Meet the team
Our athletes inspire us every day; some are doctors, some are mothers – all individuals training and racing at their full potential. At ABCpure we are proud to support them on the way to their goals.
What would you eat for your last supper? Pizza. Ben and Jerrys. Which would be harder for you to give up: Coffee or alcohol? Coffee. While in school did you ever cheat on test? Obvs – I used to write French sentences in my dictionary and copy them out in the exam. What is the best bit of advice you have been given? Eat more, haha What do love most about the sport? The community and the amazing feeling you get whilst encouraging your fellow triathletes along the way as well as when you cross the line. What is the worst part of the sport? Early morning training sessions.
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be and why? Fast healing, quicker recovery If you won £1,000 on the lottery what would you buy? Power pedals How would you describe yourself in three words? Thorough, adventurous and easy-going What is the best bit of advice you have been given? Spin more, shoulders relaxed What is the worst part of the sport? Bad racers
If you won £1,000 on the lottery what would you buy? I would try to buy something un triathlon related, then l would fail & probably get some new wheels Who inspires you? My friends, my family. I’m constantly inspired by those closest. How would you describe yourself in three words? Loyal, emotional, div head What is your fondest triathlon memory? So many! But I think during the run of Marlow Middle Distance tri 2 years ago. I felt so happy to be competing and actually running. Previously that year l had to take 6 weeks off all exercise to a bad case of anaemia and then keep tearing my calves so l wasn’t even sure my body would hold out. It did and l appreciated the simplicity and luxury of just being able to compete. Do you have any pre-race rituals? Smile, even if you don’t feel like it. It will trick your mind in thinking you’re not cacking it. What do you eat the night before a race or race morning? A glass of red, with something not too heavy for dinner. Race morning, coffee with yoghurt, fruit & nuts.
What is the longest you have gone without sleep and why? Ah the festival years… How would you describe yourself in three words? Pretty darn competitive For a race (essentials aside) what is the 1 thing you don’t leave home without? Some sort of headwear What is the best bit of advice you have been given? Lubricant behind the knees, elbows and forearms for fast wetsuit stripping! What is your fondest triathlon memory? Ironman France mass swim start. No adrenaline rush like it! What do love most about the sport? The people you meet, the places you visit, the boundaries you push and the fact that I have a free pass on peanut butter
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be and why? Invisible Cloak if that exists What would you eat for your last supper? Mums Macaroni Cheese and my aunts baklawa for dessert. What is the best bit of advice you have been given? Visualising strong sessions to get me through tough ones. Mentally made me a lot stronger. What is your fondest triathlon memory? ITU London Final representing Egypt. Finished with massive smile. What do love most about the sport? The variation with each discipline. If you’re tired from one you’ve always got another two to pick you up. Plus the fact you can actually compete at AG level till you decide to pack it in. What is the worst part of the sport? Too many people relying on tech versus training to gain advantages. Put the effort in and you’ll reap the rewards.
If you won £1,000 on the lottery what would you buy? Add to the endless pool project fund What cheers you up? Great race result, jewellery or glass of great wine For a race (essentials aside) what is the 1 thing you don’t leave home without? Strong tape, never know what will fall off What is the best bit of advice you have been given? “the greater the sacrifice, the bigger the comeback” What do love most about the sport? What body and mind can do! What’s the earliest you have got up for a race or training session? ABCpure Tri camp 2:15AM for 5:50 flight
What is the longest you have gone without sleep and why? 36 hours. Climbing Kilimanjaro with little oxygen in the air made it difficult to sleep. What is the best bit of advice you have been given? Rest. What do love most about the sport? The variety, the lifestyle, the challenge. What is the worst part of the sport? Injury. Do you have any pre-race rituals? Yes. I pat my bike and ask it if it’s ready. What do you race in a one piece or a 2 piece? One piece ABCpure trisuit!
If you won £1,000 on the lottery what would you buy? Another 1,000 lottery tickets – double or quits! Which would be harder for you to give up: Coffee or alcohol? Why would you say that?! How would you describe yourself in three words? Very easily distracted For a race (essentials aside) what is the 1 thing you don’t leave home without? A bag of elastic bands – make friends in transition What is your fondest triathlon memory? Still to come! What do love most about the sport? When you’re out swimming, riding or running no one can get hold of you, you’re in your own world
What is your favourite / over used word? Obviously – Obviously Who inspires you? Successful humble people What is the longest you have gone without sleep and why? 25hrs as I took on a 100km challenge through the Yorkshire dales ones for Charity If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be and why? Being invisible… don’t you think that would be just fun?! Which famous celebrity would you like to date and why? George Clooney – he lives at lake Como!!!:p What is the best compliment you have recieved? That I haven’t aged in the last 12 years – that facial cream is paying off!
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be and why? Batman because he’s got so much cool gadgets and stuff, can you imagine how fast his TT bike would be?!! If you won £1,000 on the lottery what would you buy? Another pair of ZIPP wheels. What is the best compliment you have received? “Welcome back Mr President” – US Customs official having a bit of fun at my expense at JFK airport in 2009. What is the longest you have gone without sleep and why? 48 hours when I did a London to Paris team triathlon. What is the best bit of advice you have been given? Don’t bother with what’s going on around you, concentrate on yourself. Do you have any pre-race rituals? Listen to a good soundtrack to get me in the zone, usually Hans Zimmer. Say a little prayer to ask for protection/keep me safe on the bike and then just prepare like I am heading for war!
What is your favourite / over used word? Awesome. For a race (essentials aside) what is the 1 thing you don’t leave home without? Peanut Butter. What is your fondest triathlon memory? Training with my old mates in Wisconsin – we used to drive 2.5 hours at 4am on a Saturday to ride the Ironman Course and we’d drive home same day – I’ll never forget those lovely rides in Dairyland. What do love most about the sport? The feeling of incredible fitness; crossing that finish line and the people you meet along the way Do you have any pre-race rituals? Not really other than Peanut Butter Bagels. What do you eat the night before a race or race morning? Notice a theme? Peanut butter on any Carb.
What is the best bit of advice you have been given? Never trust a fart. What is your fondest triathlon memory? ITU World Champs Chicago. Not the race but the experience. What do love most about the sport? That you never stop learning. What is the worst part of the sport? Foam rollers. Do you have any pre-race rituals? No. I don’t like the idea about relying on something that you then can’t do without. No magic, just hard work. What do you eat race morning? Porridge, peanut butter, honey, bananas and lots of coffee
What cheers you up?
A win for the football team I support (Brentford FC)
Where would you prefer to live beach, city or country? A city by the beach!
What is your fondest triathlon memory?
Coming out of the swim in the top 10 in my first open water, OD triathlon (rapidly fell back from there!)
What do you love most about the sport? Setting goals and trying to chase them down
What is the worst part of the sport?
My constant desire to buy new and shiny tri-related things!
What is the best compliment you have received? You’re the worst dancer ever!! Who inspires you? Anyone who works hard to achieve their goals Which would be harder for you to give up: Coffee or alcohol? Coffee for sure What is the best bit of advice you have been given? Work hard and be open to advice What is your fondest triathlon memory? Racing in Auckland, ITU World Champs with so much support and with Aimee (wife to be) also racing What do love most about the sport? Being able to push yourself to your limits
Who inspires you? My children Georgia 9 and Thomas 7 How would you describe yourself in three words? Kind, enthusiastic, generous. While in school did you ever cheat on test? Never as my results would show…. What is the best bit of advice you have been given? Don’t go hard on the hills you’re rubbish at them. What do love most about the sport? Ask me after 29th April Ironman 70.3 Marbella, as 1st tri. Do you have any pre-race rituals? Pray.
What is the longest you have gone without sleep and why? Don’t ask, let’s just say due to work! Which would be harder for you to give up: Coffee or alcohol? Coffee Where would you prefer to live beach, city or country? Can I say hills or mountains! What do you race in a one piece or a 2 piece? 2 piece, any chance ABCpure will be designing a 2 piece?!
If you would choose 1 super power what would it be and why? Wings, so save my poor legs!
What would you eat for your last supper?Anything Ottelenghimos
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Gung Ho, adventurous, not good at saying “No”
For a race (essentials aside) what is the 1 thing you don’t leave home without? Facial wipes.
What is the best bit of advice you have been given? You never fail you just learn.
What is the longest you have been without sleep and why? 24hrs, Koh Phangan Thailand, Full Moon Party. Why? Anyone who has tried the Thai Red Bull knows why! How would you describe yourself in 3 words? Determined, kind and ambitious. Where would you prefer to live, beach, city or country? City in my 20’s, beach in my 30’s and country in my 40’s. What is your fondest triathlon memory? Cheering loudly along the Queen K Highway, sun beating down, beer in my hand thinking THANK GOD that isn’t me…yet. What do you love most about the sport? Men in lycra. What is the worst part of the sport? Men in lycra.
What cheers you up? Sunshine, waves, a view of distant snowy mountains! Which would be harder for you to give up: Coffee or alchohol? The ultimate horror, probably coffee. How would you describe yourself in three words? Old but alive. For a race (essentials aside) what is the 1 thing you don’t leave home without? Caffeine pills. What is your fondest triathlon memory? A win in Hamburg. What do you love most about the sport? The adrenaline buzz afterwards.
If you could choose one super power, what would it be? The ability to add more hours to the day. Which would be harder for you to give up: Coffee or alchohol? I don’t function until I’ve had a coffee (The opposite applies for alcohol). How would you describe yourself in three words? Optimistic, Smiley, Determined Have you ever bonked, if so spill the beans? Ahem, I might be the first person in triathlon history to have bonked during a turbo session!? What is the worst part of the sport? So much laundry! What do you race in, a one or a two piece? I’ve alternated between a one and a two piece, but looking forward to rocking the ABCpure kit this season.
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be and why? The ability to breath under water because I love the Ocean! What would you eat for your last supper? Chocolate. What cheers you up? Dogs. Which would be harder for you to give up: Coffee or alcohol? Coffee! Is that a trick question? While in school did you ever cheat on test? I cheated on every single maths test I ever took. Wouldn’t have graduated otherwise.
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be? Reading other peoples minds. If you won £1000 in the lottery what would you buy? Currently need a power meter, sorry. Which famous celebrity would you date and why? Wow……many of them. What cheers you up? Nature, especially wild mountains. What do you love most about the sport? Multisport done in nature. What is the best bit of advice you have been given? Keep always the focus.
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be? Ability to never feel the cold. What would you eat for your last supper? Mum’s roast dinner. What is the longest you have been without sleep and why? Over 24hrs. My mate and I hired a campervan in Australia which broke down just outside Townsville. Hitched a lift in a road train for 19hrs all the way to Darwin. Too scared to fall asleep! Who inspires you? Chrissy Wellington – I blame her book for getting me into this Triathlon malarkey. Which would be harder for you to give up, coffee or alcohol? Coffee (Red wine definitely doesn’t count as alcohol). Do you have any pre race rituals? Constantly checking my goggles fit! Think it’s from my swimming days when I worried they would fall off when diving in!
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be and why? The ability to breathe underwater. What cheers you up? A long run on the trails followed by a good coffee! What is your fondest triathlon memory? Finishing the (300m) swim in my first triathlon and realising I was still alive! Swimming is not my forte… What do love most about the sport? All the gear you get to buy! What is the worst part of the sport? All the gear you need to buy!
What is the best compliment you have received? Don’t look your age! What is the longest you have gone without sleep and why? 83hrs – work. Which would be harder for you to give up, coffee or alcohol? Alcohol (pretty much given up coffee already – mostly have it with Cat) Which famous celebrity would you like to date and why? I had no idea, so googled this for inspiration and apparently it should be Bill Gates. He’s the wrong gender though. What is your fondest triathlon memory? Finishing Challenge Henley (Half) with my daughter in the sun. What is the best part of the sport? Getting out of the water. What is the worst part of the sport? Getting in the water.
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be and why? Invisibility, so during a long run when really tired I don’t get loads of people shouting at me telling me I am nearly there. If you won £1,000 on the lottery what would you buy? More wheels of course. What cheers you up? Everton winning or Liverpool losing, or preferably both at once. What is the best bit of advice you have been given? My physio urged me to start doing tris rather than just running to avoid injuries many years ago, should have listened to her sooner. What do you eat the night before a race or race morning? Porridge and honey is a must.
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be and why? The ability to breathe underwater. What cheers you up? The sound of an ice cream van slowly getting louder as it reaches outside my door. What is your favourite / over used word? Literally…literally, it is. What is the best bit of advice you have been given? ‘Winners never quit and quitters never win’ What do you love most about the sport? Once I have finished swimming I get to go cycling! What is the worst part of the sport? Once I have finished cycling I have to go running!
What would you eat for your last supper? My own weight in sushi. Where would you prefer to live beach, city or country? I grew up in Edinburgh – we had it all – no need to choose. For a race (essentials aside) what is the 1 thing you don’t leave home without? My partner in crime/technician/chauffeur/stress-ball/wetsuit zipper-upper/good luck kisser/husband. What do love most about the sport? The little comments of encouragement that come from other athletes out on the course. We may be racing but we’re in it together. Do you have any pre-race rituals? A glass of red wine with dinner the night before – it calms the nerves.
Which famous celebrity would you like to date and why? Lady Gaga. What is the longest you have gone without sleep and why? 70 hrs – in a different life I was a DJ and lived in Ibiza during the summer… This time was August bank holiday weekend… Yep, that was a different life – I’m now in bed by 9-9:30! What is your favourite / over used word? Awesome/Amazeballs. What is your fondest triathlon memory? Finishing and doing the best ever time for me in an OD triathlon at the world championships in Gold Coast. I had changed my coach in April and I was lacking confidence, I was truly able to enjoy the process and mentally, especially, relearn a lot. Good team work. What do you race in a one piece or a 2 piece? One piece, I doubt onesies are allowed…
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be and why? To not need sleep. If you won £1,000 on the lottery what would you buy? Lots of trainers. What cheers you up? Exercise, new training toys and coffee. For a race (essentials aside) what is the 1 thing you don’t leave home without? Prerace tunes – but I would say they are essential! What is the best bit of advice you have been given? Save it all for race day. Do you have any pre-race rituals? Mild panic.
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be and why? Flying! I’ve dreamed I could fly so many times that my mum is worried one day I’m going to jump out of the window. What is your favourite / over used word? Motherfudgers… and “VAMOS!!!!” in Spanish. How would you describe yourself in three words? Daydreamer, driven, loyal. Which would be harder for you to give up: Coffee or alcohol? Coffee because honestly I wouldn’t give up wine! What is your fondest triathlon memory? Ironman 70.3 Pescara last year. Got engaged over there.
What is the best compliment you have received? Mum did you know you are the oldest mum at school?… but you don’t look the oldest.
What is your favourite / over used word? Bollocks
Which famous celebrity would you like to date and why? I am whispering Ben Swift but I realise that is cougar off the scale!
What do love most about the sport? Freedom
Do you have any pre-race rituals?Breathe in for 4, hold for 7 out for 8 x3!
What do you eat the night before a race or race morning? Night before has to be homemade cottage pie with a pile of veg and porridge and wolfberries for breko!
Who inspires you? Positive happy people.
How would you describe yourself in three words? Smiley, Chatty and Stubborn.
While in school did you ever cheat on test? No – I was a teacher’s pet.
For a race (essentials aside) what is the 1 thing you don’t leave home without? My Blood Meter Kit to test my blood sugars (VERY important as a Type 1 Diabetic)!
What is the best bit of advice you have been given?Keep on believing, keep on achieving.
What do love most about the sport? Putting my head down and racing on my bike.
If you could choose 1 super-power what would it be and why? Not needing sleep, still so many things on my bucket list.
What would you eat for your last supper? Dutch bread with Dutch cheese.
How would you describe yourself in three words? Relaxed, determined and happy.
What do love most about the sport? Getting better every day
What is the worst part of the sport?Being tired a lot.
What cheers you up? Sunshine.
Which would be harder for you to give up: Coffee or alcohol? Coffee – I need a lot of it, whereas, due to triathlon, I need very little alcohol.
What is the best bit of advice you have been given? FUELLING.
What do love most about the sport? The amazing people and the vibe on race day. Nothing like it!
What is the worst part of the sport?Wet suit chafe. Or any kind of chafe, really.
What are your favourite pizza toppings? Olives, Roquito peppers, artichokes and Sun-dried tomatoes – Easy!
What cheers you up? Food and being outdoors.
What is your favourite / over used word? Fabulous
What is your fondest triathlon memory? Completing Ironman Switzerland after all the months off hard work and seeing my family cheer me over the line.
What do you love most about the sport? Being outside and exploring new places which can be hard to reached otherwise.
What is the worst part of the sport? Cycling in the cold to train for summer races, and then having to clean your bike!