Ben Sedgwick - Athlete Ambassador
Have you always been into sport?
I have always cycled but was never very good at school sports, however swimming was the one that I could do well. I let that slip when I was at University and got back into cycling in my early 30's as a healthy way of commuting to work. The London to Brighton bike ride became a challenge and then various local cycling events once I had bought my first road bike through the cycle to work scheme.
How did you first get into triathlon?
The first Brighton and Hove triathlon took place in 2016 and as the start/finish line was just down the road from home my wife and I decided to enter. I had to re learn front crawl while at the same time teaching my wife front crawl and then both of us had to move to confident open water swimming. It was a challenge for us both but something that we will never forget.
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 have always enjoyed the Brighton and Hove Triathlon, I think mainly because everything around the event is so easy. I can walk 7 mins down to transition with my kit bag, I know the course and have practised the swim many times in the English Channel and its a nice flat and fast bike and run course. Plus, the journey home is a short cycle back if laden down with kit!
What is your proudest achievement?
This was definitely the Ironman 70.3 at Weymouth. Prior to the event I had trained for my first Half Marathon and on the day after completing it I started 30 weeks training for the 70.3. I stuck with it and changed a lot of normal routines to get the training done. It was really hard work fitting it all in around a very busy summer work schedule but at the end of the race I was so happy with my time and also really pleased to have finished!
Have you had any racing disasters?
My first Olympic distance Triathlon was at London 2017. We all got pulled from the water due to a freak thunderstorm half way round, the temperature dropped and I was frozen on the bike, I got a puncture and could barely change my tyre, however I needed to warm up so much I ran a super fast personal best 10k. I've only just managed to beat that PB this year.
How do you overcome setbacks?
I'm quite a positive person and so I believe there is always a way around any problem no matter how big or small it is. If its a bad ride, run or swim then I put it behind me and think it will only be better the next time.
What advice do you wish you’d been given when you first started out?
Brick sessions - do more of them. I've heard it a lot since starting and I could still do more but going from bike to run in a race I always think 'I wish I'd practised this more'.
What are your goals?
My main goal is to keep fit and healthy. I have some races coming up that were postponed from 2020 - One of which was a 3.9k swim around Hever Castle Lake which I was aiming to do in 1 hour, however with the recent lack of swimming at the start of this year I'm a bit out of practice so the plan is to just do my best!
Who Inspires you?
Anyone with the right sort of enthusiasm.
Why work with Sundried?
I'm really pleased to be able to work with a company that prides itself on sustainability and ethics producing clothing that is built to last. I also really like Sundried's work value of every hour on the hour building exercise into the working day, something a lot more of us could do with!
To hear more from our ambassadors and get free tips on workout plans and more, connect with the Sundried Personal Trainers on our app.
