Derval O’Rourke shares recipes that helped her achieve her fitness targets in new cookbook

For Derval O’Rourke the Olympics in Athens 2004 were one of the worst performances of her entire career. Diagnosed with food poisoning and appendicitis just weeks before, her chances of competing well were wiped out. Trailing home in seventh place she was absolutely devastated. But, these events were to become the catalyst for her future success.

There and then she decided that if she was going to be an athlete, she was going to be one of the best in the world. Up until now she had been depending solely on the work she was doing on the track and in the gym and that was not enough. She started to realise that everything in her life had a connection to her health and fitness.

One of the most important people she encountered on her transformative journey was a nutritionist who forever changed her approach to food. Derval’s journey started out with eating healthy and tasty food but became a passion for cooking it too. And the work paid off: the healthier she was, the faster she ran. In March 2006 she stood on the line for the World Indoor Championships and it took her just 7.84 seconds to become World Champion!

But you don’t have to be an elite athlete to care about what goes into your body. In her new cookbook, Food for the Fast Lane: Recipes to Power your Body and Mind, Derval shares the recipes that helped her achieve her fitness targets. As well as over 100 tasty and nutritious recipes for main meals and snacks she offers nutritional advice and motivational tips for anyone who wants to feel their best and increase their appetite for life!

Food for the Fast Lane will be launched by Gill Books on Tuesday 9 September, priced at €19.99.

For further information please contact Teresa Daly, Communications Manager, Gill Books, 01 500 9521, 086 838 3559, tdaly@gill.ie.