If someone, someday, had told me that I would complete a triathlon, I would have said they were fantasizing. I was the girl who only liked ballet. To say that open water swimming had always been part of my life would also be a fantasy. Swimming, yes, was present — thanks to my parents, who early on understood the importance of knowing how to swim. But that was it: knowing how to swim, with respect for the sea.”
Do you want me to keep the translation more literal (close to the Portuguese phrasing) or make it more natural and flowing in English, like for a personal story or article?
O desafio das águas abertas chegou mais tarde, trazido pelo meu, hoje, marido:
— E que tal participares num triatlo?
Distância super-sprint: 300 metros no mar, 10 km de bicicleta e 2 km de corrida. Em Oeiras. Soou-me possível.
Pois, não foi. Desisti cedo, logo na natação. Impossível, pensam vocês. Impossível para a equipa de apoio, que me incentivava a seguir em frente. Mas não para mim. Desisti naquele dia, sim — mas não desisti de tentar.
Meses mais tarde, cruzei a meta em Cascais e, depois, em Oeiras.
Anos passaram sem regressar ao triatlo, nem ao mar.
Until 50 came. And it came with everything!
The sea once again became part of my life. With Bibiana’s guidance and the support of a five-star group (the Saturday W+ group), I started swimming again. It is still always a challenge, but also a moment of peace — and a celebration of life.”
Do you want me to polish these translations into a single, smooth narrative in English (like for a blog or speech), or keep them as separate faithful translations of each piece?
Filipa Leitão Revés