#243 Saoirse O'Brien: Irish Triathlete, University & European Championships and Olympic Aspirations

In this episode of the Any Given Runday Podcast, we sit down with Saoirse O'Brien (@saoirse.ob on Instagram), an elite national champion and Irish national champion in triathlon, who is representing her country in the European elite senior sprint triathlon championships and the world university championships. At only 20 years old, Saoirse shares her journey from starting sports like GAA and tennis, to excelling in swimming and running, and finally transitioning into triathlon. She talks about her challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, handling injuries, and balancing her training with her studies as a physiotherapy student. Join us as Saoirse discusses her training routines, her experiences in major races, and her aspirations for the future, including potential Olympic dreams. Don't miss this inspiring conversation with a young athlete who is making waves in the triathlon world.18:30 Introduction to Saoirse O'Brien19:14 Early Beginnings and Sports Journey20:59 Transition to Triathlon23:12 Impact of COVID-19 on Training24:09 Cycling and Triathlon Preferences25:06 First Major Triathlon Success32:23 Balancing University and Training36:38 Physiotherapy and Injury Management37:33 International Competitions and Relays40:05 Transition Challenges in Triathlons41:53 Draft Legal vs Non-Draft Legal Racing44:25 Balancing University and Training45:36 Olympic Aspirations and Qualification49:20 Training Regimen and Weekly Schedule52:50 National Championship Victory58:37 Future Goals and Upcoming RacesALTAR Speed Dust is engineered to keep fuel in your tank so you can go faster, farther and longer than ever before. Use the code AGR15 to get 15% off at checkout (excludes bundles).altarfuel.com The Sports Recovery Kit is everything you need after training, matches, gym sessions and long active days. The full routine, ready to goShop HEREGet the AGR Ultrapure Sprint Bundle HERE If you've never had your VO₂ max or metabolism measured, there's a good chance you're training at the wrong intensity, missing valuable adaptations, or getting your race nutrition wrong.Health Matters replaces guesswork with data. With over 15 years of experience, they're one of Europe's most experienced performance testing providers.Find out more or book your test at myhealthmatters.ie.