Youth Member Tips

 Q & A with USAT's Olympians

2008 Olympian Laura Bennett took some time out of her busy schedule to speak with USA Triathlon.  Read on for some interesting insight into Laura's preparation, what being an Olympian means and what superhero she would be if she could pick.  Check back later for a Q & A with Jarrod Shoemaker.

Q.     What were you thinking as you crossed the finish line to know that you had Qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
A.     In some ways a bit of relief, as it has been a long-term goal of mine, probably 14 years running.  In saying that, I was mostly excited to have earned the opportunity to go to this big show.   

Q.    What was the number one word or thought that was going through your mind while racing?
A.    You can make this happen.  I had prepared properly and knew I had what it took to make it happen it is just allowing it to unfold.

Q.    How did it feel to be racing against your teammates? 
A.    I race against my teammates all the time.  Yes this sort of selection does seem to make it a bit more personal but I love the competition, I wish them the best.  I want them to bring their best day when we race and see how it turns out.  The stronger and fitter they become the greater my drive to make myself the strongest and fittest I can become! At the end of the day it is only you, you have control over and you have to work with.

Q.    What was the most difficult part of the race?  (Physically, Mentally, Emotionally)
A.    A huge goal of mine was to make it at the first trials, so everything was on my performance at Beijing.  Before the race and the days leading in I actually felt extremely tired.  Having done World Championships in Hamburg, Germany just two weeks before I had done quite a bit of travel and changing of time zones getting to Beijing.  So it took my body up until the morning of the race to feel energetic.  Emotionally that was hard because usually I enjoy the days before the race, which energize me and being tired made it difficult to feel this.  Mentally and Physically, I knew I was ready, prepared and focused.  But I must admit in the middle of the run, for the first time in my career, it felt like work.  My stomach was rife with cramps and to be honest I think it was a bit of anxiety, I quickly recognized it and got control of myself and enjoyed the final part of the run, taking bronze in the race and capturing my first Olympic Birth.

Q.    What mental preparations did you make before this race? 
A.    I think the main mental prep before the race is a bit of imagery.  Recognizing what it is going to be like and focusing on my race tactics.  I noticed when doing this that when I thought about just racing the US women for a spot on the team I felt a shortage of confidence but when I thought about racing for the win I felt completely at ease.  So that was it, race for the win, fall short of that but gain the Olympic Birth, a very successful day!

Q.    What/When was the moment you made a conscious decision to become an Olympic Triathlete? 
A.    I got back into triathlons out of college in 1997, Tim Yount from USA Triathlon called me (knowing me as a junior triathlete before college) and asked me if I wanted to be on the US Resident team.  There was nothing academically I was interested in so I thought until I figure out what industry I would like to pursue I will do triathlons, as I truly love sport and believe that this is my main talent.  So when I had left the sport for college it was a different sport, not Olympic, and if it hadn’t been when I got out I don’t believe I would of stayed in it as long as I have.  As becoming an Olympic sport changed the format of triathlon, what was a sport mainly dominated by bike/runners and very individualistic, is now a game and focusing more on swim/runners with tactics involved.  So in 1998 I decided I would get my professional license and pursue the Olympic path.  In 2000, I realized how demanding the sport was, and wasn’t convinced this was the path I wanted to take for the next 10 years of my life, and if I hadn’t met my husband on the circuit I am not sure I would be still racing today?  I think to take this sport on at this level takes absolute absorption and having a partner who does the same made it much easier to cope with the demands.  It was the best decision ever sticking with this sport.  I have learned so much about myself, the sport, the world, and life.

Q.    Which race is your favorite?
A.    I love racing in Europe.  I think they really embrace the sport for what it is.  The crowds are tremendous.  Hamburg, Germany is definitely a standout for Europe.

Q.    Do you have any superstitions when you race?  If so, what are they?
A.    No, I kind of made it a point to not have those.  If I had to make one that I have lived by I guess it would be try not to come into a race unprepared.

Q.    What is the one thing you always have to have with you?
A.    My sunglasses

Q.    If you could be any superhero, who would you be?
A.    I think being able to fly would be cool … Superwoman!

Q.    Concentration camp survivor, Victor Frankl said, "He who has a 'why' to live can bear with almost any 'how'." What is the "why" that drives your purpose for living?
A.    Experience / Knowledge.  I am an extremely inquisitive person.  There are a lot of things to learn about in this world and experience … I often question if I have enough time?

Q.    What does the word "Olympian" mean to you, especially now that you have qualified?
A.    I believe the Olympics is the one time the whole world comes together to watch sport.  I believe you get one chance every four years to get people who are usually not interested in sport interested.   Therefore it is imperative to send your best representatives, your best role models.  I have never felt like the role model I would like to be in the past, I never felt I was ready for that challenge but now I do.  For me it is being an Ambassador of your sport, and presenting it in the most positive light.

Q.    What is your favorite flavor of gel or energy bar?
A.    Vanilla

Q.    What or who is the most influential being in your life?  Why?
A.    I would have to say my family, all in their own way.  My parents are the greatest role models I could have had, my brothers and sisters couldn’t have given me more support and challenges, and my husband who is walking this journey with me.

Q.    Who/what is your greatest competition?
A.    I believe Beijing trials this year.  I made a plan three years ago to make that team and to put all the pressure on that first qualifier.  It took the 10 years of experience in triathlon and the 4 years of Div 1 swimming before that and experience of sport for the 10 years before that to make me the most complete athlete I could be for that day, mentally, physically, and emotionally.  I am super proud of myself because it was a bit rocking leading in and on the day, but I still pulled it together and got my best performance out which was enough to have success. 

How To...Fix a Flat Tire

Beginners training plan for 11-12 year old athletes preparing for a youth distance race.  Prepared by Tony Noll, USAT Level 1 Certified Coach.

TIPS FOR TRAINING

Safety First!  Watch out for traffic on the bike and run and always yield to vehicles.

Ride with a responsible adult until you are comfortable on the bike.

When you get to the starting line you will be confident that you’ve already covered the race distance and then some in training.

If you can do more, concentrate on your weakest discipline by adding time to the days activity but do not increase more than 10% per session.  However, do not overdo it and listen to your body as it will tell you if you’re pushing too hard.

If your training plan is too difficult reduce the duration’s by half and re-evaluate.

Remember, you can shift days and workouts to fit your personal schedule but it is important to maintain the frequency of your overall workouts.

Get into the habit of tracking your workouts in a log book.  A simple spiral bound notebook works fine, and you should track at a minimum the following:

- Date and time of workout
- Weather conditions at time of workout
- What discipline(s) you did and how long were the workouts
- Rate of perceived exertion (RPE), ie; intensity of the workout and you felt at the end. (examples:  “moderate workout”, “intense workout” & “I was very tired at the end”,  “felt great”, etc.).
- Any other information you feel is beneficial to track your workouts and progress.

Your rest day can be whichever day of the week you want.  As an example, if it is Sunday, then your first workout day would be Monday.

Training sessions with a “Transition” between bike and run are meant to work on your transition skills.  You should approach these sessions as follows:

- Set up your transition area in the garage, back patio or an area around home that is easily accessible for both biking and running.
- For these training sessions wear clothing that you will actually race in (ie; Team BEAST race jersey, race shorts, etc.).
- To simulate the swim, jog down to the corner and back to get your heart rate above normal and then do a few push ups to get your arms in on the action.  Now hose yourself down   to get nice and wet and you are ready to immediately start the training session.
- Jog from the house to your transition area, get your bike gear on and head out on the ride.
- Upon completion of the bike portion of the training session head back to transition, get your running gear on and head out on the run.

Yep, the neighbors may think you are goofy if they see you doing this… but who cares!

Remember, above all else… HAVE FUN!

Tony Noll
USAT Level I Coach
Manger of youth programs for Team BEAST