This month we catch up with Powerful Paula Luke who recently took part in the very first AAA event in the snowy mountains.
What was your first tri? How did your performance compare to now?
It was Husky sprint in February 2010, I did it in my bathing suit and had a mountain bike. I tossed out the swimming cap they gave me thinking that I had a better one in the draw and had no idea the cap meant what wave you were in.
I did it in 1:39:11 and went out to dinner that night and ordered a huge meal thinking I had earned it having done such a massive race.
What was your best race?
Port Macquarie 70.3 this year – lots of guesses as to why it was my best race: – better bike + wheels
– high fat low carb diet
– good conditions
– I felt good on the day.
Congratulations on taking part in the AAA, how was the race?
Fantastic, loved it. I can’t wait to do it next year.
What are your nutrition tips during a race?
Practice everything before racing including all nutrition. I am tending towards real food more than bars and gels these days.
How do you keep motivated to get up at 5am or finish a grueling set?
I tell myself that I always feel like this when I wake up. It always feels better when i start the training.
However that doesn’t work so well when it comes to swimming ha ha.
What is your favourite ride/run?
West Head/ Akuna bay with a ferry ride at the end back to Watsons Bay
Have you had to overcome any injuries and how did you do it?
I tripped over a few weeks before the AAA and started to get left knee pain when riding. I had to pull out of Husky long course.
It turns out it was being caused by a stiff proximal tibifib joint on the other knee. I found this out when I was trying out a new sports testing lab in the Northern Beaches with a treadmill, force plates and cameras etc.
Instead of seeing anything wrong with how my painful knee was behaving I could see the other side was the dysfunctional leg. Then my physio Robyn Gant did the Ridgeway Method on me and discovered that it was the tibfib joint on that side which was the cause.
Memorable quote/catchphrase:
Just do it Mackerz – treat your body like a hire car
Why do you train with Danny / Moore Performance squad?
Great people, easy going culture, plus there are plenty of talented athletes to help push me along.
What did you do before Triathlon? Or other exercise/wellbeing activities that you like doing?
I always did all three sports, just not all at the same time.
What inspires you?
Adventure
What you like to do post-race celebrations? Rest day?
Have beer and pizza then lie on the couch.
