Chrissie Wellington is the world's No 1 female Ironman triathlete, a four times World Champion. In 2009 she was voted 'Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year' and in 2010 was awarded the MBE. She is the undefeated champion of Triathlon, having won thirteen Ironman titles from thirteen races. She set a new World Record of 8 hours19:13 at Quelle Roth Germany in 2010.
Chrissie has displayed unprecedented levels of stamina, strength and competitiveness in becoming Ironman World Champion in only her second event at Ironman level. Her victory in Kona, Hawaii in 2007 finishing five minutes ahead of her nearest rival was described as the 'biggest upset in Ironman history' and 'a remarkable feat, deemed to be near impossible task for any athlete racing as a rookie at their first Ironman World Championships'.
During this podcast we talk more about her early life, growing up, changing her career direction, going on a 2 year gap year, the reasons behind why she started running and how it evolved into triathlon. Chrissie also shares more about her life now as a mother, making the transition from a professional athlete and why she’s so passionate about getting people moving.
Chrissie is Global Head of Health and Wellbeing at Parkrun.
* please note during this podcast we do talk about eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia
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Show notes
How she would describe herself
being passionate about self mastery
Growing up in Norfolk
Being focused on academic excellence
Being an active child and joining the local swimming club
Leaving university and not doing any sport
Graduated from University of Birmingham and wanting to take a break
Taking a 2 year gap year and travelling
Looking for validation and signing a law contract in London
Starting to question her decision to go into law
Working out what she was passionate about
Wanting to drive positive change
Telling friends and family that she was no longer going to be a lawyer
How her running journey progressed
Having a desire to control her weight and relapsing into an eating disorder.
Starting to fall in love with running and deciding to run the London marathon in 2002
The evolution into triathlon
Aiming to go faster in her 2nd marathon and beat her time of 3 hrs 8 mins
Getting hit by a car 2 weeks before her 2nd London Marathon
Being injured and deciding to take up swimming
Doing her first super sprint race in 2004 at Eton
The importance of role models and being encouraged to try new things
An accidental athlete?
Being shaped by so many different factors and different life experiences
Taking a sabbatical from her job and heading to Nepal
Having a capacity to endure
Making the decision at 30 to become a professional athlete
Mental resilience and mental determination and why Nepal was so pivotal
Cycling 1200km from Tibet to Katmandu, Nepal and going via Everest Base Camp
What happened at the Ironman World Championships in 2010
Why out of adversity there can be positive experiences
Making the hard decisions
Making the transition from professional athlete and moving on to the next stage of her life
Being a role model and inspiring others
Her daughter Esme
Why she is focused back on running
What park run is and what her role is
Publishing her autobiography in 2012 - “Life without Limits”
For training advice check out her second book - To the Finish Line: A World Champion Triathlete's Guide to Your Perfect Race
Find word of advice to motivate and inspire you
Stay in touch with Chrissie
Twitter- @chrissiesmiles
Park Run: www.parkrun.org.uk
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