Bicester triathlete Sarah Rendell is pleased with her preparations for her first attempt at the world championships next month after completing the tough Royal Windsor Triathlon on Sunday.

The 28-year-old from Brookside Court, Bicester, produced a far better performance than a year ago, and is timing well her build-up to the world championships in Edmonton, Canada on July 21 when she will be part of a 100-strong British team.

"It was just a training race at Windsor but it was a very tough course and it was a psychological boost to know that you can, not only finish a triathlon event, but can complete it comfortably.

"I did this triathlon last year and really struggled, but this time I felt fine."

The gruelling event, which comprises a 1500m swim, 40K bike ride then 10K run, can take many forms with the swimming section, in particular, very different when it is in the sea, in a lake or in a river.

In Edmonton, it will be in a lake but at Windsor it was for a mile along the Thames

"Doing a triathlon event is all about getting the balance right. The bike ride is my best discipline but it's no good overtaking everyone on the bike and then being too exhausted to do a good run at the finish.

"The world championships should be a great event. Triathlon was in the last Olympics for the first time, and the gold medallist was a Canadian, so there's a lot of interest in Canada.

"But I've never raced abroad before, so it will be a big challenge for me," added Rendell, who trains in the Oxford Esporta Health Club.

Rendell's personal best for the triathlon is 2.20.51 which she recorded in Milton Keynes this year. The 'elite' women competitors can do 2hrs 15mins and the 'elite' men under two hours.