From Spinal Surgery to Middle Distance Triathlete! A Tale of Determination…

Cast your mind back to that sunny day last August when we had the most amazing weather for the Aberfeldy Middle Distance Triathlon. You might have been as intrigued as we were to spot a group of supporters cheering on someone who had been through spinal surgery and had now completed Aberfeldy Triathlon! Luckily for us, Fergus got in touch with us after the race to tell us his incredible story. If you are suffering from injury or back pain, take heart from Fergus’s story…

“In April 2023, I developed a niggle in my back and left leg. I’ve had sciatica on and off in the past, and usually it settles down, but this time things were different. After eight weeks the pain persisted and it just didn’t budge. I was caught between trying to manage my symptoms and keep doing things, but I couldn’t shake off the pain. I could cycle and swim to some extent, but I couldn’t extend my leg, so running was just impossible. Even sitting at a desk became painful and at times I had to lie almost horizontally at work. Travel became a nightmare as journeys over an hour in a fixed position became excruciating, with pain radiating from my back to behind my knee. I would often wake up in the middle of the night with pain, and the only solution was to go for a walk to try and relieve it.

6 months passed and I tried everything to alleviate the pain: physiotherapy, stretching routines and even seeing a chiropractor—but unfortunately, pregabalin (painkillers) was the only effective remedy. It was a tough time physically and emotionally. I couldn’t do the things I wanted, missed out on outdoor activities with friends and put on weight. I was advised to just continue with physiotherapy and stretching, which seemed endless. I knew this wasn’t really working. I felt a bit invisible because surgery didn’t seem like a realistic option on the NHS, or at least not anytime in the next few years.

Eventually I found an excellent spinal physiotherapist in Cambridge who helped me regain more mobility and keep me moving. I finally got an MRI that revealed a herniated disk. I decided to take the plunge and had microdiscectomy surgery in September 2024. After a month of post-operative pain, I felt partial relief, but I was initially disappointed that the surgery hadn’t worked. However, after four more weeks, the pain completely disappeared. I couldn’t believe it.

In February 2025, I booked the Aberfeldy Middle Distance Triathlon with the intention of just trying to complete it. I had lost so much time, fitness and motivation for exercise so needed something to aim for. The event itself was incredibly inspiring. The support from the spectators, volunteers was exceptional. Crossing the line was one of the best experiences of my life. While waiting for surgery, I never thought I’d be pain-free or physically able to do something like this. At the event I discovered that people don’t really care so much about your time, your type of bike or current fitness; they care about you being safe, trying your best, and enjoying yourself on your terms. The triathlon community is so welcoming to newcomers.

So, if you’re like I was – maybe recovering from an injury or just not at your fittest, just go for it. You are probably fitter than you think and the support on the day gets you through. It will be one of the best things you ever do.”