FROM RUNNING TO TRIATHLON, ALL THE WAY TO IRONMAN
We met our Nolijette Carole during her preparation for the Nice Ironman and we had the chance to interview her again after this incredible event to understand how she experienced this extraordinary race.
Hello Carole, some of our readers know you because we interviewed you after your marathon with your husband Yann two years ago and you told us that your next challenge was a triathlon, you talked about the one in Cannes and the Trigames in Cagnes sur Mer, so have you taken on the triathlon as planned?
Yes, it's been more than 2 years now and I've kept my promises by completing M and L triathlons since then.
How does one become a triathlete and how did you get that desire?
I already did a lot of running and cycling, but not swimming! So, you think, why not try a triathlon?! Knowing that my husband Yann had already tried it and it was a success, I decided to take swimming lessons and give it a go!
What does training for a triathlon look like, and how is it different from running?
Triathlon training is very demanding, with all three disciplines to work on. It's like a very full schedule, and you have to stick to the set number of hours if you want to arrive at the competition well-prepared and avoid injury. It's not different from running, since that discipline is part of it; it's just more demanding because there are three.
So, what do you enjoy most about this new activity?
Varied physical effort, sequence, pushing oneself to the limit.
What is your new challenge today?
Yes, the Nice Ironman. I can't wait!
How are you currently preparing for this legendary race, what type of training does it require?
This requires a full schedule beyond work and a mother's activities; we can talk about 2 to 3 training sessions per week for each discipline, ranging from 10 to 16 hours per week, including interval training, endurance training, etc.
Where do you train and how often?
6 to 9 times a week, at the Jean Médecin swimming pool, and on running and cycling outings in the hills of Nice and in the hinterland.
How do you manage your preparation between your work and family life?
Sometimes it's difficult, but following a well-structured schedule and sticking to it without deviating helps.
And what is your favorite Noliju outfit for your training sessions?
I wear the shorts Black and blue seamless Georges for running and the tank top Arno.
STORY OF THE IRONMAN OF NICE
Finally, after experiencing this legendary race, what would you say about your preparation?
I had a great experience preparing for the Ironman, but to be perfectly honest, it's true that the schedule during those 6 months of preparation is very busy and structured, combining family life, work and training, but it's worth it!
How did the race go for you?
The race went well for me as I hoped, a great moment of pleasure throughout these 13 hours and 30 minutes, I enjoyed each stage of the race, and it made me want to do it again.
Did it meet your expectations?
The race more or less met my expectations, as the swim went better than in training, but I think I tried to pace myself too much on the bike given the heat and the run that followed. As a result, I ended up with a longer bike leg than I had planned.
How many years did you spend preparing for this?
For me, preparation may not be measured in years (although I have been doing triathlon for several years), but rather in experimentation on other shorter triathlon distances, particularly in M and L distances over the last few years, which I believe is essential before attempting an Ironman.
Do you plan to do it again in the coming years?
Yes, the plan is to redo it in 2020.
