WhittleFit Athlete Spotlight: Craig Burrows

Here's our brand new WhittleFit Athlete Spotlight article, where we let you inside the mind of WhittleFit athletes and see what makes them tick.

This month we focus the spotlight on Craig Burrows, lets see what Craig has to say:

What got you started in endurance/ multisport?

A friend offered me his place in the 2012 Cardiff Half Marathon as he had to pull out a week before with an injury. I had no real running experience prior to the half other than football. Despite this, I ran it, absolutely loved it and I’ve done it every year since.

How long have you been with WhittleFit?

I started with Mark in October 2013 after being introduced to him by his wife Sarah. I had naively signed up for Ironman Wales in 2014 and felt a coach would be the best option to get me over the line.

Tell us about your home and work life?

My girlfriend, Lauren often asks what my actual job is, as I seem to spend as much time training as I do working in her eyes. I am however lucky enough to have a healthy balance between working hard as a Comprehensive School teacher and still spending my mornings, evenings and holidays training for endurance sports. This balance couldn’t be achieved without my supportive and equally sporty girlfriend who (I think) enjoys coming to support every race I enter and even goes to support others when I’m not racing. I think she is slowly catching the endurance bug.

What was your first race?

My first race was the 2012 Cardiff Half Marathon and my first triathlon was the Tuska Sprint Triathlon in 2013, this really whet my appetite for triathlon but also sadly compounded the fact that I couldn’t swim. Help was needed.

How many races have you done?

Since 2012 I have completed over 7 triathlons including Ironman Wales and Zell Am See 70.3. I have also raced The London marathon and Cardiff Half on multiple occasions.

What advice would you give someone starting out in triathlon?

Probably the best bit of advice I could give somebody starting out in triathlon is to step outside of your comfort zone and work at your weakest discipline. I hate swimming and will always find an excuse to skip a swim and do an extra run instead even if I know it’s not going to help me. The second option and best long term approach is to get a coach, you’re told what to do then so no shirking!

What is the most rewarding part of your journey racing in endurance or multisport?

On a personal level I think the biggest reward from racing is seeing noticeable improvements in weak areas that I’ve worked hard on with coach. Holistically, I think the enjoyment of multisport mainly comes from supporting, training and racing with the friends and likeminded people that I have been fortunate enough to meet on the way.

What is your biggest accomplishment so far?

It’s a toss-up between completing Ironman Wales in 2014 and running a 3hr London Marathon in 2015. Both races were tough for very different reasons, however as it was my first Ironman I think I would have to say Ironman Wales. Both are on my revenge list however.

Thanks to Craig for checking in with us! Craig has some good challenges lined up for 2016, including the Cardiff Half Marathon, the Cotswold 113 half Iron distance triathlon and the new Weymouth Ironman triathlon in September! Good luck Craig!