Out of Office: Elaine Stround

Away from your role as Entrepreneurs’ Forum chief executive, you are a keen triathlete. What sparked your passion for endurance sport?

I took up running after I had my children, as it was the only sport I could fit around work and family commitments.

I joined my local running club to meet other like-minded people, and it didn’t take long for a friend to persuade me to buy a bike and enter a local triathlon for fun.

At the time, I had no idea my triathlon journey would become such a big part of my life.

I entered my first ‘half Ironman’ in 2018 at Bamburgh, in Northumberland.

I remember panicking that I’d be eliminated after the swim for being too slow, but I ended up being the first female finisher.

Since then, I’ve competed in many triathlons, including three Iron distance races, which involve a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a marathon.

You’ve competed around the world in triathlon events, and will head to Hawaii in October after qualifying for the Ironman World Championship. How much are you looking forward to that test?

I’m so excited.

Kona, the big island of Hawaii, is the spiritual home of triathlon and where Ironman was invented in 1978.

I’ll be competing in the 50-55 age group category against the very best women in the world.

It’s going to be a huge challenge, not only because the standard will be world-class, but also because I’ll be racing in humid conditions, in temperatures that could exceed 30 degrees, and with a 12-hour time difference too.

Given the incredible physicality and multi-discipline demands of triathlon competition, you must have quite the training regime. How do you balance maintaining fitness with the day-to-day demands of your job?

Last year, I engaged the help of a triathlon coach, who sets my training programme and holds me accountable.

He understands my life and has built a programme that can be flexed around any commitments I have as part of my Entrepreneurs’ Forum role.

I train between ten and 20 hours per week, which means I have seen a lot of sunrises.

Where does participation in the famous island state event rank in your achievements? And do you have any future goals?

Qualifying for Kona is a big deal, but I haven’t raced it yet.

I have previously competed for Team GB age group in the European Championships at Olympic distances, where I finished seventh.

Wearing my GB kit was an amazing experience, but I feel Kona will top it.

I haven’t thought beyond this year, but the great thing about triathlon is that you compete against others in your age category, so there’s no reason why I can’t keep racing for many years to come.

Similarly, how do you overcome the mental challenges of competing in such a gruelling sport?

I know that if I’m at the start line, having given 100 per cent in training, then I’m prepared for the race.

This knowledge motivates me to stick to my training plan, as I don’t want to let myself down.

It also gives me the confidence on race day to push myself to my limits and never give up.

I love competing, so I definitely relish the challenge of endurance events.

Are there any crossovers between your job and pastime? Do skills from one help influence the other?

I’ve had to get very good at time management.

If I wasn’t busy enough, I’m also a qualified triathlon coach, working primarily with juniors.

Whether I’m working with young athletes or entrepreneurs, my role is to keep them energised, motivated and inspired to do their best.

I also get to use my event organising skills to arrange local triathlons, including the Ponteland Sprint Triathlon on May 18 this year, which will have more than 100 competitors from across the North East.

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