Meet the member – Anjali Patel
Well Anjali, how’s the form? How’s everything going for you?
Good in general, keeping busy with work and study. Now the weather is improving, I’m starting to get back into training, can’t wait for the pools to open.
Tell us about how you got interested in Triathlon and how you came to join Pulse?
A work colleague (Eithne Connolly) was training for an Ironman around the time I had ACL reconstruction surgery. She suggested I join her weekly recovery runs pre/post-surgery, which aided my rehab. A few months later she said “As you can already swim, we’ll get you to join the triathlon club.” At the time, I thought I’d join just for the season to please her, however several years later I’ve a few race medals hanging on the stair well.
Being totally honest, I always thought people doing triathlons were a bit crazy! I recall watching a friend compete in an Ironman Lake Taupo (NZ) back in 1999 and thought these distances were just extreme individually, let alone lumped together for a single event. Twenty years on, there I am lining up on the shores of Lake Taupo for my 1st half-ironman distance race. Not sure, do I now consider myself part of the ’crazy’ category or have multi-sports taken off over the last few decades and now part of the norm?
Tell us about your first race
In 2014 a friend convinced me into participate in her club race in Sligo. I thought distances were do-able and entered the sprint, as it was a pool swim. Transition was a little intimidating seeing fancy road bikes and aero racing helmets bring racked up all around me and there I was with my mountain bike with a BMX helmet. The guys in transition were so friendly and helpful it put me as ease. The race location was pretty scenic, duck ponds and meadows. Climbing 2 short steep hills on a mountain bike was hard going, but it was a nice feeling to have finished the race. I wasn’t really convinced I liked this multi-sport so I stuck with the hockey, tennis and swimming.
What’s your favourite race/distance to race?
For me the Olympic is a nice distance.
What’s your favourite Pulse memory so far?
The Two Provinces race in Lanesborough 2018, when Pulse was awarded best club. There was such a buzz about the place that day, with the Pulse tent up, flags flying and so many people from Pulse either racing or supporting.
What’s the best thing about being in a Triathlon club?
It’s definitely the people that make the club what it is. Pulse is a really sociable, friendly club, through which I’ve meet so many people and made friends. Killiney swim sessions are also great, for mixing, as people to chat over tea and cake. I must say a massive thanks to all the coaches past and present, as well as those behind the scenes doing all the hard work making the club what it is today.
When you’re not swimming or pedaling or running, what keeps you busy?
Generally traveling, cooking and baking consume a lot of my time, but have recently taken up gardening, it’s rewarding eating your own organic produce. Due to the pandemic, I decided to utilize this time to study and have completed 4 of 6 modules for the Swim Ireland Level 1 Assistant Coach course. Praying the pools open again soon, in order to utilize these new skills and complete the remaining modules.
Outside of Triathlon, what’s your favourite sporting memory or achievement? (Doesn’t have to be your own!)
Personally – school days when I was part of the 1st XI hockey team, winning the tournament and being promoted to Division I.
What’s the bucket list, once in a lifetime race you’d love to experience?
I’ve have my eye on the Coast to Coast race – South Island of NZ.
What’s the next Triathlon goal you’d like to tick off?
Prior to the pandemic, the plan was to go back home late 2021 and repeat the Taupo 70.3, but that’s not going to happen, so might look into a EU based 70.3 instead.
What’s your favourite book/movie/tv show? What do you like about them?
I’m not one for reading much but a few books I’ve enjoyed are “Holy Cow” is an interesting read, having travelled a lot of India, “The curious incident of the dog in the night time.” Book was great as was the stage show.
Hard to pick a favourite movie, ones I’ve enjoyed are Endless summer, the talented Mr. Ripley, Point Break and then from NZ are The Whale Rider and Hunt for the Wilder People.
TV shows at the moment would be Killing Eve, The Bold type and Riverdale and of course The Fall!
What are the go-to tunes/podcasts for a training session?
I don’t use earphones while running/cycling. If on the turbo (very rare) I’d stick netflicks on.
Who inspires you, be it in sports or in regular life?
In sports Flo-Jo and Stefi Graf, both amazing athletes.
Helen Keller – being blind and deaf, yet proving herself by achieving a university degree.
Finally, what one nugget of advice would you give to a new member starting out on their Triathlon journey?
Attend club sessions, meet people and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance, as there’s a huge wealth of knowledge and experienced athletes in the club. Don’t feel intimidated by fancy bikes or gear, just go out and give it your best shot, it’s all about participation and enjoyment.