Feeling great after retirement comes naturally to John Caborn, who is looking forward to another great year of duathlon competition, following a successful 2018.
And as he does so, John wants to thank the staff and team at Skegness’ Pool and Fitness Suite, who have the equipment to ensure that – even when the weather was bad over the winter – he was able to keep up his schedule, ahead of the 2019 season.
John, of Burgh-le-Marsh, is proof that retirement can spark a whole new, competitive life: “I am definitely fitter than I was when I was working,” he said.
While he always liked to keep in shape and in the early 1990s, he was a triathlete, his professional career took priority – until his retirement four years ago.
Duathlons caught John’s attention and that was it, he got the competitive bug once more.
“I have always been a competitive person and I do like to challenge myself,” he said.
Training with Skegness Triathlon Club, John’s progress was impressive and led him to a bronze medal for his veteran age group, representing Team GB at the Duathlon Championships in Soria, Spain.
Last year, success came again – this time in Ibiza – when John went one better, taking the Silver medal at the same championship, which involves a 5km run and a 20km cycle ride – rounded off with another 2.5km run. That result was achieved despite an Achilles injury earlier in the year, interrupting the training plans.
“Winning a medal for GB is very special and I feel very privileged to have been able to do that,” said John.
So, what will 2019 bring for John? “I am currently training 11-hours a week with a five-day-a-week schedule with an aim to reach the European Championships in Romania in June,” said John.
“Of course, at the end of the day, it is down to me, as an individual, to train but there are many people and organisations that have helped me along the way and the team at the Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure and Culture who manage and run Skegness Fitness Suite are among them,” added John.