Triathlete Overcomes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome To Race

Australia’s Nick North competes in triathlons despite being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The last 12 months has ranked as one of the toughest periods Bathurst triathlete Nick North has had to endure, but on Sunday he was given a massive confidence boost as he works towards a very big goal.

Four months after North placed 24th in his age group at the 2009 Triathlon World Championships as he wore the green and gold of an Australian representative for the first time, the promising triathlete was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.

It meant he was unable to keep training as he had been and prevented him from racing. Both physically and mentally it was a tough time for North to endure.

On Sunday North finally made his comeback to racing at the Penrith Valley Nepean Triathlon and his raw talent shone through as he finished 20th overall and sixth in his 20-24 age group.

“This was my first race back in over a year, so I was pretty happy,” North said.

“I had been training with Richard Hobson, doing a lot of running and cycling and swimming, but I’d only been back for three weeks, that’s all the training I had for this event – three weeks.

“I had no real expectations, I was just hoping to finish and feel like I could back up again the next day.”

Read more: Westernadvocate.com.au