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

Any Given Runday

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'Brien
19:14 Early Beginnings and Sports Journey
20:59 Transition to Triathlon
23:12 Impact of COVID-19 on Training
24:09 Cycling and Triathlon Preferences
25:06 First Major Triathlon Success
32:23 Balancing University and Training
36:38 Physiotherapy and Injury Management
37:33 International Competitions and Relays
40:05 Transition Challenges in Triathlons
41:53 Draft Legal vs Non-Draft Legal Racing
44:25 Balancing University and Training
45:36 Olympic Aspirations and Qualification
49:20 Training Regimen and Weekly Schedule
52:50 National Championship Victory
58:37 Future Goals and Upcoming Races
Join us for our annual marathon trip abroad as we head back to Barcelona for 2026! Places are limited and you can find out more details by going to our website:
https://www.anygivenrunday.com/marathon-trips

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