Ross Walton took on his first middle-distance triathlon this weekend at Challenge Wales. We asked him a few questions about how the build up and race went.
How do you balance your training schedule with your personal and professional life?
"Some weeks with great difficulty to fit everything in, with a young family who take priority over all else, I use my training as my me time to relax, there's nothing better than a hard interval session to take the daily stress away!! But all jokes aside I like to build bit by bit and not rely on that magical one-off session to make me a superstar. Consistency is key and missing one or two sessions in the process because other things take priority isn't always a bad thing! I aim to do most of my training very early in the mornings so its done and dusted and your not chasing the day."
Walk us through your nutrition strategy before, during, and after the race?
"I feel like I have been training all my life for this bit… I have always enjoyed my food so it's more of a problem of trying not to over eat. The morning of, Nutella porridge and pancakes During, anything I can get my hands on, but mainly energy bars-High carb drinks and Gels, (only in case of emergency 1 caffeine gel) After, the first thing that I can find!"
Can you describe the atmosphere and energy at the starting line? How did it set the tone for the rest of the race?
"Usually a lot of anxiety, Just like to get going where I'm in control rather than waiting around. Once you're in the moment there's only one option and that's GO! It's too easy to overthink things in the build-up, but the more events and races I enter the easy it does seem to become."
Is there any particularly memorable moment from the swim, bike, or run portion of Challenge Wales?
"All my life I have had a fear of the sea! And in particular harbours and deep water. There was no better feeling during the swim part of Challenge Wales than getting in that water and just going for it…maybe even enjoying it. On the other end of the scale I was warned about the hills on the run as being brutal but thought could they really be that hard? Yes, they were horrific!"
How did you celebrate or reflect on your performance after the event, and what did you take away from the experience?
"Challenge Wales is an amazing event in its own right, I entered it purely as part of the build-up to Ironman Wales in September to get some race miles in. I feel I did what I needed to in the swim, went too hard and fast and the bike and then paid for it on the run when I hit the first hill. But all in all very happy where my level is and it's only going to help going forward."
What is your top tip for successfully tackling Challenge Wales?
"Can't have enough top tips so here's two. You must have trainers ready for T1 to get from the swim exit to the actual transition it's about a 200 m run on the tarmac barefoot otherwise. And don't underestimate how much to hold back for the run, the hills are unforgiving."
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