Lockdowns open up triathlon career for MIU nurse

Like many people, Abbie Evans took up regular exercise during the Covid lockdowns. But her activity went much further than just regular walks or cycles around her neighbourhood. It became the first step to representing Great Britain in triathlon.

The 36-year-old emergency nurse practitioner, based in the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) in Neath Port Talbot Hospital, is now looking forward to lining up for Team GB in the Ironman World Championships in Nice, France, in September.

She has gone from someone who played hockey when she was ‘a lot younger’ to being able to swim 2.4 miles in the sea, cycle 112 miles, and then run a 26.2 mile marathon in little more than the time spent putting in a 12-hour shift.

Abbie, who lives in Sketty, said: “I’ve only been doing triathlons for around three years. It was Covid times and everything was closed. My brother started doing it and I had always wanted to get into it so I slowly picked it up.

“When I was a lot younger I played hockey and did a bit of cross fit but nothing like a triathlon.

“I had to pick swimming up again. I had swam up to the age of around 12 but I had to get back into it when the pools started reopening. I did a lot of open water swimming as well but, once more, that was a bit of a build.

“I had to pick cycling up as well. When I first started I was wearing trainers and normal sports clothes. You build up, get cleats that clip in and the proper cycling gear, and get better at your position on the bike.

“I’d done a bit of running but nothing competitive. I’d just go out for a run, nothing serious.”

Abbie really began to improve after joining a triathlon club, Swansea Vale Tri, and training with others.

She said: “Joining a club made a real difference. Swansea Vale Tri has around 400 members now and it’s really good. Especially when you work shifts. They have a WhatsApp group where you can socialise and train with other people. If you’re off on a week day you can ask if anyone else wants to go for a ride.”

Her first major event was the renowned Ironman Wales, which is held in Tenby, came two years ago.

She said: “I did it for the first time in September 2022, in 13 hours.

“I was a bit surprised with my time. Initially the goal was just to complete it. I never ever in a million years thought I’d even be doing one to be honest, if someone told me a few years ago.”

After completing another ironman, in the Cotswolds, Abbie was selected for GB, in the 35-40 age group, in this year’s European Championships back in June.

She said: “One of the times in a previous race qualified me for the European Championships in Portugal over middle distance, which is like half ironman. 1.6km swim, 56 mile bike and then a 13 mile run.

“I was the third British female in my age group so I qualify for next year as well, which is good. So I didn’t do too badly but there’s strong competition.”

There was an added bonus to her first international call up, her younger brother, Sam Evans, also qualified for the event.

Abbie said: “It was really cool. My brother was selected in his age group as well, so the two of us were competing for GB.”

Despite her meteoric rise Abbie isn’t putting any pressure on herself ahead of the World Championships which she qualified for after coming fourth in the last Ironman Wales in a time of 12 and a half hours.

She said: “It’s a sea swim and then a bike through southern France.

“I’m told the course is really hilly and harder than Tenby but we’ll see.

“I know there’s going to be a lot of competitive girls out there so I’m just going to enjoy the experience and tick the box to say I’ve been.”

Being super fit helps Abbie cope with the challenging workload of her day job.

She said: “I probably feel that I have more energy than a lot of people, which is good as there’s a high turnover of patients. 

“Basically all the minor injuries, cuts, sprains, broken bones, dislocations, we see all that.

“We’re one of the busiest MIUs in the UK. We see over 200 patients a day, so it is difficult juggling your training.

“At the moment my training is ramping up. Last week I did 15 hours of training on top of fulltime work here.

“I will train before work so most days I’m up at 6am – either on the bike, swimming or running before work. I will cycle into work as well to add in some extra miles. There will be full days of training on my days off.”

Sometimes her day job crosses over with the triathlon world.

She said: “I see quite a lot of people who I know having fallen off their bike.

“So you know what can go wrong and the injuries that occur from doing triathlon. Touch wood, I haven’t picked up any major injuries to date.”

While not everyone will be a natural triathlete Abbie recommends others give it go.

She said: “It’s a really friendly sport. I know people may think it’s very intimidating, it was for me, but everyone has to start somewhere. There’s so many groups out there. 

“There’s something for beginners everywhere. You have got to start somewhere – even if it’s couch to 5k, which we see loads of people do, and it’s brilliant. Just try something like that. 

“You don’t have to sign up and expect an ironman for your first event. It’s step by step. If you enjoy it, then that’s the main thing. It’s all about enjoying and making new friends.”

MIU colleague, Karen Jackson, said Abbie was an inspiration.

She said: “Abbie is a huge inspiration to us all in the MIU.

“We are immensely proud of her achievements and her dedication to her sport. 

“I was lucky enough to watch her complete the ironman Tenby last year she had a smile on her face every time I seen her. I also went to the London Marathon this year hoping to see her but she was so fast I missed her!”