Diane Peternel

Diane Peternel, Training for Triathlon

What/who inspires you? 

So many! My autistic brother who lives his life to the full and throws himself into everything he can despite his health issues. My PT Tom believes in me more than I do sometimes and his belief inspires me to be the best version of me. And then there are all the professional athletes out there who give themselves to their sport, I’m always so inspired watching events like the Olympics or CrossFit games. 

What got you into triathlons? 

Believe it or not it was a throwaway comment by Tom not long after I started training with him and said I wanted a new challenge. A few weeks later I found myself googling triathlons despite not being able to ride a bike at 45 years old! The pandemic followed by a broken and dislocated shoulder have prevented this for the last two years but I’m hoping for 3rd time lucky in June! 

Why do you drink hot chocolate? 

From being a child it was always a warming comfort drink on a cold night or if I’m not feeling great.  Now I’ve discovered 80Noir a Ultra it’s a comfort or a boost depending on how I feel at the time. 

What is your favourite product? 

The bar. There’s something about methodically breaking it into tiny pieces that tells me I’m about to have a little moment of calm. I keep a stash of them in my drawer at work and depending on the day I’ll make it with chai or Aztec spice, but always with hot water! 

What's your motto? 

Whatever It Takes. It’s the title of a song by Imagine Dragons that I first heard on a playlist when running and now use to visualise myself at the finish line of my first triathlon.