AUTUMN 2007 - Serpentine

FEATURE
SERPENTINE RUNNING CLUB
An interview
with iron couple –
Richard and Jenny
by Jelle Brons
This edition of Serpentimes is quite packed with Ironman-related
articles – to make matters even worse for the pure runners out
there, I thought it’d be a nice idea to interview a couple that have
made Ironman racing their mutual hobby. On top of that they have
another thing in common: they’re very good at it as well!
Back in mid August I visited Jenny Gowans and Richard Melik in
their apartment just opposite Hyde Park. Perfect for triathletes I
guess, but they are thinking of moving to an even more triathletefriendly
environment (near Richmond Park).
I joined them for dinner (lovely!) and wanted to ask them about their
background in sport, their successes and the way they choose to
train for these events.
This year they had raced in IM Austria, finishing in 9:50 (Richard)
and 10:15 (Jenny).
After having done IM Germany and IM Hawaii in 2006, why did
you choose to do another one this year?
Richard: This all happened after a sudden rush of emails between
friends of ours, and before we knew it we had entered. Actually
there was a plan to take it easier this year!
In 2006 you both managed to qualify for IM Hawaii
Jenny: Richard really wanted to qualify in Germany for Hawaii, but
I wasn’t sure. But during the rolldown it suddenly became clear that
Richard had taken the last available slot, I realised I had to go as
well! It was great to go out there and both be racing.
How did you prepare yourself for that race, having only
4 months time left? What was it like out there?
Richard: we first had a pretty steady month and then picked it up
quite hard. I trained hard for it, but then in such a way that I
could race it and actually enjoy it. It really was an amazing
experience. This big stretch of road climbing up is amazing; you
see Normann Stadler hammering it down, it’s fantastic to watch.
Jenny: I thought I was training pretty well, but looking back after
the race I should perhaps have given it a bit more. I still felt great
in the race, great swim and bike, but then got stomach troubles
after 145k on the bike. I lost 8kgs during the race; I just could not
take on anything anymore, not even water.
The race itself was amazing; the standard of the field is
phenomenal. And then you realise you are just “ok”!
How long did it take you to recover?
Jenny: I felt really tired and run-down. We did nothing for 2.5
months! We went to New Zealand and drank and ate!
How do you normally approach your recovery after a big race?
Richard: We tend to do nothing for the first two or three weeks
and then it depends on what we have planned afterwards. In any
Jenny looking comfy in her favorite chair
(photo: ASI Photo)
case we actually enjoying the training so it never seems like too
much of a chore to start again.
Any negative things about preparing for or doing an Ironman?
Richard: One of the things I do not particularly like, is that you have
to focus on one day for more than 6 months and there is less
opportunity to take part in other races in the time before that, e.g.
a club championship 5k or an adventure race, which I have done
in the past. The few races that I plan now before an Ironman have
to have a specific reason, rather than just for enjoyment, and that
is a shame. This year I have done only 2 races, despite the fact that
I love racing.
Jenny: With an Ironman you only have one shot at a great race per
season, whereas with shorter distances it is possible to race more races.
About the preparation for an Ironman, what can you advise
on that?
Jenny: You have to be incredibly consistent. You have to get a good
base fitness first. I aim to have a 6-week block starting about
9 weeks out from the race where you do very heavy training. I’m
not too technical about my training but I do think consistency is
key. We normally start base training at the start of the year, to get
back to fitness.
Richard: I don’t know who said it, but I think it was Gordo (Jelle:
Gordo Byrn from www.epiccamp.com) who said, “you have to
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