Kate Mcilroy

  • New Zealand
  • Born: 1981
Starts
51
Podiums
9
Wins
5
Biography

I made the switch from running to Triathlon at the end of 2008.  I had a frustrating year with an ongoing injury, forcing me to withdraw from a European track season and the Beijng Olympics (qualified 3km Steeplechase).  I had always been interested in triathlon, and figured that this was the time to give it a go.  I could hardly run, so threw my frustration into swimming and biking.  I joined a triathlon swim squad and started swimming twice a week.  I was very kindly sponsored a bike by Nigel at On Yer Bike,  all I had to do now was learn how to swim fast and how to ride a bike!  I definitely underestimated both of these skills.

Greg Fraine became my triathlon coach to write my overall programme and Tim Brazier my swim coach.  I spent the next 6 months sorting out my swimming technique, and getting out on the road on my SUB rosa bike.  I completely underestimated the work and training required to become a great triathlete.  There were times when I felt I was delirious in the pool and I might as well pitch a tent instead of going home.  I entered local bike races to get used to sitting on my bike for 3 hrs + and to get used to biking in a pack.  My running mileage dropped down significantly to give my insertional achilles injury a chance to heal.  Mentally I found this hard, but it was the only way my leg was going to heal.  After a few months of this new “tri” training, it was time to get onto the start line.

I raced the New Zealand summer 08/09, having some decent results, nothing earth shattering, but enough to give me confidence that I could pursue this new career change further.  In April 2009, I was given a massive opportunity by Triathlon NZ, being selected into the 2012 Potential Olympic Squad.  We spent 5 months overseas, based in Boulder, Colorado and Sigmaringen, Germany.  We used these bases to train and race from. It was awesome to be surrounded by NZ’s best triathletes and learn the tricks of the trade.  It was the hardest I have ever trained in my life, but was much easier to complete the weeks training when you have a group to train with.

I had some great results for my first year in the sport.  I won my first World Cup in Hungary, as well as achieving 8th at the World Championships Series in Kitzbuhel, Austria.  I ended the year ranked 20th in the world.  My goal for 2010 was to improve this ranking and continue to soak up all the knowledge I can.  2011 - aim is to make the Olympic team for 2012

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Athlete Images
Latest Athlete Results
2
2015 NZL Triathlon National Championships
01 Feb, 2015 - Elite Women - 01:07:49
4
2015 Kinloch OTU Sprint Triathlon Oceania Championships
01 Feb, 2015 - Elite Women - 01:07:49
19
2014 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Edmonton
30 Aug, 2014 - Elite Women - 02:02:50
12
2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
24 Jul, 2014 - Elite Women - 02:06:20
26
2014 ITU World Triathlon Hamburg
12 Jul, 2014 - Elite Women - 00:58:42
view full results
19
2014 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Edmonton
2014-08-29 - Elite Women - 02:02:50
26
2014 ITU World Triathlon Hamburg
2014-07-12 - Elite Women - 00:58:42
31
2014 ITU World Triathlon Chicago
2014-06-28 - Elite Women - 02:03:07
13
2014 ITU World Triathlon Auckland
2014-04-06 - Elite Women - 02:10:52
36
2013 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final London
2013-09-11 - Elite Women - 02:06:31
view full results
10
London 2012 Olympic Games
2012-08-04 - Elite Women - 02:01:28
view full results
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Athlete Fact Sheet
Given Name Kate
Family Name Mcilroy
Representing NZL
Year of Birth 1981
Place of Birth Wellington
Residence wellington, New Zealand
Coach Greg Fraine
Sponsors 2XU, Balance, SPARC, Oakley
Hobbies Baking cakes Drinking flat whites in succession. Eating in general
Website https://www.katemcilroy.com/
Twitter @katemcilroy
World Triathlon Athlete ID 8739
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