Top triathlete visits Lisburn Swimming Club

Aileen is currently ranked 9th in the World and travels across the globe competing at the highest level for female triathletes.

She has represented Ireland at the European Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games, and has been consistently in the World top 10 since starting to compete in triathlons in 2008.

Lisburn City Swimming Club are very privileged to have Aileen train with their National Senior Squad and this was an opportunity for club swimmers of all ages, parents and coaches to hear a little of her story.

Brian Crawford, Club Chairperson was honoured to introduce Aileen, who very kindly offered to come and tell the club members about her experiences of training to be at the top of her game, to explain the importance of nutrition, training well, discipline and of course rest.

Aileen gave a very honest and open presentation which illustrated the highs and lows of her career and the gruelling training regime she does on a daily basis.

She explained the importance of sleep, without iPhones or iPads beeping throughout the night.

She said: “Eating healthy food is really important in looking after your body, although I do like to make brownies and I do treat myself to a good burger on occasion.”

Aileen’s presentation also gave those present an insight into the science involved in being one of the best athletes in the world.

She displayed the physiological data that is taken by the sports doctors to ensure she is competing to the best of her ability, things such as heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol, bmi to name just a few.

Aileen explained the data retrieved by doctors on her body and her performance, picking out the fact that her cholesterol is rather high.

She also explained the importance of drugs testing as a normal part of her regime, from ensuring you take the best advice on medication to the huge number of drug tests she has to endure.

Brian said: “Not only the swimmers were fascinated to hear of Aileen’s rise to the top. It was great to hear the kids asking Aileen about her competitions across the world, her openness and sincerity were clear for everyone to see.”

Lisburn City Swimming Club, which is based at the Lagan Valley Leisureplex were delighted to hear Aileen’s story.

Aileen is currently competing in the ITU World Female Elite Triathlete Series in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio later this year.

The swimmers, coaches and Executive of LCSC are proud to call Aileen one of their own and wish her ever success for this important year and the for rest of her career.