Claire did an interview for Phoebe Tonkin’s website, Your Zen Life.

I know your dad competes in a lot of triathlons, but was this your first triathlon?
Yes this was my first one. I spent my childhood going to my Dad’s events and always thought I’d like to try one myself, so I finally bit the bullet!

How long did you train for beforehand? Were you on a rigorous training schedule?
I started training properly around 3 months before the event. I had always been a swimmer and runner but never a cyclist, so that was the leg I focused on the most. It was tough to follow a specific schedule as my work dictated when I could and couldn’t train, but I somehow managed to fit it all in. I tried to swim and run once a week and cycle twice. I also cross trained when I could.

1:44:34, ok number 1, that’s AMAZING. And number 2, how did you keep yourself motivated during the race? That’s a long time to keep up your endurance and strength!! Did you have a particular mantra that pushed your forward?
It was probably one of the most painful things I’ve ever pushed myself through. I knew that my body was capable of finishing so it was all a mental game towards the end. It’s not in my nature to give up, especially when I was participating for such a great cause. On the final leg, the run, I kept repeating to myself ‘when you’re legs give out you run with your heart’. The great crowd and loud cheering helped too!

What did you do to celebrate afterwards?
My Dad flew out to support me, so he and I went and had a big breakfast together. It was really special to have him there. I then followed it up with a 3 hour nap!

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