1. How did you train and get prepare for Duathlon ORIGIN at this current situation (having social distancing measures in place)?
Do you have to do some training to have a taper week? Just kidding. I have been working on my recovery, post intense sessions, an important aspect that I have long undervalued. My body seems to be responding and thanking me. In preparation for the duathlon, I have had to think about what it is exactly I am testing. With so many postponed and cancelled events, I no longer “train for a spcific race event”. I think I may have reached a point where I am now training because this is who I am, and this is what I love doing. It is part of my identity. (Reference to Atomic Habits by James Clear, a book I have only just started reading, but it makes sense to me).
2. Due to the rolling start, the Duathlon format is very much like a time trial format. Does this change your race strategy? How or why not?
I like keeping an eye on anyone with the same colour bib during a race event. Knowing an age-grouper can overtake me at any moment is a motivating factor that pushes me harder. Similarly, I normally pick an athlete to chase down. A rolling start is a different game. It takes the focus away from direct competition and shifts it more towards testing myself in a more intrinsic sense. I think this could actually be a smarter way to race in the longer term – me and the clock, forget everyone else. So my race strategy? Go “all out” on the bike, and run my little heart out to the finish line, hoping I don’t chunder along the way.
What is your target?
Don’t get me wrong. It is a very well known and obvious fact that I am competitive, a quality that does not always bring out the best in me, particularly if I am “in the zone”. I have to laugh about it, and those who know me laugh about it (or at me) too. So my target is to compete, and compete well. I want to finish knowing I could not have possibly given anything more – both, mentally and physically.
3. What are you looking forward to for this upcoming Duathlon ORIGIN event?
I always look forward to MetaSport events because I know the logistics work. I can rely on the whole team to deliver the best socially distanced and safe race experience, the minute I set foot on site. One less thing to worry about on race day! I also look forward to following other people’s stories on social media, and my phone group chats filled with friendly banter and laughs as we encourage and support each other over the two day event. Camadrie. That’s what it’s all about, and it still lives on. Thank you for making this possible.
