An NHS Lanarkshire health and wellbeing nurse is practising what she preaches – after becoming an “Ironman” triathlete.

Claire Purdie, who works with Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire’s KeepWell programme, put herself through a gruelling 10-month training regime to tackle the punishing Ironman triathlon – running, cycling and swimming in the heat of Barcelona in Spain.

Superfit Claire, 46, whose job is to offer medical checks and advice on health and wellbeing to staff at North Lanarkshire Council, used to be afraid of the water and took up swimming five years ago to conquer her fear.

The mum-of-three, from Uddingston, said: “I joined an adult swimming club and really enjoyed it. I was already a runner at that point and I then took up cycling.”

Claire has come a long way from those first swimming classes as the tough Ironman event included a 3.86km swim in the choppy waters of the Mediterranean, at Calella, near Barcelona. Along with that challenge she completed a 26.2-mile marathon and a 112-mile cycle ride.

Claire said: “I did the event with a group of friends from my local health club. It meant 10 months of commitment, six days a week, with early-morning starts and up to 18 hours of training a week. But I was determined to meet the challenge.

“The conditions in Barcelona were tough – it was 26C – but I was delighted to complete the marathon in five hours, 19 minutes, and the bike ride in just over seven hours.

“Even the water was hot – 24C – and I got seasick training in it because it was so rough. But on the day I was fine and I completed the swim in one hour, 29 minutes.

“I felt fantastic after the event and it was a great moment when I received my Ironman medal.”

Claire, who reckons she may try a second Ironman in Majorca in 2018, said she hopes her experience helps to inspire the social work and housing staff she helps stay healthy through her KeepWell role.

“Now they’ll realise I know what I’m talking about when it comes to setting yourself a goal to stay fit and healthy,” she laughed.

KeepWell’s health checks and tailored wellbeing advice are offered to vulnerable social groups and people aged 40-64 in lower-income areas, and are designed to tackle health inequality. They’re a first step to improving health and preventing the development of heart disease and diabetes.

NHS Lanarkshire health promotion programme manager Jill Madden said: “The KeepWell team are extremely proud of Claire’s achievement – she is an inspiration to us all.

“As well as proving she is a top athlete and achieving something most of us could only dream of, she is a dedicated nurse who, through her innovation and drive, has developed a tailored health and wellbeing programme that has made a huge difference to people she helps.”

Janice Hewitt, chief accountable officer for Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “Our mission is to create safer, healthier, independent lives.

“Claire is an inspiration to reach the top. But even by participating in the wide range of options around physical activity we could be fitter and healthier – our challenge is participation. You never know, you may be the next ‘Steelman’ or ‘Ironwoman’!”