Hugh Mackie - Athlete Ambassador
Hugh is an athlete who was inspired to get into Triathlon after watching the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He talks to Sundried about training and racing.
Have you always been into sport?
Yes, from a very young age I completed in the local gala fun runs and primary school cross country. I enjoyed anything active, even playing football, rugby and hockey for my district.
How did you first get into triathlon?
After watching my uncle complete an Ironman and the success of the Brownlee brothers at the London 2012 Olympics I started doing a few local Duathlons and progressed from there.
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?
My favorite race to date has to be the 2019 English Schools Fell Running Championships in Sedbergh. After a hard block of summer training I managed to beat many of the best fell runners in the country, placing 9th. The views from the highest point in the race nearly made the uphill feel enjoyable!!
What is your proudest achievement?
My proudest achievement is winning the County Schools Cross Country Championships and being selected to run in the English Schools Championships at Sefton Park.
Have you ever had any racing disasters?
My biggest racing disaster was at a Local Duathlon where I hadn't tightened my pedals properly and subsequently, after getting into T1 in 4th, one of my pedals fell off during the bike and I had to drop out of the race.
How do you overcome setbacks?
I try not to dwell on mistakes that I can't control but if I do make a poor tactical decision for example, I will learn from this and try to not do it again.
What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started out?
I wish I'd been told that not everyone would be at a high level and that there would be beginners just like me. For ages I didn't want to do a triathlon because I thought that I would get dropped on the swim, but there are people just like me who are strong runners and riders who move forward from the back of the pack to the front of the race.
What are your goals?
If I can, I want to complete in my first Olympic distance triathlon in 2021 and maybe complete an off road triathlon. I also need to improve my swimming when I can get back in the pool or lake.
Who inspires you?
I love watching Alex Yee, who is an extremely fast runner, progress through the triathlon ranks by improving his swimming and biking. His race style is very similar to mine and we both rely on a strong run to pull us through the pack.
Why work with Sundried?
I want to work with Sundried to promote their high quality active wear, which is available for a reasonable price. The equipment and clothing is affordable to everyone, making the sport of Triathlon more accessible to all.
To hear more from our ambassadors and get free tips on workout plans and more, connect with the Sundried Personal Trainers on our app.