London will be Lesley Levison’s first time in a GB trisuit as she competes in the 50-54 aquathlon and sprint triathlon and she has high hopes, having become age-group Champion at the Triathlon England - National Sprint Championships in August.

 

What is your job? 

Director of Operations, within client services at aprofessional services firm. 

 

How do you balance work/family life and training?  

My job is quite intense and involves early starts with a commute into London, so training has to be done when I get home in the evening and at weekends. Fortunately John, my husband, is a triathlete too and is my rock when it comes to training and racing – the best bag man and support crew a girl could ask for. 

 

When and why did you get into triathlon? 

About five years ago I thought I’d try the sport. My sister did one of Hillingdon Tristars' (as it was then) races and I thought I'd go along. The support I got was invaluable and I haven’t looked back since. I just wish I had taken up triathlon when I gave up swimming competitively about 20 years ago. 

 

What other sports did you participate in before triathlon? 

I was a competitive swimmer as a youngster, and I continued this with masters' competitions for a few years. Then I kept reasonably fit with tennis, gym and various non-competitive activities. Because of my swimming background, I would have said that during the qualifiers aquathlon was my stronger suit but I've now done lots of work on the bike, and winning my age group at the Triathlon England - National Sprint Championships proves, thanks to how hard I've been working, that my triathlon's are a lot stronger now.

 

Which other triathletes have inspired you, and why? 

My husband, John Levison, has competed in triathlon for more than 23 years. He has completed four Ironman races, competed at World Age-Group Championships and has a 2 hour 53 minute marathon PB. In his life he has faced more than his fair share of adversity. Aged 34 he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, which he battled and was racing again the following year. Then aged 39 we sat at King's College Hospital to be told he needed an urgent triple heart bypass. Eighteen months later he was racing again, having been told his competitive days were over. I supported John every step of the way after his bypass and his efforts to regain his fitness and his determination to compete again give me the determination to push myself harder than ever. If he can do it then so can I.

 

What made you compete for GB? How does it make you feel?

The World Championships being in London, especially after watching the London 2012 Olympic Games Triathlon, inspired me to have a go at qualifying for the GB Age-Group Team. I didn’t think I had a chance but my husband has more faith in my ability than I do! I am extremely proud to have qualified for both Aquathlon and Sprint Triathlon at London especially as the level of competition at the qualifying events was so high. To pull on that GB trisuit in September will just be fantastic, especially as I am now an English National Champion.

 

How would home support help you in London?  

I expect the support for the home nation to be at a level that none of us has experienced before. It makes such a difference when people call your name. Hopefully lots of family and friends will be coming, and I've told my boss he has to give everyone at work the mornings off! Lots of our club-mates will come along and lots are doing the open event on the Saturday. 

 

Alongside the age-group events the PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final London will also host elite, junior and paratriathlon events. The find out more about watching the elite events, download the spectator map here.