Chrissie Wellington QandA
With Chrissie Wellington looking to defend her Ironman World Championship title in Hawaii on October 11th, she kindly agreed to answer the questions of TriTalk members:
How has life as a world champion changed your approach to training, and to the sport? For example, it must be easier to get sponsors but how does this trade-off against the media work they would expect you to do, and the demands they make on your time? (Welsh Bloke)
To know that I am the best in the world, for one year at least, has brought me immeasurable joy and a wealth of fantastic opportunities – but yes, it has also resulted in more obligations, commitments and pressures – not to mention expectations, both those I put on myself and those that others have for me. The crown is only as heavy as you let it be though. For me, the best way for me to deal with the added pressure is to try and see everything as a positive.
For example, my experiences at other races have made me realise that I won’t be able to walk the streets (at races at least) unnoticed. There are always tonnes of autographs to sign and photos to pose for, and I love doing that. The same goes for the media. It can be tiring, but as I said, I have to see the positive side of this attention. The victory has given me a platform to motivate, inspire others, spread important messages on a range of issues, to promote the sport in the UK and overseas, put GBR on the map, and most importantly be the sporting role model and ambassador that I would want to see. I will never take this role for granted and will seize every opportunity I have, now and in the future. But, of course, before races I have to be sensible, organise my time and make sure I don’t do too much. This is where my manager (Ben Mansford) comes in, as well as my army of built-like-a-brick-shithouse bodyguards and a cunning, hairy disguise so I don’t get noticed!
Luckily I have some great sponsors – the biggies being TYR (www.tyr.com), Cervelo (www.cervelo.com) and Cytosport (www.cytosport.com), as well as Oakley, Brooks, Blue Seventy, Beaker Concepts, Sigma Sport, Physio4Life and of course TeamTBB. My sponsors are great, and realise that putting excessive pre-race obligations on my shoulders risks undermining the very thing that they want me to do – and that is getting the best publicity for them through a good performance.
As for training – nothing much has changed to be honest - except I am getting that little bit faster! My team-mates would always bring me back down to size if I were to get a big head, and the Boss, well, he treats me exactly the same as the others. Like a soldier. No special favours just because I wore the lai in Hawaii!
Ultimately though, to me, dealing with the additional obligations, pressures, expections and commitments is what being a professional athlete is about. Not just being able to perform on race day, but coping with the various demands and being a good role model day in and day out. It is up to me to stay focused, strong and happy and go out there and give it everything I have, and more.
Do you think Ironman-Distance racing should be an Olympic event? (Rob-T)
Yes and no. If it were an Olympic sport it would increase media, corporate and political exposure and thus serve to increase funding, for current and future athletes, but then I worry that it would get all consumed with Olympic related politics, and Federation bullshit. For me, Hawaii is like the Olympics: our own special event, on a very very special and spiritual island.
Who in the sport is your inspiration and why? (Younggun)
As a kid, I was always inspired by Zola Budd. I remember my nanna telling me –‘Christine you will be like Zola Budd one day!’. Regardless of the rumours about Brett’s bonkers training methods I have never run in bare feet though!
Since starting triathlon I have been incredibly inspired by athletes such as the Hoyts, Scott Rigsby, John Blais for their courage, fortitude and ability to deal with adversity. Outside of sport, my parents - for their selflessness, enthusiasm and generosity, and my grandparents, for their quiet strength.
What one thing in each discipline helped you improve? (Hibee Seagull)
Can I say three things, which cut across all three disciplines?! No1 speed work, No2 my coach and No 3 sorting out my head.
Do professional athletes partake in friendly smackdown banter before races? (Samwhi)
Of course, it’s when we catch up on all the juicy gossip. Belinda Granger is the best one for keeping everyone amused before the gun goes off! Some races are better than others for quality chat. Timberman 70.3 was great race in so many ways, but it stood out for the camaraderie and idle banter between the pros at the start. Loved it.
Do you think you will break the new Ironman world record? (Samwhi)
My focus is on doing my best and being the fastest on the day. If that means I get close to the world record (and have remembered what it is!) then I might make a mad dash for the line, especially if the race director puts a little incentive in my pocket for doing so! But the focus is not on breaking records – it is on getting faster.
Has the formation of 'Ironman Teams' enabled individual athletes to improve more so than if they remained individual? (Samwhi)
Following the poor performances at the Olympics from the Athletics and triathlon squads. Do you think the successful format of athletes living and training together as you do, and British Cycling, would work with athletics team / Triathletes? (endorphine junkie)
I can only speak from my experience in the case of TeamTBB, and the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. Although triathlon is an individual sport, especially in the non drafting races, the team environment (and crucially one which has my coach at the helm) has played a vital role in shaping me into the athlete I am today. Being on a team doesn’t suit everyone, but I have thrived in it, and others have too. I can train with, and learn from, some of the best and most experienced athletes in the world. We can push each other further, and reign each other in when needs be. Plus, pro triathlon can be quite a lonely sport, and to have great people to train and relax with makes it a bit easier to bear when you are so far away from home…..
The advantage of this team also goes so much further than triathlon. It is enabling me to be involved in development work, in the Philippines especially, and act as a role model and mentor to kids and young adults there, and this is something that is very close to my heart.
Ultimately, though, our team seems to work because Brett still sees us all as individuals, and trains us that way. Although we are a team and may do some of the same sessions, we all have slightly different programmes – tailored to our own strengths and weaknesses. Forums, like TriTalk, can be great for exchanging ideas, but ultimately you are all individuals. What works for one, might not work for another. The key is to keep it simple and find a plan that best suits you, your life and your skill set and not blindly follow a generic ‘ironman’ plan.
If you were told that your next triathlon would be your last what sport would you take up instead, and why? (Nello)
Mud wresting. For the loin cloth. Or naked sky diving, which might not be a sport. But should be.
Seriously, I would love to do time trialling or cycle stage racing at a competitive level, and mountain biking (probably a death wish due to technical incompetence). I could also go back into politics, to try and effect sporting change that way, go off cycle touring and travelling round the world, or start a sport/development related foundation. I will seize any opportunity that comes my way, and whatever it is I will enjoy the journey.
Are you disappointed with the level of recognition your amazing entry into Iron racing has got in the UK press? (FatIrishman)
As one of a select bunch of female British world champs in sport, does it annoy you that you get zero recognition in this country? (Athletes Foot)
How do you feel about the fact that you have done so much, and yet will probably not even get a mention for this, when in my mind you deserve a lot more recognition than you currently have? (Morg)
What do you think are the reasons why the British and the press are not that interested in Ironman? (good4age)
I am planning on drastic measures to improve things. I will have a boob job and get a fashionable appendage (like a prada bag), and attempt to get some recognition as Chrissie WAG. No seriously, the lack of media coverage is disappointing, but also understandable. Triathlon, despite being one of the most rapidly growing sports, doesn’t have the sponsorship and financial backing that other sports do, and to many it is not as ‘spectator friendly’ as, for example, a football match with 22 overpaid nancies diving around (I support Spurs: and am thus disillusioned). But it is my job to change things. As I said, I and other GBR athletes have an opportunity to put Great Britain on the map – though our performances on the pitch and our attitude and actions off the pitch too. This, of course, includes seizing the opportunity that the 2012 Olympics has to offer - in terms of increasing the public’s awareness of triathlon.
It was amusing (yet somewhat infuriating) when, after the World Ironman Championships, I got asked by a member of the public – ‘What is Ironman? Do you pull trucks?’ Ummmm no. Truck pulling (or any kind of pulling) is not in my repertoire. I am sure a Champion truck puller would have got more recognition at Sports Personality of the Year though. On that note, it is frustrating that in countries like Australia Emma Snowshill gets awarded SPOTY, whereas our equivalent doesn’t even mention triathlon, let alone award it. I am not just speaking about myself, there are many others – Julie Dibens, Catriona Morrison, Hollie Avil, Helen Tucker, Tim Don…who have all done great things in the year or so, and receive scant recognition. But as I said, the options are a) to sit back and be apathetic, or b) try and do something about it by training hard, racing well and banging on about triathlon to anyone that will listen!
What's your favourite training session? (endorphine junkie)
Smash fest on the track in Switzerland: ride 25km to track, do a sizable amount of 800s - faster than race pace - with a 200 jog recovery, and a 25km ride home (16km of which is up hill). And that’s the first session of the day!
After Kona.... if you could only do one more IM distance race, which one would you choose? and why? (endorphine junkie)
Oh jesus, that’s a toughie!!!!! There are so many I want to do. I loved IM Germany, for the crowd support, the course and the fact that my parents were there to watch. Plus the beer at the end was superb, given that it comes in huge jugs and nice measly pint glasses. So maybe yes, IM Germany (after IMUK of course!).
Does your speed come from an emphasis on Long Steady Distance, Interval/speed work in training or a combination or both. Does this differ between disciplines? (schedboy)
It comes from a combination of both. We do sessions that range from very very easy, to all out, fast as you can, heart in your throat stuff, plus things in between like hill rep strength work (low HR, but tough as old boots), as well as tempo/race pace. Any one session might also have a combination of both. Plus, don’t forget that to be a fast runner, you need to look at how you structure your swim and bike training as much, if not more than, as your run sessions. I am a relatively fast marathon runner, not just because of the run sessions I do, but also because of the swim and bike training. That’s the key. We are not swimmers, bikers or runners. We are triathletes. One discipline affects the other. You train to be a strong runner through biking, if that makes sense?!
Nature or nurture? ie. how much is your phenomenal success do you think is due to your genetic make up, and how much down your training. (fruit thief)
A bit of both. Mum and Dad Welly, and the ancestors, can take some of the credit. Although I really don’t know where I got my ability to withstand the heat - maybe there is a bit of African or Australian in me somewhere (must ask mum about the milkman!). My granddad lived to be 101 years young, so he definitely had a bit of endurance! But it is also down to my stubborn, competitive and obsessive personality. My determination and drive, not to mention my coach, the team environment and passion for masochism and pain!
What goes through your mind/how do you concentrate on the bike & run? How do you, if you do, prevent negative thoughts? (roggerrabbit)
You can’t fear pain. Pain is to be expected. It is not a bad or negative thing. You almost need to embrace it, and then learn to deal with the feeling. The key is to experience and suffer that level of discomfort in training, to develop coping strategies and ultimately to have the confidence in yourself and your ability. Visualisation is important. When it gets really tough I try and remember times in training and life in general where I have suffered, preserved and ultimately achieved my goals.
It is important that athletes spend some time before the race thinking about what could happen, positive and negative, and making sure you have strategies for dealing with it. For example, what if your goggles come off, or you lose your nutrition, or you get a puncture? To panic is an athletes undoing, so having prepared a strategy for dealing with all eventualities can help you to deal with these problems more effectively if/when they arise.
Are you going to stay long distance or come back down and race olympic? (koalafish)
I think my strength lies in the longer distance races, especially IM. But I will always mix it up, and use Olympic distance races for training. They give me sharpness and bring those fast twitch fibres out of retirement! As I said in my blog (www.chrissiewellington.org), the World Cup race in Tongyeong in April this year wasn’t my finest racing hour in terms of position, but I learnt so much and I think it made me grow as an athlete, which can only be positive.
Chrissie - You always seem to be able to race with a smile. So does your IM race speed hurt, or are you pacing well within yourself? (Paul L)
Ironman racing is tough, for pros and age groupers alike. It is never easy, even if sometimes we make it look that way. I have trained to race at the pace that I do, and I know what is comfortable and what I can sustain. I love to race and I love to be in the lead, and that’s ultimately why I smile. But of course, at times it hurts. A lot. I try and deal with that and smiling is one way that I cope. It helps me relax and also it gives something back to the spectators, which is very important to me.
Would you attribute your best race performances to your physical state on the day, or your mental state on the day? (Luke)
Both. It is a mental as well as a physical game. To adapt a saying I have heard a few times - ‘others don’t have to beat you if you are already beating yourself’. Mental strength, confidence, and an ability to deal with pressure and the unexpected is half the battle, but of course if someone is composed mentally, and is physically strong, then they will be hard to beat!
What do you feel you next challenge will be? (timf)
Being on a Question of Sport (if they asked me). I am very crap at sporting general knowledge, but am partial to a bit of Matt Dawson.
Or the Mud Wresting World Champs.
What would you consider to be your main weakness that you have had to work on the most in your time in triathlon? Not that you seem to have any! (Wheezy)
Technical skills on the bike (descending and cornering especially) and the inside of my head.
Do you participate in any other sport ( individual or team ) just for fun ? (mash180)
Mud wrestling, lawn bowls and croquet.
No, seriously I love mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving, kayaking and exercising my boozing biceps (which are clearly not exercised enough given their puny appearance!)
Roughly how many hours / miles a week do you do of each tri discipline? And do you do anything else, ie gym work, weights, circuit training etc. (bryanm)
I love the obsession with hours and miles!!!!! To be honest I don’t know. I don’t log them – it isn’t important. Quality effort is much more important than keeping the log book happy and trying to meet some kind of arbitrary number.
No one week is the same, but we train hard and we train a lot. Seven days a week - 4-6 hours a day. There is a rough programme, but Brett often surprises us and mixes it up, so you never know for sure. I see resting as training, eating and sleeping are training. So I guess, in terms of hours, we train 24/7, it’s not just about the times when you are going hard. I get an equal balance between swim, bike and run, and don’t prioritise one over the other – I guess i do about 6-7 sessions of each a week, varying in length and intensity – from very easy (which I find hard to do) to all out, balls to the wall, eyes popping out of your sockets work.
I don’t do any gym, weights or circuit training, except for 50 push-ups per day on my knuckles to build up my skinny, sticky arms. Our weights are incorporated into our swim, bike and run sessions. For examples, using paddles is like doing weights in the pool, running hill repeats is strength work for the legs and pushing a super big gear on the bike is like doing leg presses. No need to do any extra!
Oh, and no before anyone asks! I don’t use a power thing or a heart rate monitor. I have a bike computer which gives me time and distance. I don’t need a monitor to tell me if I am going hard or easy. My heart can lie. My head can’t.
Is competing at London 2012 on your radar? (rubbersidedown)
Never say never! Triathlon or cycling would be the two I could possibly imagine myself competing in. But I am also exceptionally talented at shot put and lawn bowls (combining the two could lead to the death of the geriatric lawn bowling competitors though). Mud wrestling is yet to make it as an Olympic sport unfortunately.
How do you get so lean? Do you have to be really strict, or is it natural? (aliice)
It’s the diet of pickled cabbage and raw fish here in Korea! No, it’s mostly natural. My parents are both quite lean. My weight varies a bit, but not by more than a kilo or two. I don’t actually weigh myself that much, and the Boss keeps an eye on me and (in my case) makes sure I don’t lose too much weight. If he thinks I am looking like a stick he forces me to eat heaps of cheese and chocolate (life’s a bitch!).
In terms of diet….mine is wide ranging and sizeable. I guess I consume about 4-5000 calories a day, with a mix of carbs (which is about 60% of my diet), protein and lots of good fats. I tend to eat three large meals, with snacks in between. I don’t tend to eat during sessions that are less than an hour, but if they go beyond that then I always have a gel or bar to keep me going. Some of my calories come from fluids, in the form of Cytomax energy drinks. I don’t really weigh or measure my food, and just try to fit as much in the industrial sized bowl as I can!
There isn’t really a food substance that I don’t like. I ate snake, dog and rat in Indonesia. I guess my foody favourites are bircher muesli (nuts, seeds, coconut, oatmeal, dried fruit – the whole kitchen sink - with yoghurt), huge bbq’s at my mum and dad’s house, salads with everything, steak, all things middle eastern, and dense, heavy German bread! In any order, and sometimes together!
How easy/ hard was it leaving your job to become a full time athlete? How did you weigh up the risks? (jonhinio)
It was a risk, yes. I didn’t know how good I could be, and most importantly whether I could earn enough to even make ends meet. I actually took a sabbatical from my job, so a position is open to me should I want to go back and push paper (and the way things are going for Big Gordon at the moment it does sound like he might need some help!). But ultimately, it wasn’t a tough decision to make. You only get one chance at life, a door opened for me, and had the support of my family and friends - so I took the opportunity with both hands.
That’s not to say the first few months as a pro were easy. They weren’t. It was extremely tough. I didn’t know anyone, I found I hard to fit in with the rest of the team (who had been in the game a long time, and knew everything about triathlon, whereas I knew absolutely nothing) - in short, I was the new girl and the sh*t kicker, until I had proven myself and established a place in the pecking order. I nearly cracked a few times, but I guess the inner drive and determination to succeed made me more resilient to the emotional hardships and I came out stronger.
And looking back now, am I glad I took that risk? You bet! And if it hadn’t of worked? I wouldn’t have regretted taking that step. As I said, you only get one chance and I never, ever want to look back and ponder ‘what if?’
If drugs infiltrated tri-racing in the same way as they have done in pro cycling (ie. TdF) and tarnished the "clean" image of the sport, paricually at the long distances, ie. ironman, would you continue with the sport? (madal)
There are drugs in every sport, including triathlon. The positive tests, in Olympic distance and ironman, prove that. OK, so it is not as prevalent as other sports, but it is there. Do I except it? No, I do not. Will I use every opportunity I have to push for change? Yes I bloody well will.
I would like to see the National Federations, athletes, the WTC and other race organisers adopt and support a much stronger, rigorous and more consistent anti-doping policy. There should be mandatory out of competition testing (blood and urine) for all pro athletes, as well as mandatory in-competition tests, before and after all races. This could be financed through Federation membership fees (which happens in Germany for example), race entrance fees, by the athletes directly (eg an annual sum made payable to a central body) or by sponsors.
In terms of me personally, it was more a case of when than ‘if’ rumours and lies would start to circulate. Small minded people on forums, including Tritalk, have implied that my success is down to performance enhancing drugs (including ‘it is too good to be true’ comments). Maybe when people realised that Kona wasn’t a one off they started to ask questions - where does her strength come from, why does she smile so much, and how does she manage to beat athletes with years more experience? There are no concrete answers – and I don’t trouble myself with trying to find them. But others do.
I didn’t start triathlon expecting to win Hawaii or even Ironmans. I started because I did well at age group level, enjoyed the sport and basically wanted to see how far I could go. But my success, and its rapidity, has surprised me as much as others. I guess people expect a World Champion, or Ironman winner, to conform to a stereotype – to follow a rite of passage, to tread conventional path to sporting success. If someone doesn’t follow that path, takes an alternative route, then there must be a reason – and some people think that reason is drugs.
I will state very clearly that I have never, nor will ever, take performance enhancing drugs. I have submitted myself to the WADA drug testing process, and have been tested out of competition and in-competition (urine and blood tests). I can look in the mirror and know that I am clean. But I am grateful to those who have perpetuated the lies, as they have given me the platform to stand up for what I believe in. That is zero-tolerance for the use of any drugs in triathlon, and all sports – amateur and professional. Enough said.
Do you have a race plan/strategy for Kona, and who do you consider to be your main rivals (Daz)
I am a competitor and I am going there to try and win. To say otherwise would be a lie! That is not arrogance, it is the truth. To aspire to mediocrity has never been part of my make-up. But I will try and race my own race, listen to my body and not be overly worried about everyone else. That said, I do need to be aware of what the others are doing, and be prepared to react when necessary. In terms of competitors, everyone has earned their place on that start line, and so everyone - to me - is a rival; and last year showed that you shouldn’t discount anyone - even if they are not household names! If I have to name names - Erika, Jo, Yvonne, Belinda, Bella, Bek, Leanda, Kate and Sam have shown just how strong they are, and I am sure you will see them in the mix.
In terms of strategy…As always, the swim start (pub type brawl) is pretty frantic, with legs, arms and other body parts flying here there and everywhere. I will swim as hard as I can for the first 400m and try and latch onto the first pack. After this I will relax and try and settle into a nice rhythm. I would like to swim around 55minutes this year. Coming into T1 I think about what my next steps are, in chronological order and mentally prepare for the bike leg.
It’s an out and back bike course. I will be riding the P2 (all those aero geeks will be pleased that I have traded my road bars for the TT bars!). Of course, what people need to remember when commenting on my set up is that we are NOT cyclists. It is vital to balance aerodynamics with comfort and the need to run a marathon afterwards! So while I might not be as aero as a TT cyclist, I am set up to maximise my bike AND run times. Anyway, for me, it’s important to be a bit conservative in the first half of the ride, and try and come home strongly. This is what I did last year, and it seemed to work well. I am looking to ride between 4hr55 and 5hr10. But who knows what will happen if the wind really blows! Nutrition and hydration are crucial, and vaseline is essential unless you love chaffing.
The marathon is like the bike ride – rolling hills, exposed and with very little protection from the wind and the heat (which will be intense as the pros start running at around 1pm). I always run as I feel, taking a gel every 25-30mins and water at every aid station. I switch to coke/pepsi in the last 10km to give me that extra sugar and caffeine fix. I don’t wear a hat/visor as my head gets like a furnace, and they make me feel uncomfortable. I think it will take a super speedy marathon to win the race – of course, I hope to be pushing the pace to hit a sub 3hour time!
What will it take for GB to produce an Olympic gold medalist in triathlon? (kemptonslim)
Time.
Have you maximised your potential? (OldNick)
In triathlon - no and in life in general, again, no.
In terms of a singing career - I never had one iota of potential. So, yes.
What animal do you think most resembles you, would you like to have a cool nickname like Tjorborn's "Thunderbear"? (T-Rex of Tri)
A bunny (rabbit). Big ears, longish legs and an ability to go at it all day (and night!)
What are your nicknames and how did they come about? (putt putt)
Muppet - for being blonde in my actions and comments. And Brett calls me ‘The Cristinator’ - he has called me other things, but they wouldn’t pass the profanity check!
Do you ever relax and have a beer (or any other alcoholic drink)? (lambertsimnel)
I love a six pack.
Does anything worry you on raceday? (AndyS)
Not having a No2 before the start
How many pro men will you overtake in Kona, and what would be your dream Overall finish position, not just the birds. (Towel)
The more men I beat the more post race food will be left, so I will try and take as many men out as possible in those closing stages…..:)
If you wake up in the morning and say to yourself 'I can't be ar$ed', how do you motivate yourself? (KennyBoy)
Coffee. And the Foo Fighters.
Plus a burning desire to improve. I don’t have to be a world beater in every session – as long as I have tried my hardest. As the boss says, some sessions are stars and some are stones, but they are both rocks and we can build with them.
Will you ever do IMUK if it isn't too close to Kona? (Samwhi)
Yes, but it does depend on the timing, and the weather forecast.
Contact details:
Chrissie’s website: www.chrissiewellington.org
TeamTBB website: www.teamtbb.com
Chrissie’s manager: bmansford@wmgllc.com
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