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# Lichfield triathlete celebrates result as she returns to action following Covid diagnosis
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfield-triathlete-celebrates-result-as-she-returns-to-action-following-covid-diagnosis/
- Published: 2021-10-20T07:58:44.000Z
- Updated: 2021-10-20T07:58:53.000Z
- Description: An amateur triathlete from Lichfield who was “knocked for six” by Covid is celebrating after getting back in the saddle to race again.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Health, Sport, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:15, News

An amateur triathlete from Lichfield who was “knocked for six” by Covid is celebrating after getting back in the saddle to race again.

![Sue Stroud competing at Blenheim Palace](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/sue-stroud-blenheim-2.jpg)

Sue Stroud competing at Blenheim Palace

Sue Stroud was forced to abandon her training after being struck down by coronavirus last winter.

The 54-year-old teacher admitted she had struggled to get back to full fitness after being laid low by the virus.

> “I’ve loved triathlons ever since I started competing in 2016.  
>  
> “I’m naturally competitive. I ran and played netball at county level as a schoolgirl, so I was keen to push myself.  
>  
> “I had ambitions to reach the top of the women’s 50 to 54 age category, and was thrilled with the progress I’d made, but then I got Covid.   
>  
> “Once I started feeling better, I began training, taking things very slowly, but the impact of the illness on my running and swimming was huge.  
>  
> “I doubted my ability to compete again and was also worried that there might be some underlying, longer-term problems that were going to affect me.  
>  
> “Both my confidence and my fitness suffered a big knock.”  
>  
> Sue Stroud

Frustrated by her efforts to return to full fitness, Sue worked with [Medichecks](http://www.medichecks.com/?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) where an endurance fitness blood test showed a potential issue with cholesterol.

![Sue Stroud competing at Blenheim Palace](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/sue-stroud-blenheim-3.jpg)

Sue Stroud competing at Blenheim Palace

After making dietary changes, she was able to build back her race pace and return to action at a triathlon event at Blenheim Palace, finishing 19th out of 135 in her age category.

> “Once I’d received my test results, I tweaked my diet and also gained a big psychological boost knowing that there doesn’t appear to be any lasting issues from Covid on areas like my liver and kidney function, or my hormones.  
>  
> “I still took it fairly easily at Blenheim, but now I know I can perform well again, I’m raring to go ahead of the new season next year.”  
>  
> Sue Stroud

Sue is now working towards gaining her Level 2 British Triathlon coaching award and regularly trains with fellow amateur triathlete Fleur Green, founder of the Happy Healthy Cycling and Happy Healthy Triers groups in Lichfield.

> “One of the lovely things about triathlons is that the culture is so supportive – everyone is encouraged to get involved and there will always be others around to cheer you on.  
>  
> “When I first met Fleur, I was bowled over by her passion for getting newbies involved and giving them confidence and that’s what we love to do with our training sessions.  
>  
> “Now I’m getting back to fitness I can’t wait to do more, helping others to reach their full potential.”  
>  
> Sue Stroud