Sonia all set for European Championships

The local lass will compete in the Sprint section which consists of a 5Km run, 20Km cycle and 2Km run over the testing Alcobendas course.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” commented Sonia, prior to her departure on Thursday. “I have been concentrating on the Sprint distances this season and I believe the course is quite hilly.

“Preparations have been going really well for me and I had a boost about three weeks ago when I finished third overall in the National series in Ennis. I also represented Northern Ireland in November in the Cross Country.”

Sonia is no stranger to pushing herself to extremes and she relishes the challenge of the European Championships.

“I started triathlons just over three years ago and loved it.The traithlon season starts soo but throughout the winter I have been doing Duathlons and Cross Country.

“I can’t wait to get to Madrid and test myself and on my return I’m planning on doing my first half Ironman. I have had to take a look at what I’m doing more this year because it’s tough juggling training with work and family life.

“You tend to get hooked and then you start to push yourself and challenge yourself more and more. I’m raring to go and can’t wait to get to Spain. My bike is boxed up and ready to go and I think putting it back together could be the biggest challenge for me!”