Sharlene Mawdsley: I’m in a good position for the Olympics, but nothing is taken for granted

The Tipperary sprinter on training at UL and how she destresses

Tue, 06 Aug, 2024 - 09:13

In this interview, first published in March 2024, the Tipperary sprinter talks us through her typical Saturday training with the Olympics on the horizon.

9:00

The first thing I do in the morning is have a cup of Barry’s Tea and breakfast. I always try to include protein in my breakfast. Usually, I just have eggs and toast. I’ve been a pro athlete with Puma since January, so I get ready with matching Puma gear and then it’s straight out the door to training at the University of Limerick.

10:30

I am always the first person to arrive for warm up on Saturdays. It’s usually my hardest training day of the week.

I spend about an hour warming up, and I am ready to go for 11:30am with my coach, Gary Ryan. He’s a former Olympian, so he’s a great person to have in my corner. We train for about two hours.

My main goal for this year is getting to Paris. I missed out on the last Olympics by a really small margin, so it’s no surprise that I really want to be there this time, individually as well as the relays.

The Irish 4x400m team of Roisin Harrison, Phil Healy, Sophie Becker and Sharlene Mawdsley celebrate creating a new National Record. Picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

I’m in a good position for the Olympics, but nothing is taken for granted. I just have to keep working hard, put in a few more good races. I think [disqualification at the World Athletics Indoor Championships] taught me that I can overcome anything.

Before, with a setback like that, I would have been really disappointed and struggled to come back from it. Having the relays with the girls so quickly after and breaking the national record was amazing. We took 2.5 seconds off our last national record – and we are capable of so much more which is what is so exciting.

13:00

Post-training, I’ll go home for a shower and might go out for brunch with friends. Factory 13 in Castletroy is my go-to. I love their smashed avocado on toast. I tend to avoid going into the city centre, but if I do, I love Spitjack. I have a dietitian and a nutritionist but I try to eat whatever I want. It’s all about balance. I go by 80/20, 80% healthy and 20% whatever I want. I don’t want to restrict myself — the sport is intense, so I want to make sure to allow myself treats.

15:00

My weekends can be so varied depending on whether it’s a rest or race weekend. If it’s a recovery weekend, I am probably going to the Crescent Shopping Centre before I put the feet up for the evening.

I like to just forget about running after I train, especially on Saturdays as I am off on Sundays, and shopping is a good distraction. I am lucky that I am a full-time athlete, it gives me more time to focus on rest and recovery.

Sharlene Mawdsley. Picture: INPHO/Bryan Keane

17:30

After shopping, it’s another cup of tea and I might pop on the recovery boots and put my feet up. I am not really into TV but I do watch other sports. I got really into the Women’s Rugby Sevens recently after meeting Stacey Flood. I think Irish women’s sports is just in such a great place at the moment, so I like keeping my eye on what everyone is doing.

I am very guilty of scrolling but I do like to read. The last book I read was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I was late to it; it was so good.

I am in a bad habit now where I am behind on podcasts, but I used to always listen to My Therapist Ghosted Me, and I’ve been listening to Hot Mess with Alix Earle recently too.

19:00

If I am home in Tipperary, I’ll try to visit my Nana and Grandad. I haven’t been home for a weekend in the last two months... it can get crazy, but my family do travel to some races. My mam is really athletics’ number one fan. I don’t have to keep on top of my competitors' times — she always has all the results for me.

If I am in Limerick, I might go out for dinner with friends — Locke Burger or La Cucina would be my picks in Limerick — or else order a takeaway in. I have a busy enough social life, even if I am not out partying every weekend. People always ask me if I am on a drinking ban. I am not, but I know my competition aren’t doing it, so I am not going to be out drinking on weekends. You always want to have the edge. Of course if there is an occasion, I can plan around it and talk to my coach about having a recovery week that week, but when I am drinking, it is very minimal.

21:00

I don’t really have a nighttime routine but I am trying to get better with my skincare routine – at the moment I use a Clinique cleanser and moisturiser, and the circular hydration serum by Dermalogica. Then I have a warm bath with some Epsom salts for my muscles, and I am in bed by half ten.