By Lucy_Roberts_72
Great British triathlete, Second Lieutenant with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the British Army, engineer at Shell, degree in mechanical engineering – is there anything Laura Siddall, the three-time consecutive winner of Ironman Australia, can’t do?
Laura Siddall, ambassador for MINI
The professional triathlete reveals why Christchurch in New Zealand has a special place in her heart and how people can stay motivated in lockdown both mentally and physically.
But as Siddall says herself: “summer is on its way, the days are getting longer, the weather better and that's just a positive, and feel-good vibe in itself.” Surely that’s enough to get anyone motivated.
Q) Why did you pursue becoming a professional triathlete and not a career in mechanical engineering which you have a degree in?
A) I didn't actually become a full-time professional triathlete until pretty late in my life. I only started the sport as a complete beginner at the age of 29 and turned professional at 34. Prior to that I had studied my A-levels, taken a gap year in the British Army, completed my mechanical engineering degree and started working for Shell as an engineer. I was based in the UK for several years before getting the opportunity to move to Sydney, Australia on a two-year assignment. Of course, I loved Sydney and two years turned into six or seven with several different corporate jobs later. It was in Australia that I discovered triathlon. I was a runner (and netballer) before that, but through friends at work they suggested I give triathlon a go. I joined them on a 90km (56mile) charity bike ride, only buying my bike the week before, which was a hybrid, road-mountain bike, with flat pedals and I'm not sure I had any proper cycling kit. But I loved the event and after that they suggested I try triathlon which is such a huge sport in Australia. I found a group, Bondi Fit and signed up for a beginner’s course, and as the cliche says... the rest is history. I was hooked. Over the next few years, I progressed from being a complete beginner, through the age group and amateur ranks, and was fortunate enough to go on to win four World Titles (as an amateur over the distances from Sprint (2011), Olympic (2012, 2013) and Half Ironman (2013)). It was after the last two titles in 2013, that I was at a bit of a crossroads. I had a great job and fantastic boss, but my head wasn't really in it. My head space was always thinking about my next training session or my next race. Sport had always been seen as just a hobby growing up, but now I had an opportunity with being in Australia, to take it a step further and see what I could achieve as a professional. It was pretty much a case of not wanting to look back in 10 or 20 years-time and think "what if", and to start living by my motto, "don't die wondering". That at least is the short version! Haha!
Q) What has been the highlight of your triathlete career?
A) Heck where do I start. This sport has been incredible with so many highlights and amazing memories. Winning my first World Championship title as an amateur will always be special. It was the start of the seed that has led me to where I am today. It was also on my birthday, and my parents and one of my sisters had travelled out to Beijing to watch. But then winning can never be taken for granted and each World Championship title after that is special to me. Then I turned professional. I had no idea if I could win as a professional, and so my very first Ironman win in 2017, at Ironman Australia, in Australia, (where it had all started back in 2009) was right up there too. I'd come second in so many races in the previous years, and finally I managed to take the win, again with so many friends there in support, who had been with me as a complete beginner and supported along the way. Defending that title in 2018, is a highlight too. I was wearing the number #1 bib, which is very rare for the females as normally the men are given that bib (and that's another story), but in 2018 Ironman Australia, gave me the number #1 bib. So, to return to defend, and win again, with the number #1 bib was special. But 2018 was special as I also won Ironman New Zealand. At this point in my career, I was spending about six months living in Christchurch, New Zealand for training and it was almost a second home. I love the country, and the people and it was just an incredible feeling to run down the finish carpet to win in Taupo, also becoming the first British athlete (male or female) to win that event. That year I also won the European Long Course Championships in Madrid, meaning I won three full iron distance events in one year. That was pretty special. I've also had highlights where I haven't won and come second (Challenge Roth 2017) but had performances I'm incredibly proud of. However, returning to Ironman Australia in 2019, as the two-time defending Champion, going for my three-peat must be right at the top. I'd had a pretty rocky few months leading into the race. I'd been training well, but not performing on race day, and my confidence was low. I was two-time Champion, but up against a local and formidable female. We had an incredible race, running stride for stride, side by side during the early stages of the marathon before I managed to break away. Stepping on to the red finish carpet, running down to grab the tape for the third time, but with the emotion of the past few months just overflowing, was a high I will never forget. I wish I could bottle it up and capture the emotion and energy. It was incredible.
Q) You used to be in the British Army, what was that experience like?
A) My gap year in the British Army is still one of the best years of my life. I was a Second Lieutenant with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached to a Royal Artillery Regiment based out in Germany. Being an Officer, and perhaps a female one too, at just 19 years of age, theoretically in charge of 30-40 men (and some women) who had far more military and life experience, was one of the best learning experiences and opportunities I could have had. Learning how to gain their trust and respect, ensuring I didn't give them anything to do, that I wasn't prepared to get stuck into and do myself. I learnt so much in that year, from the people I worked with, and the exercises we carried out, much of that I've carried forward into my life now. I can't fully remember how I decided to join the Army. I think I've always looked to do things a little different. I wanted to take a gap year between school and university but didn't just want to do the traditional work then travel. Also, gap years were not hugely popular at that time, I think just half a dozen people in my year as school took one. I think the Army just appealed with the sporting and active life, yet the leadership and skills I hoped to learn as part of it. It was a truly incredible opportunity.
Q) It is clear that you love to travel, and you’ve lived in a few different countries so far, but what has been your favourite country to live in and why?
A) Oh, I hate this question! Haha! I've been so lucky to live in so many fabulous countries and places. Obviously, the UK, but also then Germany (Sennelager), Australia (Sydney), USA (San Francisco), New Zealand (Christchurch) and Spain (Girona). They have all been favourite at the different times in my life. If I had to narrow it down, I do have a special love for Christchurch, New Zealand and Girona, Spain. Christchurch and New Zealanders are amazing people. The training and lifestyle over there are just great for me and what I'm doing. The culture and country are amazing, and I have a great network of friends, and they also have good coffee! Girona I love too, for the culture (and coffee), and I've always loved something about Spain. Also, the training terrain and options as well are great, and it is much closer to family in the UK. I've just spent some time in Boulder, Colorado too. To be honest, I've never been a huge fan of living in the USA, but Boulder certainly is doing a good job at changing that. My coach Julie Dibens (also a Brit) lives there and a lot of my training group, so there's always positives to a place when your coach and squad is there.
Q) Before the Coronavirus pandemic struck, what motivated you?
A) I became a Professional Triathlete to... don't die wondering. To not look back and say 'what if'. I wanted to see how good I could be. I often lack confidence, but I have a deep-down inner drive and belief and I wanted to see what I could achieve, and how far I could push myself to be the best version of myself. I would be lying though if I said winning doesn't motivate me. That feeling as you run across the finish line, in first, is like nothing I've ever experienced and it's addictive. However, only a few are fortunate to feel that often, there is only one physical winner or champion in a race. So, I'm still driven by getting the very best performance out of myself on the day. To put out there all my training and hard work and aspire to have that race performance where you know you gave it your all and delivered, even over and above expectations, but that you gave your ultimate best, regardless of the result.
Q) And has that changed since the pandemic started?
A) In some ways it hasn't changed. I'm still driving and striving for that performance and to get the very best out of myself. But I've also struggled with injuries for the past couple of years. A broken collar bone and complications and then a calf niggle. So, at the beginning of the pandemic, I was hugely motivated to just get back to full fitness and injury free. I think that was a huge help last year, as I was just wanting to be a bit better today than I was yesterday as I recovered from shoulder surgery. I'm motivated to now get back to full fitness and be injury free (touch wood). To be able to train to my full potential and then get back on a start line and see what happens. I still believe I'm improving and got more to give, and so that's keeping me going. Also surrounding myself with awesome people. I have a great coach, Julie Dibens who is amazing, and a great squad. Although I'm not able to train with them all the time, they are incredible athletes who inspire me every day.
Q) What advice would you give to people to help them stay motivated physically and mentally?
A) For me, it's having an awesome group, or squad. So, I think something that's really powerful is using your friends to keep you motivated. They don't need to be nearby. My squad is all over the world and in Boulder and I'm in Europe, but we keep the contact going and help to keep each other motivated through all the ups and downs. This could be through a virtual ride or run, or just group chats and messages (even over a coffee or wine). I think bringing your friends along to help you stay motivated is powerful. Again, I know there are limitations at the moment, but you can still rally the troops, and organise virtual training sessions. Plan a run, then ring a friend afterwards and catch up and hold each other accountable. If you can run or train with another person, then arrange that too. The hardest part, is often just getting out the door, but once you have trained or exercised, the endorphins and that high far outweighs the initial reluctance to make that first step. I also truly believe that sport, or just being healthy and active is key for mental and physical health. This year and last more than ever. Being active can be such an escape, a chance to just switch off from everything else that is going on. Plug in some great music, or a podcast, or even an audio book, grab a friend, the benefits of making that first step to get out the door for that run, will far outweigh anything else.
Q) What do you think people can do to keep fit at the moment despite lockdown and gyms being shut?
A) Even though everything feels so restricted at the moment, there are so many ways people can keep fit, or even just active. Most of us can still go out for a walk or run. That's probably the simplest. It doesn't have to be fast, or world record breaking, just get your trainers on and get out the door for 20-30 mins a day. There's also been a boom in the online fitness world and there are some great classes to join online, or apps to follow where you have coaches and motivators guiding you through a session or a workout. I think one of the key things is to make it a routine and plan it into your daily activity, even more so if you are stuck at home. It's a great opportunity for a break and distraction from work, and whether it's joining a group zoom fitness session, or getting outside for a walk. For cyclists many have turned to the Zwift platform (or Peloton) and cycling on an indoor trainer. Even being creative in making your own home gym equipment with those bottles of water or bags of flour. Again, drag your friends along too and keep each other accountable, or involve the family. And hang in there... summer is on its way, the days are getting longer, the weather better and that's just a positive, and feel-good vibe in itself.
Q) You’re a friend of the brand for MINI, how did that come about and how excited are you to be working with such a classic brand?
A) I've been a fan of MINI and the brand for so, so long, and it's a company I've always wanted to work with and represent. The Italian Job (original and new versions) are favourite films, but it goes further than that and to the MINI's history and heritage in Britain and just its iconic status. The MINI and its design appeals to my engineering side, and then its spirit and character to my nomadic, cheeky, and adventurous lifestyle. Just looking at my Countryman, makes me smile. That smile just grows when I sit inside and drive off on an adventure. I love how over the years, the MINI has evolved, and yet still kept its classic shape and values in the design. It's also like the Tardis, I can fit all my training kit and my bike and more into the back. It's amazing. I'm incredibly proud to represent and work with such a classic and iconic brand.
Laura Siddall is an ambassador for MINI. For more information about MINI please visit www.mini.co.uk