It’s not every day you get to talk to someone who is juggling work, life as a mother of two and training for an Ironman event. Indeed, it’s not every day you get to talk to someone who’s even contemplating entering an Ironman event, so when we got the chance to catch up with Liz O’Connor ahead of this weekend’s Dublin Ironman 70.3, which is being hosted by Dublin City Council, we jumped at it. Currently living in Templeogue, the 38-year-old firefighter with the Dublin Fire Brigade explains how she juggles it all and how much she is looking forward to this Sunday’s challenge. “This isn't my first Ironman event, I first completed the Ironman 70.3 distance in Galway in 2011, and have done two other of these distances; a Challenge event in Barcelona in 2012 and Shadowman in Athlone in 2014,” she explained. “It all began when I first got involved in triathlon in 2002. Some friends and I raised funds for Our Lady's Children Hospital and completed the Chicago Triathlon. After that we had the bug and in 2003, we founded Pulse Triathlon Club. “Pulse has since grown to have 272 members, with an additional 30 juniors, my two children - Cian (8) and Aoife (5) - are also members. “Since then I have competed in a number of triathlons throughout the country, including in 2013, where I won a bronze medal in my age group in the World Police and Fire Games held in Belfast. “For the Ironman, there is a lot of training to be done, though everyone's training plan is different based on ability, work schedules and family life." “Due to the shifts in work I tend to train on my own a lot, however Pulse has sessions on every day and there is a great network of people to train with. “I am also a member of the Dublin Fire Brigade Cycling Club and cycle with them during the week.  Every week is different but typically I would try to fit two swims, two cycles and two runs in each week and, depending on the week, would train between 9 to 12 hours a week. “My husband Fearghal is also a firefighter but we are on different watches, and the children are interested in sports too so with GAA, gymnastics, swimming and junior Pulse sessions we're kept busy. "Fearghal is also a marathon runner and broke three hours in the Manchester marathon in April this year so he understands the training commitment needed." “Like with training, diet is a very personal thing.  In general I would eat healthily, eating mainly whole foods and fresh fruits and vegetables, but I do have a very sweet tooth and probably eat a bit more sugar than I should! “When it comes to a 70.3 distance though nutrition plays a key role, it's essential to take on enough fuel to get through the course, and it's important not to try new drinks/foods on race day, as the electrolyte/salt balance can cause cramps if your body is not used to it. “Looking ahead to this weekend I’m most looking forward to the finish line!” she laughed. “Only joking! I'm looking forward to the buzz of completing the event on home ground, it can be gruelling out there and it's always a good motivator to be on familiar routes and see friendly faces." “My PB for this distance is 5:39 and I had hoped to break that in Dublin, however a sprained ankle six weeks has prevented me from training how I should have.  My goal for Sunday is just to enjoy the race and get across the finish line in the fastest time I can. “All the hard work is worth it – it’s what keeps me sane. It’s pretty busy in the next few weeks, as I’m also organising an event for my brother-in-law Ian McCormack, who is terminally ill. “He is also a firefighter, he's 30 and was diagnosed with a brain tumour over two years ago. “We're raising money to send him to New York – which is a dream of his. In order to do this we're running a cycle on the 6th September from Nutgrove Fire Station. “There'll be a 90k and a 30k route and it will be €20 to enter. We have a Facebook page called 'Getting Ian to New York', and any support we could would be gratefully appreciated," she finished. IRONMAN 70.3 Dublin takes places this Sunday, 9th August and over 2,500 triathletes are coming to Dublin from all over the world to tackle the course. Information on road closures in the city can be found here.