Team Wiggle 2009 Highlights: Carolyn Hewett
End of Season Lowdown with Team Wiggle
Our Team Wiggle athletes have had a cracking year, standing atop rostrums the world over in road racing, mountain biking and triathlon. Before they put their feet up for the festive break, we caught up with them all as they reflect on 2009 and look ahead to 2010. Age-group triathlete Carolyn Hewett had a cracking year, focusing on short course triathlon for the first time after several successful seasons competing at Ironman events…
Q. Looking back on your 2009 season, are you pleased with how it went?
A. Yes, it was my first year racing sprint and Olympic distance and I loved it. The best part is you can go do a race in the morning, be home, showered and ready to go out to lunch. It’s very different to the whole day slog that goes with doing an Ironman and lunch is always better than eating gels!
Q. What was the highlight of your year?
A. Finding out I had made it onto Team Wiggle. Racing wise, it was winning five out of the seven triathlons I competed in during the year. I’m most proud of my age group win (30 – 34) at The London Triathlon by a six-minute margin.
Q. What was the funniest moment?
A. Getting stuck in my wetsuit in transition with it glued to my arms and not being able to move it further than my elbows. It doesn’t get any easier if you get the giggles whilst trying to escape! I will never again underestimate the value of Bodyglide.
Q. What was the most important lesson you learnt?
A. Don’t forget the Bodyglide! Also, not to eat too much when racing sprint and Olympic distance. Having raced Ironman distance for a few years it was ingrained in me to eat, eat, eat and I struggled early season with stomach cramps from overloading my stomach. It took me a while to get the balance right and to lose the fear that I was going to blow up.
Q. What are your plans for winter training? How’s it going so far?
A. I’m eating a huge wedge of carrot cake whilst writing this, so the diet could definitely be better! I have been running more and spending some time in the gym but doing shorter sessions than normal. I’m heading to France for a couple weeks over Christmas and New Year so will be riding and running when I’m not skiing. Training really picks up for me in January.
Q. What does 2010 have in store for you? What are your major races going
to be?
A. I am going to be unemployed by choice early next year so I am planning on spending some time training in Australia to get ready for Blenheim and Windsor triathlons. Other major races include the Kiron Sportive, Dextro Energy in Hyde Park, the London Triathlon and the London Duathlon.
Carolyn on her way to victory at the Timex Women’s Triathlon. She says:
“I love this shot – I love that my feet aren’t touching the ground. I was being chased down by two fast runners and the fear of losing my first place made me push harder than ever before.”