TRISH Deykin, the triathlete from Milton Combe who suffers from multiple schlerosis, came home with a superb silver medal at the World Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships in Holland.

The event, held in Rotterdam on September 17, saw Trish compete against 72 athletes in her age group (40-44) in a 750 metre swim in the harbour, followed by a 20k bike, followed by a 5k run around Het Park.

She told Times Sport: ‘All this started at 14.30 hours — a time where my MS and fatigue kick in so it really wasn’t an ideal start time for me.

‘I did well in the swim after being bashed a bit by other competitors, then I hopped on the bike and managed to be in front.  Unfortunately there were two transition areas and on the second one I messed up by going to the wrong row of trainers. I managed to get to mine eventually but the damage was done, I’d lost first place.  My whole body was screaming at me to stop, not because of the lactic acid from pushing myself but from my MS.  

‘I crossed the line coming in second winning a silver at the world championships.  I was too ill to attend the medal ceremony so my team leader picked the medal up for me.  

‘I’m now having time off letting my body recoup as I literally pushed it to the limit through exertsion and by pushing my MS to its total capacity.  I loved it though!’ 

Trish added a huge thanks to Active Co and Mount Kelly Swim Centre for all their support.