From finish lines to financial goals: 7 lessons from a family triathlon

I recently completed my sixth Aviemore short triathlon – and then, for good measure, laced up again for an additional run at the Baxter’s River Ness 10K. I did it at age 51, running alongside Ruairidh, my 19-year-old son.

It was a brilliant family milestone and a reminder of the principles that underpin great financial planning: clear goals, steady routines, resilience when things get tough, and the joy of sharing success with the people who matter most.

Keep reading to discover how Macmillan Financial Planning can help you incorporate seven of these key principles into your own financial plan.

1. Start with purpose – and make it personal

Triathlon training begins with an aim, whether it’s a first finish, a faster time, or simply feeling healthier. Financial planning is no different.

Whether your purpose is to retire earlier, support your family, buy a home, or fund adventures, the motivation has to be your own. We begin every plan by clarifying what a “great life” looks like for you, then work backward from that finish line to set realistic, measurable steps.

2. A solid plan you can stick to beats a perfect plan you can’t

I didn’t prepare for race day by doing everything in week one. You follow a phased schedule – building distance, balancing intensity, and allowing for recovery. Likewise, robust financial plans prioritise what matters now.

We map your next actions to create momentum – for example, using available allowances, aligning investments to time horizons, and protecting what you have. Then, we schedule future steps so that your progress remains manageable.

3. Cross training in multiple disciplines = diversification

Triathletes don’t just run; they swim, cycle, and strength-train to build well‑rounded capability.

Diversification plays the same role in your investment portfolio – spreading risk across assets, regions, and styles so one setback doesn’t derail the whole journey. The aim isn’t to “win every session”, but to finish strong over the full course.

We regularly review your circumstances with you to ensure your plan remains balanced as markets and priorities change.

4. Fuel, pacing, and recovery – cash flow matters

On race day, nutrition and pacing are everything. Go too fast too early or neglect fuelling and the last few kilometres are going to bite. Think of your financial cash flow as that fuelling strategy; you need the right blend of income, spending, saving, and contingencies.

We help you pace contributions, maintain a sensible buffer, and plan larger expenditures so they don’t jeopardise long-term goals.

And, just as recovery prevents injury, prudent insurance and an emergency fund protect your plan from surprises.

5. Mindset over miles: staying the course in choppy weather

Every athlete hits rough patches – headwinds, heavy legs, a hill that looks steeper up close. Markets have their own “weather”. Discipline, not bravado, gets you through.

We focus on evidence-based decisions, regular reviews, and clear communication, so you can understand what’s happening with your wealth, and why. The result is that you have the confidence to stay invested despite worrying headlines, and to adapt calmly when circumstances change.

6. Training together and planning across the generations

The most rewarding part of my most recent event was sharing the experience – and the training that went into it – with my son. In many cases, finances are a family sport too.

From Junior ISAs and first‑home plans to inheritance and gifting strategies, intergenerational planning helps you pass on more than money – handing down values, choices, and opportunities.

We are always happy to include your adult children in selected reviews, so everyone understands the plan and their role in it.

7. Small steps compound into big outcomes

Neither a triathlon nor a financial plan is built on a single heroic effort. It’s the quiet consistency – weekly sessions, monthly contributions, annual reviews – that matters.

Over time, these habits compound into strength, freedom, and choices. During reviews, we check your route, update assumptions, and ensure today’s actions still point to tomorrow’s finish line.

Your next move

I put in the hard yards and completed the challenge I set myself. Now, it’s your turn.

Tell us one goal you’d love to celebrate over the next 12 months. For example, a trip, a renovation, a charitable gift, or a step towards an earlier retirement. We’ll help translate that into a practical training plan for your money, providing clear milestones and the support you need to keep going when life gets busy.

Here’s to shared goals, steady progress, and many more finish lines – both on the course and in life.

We’re always here to discuss your plan, schedule a review, or involve your family. We’re ready to help whenever you are – contact us now. Please get in touch at info@macfp.co.uk or call 01349 832849 to see how we can help provide the financial wellbeing you need to make your dream retirement a reality.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.