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Exclusive: Rachel Joyce & Emma-Kate Lidbury Interview

  • By Paul Moore
  • Published February 10, 2011

Keen to escape the British winter, pro triathletes Rachel Joyce and Emma-Kate Lidbury spent a fortnight training together in Lanzarote at the Sands Beach sports hotel in Costa Teguise. Here they give us an insight into their training camp as they prepare for the 2011 race season…

Photo: James Mitchell

Emma-Kate Lidbury: Lanzarote is a great place to get some winter base miles in, how have you enjoyed your time in the Canaries?

Rachel Joyce: It’s been fantastic and an ideal base to jump-start the road back to fitness. There’s nothing like those Lanza winds to make you strong on the bike and when you’re out in short sleeves while folks back home are stuck to their turbo trainers it’s difficult to complain…although I think between us we may have grumbled once or twice about those cross winds! What’s been the best thing for you about training here?

EKL: I think the sunshine makes it easy to train consistently and so our days here have almost always involved swim-eat-bike-eat-run-eat-sleep-repeat. Although it might not sound like the most rock ‘n’ roll of lifestyles, I think we’ve both enjoyed it a lot. That and the hotel buffet. Sands Beach might regret ever letting triathletes loose in their restaurant, especially after long rides…

RJ: Haha…the buffet. I think we’ve built ourselves quite a reputation amongst the waiting staff with our heaped plates. I’m not sure how I will cope with having to cook for myself when I get home. Seriously though, that kind of set up makes a big difference when you’re putting in the hours. It’s nice not having to worry about cooking, going to the supermarket, washing up….all of which would eat into nap time! Our apartment has been great and soon felt like home from home.

You’ve been a good influence on me outside of the buffet too…I’m officially back into my core, strength and stretching regime….which I may have let slip a bit over Christmas.

EKL: That’s good. It’s made it easier having a gym here as well as the stretching room. I love a good stretch! What with that and the physio all on site we’ve been a bit spoilt… Returning home to chilly Blighty is going to be a bit of a shock to the system.

RJ: Yes. Fortunately I’ve got a team training camp in Abu Dhabi at the end of February, ahead of the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, which you’ll also be racing this year, won’t you?

EKL: Yes indeed. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve never been to that part of the world and it promises to be a terrific race. Riding long with you here has been great preparation for Abu Dhabi. I think it’ll set my season up nicely as I’ll then be focusing on several European 70.3s throughout May, June and July to boost my qualifying points for the 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas in September. What will the Joyce Machine be gunning for after Abu Dhabi?

RJ: Next stop will be Ironman South Africa at the beginning of April and then I’ll be doing a couple of 70.3s, probably one in the US and one in Europe before Ironman Austria in July. I think by then I will have doubled my racing quota on last year so I’ll take a mid-season break and start thinking about Kona. Now, Vegas: that’s going to be awesome and having seen you power up Tabayesco a few times I reckon the course will be right up your street. Just remember to stay out of the casinos till after the race!

EKL: Dammit – OK Vegas is going to be one huge party. I can’t wait! I’m really excited about this season. Last season was my first injury-free year for a while so I’m looking forward to really building on that and I have the continued support of Wiggle. Training with you here has certainly helped kickstart my 2011 and, judging from your strength and fitness already, I’d say we’re all in trouble!

RJ: I was going to say the same about you. I’m not sure I should be asking this, but when are we going to see you doing Ironman. You know it’s only a matter of time!

EKL: I keep finding reasons to put it off…I can swim 3.8km no worries and I love riding long, but a marathon?! Come on! That’s sick! Joking aside, I’d like to improve my run form and efficiency before taking on Ironman and I’ve recently started working with The Running School in London to do just that, so who knows…if there’s juice in my legs after Vegas I could be persuaded. I love watching Kona – it’s impossible not to be inspired by that race, which is obviously something you’ve experienced first hand. Running down Ali’i Drive and into the finish chute knowing all the hard work has paid off and you’re top five in the world must be pretty special…

RJ: I did enjoy that finishing chute, but since getting back to training in January I have not really thought too much about it. I always seem to be thinking about all the things I need to be better at….and luckily there are plenty of things so I know there’s room for improvement!

Good luck with your season and see you in Abu Dhabi!

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Paul Moore

Paul Moore

Paul Moore is the Online Editor for Triathlete Europe. When not glued to a computer he can be found writing books - most recently Ultimate Triathlon: A complete training guide for long-distance triathletes which you can buy on Amazon