http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9cMKDDGw6U

Getting ready for the big one. It’s Friday night and I am packing for Kona. I’ve got a big day of training to get under my belt tomorrow and I head for Hawaai first thing on Sunday morning. It’s been a busy day. I picked up my very own CUSTOM kit from ENDURA today – it looks absolutely fabulous. Can’t wait to wear it J

http://blogs.dailyrecord.co.uk/ironman/

When Monkey Man met The Cat..

By James Moncur on Sep 10, 09 02:29 PM in

CHRISSIE WELLINGTON is the Alpha female of long distance triathlons.

The 32-year-old is the current world champion and world record holder for ironman-distance races.

She’s known as the Chrissinator on the circuit and has set new standards of speed and endurance in the sport and no woman on the planet has been able to get close to her.

Until now that is – because there’s a new kid on the block and she’s a Scot.

Look up ‘class-act’ in the dictionary and you’ll see Catriona Morrison’s name.

The 32-year-old, from Broxburn, near Edinburgh, broke the world record for a debutant in a full distance race at Challenge Roth, in Germany, six weeks ago and is closing the gap on Chrissie.

And last week, I was lucky enough to join her for a training session as she prepares for her debut at the world champs, in Kona, next month.

Don’t worry, I went easy on her!

It was a tricky interview because all I wanted to talk about was how good Cat was and her fantastic athletics’ career to date, but all she was interested in was telling me about her new chicken coop and how beetroot juice made her poo go a funny colour.

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise because everyone I’d spoken to about her said she’s the most down-to-earth and modest person around – getting her to sing her own praises was like trying to get blood out of a stone.

Compliment her rivals, not a problem, big-up herself, no chance.

Cat lives with husband Richard – a superfit consultant who has a penchant for bike riding. Their partnership is summed up by their choice of honeymoon location – a beach holiday in the Seychelles or the Maldives perhaps. No danger – these two adrenaline junkies signed up for a 500-mile mountain bike race across the Rockies – and the last time I looked they weren’t too flat!

Anyway after a spin on our bikes around the local lanes, and a few snaps with The Record photographer, we got going on the chat in Cat’s kitchen – during the interview, I hasten to add, she never stopped eating.

JM- What’s Chrissie like? Surely she can’t be as smiley as that all the time?
CM- I’d love to say that we are arch rivals and hate each other’s guts but she is the nicest person on the circuit. That smile never leaves her face and she is just so enthusiastic all the time. You’ll often find her hanging around at the finish line cheering on other competitors as they come in which is a lovely touch. She’s very open and offers advice whenever anyone asks and she’s been a great support for me, we’re actually very good friends. She’s definitely a fierce competitor and when that gun goes she desperately wants to win, but that’s the same for all the pros. I’m sure people would really like it if we were at each other’s throats but it’s impossible to be like that with someone as nice and genuine.

JM- You nearly ran her down at the Timberman half Ironman event a few weeks ago.
CM- Chrissie’s swim and bike are a bit stronger than mine, but I had a real go on the run. I think I took four minutes off her over the half-marathon and only finished a couple of minutes behind. But you don’t know whether it’s because I’m a quicker runner than her or if she eased up towards the finish – I suspect it was a bit of both.

JM- Why is triathlon becoming such a popular sport?
CM- I love the fact that when everyone lines up in the water you’re all in it together, pros alongside the age groupers, wishing each other well, and that’s fantastic. It doesn’t matter how fit you are, every racer goes through the same emotions, we all get the butterflies before the start and have our rough patches during the race. The pros may get around the course a little quicker but they’ll still have some really bad times during a race and will be put through the wringer so it’s the same for every competitor. Apart from the elite end of the race, triathlons aren’t that competitive either – it’s basically the person pushing him or herself against the course or the clock and not other people. There aren’t too many egos in the sport, either, which is a good thing.

JM- How could the sport be improved?
CM- It would be good to get more women involved. It’s important that there are role-models for young girls and teenagers these days so it’s down to the pros to get out there and be seen, but I’m sure women-only events would also really help break down a few barriers too.

JM- The fastest ever debut Ironman a couple of months ago at Challenge Roth, with a cheeky 8hrs 48minutes, and a podium is pretty impressive.
CM- And do you know what, it could have been quicker – I had a few gastric issues on the bike and needed the toilet a few times on the run. I was feeling a bit rubbish and stopped for a chat with Richard at about 20km to see what I should do. He told me to get on with it and rode off on his bike. I didn’t see him again until the finish. Overall I think I left about 10 minutes on the course and could have closed the gap to Chrissie. It was also the first time I’d ever run a marathon, I hadn’t even done the distance in training so after about mile 20 everything was new ground. Overall though I was pleased – but I’ll go alot quicker next time!

JM - You must be loaded being a pro triathlete?
CM- You’ve got to be kidding! If it wasn’t for Richard I probably wouldn’t be able to compete at the top level. Apart from a few modest winners’ cheques, I get no money for what I do. I’m currently riding a Planet X bike and my sponsors give me plenty of free kit but we’ve got to find all transport and accommodation costs to races and training camps ourselves. Blue Seventy wetsuits and Powerbar also pay me bonuses for getting on a podium but it isn’t much and is limited to just three races a year – so the most I can earn with these extras is about £1000 every 52 weeks.

JM- Are you looking for any other sponsors?
CM- I’m always on the lookout for help! I’d love to be sponsored by VisitScotland because I see myself as an ambassador around the world. I’ve got brand new pink tartan racing kit that I’ll be wearing in Kona and I always say I’m from Scotland whenever I’m interviewed. I think I’d be a great national asset and would love to help entice more people over to our fantastic country. So come on Visit Scotland, get on the phone.

JM- You’re training for Kona, the Mecca for all triathletes, should I have a punt on you?
CM- I’m in really good shape and have been working on my bike and swim times which are my two weakest disciplines (JM- yeh, really shabby. In Roth Cat did the 3.8km swim in 51.46 and nailed the 180km bike in 4:48:55!) I’ll be heading out there soon to acclimatise and ride and swim the courses and I’m feeling quite confident. I’m hoping to sneak in under everyone’s radar and if I can get off the bike in reasonable shape within about six or seven minutes of Chrissie then I’ve got a chance but she’s still the girl we’ve all got to beat.

JM- Are you turning into Felicity Kendal, out of the Good Life?
CM- Yes, we’re getting four chickens and Richard’s taken a few days off bike riding to build a coop for them in the garden. If we get four eggs a day we’ll be happy. I don’t think we’re going to give them names or get too attached because we’ll probably end up eating them. I’m also into drinking beetroot juice because it really helps you train and run harder. There’s been some pretty extensive research done and it’s really good stuff although it does make your poo go a really funny colour!

JM- Any tips for Challenge Barcelona?
CM- When you’re training, learn the difference between being ‘head tired’ and ‘body tired.’ You may come in after work feeling drained and not wanting to go out in the rain for a 70 mile spin but as soon as you get out there, you feel fine – this is being ‘head tired’. If your performances drop off then you’re probably ‘body tired’ and you may need to take a short recovery break.
During a race, try and hold back a bit on the bike because if you go out too quickly at the start you’ll never get that effort back. It’s much easier to build your performance through the bike leg and get progressively quicker depending on how you’re feeling.

Fantastic advice and chat from one of the classiest athletes out there.

I’ve just joined the auction below –  donating my Aqua Sphere icon wetsuit, an aqua sphere goody bag (thanks aqua sphere: http://www.aquasphereswim.co.uk/us/index.shtml) and also the kit that I will be wearing in Kona this year.

Auction and Blazeman Charity details:

My name is Leanda Cave. Im a professional triathlete with a cause. I would like you to help me in a unique way to raise much needed funds for the Blazeman Foundation for ALS (a non-profit, multi-sport movement to end Lou Gehrig’s Disease). I am a Blazeman warrior, along with other professional triathletes, Chrissie Wellington, Dede Griesbauer and Matt Reed. Collectively, the Blazeman Warriors are trying to reach a $750,000 target to assist with cutting-edge scientific research to find treatments and an eventual cure for ALS.
75% is the current Percentage of the $750,000 target Money Raised by Warriors for the Blazeman Foundation for ALS Awareness and Research Fund.

You may have already seen one of us rolling across a finish line in an ad for ALS in Triathlete Magazine. This is in honour of Jonathan S. Blais who lost his life to ALS in May, 2007. The “log roll” has been performed by countless other athletes as a symbol of hope, and more importantly, as a means of raising awareness for ALS. I had the pleasure of meeting Jon and his parents, Mary Ann and Bob, at the end of 2006. I was heartbroken to learn of his ordeal and the speed at which this disease can take a healthy individuals life. From that date on, I have been rolling across many finish lines.
 
If you would like to learn more about the Blazeman Foundation for ALS or the disease and current research, please go to: http://www.waronals.com/.

What is the Great Athlete Auction?

Over the next few weeks I will be reaching out to professional triathletes as well as other people in the triathlon world, and asking them to make donations to The Great Athlete Auction. These donations will be in the form of athlete sponsored items, race entries, miscellaneous items, race suits, autographs, books, getaways, etc. Two weeks prior to the Ford Ironman World Championships, to be held in Kona, Hawaii on October 10, I will be putting all the items on Ebay at seller: thegreatathleteauction. The goal is to have the auction end as the pro triathletes are finishing. Once items have been paid for (preferably by PayPal), the money raised will be donated to the Blazeman Foundation for ALS.

How do I know what will be up for auction?

This Blogspot is your gateway to what will be on offer for the auction. So stay tuned on a regular basis to see what has been donated and by whom. I will also keep updates on my Twitter site ( http://twitter.com/leandacave) and Facebook. Thank you in advance to everyone who donates as well as those who bid on the items to come.