LAUNCESTON’S Louisa Shaw fulfilled a lifetime dream recently by representing Great Britain in the ETU Multisport European Championships in Ibiza on Wednesday, October 24.

On the Spanish island, Shaw, who is married with two children, competed in the Aquathlon European Championships in the 35-39 Female age category where she did a 1km open water swim and a 5km run in the searing 26 degree heat.

She qualified after doing some local-based events which saw her reach the required qualifying times.

However the Launceston Road Runner admitted that the race didn’t go as well as she would have liked as she finished 16th out of the 25 in her age group in a time of 43 minutes and 36 seconds.

She said: “The swim didn’t go to plan. I got kicked in the head at the start of it and then two people swam right over the top of me. It’s quite brutal and looking back I should have started on the outside, which is down to a lack of experience.

“For the run I didn’t feel great but it’s made me want to do another one next year. I’ll learn from my mistakes but I felt so dreadful after the kick, my head felt like it was going to explode. But I had my kids there and I wanted to show them that although things don’t always go to plan, that I could finish and not give up.”

Conditions were also tough.

Shaw said: “It was extremely hot. It was about 26 degrees when we were running and the sea was really choppy. We got out there on the Saturday (October 20) and the sea had been calm all week apart from the day of the race. That’s not to say it’s an excuse, it just means that I need to practice it more.”

In preparation, Shaw admits that finding the time to balance her training, work and children was difficult and is already looking ahead to the 2019 championships in Transylvania in central Romania.

She said: “I only started swimming two years ago and I’ve only ran recreationally for about ten years. What inspired me was that when I was younger I dived competitively at a high level but missed out on GB selection.

“I was always gutted about it and never thought that I would represent my country, but when I received my GB kit through in the post it was one of the best feelings.

“Less than two years ago I found out about this and I thought I could achieve it so I did some local events.

“I found out in January that I had got a place and trained five times a week although it’s been tough with work and my two kids doing sport. But I’ve tried to up it in the last six months and I’ve dedicated myself.

“I’ve been quite strict with my training, but unfortunately it didn’t go as well as I’d liked.

“I wanted to do it in under 39 minutes (which would have seen her finish fifth), but it’s still under the qualifying time for next year.

“I’m going to keep up with the training and prepare by doing more open water swimming than just in the pool and the event has made me want to do it again.

“I’d like to thank all my family and friends, especially my husband and children for all their support, Matt Luxton for helping with my training plan and to Idass for their sponsorship.”