‘Riverdance keeps me on my toes’

July 25, 2011

A typical performance day of Lead Irish Dancer Chloey Turner

Nancy Previs
Independent.ie
25th July 2011

10am
I jump out of bed and because I am very hungry, the first thing that I do is make myself some porridge with milk and a little sugar. I also have a glass of orange juice and two poached eggs on buttered wheat toast. I like to start the day with a good, healthy breakfast.

11am
I take my time eating, and afterwards I change into my gym kit and then I’m out the door.

11.30am
I start my training session by warming up on the cross-trainer. Today, I use free weights and the machines to work on my upper body. I drink a bottle of water during the workout.

1pm
I eat a banana on my way home from the gym. Back at the apartment I shower and change before making myself lunch. Today I have a chicken salad made with rocket, strawberries and a balsamic dressing. I drink more water.

3.30pm
I have a hazelnut latte.

5pm
It’s time to get a bit of carbs into me, and I walk to the restaurant around the corner from the Gaiety where I order a chicken and broccoli dish with Alfredo sauce. I don’t like plain food and will always go for something with a sauce.

5.45pm
I walk back to the theatre and immediately start doing my hair and make-up.

6.30pm
On stage we do a line-up, running through a bit of the show so the dance captain can make any necessary adjustments.

7.15pm
I relax, have some water and then get into my costume about five minutes before the show.

7.30pm
‘Riverdance’ begins. Because I’m one of the lead dancers I’m constantly on the go. Whenever I am offstage I’m busy changing costumes, but I do manage to drink plenty of water and snack on strawberries and grapes to keep the sugar levels up.

At the interval, I drink more water and have some more fruit.

9.30pm
After the show, I change out of my costume into my warm-up gear.

We then do a 10-minute stretch to cool down and I jump into an ice bucket for the legs.

10pm
A few of us go for a drink and have a bit of dinner. I’m always really thirsty after the show and order a glass of Coke. I don’t like eating anything heavy at this hour and choose salmon with brown rice.

12am
I chill out while I watch some TV, go online and check emails. It’s 1am before I get to sleep. When I’m not dancing, I’d still be very active.

I do a lot of spin classes, weight training, as well as abs workouts.

I started Irish dancing when I was eight or nine, and then I became very good at long-distance running. My goal was to be either a part of ‘Riverdance’ or an Olympic runner.

Chloey Turner is one of the lead dancers in ‘Riverdance’ at the Gaiety Theatre until August 28 and INEC, Killarney, August 30-September 4.