Mum of three Sheral Hetherington is one determined lady.

Sheral Hetherington

Sheral Hetherington, aged 44, has always been interested in keeping fit, but the challenge she is about to take on could be compared to a mid-life crisis.

On Friday June 23rd, Sheral will form part of a novice team in the Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra Race –  an ultra cycling event along 555km of rugged and beautiful Donegal Wild Atlantic Way coastline.

Taking on an endurance challenge is a big feat for Sheral, who had never cycled long distances before this year.

The married stay-at-home mum started running about 4 years ago as a way of getting some “me” time. She was a newbie to the world of fitness, so at the beginning she had her fair share of injuries which was very frustrating for her.

She completed several 10 milers and half marathons in 2015 with a lot of help from Adam Speer of Speer Performance, but unfortunately at the beginning of 2016 she got injured again.

Sheral was ready to throw in the towel when Adam Speer recommended trying the bike as a way of keeping up her fitness levels and give her a break from running. Sheral hadn’t been on the bike since she was a very young child and wasn’t overly thrilled at the idea but gave it a go anyway.

Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra Race 555KM. Photo: Dominic Lafferty Photography

Earlier this year, her husband saw a Facebook post by Team Donegal Oil looking for a team of novices to take part in the Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra Race 555km. When he told her, she thought it sounded like a good idea to join part of a team – “It would be a real challenge with people of the same fitness level so I decided to put my name forward,” Sheral said.

Now, The Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra 2017 is just weeks away and she is starting as a complete cycling novice. She said the training with Team Donegal to date has been fantastic, and with so much support and encouragement from Arthur McMahon, Team Donegal Oil, and her teammates.

Sheral said she is delighted but slightly nervous to now be part of Team Donegal Oil taking on the challenge of Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra Race 555km. This Donegal mum is determined to #haveago.