“I hold so much passion for running and multi sports, encouraging others to give things a go keeps me smiling.“
I am a firefighter; I’ve worked for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service since 2016. I consider my crew as my second family, going to work is like a home from home.
When I was 10, my dad built me my first road bike, I absolutely loved it! I was so devastated when it got stolen.
At high school a friend asked me along to a charity run event, I think it was for comic relief, we ran round and round the running track. Somehow this sparked my love for running (I’d now much rather be running in the hills), introducing me to the local running club. I’ve worn out many pairs of running trainers since.
During Covid a friend asked me to join her in an open water swim for her birthday as no one else was wild enough to say yes. Gaddings Dam, on top of one of the many Yorkshire hills, It was so cold, but so beautiful. I’m find myself fighting a mental battle with swimming, I want to love it as I love being absorbed by the water, but I end up swallowing all the water when I try to smile!
Putting the three disciplines together, a good friend of mine from the run club got me into multi sport. We’ve both travelled across the globe together representing Great Britain at European and world championships. With swimming being my weakest discipline, I much prefer duathlon!
“I really can’t stress enough how much the right fuelling can affect your enthusiasm towards something.”
How do you juggle training, work, and social life?
Working shifts, I find it so difficult sticking to a set training program whilst juggling to see friends/family. A social life is important to me, so it gets planned weeks in advance. Google calendar helps me make the most of every minute!
I find that night shifts often wipe me out. Since my job is physically demanding this helps keep my strength up.