Laura Donnelly - Athlete Ambassador
Have you always been into sport?
Yes however the sports that I do have changed over the years. Growing up I used to dance twice a week and sail. Now it is all about running and triathlon.
How did you first get into triathlon?
A friend convinced me it would be fun to sign up to and train together for Ironman Vichy. 'We'll make a holiday out of it she said', which sounded fun. The rest is history.
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?
Pacing the Thorpe and Egham half. It was my first experience of pacing and it was so rewarding to help lots of other people achieve their goals. A totally different racing experience.
What is your proudest achievement?
Breaking a 20min 5k. I made it my mission in September to join a run club and do weekly track sessions to improve my speed. I signed up to a race in December and made it my goal to break 20mins. I managed to run the 5k in 19:53 and have since broken that again.
Have you ever had any racing disasters?
Hackney Half! I managed to injure my knee about 3k into the race. Although I did keep going and cross the finish line it was a slow and painful experience.
How do you overcome setbacks?
I think we have all had to deal with setbacks and cancellations this year. I was due to run my first marathon (London marathon) and complete my first Ironman (Vichy 70.3) in 2020. Both were cancelled due to covid. Although it was really disheartening at the time I tried to remind myself that I could use the extra year to come back faster and stronger.
What advice do you wish you'd been given when you first started out?
To not run every run at the same pace! I wish I was told about the 80/20 rule- 80% of runs should be easy, 20% should be hard!
What are your goals?
To complete my first marathon in October in sub 3:30 and to just complete the Ironman 70.3 without drowning!
Who inspires you?
Charlotte Purdue. I love that she is only 5ft and can run that fast!! I also thought I'd never be that fast as I'm only 5ft 2! Turns out you don't have to be tall!
Why work with Sundried?
Because they make great quality cycling gear for affordable prices.
To hear more from our ambassadors and get free tips on workout plans and more, connect with the Sundried Personal Trainers on our app.