Although I had won my coveted place among 25 women in the sprint distance 45 to 49 age category in June, it took weeks for this fact to sink in.
I had only competed in a handful of local triathlons before and I really had no expectations of qualifying for the worlds in my first attempt.
But as I rode one of my usual bike routes close to my home in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, trying out the fit of the tri suit I felt a huge surge of pride.
Me, a full-time working single mum in my mid-40s, would be competing in September at the World Age Groups Triathlon Champs as part of Team GB. This thought did – and still does – seem amazing
It was at the end of last year that I decided to enter the qualifying races for the World Champs.
With my 45th birthday approaching I didn’t want to be moaning about my age and having an age-related sport goal seemed like the perfect solution.
By coincidence my friend and fellow Glasgow Tri Club coach, Vicky Begg, was looking for a case study for her Level 3 British Triathlon Coaching qualification.
We put our heads together and while I promised myself I’d train as hard as I could given my life and full-time job, Vicky drew up a training programme.
If I had more time I would have trained more but I gave it my all when I did head out for my swim, bike and run sessions.
I cursed the tough reps and I loathed the open water swims. Sometimes I felt sick and I often wished I could curl up and sleep.
The winter training was cruel, especially the bike rides and the beastly turbo training.
I often struggled to work, look after my daughter and train but somehow, with lots of support, I managed.
And bit by bit it came together. I began to feel stronger than I have ever felt before.
I decided on the sprint distance rather than standard distance because I have previously raced in more sprints.
But while I was becoming fitter, I was realistic about the competition. The age group qualifiers are fiercely fought and with the champs being held in Britain this year many more people would be entering.
At the first qualifier in Nottingham I had my biggest wake up call. Everywhere I looked there were fit old birds with carbon bling bikes and top-notch kit.
This event proved to be my sharpest learning curve but with a 15th placing and a result only two minutes outside qualifying I did not give up hope.
In fact, the event made me resolve to continue training for 2014, setting myself a new goal of qualifying for the next world champs.
But I still had my places at the next two 2013 qualifying events, in Bristol and Llandudno.
Vicky and I looked at the areas where I could improve and I was fortunate to receive a Planet X Time Trial bike.
Planet X had spotted my blog www.fionaoutdors.co.uk and my bid for the champs and asked if I would write for them in return for a TT bike. I gratefully accepted.
The Bristol Sprint Triathlon took place on a damp and windy day. I was grateful for the Scottish style weather and resolved to push my aging body to its limits.
I am not a great swimmer and Bristol harbour felt chilly and rough. I just told myself it would be at most 15 minutes of hell.
Jumping on to the TT bike was a big relief. But I had never ridden with deep rimmed wheels and the crosswinds on the day posed quite a challenge.
I just held on, gritted my teeth – and found myself overtaking many more people than were overtaking me.
I heard Vicky cheering me on and it seemed that the bike section was over too quickly.
My legs were not keen to be running but I knew that there was only 20 minutes or so of the race left.
I dug deep, gave myself a talking to and pushed on. I thought: “Don’t let anyone overtake me. Just don’t!” Few did.
I crossed the line absolutely exhausted but I knew I had given it my all.
Bristol offered provisional results within half an hour of finishing and the computer read-out indicated I was third in my age category.
I found this so hard to believe that I asked an official to confirm. He told me that I was third but as these were provisional I’d need to wait for the “results proper”.
These results were not confirmed until the following day and it was such an agonising wait.
But there it was. On the results list it showed I was third placed lady in the 45 to 49 age group and had therefore won my place on Team GB.
With relief I also realised I did not need to go to Llandudno the following week for the final qualifier.
It took until I saw my name listed on the official World Champs website and then the day I trained in my newly ordered Team GB tri suit for it to feel real.
Now I am training in earnest towards the champs themselves. My goal is not to be last on the day!
This year, I have learned that you are never too old to set yourself a goal, even if you think the goal is beyond your ability.
The training has been tough but fun and the rewards will be racing before friends and family and for Britain.
Note: This article was restored from the archives. It's published creation date is inaccurate.