Flora Gallandi Athlete Ambassador
Flora is a German athlete who also competes in the interesting sport of dragon boat racing. She talks to Sundried about life in sport.
Have you always been into sport?
Yes, I've always been very active. I started swimming when I was 3 and loved it ever since. When I turned 5, I joined a swimming club and took up competitive swimming. I've played many different sports such as hockey, basketball, dragon boat racing, climbing, and volleyball.
What made you decide to enter the world of triathlon?
After swimming for a couple of years, I started to realize it wasn't enough on its own, I needed something more. My first triathlon was a relay in which I competed with two friends. I did the swim part and was the first woman to climb out of the water. I liked the spirit of the whole event, so I decided it was time for a new sport, more than just swimming.
What's been your favorite race to date and why?
My favorite race so far was the German youth championship in my home town. I had a lot of support from teammates and family and broke my PR in the 200m.
And your proudest achievement?
My proudest achievement was winning the regional dragon boat racing championships due to a fantastic working team with such great spirit.
Have you ever had any racing disasters/your toughest race yet?
Luckily, I've never had any real disasters yet, because I always try to start well prepared, making sure I'm ready to race. I've had a knee injury which led to not being able to compete in every race I wanted. However, I had great support from doctors and my physiotherapist to overcome this injury.
How do you overcome setbacks?
I always try to maintain a positive mindset and look on the bright side. I also set myself a goal which I work towards, meaning I always concentrate on what's in front of me and try not to look back at negative experiences.
What advice do you wish you'd been given before you started competing?
Some good advice would have been to try and focus on transition, for example fixing my shoes on my bike in advance. More good advice for my first triathlon could have been that wetsuits are important, because I was freezing as one of the only ones not wearing a wetsuit.
What are your goals for 2020?
My goals for this year are to stay injury-free, to stay fit during the off-season, and achieve a sub 1 hour 5 minute time in a sprint triathlon.
Who do you take your inspiration from?
I take inspiration from a lot of things, for example watching Ironman races during turbo training. A particular athlete would probably be Nick Bare, a former bodybuilder who now also competes in Ironman triathlon and marathons and shows you that there is always a challenge ahead.
What do you like about Sundried and what's your favorite bit of our kit?
I love the Sundried bib shorts, because they fit like a second skin and the pad is cushioned very well.
