In this episode
Rania Nomikou introduces herself as a 33-year-old amateur triathlete working in human resources. Triathlon entered almost by chance on a pandemic long run in Anavyssos, building on competitive swimming she had stopped for university entrance exams.
The discussion covers her Lake Plastira national sprint title, 7–12 weekly hours, early evenings for morning swimming, upcoming races in Igoumenitsa and Marbella and open-water fears, closing with women entering Greek triathlon.
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A chance introduction, but a long history in the water
Rania Nomikou is 33, an amateur athlete working in human resources at a large Greek food and beverage company. During the pandemic, she ran with a marathon in mind. On a long run, she passed an Anavyssos beach hosting a triathlon and entered the scene almost without knowing the sport.
Water had been part of her life since early childhood: competitive swimming until around 15, two years of water polo from 16, then stopping for university entrance exams. She could not maintain both at a high level. Cycling came later after a childhood crash left her with a cracked nose. Today she loves the pool first, then running, then cycling; swimming remains her strongest asset.
A sprint title over an unfamiliar distance
She usually races Olympic distance. She has done two 70.3s, Vouliagmeni and Marathon, qualifying for Marbella. She does not rule out Ironman distance, but not soon: five-hour sessions demand time she cannot currently commit. Sprint and Olympic training takes 10–12 hours; she starts at 7. Group sessions are key in swimming, outdoor efforts in running, and routes close to home in cycling.
At Lake Plastira, those around her believed more strongly than she did. She was unfamiliar with sprint’s red-line intensity and arrived without pressure or knowing the course. She rode with another woman, opened a gap on the run and finished first by 40–45 seconds. Two easier weeks followed. Her next targets were the Greek championship in Igoumenitsa and Marbella 70.3 in November.
A day built around 05:50
Life is structured around triathlon: alarm at 05:50, bed at 22:00–22:30, dinner by 20:00–20:30. Her old friends do not do triathlon; new friends came through it. In ten years, she wants to remain active. If she moves to Ironman distance, she imagines doing so then, with more time.
On holiday in Crete, George trained 18 hours instead of 20, with a long run on a roughly 900 m loop. Rania travels to Karpathos by ferry to take her trainer. Jenny fears open water and swims hundreds along the shore; last year she saw a shark while training in Hawaii. Rania suggests a tow float, looking up at the sky if panic comes, and calm seas. George recounts a night swim in Cyprus when a piece of wood struck him, and says he does not recommend it.
More women, but still few established groups
George notes that women’s participation in endurance sports is rising from a low base. Rania, who entered around 2022–2023, sees this in the ages and competition. Jenny hopes for youth programmes and new children, because Greek successes abroad come from a small pool of athletes.
Key takeaways
- Triathlon may arrive by chance; childhood swimming remains an asset even after years away.
- A national sprint title can come over a distance that is not your usual choice, without pressure and with a strong running day.
- For a working amateur, the barrier to longer distance is time for five-hour sessions, not enthusiasm.
- Daily life behind the title means an alarm before six and friends who understand why you are not going out at 20:30.
- In open water, a tow float and calm conditions are practical safety measures, not equipment details.
