On September 2nd and 3rd 2023, University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) will sponsor the Volunteer section of Ironman Wales and the ‘Ironkids’ races for young athletes.
Ironman Wales, held in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, every September is an annual endurance triathlon involving a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle race and 26.2 mile run around Tenby and south Pembrokeshire. It attracts over 3000 athletes and many more spectators.
This year, as part of its collaborative partnership with Ironman Wales, UWTSD is sponsoring Ironkids, a series of races taking place on Saturday 2nd September for children and young people. UWTSD will also sponsor the Volunteer operation which provides staff during lead-up and registration days as well as for all parts of the main Ironman event on Sunday 2nd.
The University is also supporting one of its graduates, Sarah Arthur, to complete the race. Sarah studied a PGCE at UWTSD’s Carmarthen campus, and is now deputy head teacher at Tavernspite and Templeton Schools in Pembrokeshire.
The 43-year-old has an impressive training programme, assisted by Geraint Forster, Programme Director for BSc Sport and Exercise Science at UWTSD. Sarah visited the University’s Physiology Laboratory for a VO2max test, an underwater swim stroke analysis and a discussion about nutrition strategies for both training and racing.
“Geraint has helped improve my technique and enabled me to understand the science behind it,” she says. “I have taken his advice on board, and I can see the difference already.”
Geraint adds: “It was great to work with Sarah. She was already training hard and following a good training programme, but the physiological testing allowed us to more accurately determine her training zones to make sure she was working at the right intensity. The swim analysis also helped improve her efficiency in the water to save more energy for later in the race.”
2023 is Sarah’s second attempt at Ironman Wales supported by UWTSD, after she suffered a bad crash during the cycle race at last year’s event which caused major injuries and damage to her bike.
Understandably, Sarah was upset that she had not achieved her dream, but with the support of family and friends, she is trying again this year, bolstered by experience and the mental gains developed after bouncing back from the first attempt.
She says: “I needed to let the children in school know that even though I had practised and trained hard, sometimes things happen and the best thing to do is pick yourself back up and try again.”
Keen to inspire others to compete in the event, which is renowned as much for its toughness as for its spectacular location, Sarah says: “If I can do it, anyone can. I want people to know it is achievable, despite being extremely challenging. I also want to inspire more women to take part and feel more equal in this level of competition.”
Sarah is hoping to inspire pupils at her schools too. “I see a lot of my pupils and their parents when I’m out training, and they are so encouraging, which has been lovely. I hope the children are inspired by what I’m doing, particularly the girls. It’s important they recognise that women can achieve too.”
This year, Sarah’s daughter has entered Ironkids Wales and has enjoyed watching her Mum train with a friend and fellow UWTSD PGCE graduate, Lauren Arthur. “It’s been challenging, trying to fit training in around an already busy home and work life, but family and friends have been so supportive, helping out to enable me to do this.”
“Knowing Lauren will be there on the day, either ahead or behind me, is a comfort! Some mornings it’s hard to get up and start training, and she’s been brilliant for motivation and helping with that. She is such a wonderful companion and friend, who has the right approach to train hard and live well, embracing even the difficult moments too!”
Both Sarah and Lauren will be competing on Sunday 3rd September for UWTSD.
