whole new family of friends. The joy of being with lots of wonderful like minded people. I had no expectations . Long story short…no one was more amazed than me when I WON!! WOW!! What an amazing moment . Still get shivers down my spine.
From there I went on to come 4th in the Sprint duathlon in Targu Mures in 2022 because I ran an extra lap! The winner lapped me on the bike although we were neck and neck on the first run. My next task was to get better on the bike and I am still working on that.
I then turned to Standard Duathlons and came 3rd in 70-74 in Bilbao behind two amazing athletes, Elspeth Knott and Yvonne Twelvetree .
In 2023 I hit the big time again in Standard duathlon age group 75 -79 winning the Europeans and once again winning Worlds. Hard to believe.
2024. I have qualified for the European Standard in Portugal but best of all I am goingb to Malaga to have a shot at actually finishing a sprint