PJT Coach Biographies - Kirsty McBirnie
Sports:Triathlon, hill running, climbing
Interest in Triathlon: I got into triathlon after getting injured running when I was looking to try something new. I stumbled upon Pentland Triathletes and after finally plucking up the courage to come along to a session I found everyone so welcoming and immediately got the bug!
Major Events competed in: Podium spot at the British and Scottish championships half ironman triathlon in Aberfeldy in 2021, first Duathlon in St Andrews in 2021 (somehow managing a podium spot!), various other half ironman races including Castle Howard, Edinburgh and Bamburgh Castle as well as a number of local sprint and standard distance races,. Running wise I've competed in the Scottish Hill Championship Race 2019, various marathons including London, Loch Ness and Glencoe mountain marathons as well as a mix of other local trail and hill running races including most recently the hilly Glentress half marathon at the end of 2021.
Why do you coach?:I coach because I love triathlon! One of my daughters did her first triathlon back when she was 7 at the New Year’s day triathlon in 2017 and also joined Pentland Juniors that year and still trains with then. Since then my other daughter has also joined the club and is one of our youngest members at just 8 years old. I have been an active member of the senior club since 2015 and I thought it would be a good way to give something back to the club to do my coaching qualification and help with the juniors. I did my level 1 coaching qualification in spring 2019 and have really enjoyed coaching the juniors and seeing them develop since then. Seeing their sense of achievement as they improve and master new skills makes it all worthwhile and is really rewarding.
Long term personal and club goals:I would love to think I will still be continuing to enjoy training and racing in triathlon until I’m in the vintage age category! I haven’t done a full ironman yet so maybe in a few years’ time when my children are a little older and I have more time that might be something to aim for. In the shorter term my ambition is to try and qualify for a GB age group place to race for the GB team at the European half ironman championship.
I would like to see the club continue to develop young talented athletes helping them to stay fit and healthy and most importantly enjoying themselves at tri club. It’s the taking part and the social side of it that is so rewarding for many of our athletes and I would like us to keep our reputation as a very friendly and welcoming club.
