Louise Whitting - Athlete Ambassador
Have you always been into sport?
Kind of. I remember loving sport as a young kid but lost my way a bit in my teenage years and early 20s. But I have always loved running and would run 2-3 times a week, mostly for my mental health, and had done a few half marathons before I got into triathlon.
How did you first get into triathlon?
I signed up to the Blenheim Palace sprint triathlon in 2018 just for fun and as something different to running. I didn't take it that seriously and only bought my first ever bike 3 months before the race. It was a fantastic experience and I think I would have done a lot more triathlons sooner, had I not then been hit by a car while out running a few days later…
I made a full recovery, but unsurprisingly it took me a while to sign up for another triathlon again. This time it was the London Triathlon, which due to the pandemic, I didn't complete until 2021. I took it more seriously and followed a training plan that I found online, and managed to do quite well. After that buzz I got hooked, got myself a coach, and worked towards the GB age-group circuit.
If you are interested in getting into Triathlon, Sundried's kit is suitable for beginners as well as seasoned athletes. We have both men's and women's options available.
What has been your favourite race to date and why?
I did the London Triathlon again in 2022, this time with a pretty large support turnout. This made the event seem so much more fun and friendly. It was also the race that qualified me for the GB age group standard distance, and I knocked off 13 mins from the previous year, so it felt extra sweet.
What is your proudest achievement?
Probably finishing my season this year (2022) and getting GB age group qualified. I had a lot going on at work and had to deal with a serious family emergency mid-season onwards and wasn't sure if I would get through it. Luckily everything worked out okay in the end, in all areas, but even at the best of times the balancing act between personal life, work and training is hard enough. It took a lot of mental strength.
Have you ever had any racing disasters?
My first race of the season in 2022 was Dorney Lake Sprint and they put all women in the same start wave as men over 50. This resulted in some very aggressive men in the lake for a mass start and one of them swam over the top of me. A very unpleasant experience; I panicked, swallowed a lot of lake water, and ruined my swim time. I also dropped my water bottle near the start of the bike leg with no spare, so I had to do the rest of the race without hydration. Somehow I managed to pull back time on the bike and run and finished as the 3rd female.
How do you overcome setbacks?
Most setbacks are completely out of your control, so as frustrating as they can be, you have to accept them and move on. Think of the learnings that have come out of each one, and try to apply those learnings to similar situations in the future.
What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started out?
Join a triathlon club! I did this in 2021 but I wish I’d done it sooner because making friends who have the same crazy hobby as you makes it so much easier to train and more importantly, to have fun.
What are your goals?
Just to keep improving and to become the best athlete I can be, while still enjoying the process.
Who inspires you?
After reading Chrissie Wellington's book I am completely in awe of that woman and her incredible achievements. I'm also rooting for Lucy Charles-Barclay after her post-injury comeback. There are many people in my triathlon club that do pretty inspirational challenges too. The amazing people you meet through this sport is one of my favourite things about it.
Why work with Sundried?
There are so many sportswear brands out there, but not many that are environmentally friendly and sustainable like Sundried, whilst still being affordable and looking cool. It's a win-win situation!
To hear more from our ambassadors and get free tips on workout plans and more, connect with the Sundried Personal Trainers on our app.
