Student Athlete Insight - Mhairi Hendry

Blog 5 -  Student Athlete Insight 3

My name is Mhairi Hendry and I am a part time athlete and full time student. In 2017 I was England U23 champion, British University silver medallist, British university indoor gold medallist and British indoor bronze medallist. I achieved all of this while studying full time for a degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics. This has been very challenging as many of the athletes I compete against are full time athletes, which does put me at a slight disadvantage. However, I am an extremely driven and determined, which helps me be successful in my sport. 

My day start at 6am where I get ready for placement, at Queen Elizabeth University hospital. My placement day ends at 4.30pm, then I immediately run to the track to begin a two hour training session. My training sessions usually include a 2 mile warm up run followed by some specific drills and plyometric exercises and then a session on the track. After training I travel back home where I have little time to do anything but eat dinner, have a quick shower, prepare lunch for the next day and go to bed to get ready to do it all again tomorrow.Friday is my only rest day, however with limited time to study during the week due to my placement and detailed training, I have to dedicate my Fridays evenings to studying. Not a typical students Friday night... 

The weekend for me is usually a combination of training and studying. On a Sunday I do get a wee lie in though which is nice haha. All my friends are really supportive and understand that during the season and whilst at University I can’t really spend much time with them. I usually meet up for birthdays and special occasions but that’s about all I can fit in! However,  I am really lucky that I have such a great training group and a very supportive coach!!

Mhairi, coming 3rd at the British Indoor Championships