Kyle McCarthy Athlete Ambassador

Kyle enjoys adventure and outdoor pursuits and now has his sights set on an Ironman triathlon. He talks to Sundried about training and racing.

Have you always been into sport?

I played rugby in my school years and then at university, but I would say that I was never really interested in sport when I was younger. When I left university, I worked as an outdoor instructor. I think this is when I fell in love with 'non-traditional' sports like climbing, kayaking, fell running, mountain biking etc. From there, I got into cycling which led to triathlon.

How did you first get into triathlon?

I trained for the Lowe Alpine Mourne Mountain Marathon in 2012 using a bike. I would commute 40 miles a day to work. When I'd completed the marathon, I kept up with the cycling, enjoying getting out for longer cycles at the weekend. Through this I met some triathletes who inspired me to think about Ironman races. I'd wanted to start for a long time, but had kids and started new jobs etc. It's only been over the last year that I've really gotten into it.

What has been your favourite race to date and why?

I really enjoyed the Mourne Sprint Triathlon. It's set in the mountains in Northern Ireland with a lake swim and a hilly cycle. I loved it!

What is your proudest achievement?

It would either be completing my first mountain marathon or getting to the end of my first triathlon. I'm hoping that this time next year, it'll be completing Ironman Cork!

Have you ever had any racing disasters?

Not yet thankfully!

How do you overcome setbacks?

With hard work and dedication. Sometimes you need to take a step back to take more steps forward. I think setbacks are important in building character; what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started out?

Your training isn't a race. Slow it all down and try to enjoy the journey.

What are your goals?

Ironman Staffordshire 70.3 2021 and Ironman Cork 2021, then who knows.

Who inspires you?

All of the athletes in my local club, especially the big Iron guys like Ian Pollard and Andy Vaughan.

Why work with Sundried?

I really like the company ethos and can relate to building something you can be proud of. Plus, I really like the gear!