Lucy Bartholomew Does the Double: UTMB and IRONMAN World Champs
By Carson Beckett
Writer, Pro Cyclist
As a professional athlete, the UTMB or IRONMAN World Champs would be a pinnacle event to perform at. Lucy? She is doing both, 3 weeks apart. Tune in to learn a bit more about how she approaches this daring double.
How has your recovery and mental preparation been between completing the UTMB and now heading into the IRONMAN World Championship?
After finishing UTMB I drove back to Spain where I let my body guide the movement schedule, I wouldn't even call it training what I was doing. I went to the lake and rode my bike on some beautiful routes all socially with friends. I emphasised sleep, hydration and being surrounded by good people mostly and knew I wasn't going to get any fitter in the 3 weeks between the two events but I could easily overdo it and get injured so I erred on the side of being 1% undercooked on that start line rather then 1% overcooked.
After such a demanding UTMB race, what specific techniques or routines helped you recover faster for this event? Any tips, tricks, tools?
I'm a huge believer in doing the basics well. Letting my schedule be flexible, alarm clocks off, pantry and fridge stocked with anything I might fancy or crave and moving the body intuitively. For so long in the lead up to these events it was structure and intense so taking that foot of the physical and mental gas of sport is my biggest trick. I know how to train hard and I know how to rest harder.
Nutrition: What has your fueling and nutrition prep looked like for IM Nice after UTMB? Anything that needs to be adjusted or considered?
Cycling has played a key role in getting my stomach ready to tolerate different fueling strategies as well as increasing that overall intake. I try new products or amounts on the bike and then take it to the run before a race so I focused on setting my bike up to carry as much as I could and just making sure I had enough on me and also some different alternatives; UTMB was 26hrs of sports nutrition so I knew that I still had palate fatigue of gels which was cool because I opted for more bars and chews for the Ironman!
What strategies have you employed to balance training for both ultra running and triathlons?
My main focus and profession is ultra running and so that takes priority always. I use the bike and swim sports to bulk up hours, help not out run my love of running and have some other activities. Even if I didn't race Ironman I would keep up this way of training because it has helped me physically, mentally and connected me socially with some amazing athletes and humans.
As we head into IRONMAN Nice, what are you focused on to ensure you have the best day possible?
For me it will be a day of patience. Knowing I haven't done the swim training or the bike training but am strong in muscles and engine so letting the body warm into the day, enjoy each bite sized sport and then on the run see what the legs have to offer and soak up the experience of sharing the Ironman women's world championships course with everyone.
What are your thoughts on IRONMAN Nice as the World Championships this year?
I loved it!!! Last year I did Kona which is iconic of course but I thought the scenery was unreal, the challenge immense but that feeling at the finish even more rewarding. I am so proud of every woman that took this course on!