Top Irish adventure racer Fiola Foley who placed an impressive 16th in the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge with team Irish AR Galtee has turned her attention to Ironman with view to a top finish in the Zurich Ironman and The Powerman (Long Distance Duathlon World Championships).
Speaking of the challenge, she stated, “I always wanted to give triathlon a go but I was happily distracted by adventure racing when I was living in Ireland and that has given me a huge aerobic base and strength. I have also been inspired by Richard Ussher’s (adventure racing’s top male athlete) transition from adventure racing to Ironman. Although I love adventure racing I am always on the look out for more challenges and the Ironman has been beckoning me for a while now.”
Ironman races consist of a 3.86km swim, a 180.25km bike and a marathon (42.195km) run.
The biggest challenge for Foley however is not the length of the Ironman but the intensity and speed required to achieve a top finish. She likens preparation for the Ironman to her days as a full-time athlete when she was rowing. “My training for the Ironman has already kicked off. I am currently training 15 hours a week and that will increase to 25 hours in April when the evenings get longer in Switzerland. I am already logging four swim sessions, five runs and three bike sessions weekly, on top of a full-time job, so that doesn’t leave much time for anything else. But I love it! There is no distinction for me between sports and a social life as most of my friends are doing the same thing and are more than happy to join me for training sessions. Her recent successes include an 11th place in the New Year Marathon in Zurich as well as winning Gaelforce Cycle West 24 hour and Todtnauberg 12 hour Ultra bike race.
