A brief overview about me!;
I was born on Friday (Friday’s child is loving and giving! 😉 ) 19th August 1977 at 6.40am. I was brought up on a farm in the Scottish Borders, with my brother Rob and sister Julia. Being the youngest I was probably the most spoilt and the most difficult! 😉
From Chirnside Primary School I moved to St Mary’s School in Melrose and then onto Fettes College in Edinburgh gaining 3 A levels in Maths, Biology and Chemistry but I was more interested in sport than studying! Hockey, Lacrosse, Athletics, XC Running, Skiing and Horse riding were my passion. I represented Scotland, whilst at school, in both Athletics (long jump and 400m hurdles) and Lacrosse. I went on to compete in the U19 Lacrosse World Champs, captained the Scotland U21 Lacrosse team and played for the Senior Scotland Lacrosse team.
After leaving school I took a year out which I spent in Gloucestershire working with horses in an eventing yard, before beginning my BSc Applied Sports Science degree course in Birmingham and then transferring to Edinburgh University. Having a part time job doing Market Research and the odd bit of modelling and promotional work enabled me to enjoy University life to the full.
Horses were becomming more and more important in my life. I was competing most weekends and before I knew it I was working in a Point-2-point/Eventing yard. After a year and a half I set up my own business training and competing horses, which I did for almost 10 years. I was very lucky to have some fantastic owners and talented horses. (Equally I had some very naughty horses!!) I competed from intro (90cm) up to Advanced level. Another Hamlet, my own horse, was my superstar who took me up the grades, notching many wins. He sadly passed away a few years ago after a happy retirement.
Whilst still working with horses I gained an Exec PA diploma and began working part time at Scotlandshop, an online sales company which sells everything and anything tartan.
I moved to South Africa in February 2010 to begin life in Cape Town. I joined New Balance Multisport Club, now Cape Multisport Club, and I am now hooked on road running, trail running, cycling, mountain biking, duathlons and triathlons! You will very rarely find me sitting still 🙂
I completed my first Ironman in 2013 and raced at the Ironman World Champs in Kona, Hawaii 2014,2019 & 2022 (I have now raced 12 IM70.3 and 12 IM). I’ve also love mountain biking and have enjoyed many races – Trans Baviaans x3, 360NE x2, W2W x2…
2017 didn’t go quite as planned and I’m delighted to still be alive!! – read about my DVT and PE HERE.
6 years later I’m fit, healthy and loving life 🙂
2020 was a strange year for us all. I managed to keep fit, healthy and motivated most of the time. You can read about my crazy virtual Everesting on my blog.
2021 was another year of not much racing. I won my two races at the end of the year 🙂 (Knysna Extreme and Ironman South Africa)
In 2022 I won the Munga Grit Tank 500km mtb race, was 3rd at Celtman and then 10th in my age category at the Ironman World Champs in Kona.
2023 has been a year of road running and mountain biking; I loved my first Two Ocean Ultra and was delighted with my 4hrs24min, and achieved two of my goals for the year; a sub 20min 5km and a sub 90min 21km. I still think I can improve further and gain some pbs before the end of the year. Transbaviaans mtb race was great fun; Robyn and I won the ladies race. I have two big races (and two big goals) to finish 2023.
I’m very grateful for everything I am able to do; a big thanks to Cobus, my coach Dave Sullivan (Wingman Multisport Coaching) and everyone who supports me.