How did you get into Triathlon and when did you start competing?
My inspiring friend Adam Evans Thomas, who was in Pembrokeshire Tri Club and trained even when being treated for Leukemia, suggested I join. My first Triathlon was in 2002.
What sort of distance is your speciality? Why do you like that distance?
At the moment Sprint Triathlon - I enjoy the technical bike routes and the shortness of it! 😂
I also chose this distance as having had a Subtotal hysterectomy I was just happy to get back into triathlons and was unsure how my body would react to longer distances. So I’d say I’m in my comfort zone with Sprint Triathlon. I’ve also surprised myself with how much I enjoy the distance - as I never used to.
Julia Barker
What exactly have you qualified for and where?
The Sprint World Championship for Age Groupers in Torremolinos, Spain. It's a draft-legal race even though I qualified at the Bournemouth Sprint Triathlon where no drafting was allowed.
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What are you looking forward to on Race day/weekend?
Try to enjoy the whole experience, enjoy the Parade of Nations, soak up the atmosphere and party afterwards with the family! It’s a mid-week Triathlon so I’m also looking forward to watching the pros on the weekend.
What other races have you done that you’d recommend to other athletes?
London Sprint - unusual transition inside the EXCEL within the T100 weekend - it was great fun and you get to watch the pros race.
One bit of advice for a beginner …. Have eat treats days.
Fun Fact about you
During the Bass Lake Sprint Triathlon in California, I finished the last 2 miles of the bike leg with a puncture - I didn't want to be eaten by Bears if I stopped!
Top triathlon moment so far?
Finishing Ironman Wales in 2016
Do you have any motivational songs, quotes, etc?
A good book to read - The Chimp Paradox - on how to control your inner chimp 😂!
How have you found working with Peter and would you recommend him?
Yes I would recommend him - it was just what I needed. Peter gives great training plans and nutritional advice and is pro-active to respond to messages. I knew a consistent plan would improve my training. I’ve lost a stone in weight as well as gaining speed. I’ve enjoyed the last year’s training, wish I’d been like this 20 years ago.
Plans for the Future……
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I’ll have a break after Torremolinos and decide what to do next year. I’ve always fancied the Blenheim Palace Triathlon and next year it’s a draft legal qualifier for Europeans……... tempting!
Julia sent over some interesting pics from her Pembrokeshire Tri Club archive .....
Can you recognise some of the names ?
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Click on the pics for a better view!
