A YEAR ago Cathie Scott was unfit, unhealthy and in need of a lifestyle change.

But the teacher and mum-of-two decided enough was enough and is now one of the Cairns Crocs Triathlon Club's most committed members.

Scott and training partner Alannah Gould competed in their first full triathlon event this month at Port Douglas.

They thrived on the challenge, and are now primed to tackle the next event on the club program, the Lake Morris Ironlegs Duathlon on June 29.

Scott, 35, finished third in her age division at Port Douglas, 10 minutes ahead of Gould who took fourth spot.

Scott said her training had intensified for the eight weeks leading up to the Port Douglas event, but her first steps towards a more active lifestyle were taken a year ago.

"About a year ago I began training just to improve my fitness, get healthier and lose weight," she said.

"It was a lot harder than I had expected."

Persistence paid off though, with Scott losing 20kg since Easter.

"It's taken a lot of hard work, running and training, but it's been worth it in the long run.

"Alannah and I did it together. We were both unfit, but we built it up together and we're always there supporting each other."

Gould, 32, had similar reasons to Scott for taking up triathlons.

"It gave me a reason to get fit and gave me something to aim toward, a personal challenge," she said.

Gould had not done any bike or swim training until eight weeks before the Port Douglas event, but said undertaking the new workload had proved more testing mentally than physically.

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