In her early 40s, Cláudia could barely run 100 metres, yet she’s now competing in national competitions in one of the toughest events imaginable: the triathlon. Claudia tells of her remarkable transformation.
Cláudia Ferreira Santos was born in Germany to Portuguese parents. When she was just six years old, the family relocated back to Portugal to settle in Marinha Grande, in the district of Leiria. As a child, she loved swimming and, to her delight, discovered that it was something she excelled at. Cláudia still has that passion for swimming today, and for exercise in general, describing it as “my best form of therapy”.
It was in Marinha Grande that Cláudia attended school, fell in love, started a family, and embarked on a successful career with Santander. Unsurprisingly, given how busy she was with work and family, exercise took a back seat.
In 2001, Cláudia and her family moved to the Algarve, near Castro Marim. Her second child was born here and she continued to develop her career, working for Santander in Faro and elsewhere in the region. It would take until 2015 for Claudia’s passion for exercise to be reignited. She’d felt the need to widen her circle of friends and knew that joining a leisure club or something of that nature would help. She was also conscious that she wasn’t at her best – she’d gained weight and was frequently feeling tired.
It was a friend who asked Cláudia to take part in an ‘Ironman relay’. This is where a different person performs each discipline, either swimming, cycling or running. Cláudia had two months to get fit. It was far from easy, but that passion for open water swimming was awoken and a newfound interest in triathlons was born.
In the years since, Cláudia has gone on to compete in international triathlon events in the UK, Spain and Portugal. It’s been quite a transformation from someone who, 10 years ago, could barely run 100 metres. Cláudia has also helped create the Lusitano Triatlo Clube (see link below). Based in Vila Real de Santo António, it’s dedicated to helping its members make the most of their abilities and to encouraging people (of all ages) to get fitter and healthier.
It serves the community well and was the first triathlon club in the Algarve to provide support for children and young adults.
Cláudia still works long hours at the bank (she’s now manager of Santander’s Tavira branch), but these days, training and competing are a way of life. A typical training week comprises an after-work swim on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. As for the weekends, each day involves a run or a bike ride, and sometimes both! Two days a week, she will rest from training. “I want to go on competing until I’m 90!” she said, and she wasn’t joking either. Swimming remains her passion and, when competing, her strength. “A bad ocean is good news for me,” she said, in the knowledge that many women lack her technique and strength.
Why does she do it? “I enjoy feeling healthier. Like many people my age, it can be hard to keep off the weight, but my training schedule really helps with that and with my general wellbeing.” Cláudia readily acknowledges that none of this would be possible without the support of her family. “I don’t think there’s anything special about me. I am just a normal woman, but I do want to set a good example for my daughters. In my first triathlon, I came last, but it was OK because I received the biggest cheer. It made me feel happy and determined to improve. It’s important in life not to give up at the first difficulty.”
I asked Cláudia for her advice on how to improve fitness and lead a healthier lifestyle. “The right equipment is crucial, especially things like running shoes and making sure they are right for your body type. And of course the bike. Always make sure you have a bike fitting, which is where you are assessed by a professional to make sure you have the correct-sized bike and one that meets your needs.”
Cláudia told me how nutrition is key and how she always recommends hiring a personal coach. Cláudia’s coach, Gonçalo Brito, is also the coach of the triathlon club. He not only helps guide her training but also focuses on resting and overall conditioning. “I often say that my coach helps me to exercise better, not harder,” said Cláudia. Another important factor is mindset. Cláudia doesn’t really set out to win events, so there’s no pressure in that respect. Instead, she’s striving to be the best version of herself and if that leads to winning events, then it’s a pleasant bonus.
Transforming her fitness and making new friends has had no real downsides, other than an unintended and somewhat humorous one. “In the past, on my birthday and at Christmas, my family would buy me perfume or a new suit for work. Now, I’m more likely to get new tyres for my bike!” she said, laughing.
On 9 November, Cláudia will be competing in the Campus Triathlon in Quinta do Lago. We wish her the very best, both in this event and with her remarkable and inspirational transformation.
