Taking off, again: Irish Olympian Caitriona Jennings talks 2012 London let-down to ultramarathon running
- The Hong Kong expat recounts her journey from elite junior triathlete to qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics in the marathon
- After a disastrous finish due to injury and overtraining, Jennings said the result has led her into the world of ultramarathons
Caitriona Jennings started her winnings ways early. You could say it was almost par for the course growing up in Donegal in northwestern Ireland.
As the youngest of three girls, Jennings came of age in a household with two older sisters who were already blazing a trail in triathlons. Jennings followed suit, bringing up the rear, but most definitely not in last.
She was the national junior cycling champion in 1994 and ’95, as well as the national junior triathlon champion in ’96 and ’97. She also won a national bronze medal in cross-country running and swimming.
Alas, given her two elder siblings were racking up similar achievements, excellence, it seemed, was the norm.
“It’s funny and even as I say it, it sounds bizarre,” said the 39-year-old. “Even though I was winning national titles or national races, it didn’t dawn on me that it was unusual because both my sisters were doing it as well. It was almost expected so I didn’t think I had a special talent or anything.”
Having attended a national Olympic youth camp while still in her early teens, Jennings’ coaches and parents recognised talent in the youngster, but when it came to Jennings herself, she was essentially clueless.