Liz King has competed in over 50 marathons and 15 ironman events.

LIZ KING didn’t come from a sporty home but she’s always had a passion for outdoor activity.  Her enthusiasm to be active led her to join the Army and she ran her first triathlon in 1985, since then she has continued to compete in events which have included 15 ironmans.

Today Liz has ran in over 50 marathons and is currently recovering from Ironman Austria. Her life and career have been shaped by her passion to race and compete and saw her found Tri Spirit Events, an organisation which runs premier triathlon and multi-sport events at major locations in the South East of England. To find out more visit www.trispiritevents.com.

In this exclusive interview Liz talks about some of the highs and lows of competing as well as her aims and ambitions for her business and the future.

When did you first start running and what was it that ignited your passion for the hobby?

I’ve always been sporty but am not really sure why. I’m adopted and neither of my parents are interested in sports let alone to come and watch, so I have no idea if it is in my genes but it is certainly more likely to be nature rather than nurture.

However, from a young age I have always been throwing a ball, going crazy on a skateboard or running. I love speed, especially when I am riding my bike. I am a dab hand at downhill.

So my interest in running really started at school when I won a school x-country and the PE teacher at the time who’s name I can’t remember suggested I join the local athletics club.

You’ve run in a phenomenal amount of marathons and ironmans. What have been some of the highlights and where in the world have they taken you?

Well, I am 50 now so it has been over a few years! I’ve been racing triathlons since 1985 when I raced my first one in the Army, since then I’ve done triathlons and run marathons. I didn’t do my first ironman until I was 40 and I’ve done 15 now. The most enjoyable marathon I’ve run is Beachy Head in Sussex. It’s not a PB course but the challenge of that event especially going over the seven sisters in the last six miles is a real achievement. I think I’ve run it about eight times now.

For Ironman, I just love Ironman Austria and next year I’m going back to race it again for the sixth time. The atmosphere, fast bike route even though it has climbing the fast downhill sections make it a pb course. I’ve also raced in Oklahoma at the Redman, IM Canada and IMNZ.

The great thing about racing abroad is you can combine it with a holiday, what’s not to like?

To find out more about Liz and the organisation she runs visit www.trispiritevents.com.

Challenge Almere in the Netherlands is my PB course although it was a very windy affair, but it’s well organised and easy to get to from the UK. I finished in 13.15. I like the idea of ironman racing as it is a race you need to eat all the way round. I’m not built for short bursts of speed.

Who are your biggest running heroes and who were any mentors and key supporters early on in your own career?

I’ve always wanted to push myself and be the best I can. My PE teacher had a big influence on me I would say, but I also had a mentor at college who always encouraged me in sport. At that stage I was playing cricket for England U16, but I had a knee problem that meant I could not take this further.

I did beat Kellie Holmes in a cross country race once in the Army, and encouraged her to get back into training after she had been injured, and the rest is history there!

I suppose if I had a sporting hero, it would have to be Martina Navratilova. She was always so determined to get the results, and had to deal with a lot on and off the court to get to the level she did. The fact that she carried on playing at a high level for so many years is also testament to her all-round fitness and enthusiasm for the sport. I liked that, and have always felt the same way about triathlon and running, and I am still going strong so I guess I had a good role model in her.

Tell us about your work as a coach and the message you aim to instill in those who come to you for guidance?

I coach for Tri Spirit Team and was kindly voted South East Coach of the Year by the team, so I must be doing something right. I’ve just guided three members of the team to their first ironman recently at Ironman Austria. Our overarching message is that it has to be fun first, because if people are enjoying training then they will do more of it, and with more training comes better results.

Our team is free to join so there is no barrier for anyone wanting to start triathlon, it can be a very expensive sport. My coaching time is also free and I work with Ali Steed to run the club.

What inspired you to found trispiritevents.com and could you tell us more about the organisation and what it does?

Ali Steed and I started Tri Spirit Events back in 2010, with our first at event Chilham Castle Duathlon. This event has been described as tougher than a tough mudder. So from that start we wanted to provide unique locations that offered more.

We also saw a gap in the market for well run local events in Kent especially that really looked after the athletes and families. We have grown since then and we get approached by other groups to organise their events now.

Are you currently training for anything in particular and what other exciting challenges and projects do you have planned for the rest of the year and beyond?

At the moment it’s down time from Ironman Austria a few weeks ago, so I’m ticking over. I’ve got a few time trials planned as part of the Kent CA BBAR. Looking ahead I’m racing IM Austria again next year and a few Tri Spirit team members will be racing. I’m very tempted by Ironman Lanzarote but that maybe for 2018. Time will tell…