AN INSPIRATIONAL woman who has battled septicaemia and shingles is gearing up for a triathlon.

Carol Gleadhall, who also suffers from epilepsy, has been blighted by illness over the past year but says training for the Dorchester Dash Triathlon, which takes place on Sunday has spurred on her recovery.

The event will be her first triathlon in 20 years, having previously been a keen endurance sportswoman.

Carol, of Coburg Road, Dorchester, said: “I’m very nervous, but I’m also really looking forward to it. I’m just going to go along and enjoy myself.

“I may be one of the slowest competitors on the day but the main challenge for me is to complete it in two to three hours, which will be a real achievement for me after being so ill last year.”

The 61-year-old hairdresser fell ill last March when a cyst in her arm developed in to septicaemia, a potentially life-threatening blood condition.

The stress of her illness brought on shingles, a viral infection, a few months later.

Carol said: “The doctors told me I was lucky the septicaemia wasn’t worse and I feel very lucky it wasn’t. The doctors were fantastic.

“I was very tired, very run down and I felt very ill. But you’ve got to stop feeling sorry for yourself and do something about it.”

Carol, who admits she has not been running for more than 15 years, began swimming in December and says the exercise motivated her to train.

She said: “It’s so good for your health, both physically and mentally, and I definitely feel back to my old self. I have much more energy now.”

Carol says her clients have been supporting her through her training, and hopes their support on the day will her triumph.

“I hope they will cheer me on,” she said. “But the training I have done has helped me mentally with my illness - sport is good for the brain with the endorphin release so although I will be slow, I will give it ago and do my very best.”

The Dorchester Dash Triathlon, which kicks off at Dorchester Sports Hall at 8am, will start with a 400m swim, followed by a 24km scenic bike ride up to Hardy’s Monument, via Poundbury, and will end in a 5km run via Maiden Castle.

Proceeds from the event will go to mental health charity Mind.

For more information, call Dorchester Sports Centre on 01305 858400, Emma Warr on 01823 410124 or email ewarr@1610.org.uk