With all eyes focused on the European Games in Baku at the moment, we caught up with triathlon star and all-round legend Carolyn Hayes to talk training, college life and how she keeps everything going. The 27-year-old from Limerick is one of the stars of triathlon in Ireland and somehow manages to balance a rigorous training programme with the pressures of college in UL where she is training as a medical student. A recent arrival to the triathlon game, Carolyn explains how she got involved in the sport and how much her life has changed since. “This year will be my second season racing, so I’ve been doing it now for just one year and a few months,” she began. “Before I got involved in triathlons, I used to play water polo with Trinity and I have to say I loved it! It was a very physical game but it was really phenomenal to be involved with a team and share every victory/loss. “I also played hockey throughout secondary school as it was an all-girl school so unfortunately, if you didn’t play hockey you didn’t get to play any sport. “Then, a friend entered me into my first triathlon during my undergraduate degree at Trinity and that was my introduction!” So how did an interest in triathlons become a passion and sporting career that she has become hugely successful at? “I went over to race the British National Championships in July of last year where I got to race against athletes of a high standard and even the World Number One, Gwen Jorgenson." “Then, my first race representing Ireland was in September of last year where I raced in a European Cup in Madrid. It was a great eye-opener to the level that you need to attain to be able to race against the best.” Since those early steps into the sport, Carolyn has managed to add a hugely impressive array of titles to her name. "In 2014 alone, she was crowned the Vodafone National Series Female Winner, National Standard Distance Champion, Aquathon National Champion, Munster Sprint Champion, Mixed Team National Series Winners – GoTri, Female Team National Series Winners – Go Tri and the County Novice and Senior cross country winner – all in the space of just 12 months. Moving into 2015, her successes are already accumulating, having scooped the Ironman Mallorca 70.3 fastest female non pro winner title along with being crowned the County Novice and Senior road winner. We are getting tired just writing about it, so how on earth does she manage it all!? “It’s all about good time management and enjoying every day as it comes,” she reflected. “I’m lucky to say that I’m a member of GoTri Triathlon Club. I absolutely love my club and it’s one of the main reasons I enjoy triathlon so much. “I recommend that everyone finds a club to train with because it’s only through a club that you can make improvements. You also get to have a massive social outlet and make some great friendships with like-minded people which helps you to stick with it!" “It is very busy. During college term my hours are not my own and I have to be incredibly organised with my time management so training works around this. “Typically during term time, I swim three to four times, bike two or three times and run three times per week. “Depending on where I am in my race schedule I could up certain aspects of my program and I always go through every week individually with my coach Stephan Teeling Lynch, who has a lot of things to factor in! "It’s tough but I don’t see it as a sacrifice as I genuinely love the training and racing." “I always go to what I can and both friends and family know I’m not a party animal anyway - I’m known for disappearing early! “My family and friends are extremely supportive although no one cycles or runs in my family so the concept of including the three disciplines into one event was new at first! “My parents’ first race was in Kilkee last year and Mum wasn’t too sure if it was the run/swim/bike event or the swim/bike one! She’s into it now though and you can usually find her watching the WTS and cheering on the ‘Brownees’ as she calls them,” she laughed. “I’ve three older brothers so rugby dominates in our household!” Carolyn continued, adding that fellow Irish triathlete star Aileen Reid is a standout sporting hero for her. Looking ahead to the coming months, Carolyn is focused on her achieving her goals. “I aim to retain my titles from 2014 and become twice the athlete I was last year now I have an idea of what I’m actually doing! “My favourite sporting moment to date was joining GoTri and getting to meet everyone. Race wise, winning the National Standard Distance Championships in Kilkee at Hell of the West alongside Aaron O’Brien was an incredible start to what was a very good year,” she added. “If I was to give advice to younger athletes I’d say that if you have a sport you enjoy, stick with it. Balancing studies and sport is more than doable and don’t let anyone tell you can’t do both. “If you think you want to try a triathlon then go for it! There are loads of races in every corner of the country that cater to all levels. It’s addictive though…so once you do that first one you’ll be hooked! “I just enjoy it so much at the minute I don’t over think or worry about how I will balance everything. If you really love what you do, you always find a way,” she finished. Images via Martin Jancek/TI Media unless otherwise credited.