Daniel Schofield Athlete Ambassador
Daniel is an athlete who has done some epic events and achieved some amazing things. He talks to Sundried about life as an athlete.
Have you always been into sport?
I have always been into sport although for a while I never stuck to anything specific, I started with football like a lot of kids then played tennis for a while before getting a knee injury and then after a few years absence without doing anything I tried mountain biking before moving over to road bikes and endurance events in 2012 and haven't looked back since.
How did you first get into triathlon?
The irony is that I'm not a fan of running, although I think it's a shared common interest with many people. However, I enjoy cycling and swimming. I got into a triathlon courtesy of a friend who roped me into it, although saying that I have only done 2 so far in about 7 years.
What has been your favourite race to date and why?
I think it's got to be Revolve24, which is a 24 hour endurance race around Brands Hatch motor circuit. I have done many events but I think that certainly takes the cherry on the cake so far.
What is your proudest achievement?
I think my proudest achievement has to be linked with my favourite race! My first solo attempt at the 24 hour endurance race I managed to clock up 210 miles in 24 hours. While it's not the biggest distance it's definitely something I like bragging about to friends...until I do it again and hopefully do a higher distance.
I am looking for a top 5/10 in a race but so far I haven't had the luck of materialising my performance and training into this, I think if I get a podium in a race I would retire!
Have you ever had any racing disasters?
It's part of racing isn't it? One of my clip on aero bars was not tightened properly during an event and I had no multi tool on me! So I had to ride until the transition with one bar normal and one pointing at the front wheel...I'm jinxing it now but I have been fortunate enough to not be involved in crashes during races but I tend to have them while training more often than not!
How do you overcome setbacks?
Not very well! I'm known for rushing back in from injury or crashes to quick and then holding others potentially back because of it. Back in 2017 during the Time Trial season i was disqualified from a local event for not turning off at the designated finish area, I didn't take it well at the time and did not compete for the rest of the season which looking back at was a big mistake as I was growing stronger race after race.
What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started out?
Take it easy and pace yourself! you can still do well gradually ramping up your efforts instead of going at 100% from the start of an event. Although it's pretty certain that at the time if I gave myself that advice i would not have listened and still done it, but that is all part of learning and adapting.
What are your goals?
2020 was a complete write off for me as all my planned events got canceled so I have signed up for the Tour of Cambridgeshire UCI Gran Fondo Time trial in Peterborough (UK) next year and making that one of my main goals for next year! I do hope to get a few duathlons in later next year also and maybe an Endurance race if they happen, but I will have to narrow it down. I don't want to overload making up for the lost time!
Who inspires you?
So many people for different reasons! Bradley Wiggins winning the Tour in 2012 was one of the main reasons for picking up a road bike! I also look up to Mark Beaumont and Chris Hall when it comes to the endurance side of things.
Why work with Sundried?
I have been using Sundried clothing for a while and it is definitely one of my favourite brands especially when it comes to comfort over distances on the bike, i have done many long rides and never had an issue so I'm glad to be able to work with them and continue to spread the word!
