Debbie Coyle

How old are you?: 44

Where do you live?: United Kingdom

Website: https://www.britishtriathlon.org/clubs/comrades-triathlon-club_2793

Instagram: Comradesincoaching

What is your history with sports and athletics?

I was born in South Africa. My mom and dad were both marathon and ultra marathon runners when I was young. My mom used to compete but my dad was a “back of the pack” runner. I loved sport from a very young age and tried everything from cross country running, badminton, swimming, hockey, synchronised swimming and ballet. I was never the best in any sport but I was competitive and always tried my best. My parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams and sport should never be dreaded, more enjoyed. Even to the extent my mom would never buy me a stop watch to time my runs or she wouldn’t buy me Nike air running shoes as they were the best in her day. Nope I had to run in Sauconys. I made loads of friends through sport and it’s clear to see still to this day sport is my life. Today I’m a Personal Trainer and a Triathlon coach.

When I was 21 I left South Africa and started my new life in the UK. The weather was miserable and I started focusing more on my career than sport. I had my first son when I was 30 and then my second son when I was 33. I woke up one morning and realized that I was unhappy. Something was missing. I was over weight and had hit a low in my life.

I started searching the web and came across triathlon. I decided to get in touch with the closest Tri club to me which was Greenwich Tritons. My first training session with them was on a Thursday night. I was incredibly nervous but I really shouldn’t have been. I kept thinking I’m going to be this fat girl amongst slim super fit triathletes in a swimming costume. As soon as I arrived I was made to feel very welcomed. The swim coach was just so lovely and kind. That was the start of what was yet to become an incredible friendship and wonderful mentor and coach. It’s clear to say after that one session I was hooked and wanted more.

I went and bought a £299 road bike that weekend. I couldn’t believe how much a road bike cost. Never have I ever dreamt about spending such a large amount on a bike. I had a lot to learn. I booked an open water swim and my first triathlon – Hever Castle Sprint. Somebody mentioned I would need a wetsuit for the swim. No idea about wet suits I made a few phone calls and was guided into buying something that I can only describe as wetsuit made out of Lycra. I looked like such an idiot but what did I know?!

I did my first open water swim at lakeside and thought I was going to die. I jumped in like everybody else who I noticed had proper rubber looking wetsuits. The coldness was just something I had never experienced before. I couldn’t breathe. I had such a panic. Thank goodness we had about 5 minutes to get used to it. Finally calming myself down I managed to get going when the gun went off. I didn’t break any records I just completed the swim. First thing I did after that race was buy a wetsuit.

Hever Castle Triathlon fast approached but I developed a pain in my foot. I did go to the doctor but wasn’t happy with his diagnosis so I still did the race. On arrival some lovely experienced triathlete helped me set up my transition area and still to this day I always help out the newbies as I remember how kind that man was. The swim was ok but running up to transition I felt the pain in my foot. It was excruciating. On to my very expensive bike and couldn’t believe how far 20kms was on the bike. It went on forever. The run through the forest was gorgeous but my foot was very sore. I hobbled over the finish line and I remember that feeling of happiness and I felt exhilarated. Off to A&E to find I had broken my 4th metatarsal.

My journey continued with Greenwich Tritons. My journey changed after a club night out. I was sitting opposite two Great Britain age group ladies and they were telling me all about representing our country in triathlon. They said I should try it. I couldn’t believe it. These two ladies believed I, little old me could represent Great Britain. They must be mad. I spoke to my Tri club coach and he said with the right sort of training I could possibly do it. So I put my heart and soul into it. I booked myself into the three qualifier races and I managed to scrape into the top 20 qualifying spots for the World Championship in New Zealand. When I got back from New Zealand I was ready for more of that. I then qualified for the Europeans in Turkey where I placed 2nd in my age group. Then on to London for the World Championship and I placed 3rd.

I continued with Triathlon but became more focussed on cycling. I started competing in Time Trials and became focused on local events in and around Kent. I managed to break a few course records and my first year won the Ladies Kent BAR over 10, 25 and 50 mile.

It was during this time that I was invited on a 100 mile social group ride in Essex that I met my other half. It has become a bit of a joke that we were in the front of the group and kept dropping all the others and we didn’t realize. We were so engrossed in each other’s stories we were blind as to what was going on behind us. Paul came from a running background but was hoping to get into triathlon. I guess this was a turning point for me going back into triathlon. I helped Paul learn to swim. I watched him grow as a triathlete and it wasn’t long before he was starting to catch me and I realized it wouldn’t be long before he was no longer being chicked.

Paul encouraged me to take the step up from the Olympic distance to middle distance. He encouraged me to book my first middle distance Ironman distance event in Barcelona, Spain – this event was the European/African and Middle East Tri Club Championship. I was nowhere run ready for this event but my swim and bike were quite strong so I was happy with a 2nd place. I then went on and did Holkham which is an Outlaw event. My time was enough to qualify me for the European Championship in Ibiza. After all the time I spent coaching Paul in the pool and lake it was his turn to get me to the finish line in Ibiza in the best place possible.

There were times during my training sessions that I questioned why was I doing this, am I still enjoying it? The pain and hours of commitment certainly pay off when you cross that finish line knowing you gave it your best shot, you put the hard work in and you get the result you were hoping for. It was a brutal race as the weather conditions were horrendous. Paul was there to support me every step of the way. He had supported me right up to the point of race day. The race went well. I came out of the water in second place, managed to overtake the first lady in transition, and managed to stay in first place on the bike. Off the bike I was leading my age group by 5 minutes and all age groups by 2 minutes. I finished with the gold medal, was first Great Britain representation and beat four pro triathletes. That has and will always be such a huge accomplishment for me as an athlete. It felt so good. To think when I started I was just looking to lose a bit of weight and find more meaning to my boring life.

Since the middle distance European Championship both Paul and I have become Level 2 triathlon coaches helping newbies get into the sport and giving guidance around training plans for the more experienced triathlete. Paul and I have also started our own Triathlon Club named after the ultra marathon in South Africa that meant everything to my mom who sadly passed away in June 2019. She was very much a part of my journey in triathlon. She looked after my kids so I could train, she financially supported me so I could get to the starting line and was my role model as an athlete. Comrades Triathlon Club was born in January 2020.

What do you enjoy most about being an athlete?

I love being active and feeling healthy. I’ve met and made some truly wonderful friends. I found my soul mate on my bike in the Essex countryside. We do triathlon together. We support and encourage each other. I was In a very dark place when I started out and now I’m a much happier person and feel free.

Proudest accomplishment for me was knowing I made my mom proud. She loved what I was doing. She was living all her past racing days through me. She understood what I had to do to get to where I wanted to go. She was always so incredibly proud of my achievements.

Have you experienced any challenges or obstacles?

I’m a huge believer that cross training is a great way to prevent injuries. I’ve had to deal with the guilt that triathlon was time that I was taking away from being with my children. It’s a very difficult balancing game.

What is your “why?”

Training with my club mates is what keeps me going. Triathlon is all about having fun and pushing yourself. I can’t deny the fact I love competing and doing well. Most of my races my mom was always there with her clip board making notes and analyzing my data. She was very old school and always made us laugh when she came out with statements such as, “last year at this exact race you were 10 seconds faster coming out of transition- what went wrong?” She really was my inspiration and I loved making her proud.

What’s next?

At the moment I am enjoying my coaching and inspiring others. I’ve started to do Insta live HIIT and S & C sessions on our @comradesincoaching Instagram account. I’m not charging for these sessions and really enjoying the positive feedback. Come and join me this weekend at 5pm Saturday and Sunday. They’re tough but brilliant.

My partner is integral in my triathlon journey as he motivates me to get out and do the hard stuff. I have watched him progress from an absolute beginner to a competitive age grouper in major events. He recently qualified for a Great Britain age group middle distance.

Any fun facts about yourself?

I bought a dog to encourage me to run as I hate running on my own. I’m a qualified skydiver and scuba diver. I only like training with friends – have very little personal motivation to train on my own. My training buddies say I never stop talking and believe I have the ability to talk under water whilst swimming.