NEWS

Focus on Age Group Athletes: Birna Björnsdóttir (ICE)

By David Peddie | 11 Sep, 2013

Name:   Birna Björnsdóttir
National Federation: Iceland
Age Group:  40-44 Female

Birna Björnsdóttir is the perfect example of the sacrifices made by thousands of Age Group athletes competing in Triathlon competitions around the World.

As a firefighter and paramedic in her homeland, her important life saving work takes priority and the 12hour shifts can be draining. “When I have had a hard day at work and need a extra rest, then I sometimes have to skip training and rest instead,” admits Birna.

“If you train a lot you have to be careful about getting enough sleep. My shifts are a bit long so when you come home after a 12hour work you do not have energy for anything else that day. I find that rather difficult in my case, every week is different and I have to manage my training program and make a special plan for every week. It depends on how many days I have work and how many days I have off how many times I can train each week.”

A former swimmer in her homeland, Birna is making her World Championship debut in London. “My first triathlon was 2011 and it was a sprint distance. I did not have a bike so I had to borrow from a friend. I got my own bike in the beginning of 2012 and from then on I have been training for sprint and olympic distance.

“Triathlon is getting more and more popular every year here in Iceland and there is around 60-120 people who take part in every competition with 10-12 competitions over the summer. Half ironman is the longest distance here in Iceland but many Icelanders have finished the ironman distance in other countries all over the world.”

And despite being excited about the competition, Birna admits she has had to sacrifice a lot to get there. “To prepare well for London I have been competing a lot this summer.

“Almost every weekend I’ve had a competition or a long training session so I have not been spending as much time with my family. I have a husband and two boys, 13 and 10 years old. But I will try to be there for them after the competition in London.”
 

Related Event: 2013 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final London
11 - Sep, 2013 • event pageall results
Results: 16-19 Female AG Sprint
1. Malia Ellington USA 01:11:42
2. Elyse Foster AUS 01:12:57
3. Emma Jeffcoat AUS 01:13:46
4. Kirsten Vergara CHI 01:14:14
5. Steffie Holcroft NZL 01:14:23
6. Natalea Smith AUS 01:15:09
7. Aleena Villani USA 01:15:24
8. Hannah Sturmer NZL 01:15:47
9. Lauren York GBR 01:15:50
10. Severine Bouchez BEL 01:16:08
Results: 16-19 Male AG Sprint
1. Gustav Iden NOR 01:03:56
2. Kyle Smith NZL 01:04:16
3. Dillon Nobbs USA 01:04:25
4. Matthew Baker AUS 01:04:36
5. Christopher Perham GBR 01:04:54
6. Morten Hansen NOR 01:05:03
7. Michael Hooper AUS 01:05:04
8. Cameron Roberts AUS 01:05:09
9. William Kirk GBR 01:05:21
10. Tony Morales USA 01:05:34
Results: 18-19 Female AG
1. Charlotte Taylor GBR 02:00:29
2. Brooke Saunders USA 02:11:23
3. Rebecca Ladyman GBR 02:11:34
4. Severine Bouchez BEL 02:15:22
5. Michelle Swarovski USA 02:19:38
6. Skyler Werner USA 02:19:51
7. Rachel Hardy GBR 02:20:26
8. Amy Penberthy AUS 02:20:33
9. Lauren Evans GBR 02:35:00
10. Nicole Walch USA 02:35:31
Results: 18-19 Male AG
1. Morten Hansen NOR 01:52:41
2. Jessey The Elf CAN 01:52:49
3. Andrew Beardsall CAN 01:54:00
4. Robbie Deckard USA 01:58:49
5. Cameron Goodison AUS 01:59:11
6. Tautvydas Kopustas LTU 01:59:25
7. Spencer Ralston USA 01:59:33
8. Dmitry Baer USA 01:59:50
9. Martin Van Der Velden NZL 02:00:50
10. Leonardo Sanchez Ramirez MEX 02:01:26
Results: 20-24 Female AG
1. Kristen Marchant CAN 01:59:01
2. Meghan Degan USA 02:01:42
3. Martina Fellmann NZL 02:02:19
4. India Kraal NZL 02:02:44
5. Lisa Miksch GER 02:03:13
6. Georgia Stott AUS 02:03:37
7. Eloise Du Luart GBR 02:03:40
8. Francesca Stafford NZL 02:04:24
9. Brittany Warly CAN 02:06:26
10. Chantal Cummings GBR 02:07:37
Results: 20-24 Female AG Sprint
1. Lucy Smith GBR 01:12:15
2. Amalia Isabel Sánchez Albo MEX 01:13:48
3. Lauren Babineau CAN 01:14:41
4. Emma-Lea Davis GBR 01:14:58
5. Emily Whitmore GBR 01:15:57
6. Hannah Johnston GBR 01:15:58
7. Diana Berenice Rangel Velazquez MEX 01:16:02
8. Linda Evans GBR 01:16:40
9. Siobhan Gallagher IRL 01:17:13
10. Sophie Edge GBR 01:17:34