Lucy Scott Team GB Age Group Triathlete

Lucy Scott went from being a horse rider in Czechoslovakia to moving to the UK and competing as a sponsored triathlete. She talks to Sundried about life as a Team GB Triathlete.

How did you get into triathlon?

I was a horse rider for 15 years and I had to cycle to the farm on a big, heavy alloy bike every day. Combined with riding the horses and mucking out their beds, I built up quite a lot of physical strength. I always dreamed of being a professional athlete, but when my parents divorced my mum was tight on money and training is expensive. I worked on the farm to pay for my horse riding lessons and I loved it!

Six years ago I said to myself “I’m going to be an athlete”, so I left Czechoslovakia and started from zero again, coming to England and teaching myself the language.

I was lucky and met lots of nice people who helped me out along the way. Mark Allen, director of Zenith Tax Solutions, agreed to sponsor me to do triathlons and provided me with the gear to race, including the TT bike. He also enabled me to race for the charity Education for the Children.

What has been your toughest race to date?

2015 saw me complete 12 triathlons including the Ben Nevis Triathlon. This is said to be the UK’s toughest triathlon, with a 1.9km loch sea swim, 90km steep cycle, and a run up and down Ben Nevis. It was a tough challenge!

How do you find time to balance work and training?

Competing is expensive and I have to put in the time at my day job to pay for my lifestyle. Add to this the hours of training that I squeeze into every week to fuel my goals and passion for triathlons and there is not much time left. I’ve learned to balance all of the important things in my life and I am making strides in my job and personal relationships. I have chosen to stay single and work part time in order to get to the higher levels and to be a successful age grouper in triathlons. So I have no social life and don’t really see my friends or family. I just stay focused on my training, rest and recovery. And of course studying. It's not hard because I like to have my own space and I don't like going out or being in a relationship.

What is the hardest battle you’ve had to overcome?

The right balance of stress and recovery. We need stress to bring about adaptation. Stress can be your best friend when it comes to pursuing athletic goals, but it can also easily become the worst enemy.

What has been your favourite race to date?

I have enjoyed all my races. I clearly remember every race; the way I was thinking and pain I was going through. I really enjoyed the Liverpool Olympic Distance Triathlon in 2015. It was the distance I prefer and there were GB Elite athletes leading us. They inspired me and I have since chosen to try to qualify for the Age Group GB Team 2017 Championship in Austria.

Talk us through a typical training regime.

My basic training regime at the moment is as follows:

Monday: Strength training am. Swim session pm.

Tuesday: Swimming, stretching and yoga am. Long running with Launceston Runners club and 6-9 mile bike ride pm.

Wednesday: Active rest morning swim. Bike ride 6-9 miles pm.

Thursday: Time Trial ride at 60-70% of my maximum heart rate. Ride to work.

Friday: Swimming am. Ride to work. Running Intervals and pm swim.

Saturday: Strength training am. Ride to work.

Sunday: Time trial long ride.

I plan all my workouts in advance but change my schedule depending on how I feel and if there is an event or race I’m taking part in.

Why work with Sundried?

I’ve chosen to work with Sundried because they are excited about adventure, fitness, the outdoors and inspiring others. Sundried help others to reach their goals and keep them motivated. I’m delighted to be part of the team, representing the brand on my journey and sharing the ethos with other athletes.