Nicole Ward Triathlon Tribe Interview

Sydney based Professional Triathlete Nicole Ward is well-known throughout Australia for her consistency. A regular on the Australian long course triathlon circuit for several years, her career highlights include a 1^st place at the 2008 Australian Long Course Championships, finishing 2^nd at Ironman Japan in 2009 and many, many top 5 places both in Australia and overseas.

As well as competing as a ProfessionalTriathlete, Nicole also works full-time and regularly assists TriNSW with initiatives to encourage other busy women to take up the sport.

Here she takes some time out of her schedule to chat with us after her recent fourth placing at the inaugural Falls Creek Long Course Triathlon last weekend.

First of all congratulations on your fourth place at the inaugural Falls Creek Long Course triathlon  on the weekend J Tell us about your race, just how hard was it racing at altitude?

Thanks Michelle.  I had a few issues actually with the altitude, particularly in the swim leg.  I found my breathing was really out of whack in the swim and at one point I thought I was going to pass out as I was gulping for air and things went fuzzy!  It’s just generally a lot harder to go as hard as you can at sea level as your heart rate is about 10 beats higher for the same effort. I’m pretty pleased with my race but it took me a while to get going on the bike which meant I lost contact with the girls, so was off the pace to compete for the win.  I am happy with my run though as I felt strong and comfortable even though the run course was pretty insane!

My next race is the Long Course Champs in Huskisson and then Ironman Australia on 1^st May, followed by Challenge Cairns half in June.  My main goal this year is to focus again on Ironman after taking some time off to race the halves and work on my speed in the second half of 2010.

·         You have been racing as a professional for a few years now and travelled extensively, competing both domestically and overseas. Do you have any favourite races?

 I love racing across Australia and also internationally, as I love any excuse to travel and get out of Sydney- ha ha!  I have so many favourite races as each and every race I do all for very different reasons.  My two absolute favourites though would have to be the Hawaii Ironman as it’s the ultimate pinnacle in our sport and Ironman Japan as it was run on the most beautiful remote island in Japan.

·         

As well as racing in the professional ranks you also work in a busy corporate job. How do you balance it all? Any tips for our readers? 

Yes- it certainly is a challenge trying to race as a Long Course professional triathlete and by day work extremely hard as an HR Professional, for one of Australia’s largest banks!  I have to admit that it has been taking its toll over the last year or so.  However, I think the key for making this work is having the passion, motivation and determination to make it happen. Time management and being extremely organised definitely helps.  My key tips would be to plan your week out and save time on commuting to work by running or riding to the office, also try and get some shorter sessions in at lunch time if you can.   Having great support networks in place are essential and also making sure you eat well and get as much sleep as you can!

·         Female participation in Triathlon is on the rise and I know you have been involved with some great initiatives of Triathlon NSW. What advice can you give to those girls out there who want to give triathlon a go?

I have been involved with the TriNSW Female camps since they started up 3 years ago and I have met some amazing women from all walks of life.  I see myself as an ambassador for females in the sport and I hope that I can inspire and provide support to all females out there.  As a late starter to triathlon myself, I think it’s important for all women to put inhibitions aside and just get out there and give triathlon a go.  It’s such an amazing individual sport and I just love seeing people follow their dreams and achieve things that they never thought possible.  When I started from nothing 6 years ago there was no way that I would have imagined achieving some of the things that I have been able to, so don’t be afraid to follow your dreams and never give up!!

We wish Nicole the best of luck for the coming season!

To follow Nicole and her results as she races around Australia check out her new website developed by NashysPix at www.nicolewardtri.com