Seascale GP completes Lakesman to inspire his patients

In spring 2021, Dr Raghu was returning home after weekend at work, and drove past some road closures and roadblocks, and multiple runners. He didn’t think much of it, but curiosity got the best of him, and he Googled the event to find it was the Lakesman triathlon.

The Lakesman is a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56 mile cycle and then a 13.1 mile run.

Dr Vedapanakal said: “I wondered if I could enter and do it next year. The bike and run I felt I could probably manage, but back then swimming was not my cup of tea.

“In a few weeks’ times, I made up my mind and joined a swim membership. My first swim in the pool was an eye opener. Within half the distance I was huffed and puffed and wanted to hold on to whatever I could to float.”

Dr Raghu Vedapanakal found extra energy on the bike (Image: Supplied)

After halting progress due to swim lessons stopping and restarting due to Covid, Dr Vedapanakal got back in the pool and worked on technique over the next six months. After this, he took the plunge and enrolled for the Lakesman triathlon in 2022.

But Dr Raghu said at this stage, “the reality sunk in that a pool swim is completely different comparatively where you can always see the floor and the end is always in sight.

"A wet suit gives you buoyancy but despite this I felt panicked in open water.

“I realised I cannot complete the swim part of the triathlon and got one of my colleagues to complete the swim.

“On reflection, this was the learning curve I needed, which I accepted and started working on in 2023.”

After continuing on a six-month training plan, Dr Vedapanakal resigned up for the event in June 2024.

Dr Raghu Vedapanakal during the last leg (Image: Supplied)

During the event, he positioned himself at the back and he remembered the advice he had been given along the way, and settled into a rhythm.

He said: “Fortunately, the water was calm with no wind and within no time, I was near the end of my swim. 44 minutes and I was out of the lake.”

“My wife, Archana was there cheering me, I gave her a quick wet hug and was running to the transition zone. Lakes2tri coach, Neil Cooper gave me a pat on the back.

“Neil and his team had helped me immensely with my biking, they have excellent biking/swimming/running coaching in UK.”

His bike leg was next where he was able to find extra energy before moving onto the running section. He ended up crossing the line after 6 and a half hours and was met by his son Jai at the finish line.

Dr Raghu Vedapanakal crosses the line with his son, Jai (Image: Supplied)

Dr Vedapanakal said: “Here I was crying like a kid, having achieved my dream of becoming a triathlete/Ironman. Now having gone through this entire journey, it's clearer now by trusting the training and support we can manifest the outcome.

“Exercise isn't only good for your physical health, it's great for your mental health.”