Proudly presenting Lucy Bartholomew!
Lucy is amazing 22-year old trailrunner from Australia. To be clear, Lucy Bartholomew is actually a professional ultra trailrunner - in Team Salomon. Representing also Suunto, Clif, and Le Bent...and as she sais her mom and dad. You are going to love this amazing girl!
Last year this time, I was hanging around in the same neighbor hoods in New Zealand that Lucy was - so I could not resist to have a possibility to meet with this super happy & inspiring person for interview! So here it is with some facts to began with:
Interests towards ultrarunning started at the age of 15, when she ran her first ultra along her dad.
Last year (2017) she participated 15 ultrarun races winning 8 of them - which is app. 1000km of racing and app. 5000km training.
(I'm getting sweaty by even thinking about all those km!! She is real hard worker - so admire her!)
Last year she participated the legendary Western States Endurance 100 mile run - placing 3rd as a women 20th overall with the time 18:59h.
Here below some statistics of her racing (wikipedia):
Lucy is amazing 22-year old trailrunner from Australia. To be clear, Lucy Bartholomew is actually a professional ultra trailrunner - in Team Salomon. Representing also Suunto, Clif, and Le Bent...and as she sais her mom and dad. You are going to love this amazing girl!
Last year this time, I was hanging around in the same neighbor hoods in New Zealand that Lucy was - so I could not resist to have a possibility to meet with this super happy & inspiring person for interview! So here it is with some facts to began with:
Interests towards ultrarunning started at the age of 15, when she ran her first ultra along her dad.
Last year (2017) she participated 15 ultrarun races winning 8 of them - which is app. 1000km of racing and app. 5000km training.
(I'm getting sweaty by even thinking about all those km!! She is real hard worker - so admire her!)
Last year she participated the legendary Western States Endurance 100 mile run - placing 3rd as a women 20th overall with the time 18:59h.
Here below some statistics of her racing (wikipedia):
You find Lucy:
Instagram: @lucy_bartholomew
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucybartholomew17/
Homepage: www.lucybartholomew.info
Lucy is so fabulous with social media - how she shares her love (towards her family, running, fans, cooking etc...) is so sincere and inspiring. You are so going to love her! I bet I said that already.. :)
Here we go to the short interview:
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your trailrunning/ultra running background?
I really started running when I was 15 years old. My Dad ran lots of marathons and he signed up for a 100km race so the distance didn’t seem so scary even when I was so young. Between working and training I barely saw him so I decided to join him for these runs on the weekend. It became a really special time we shared. We would pick locations, a nice place to stay for the night and eat at some really cool cafes. When the race date came, I wanted to do the event too. I had done all the training so I didn’t think there was any reason I couldn’t. I wasn’t old enough so I still went and supported Dad by running from checkpoint to checkpoint and saw the fast front runners, the middle packers and the heroes fighting cut off…all these people of different shapes and sizes were running through the mountains with a smile, eating a lot and achieving something that a lot of people thought was not possible. After the race my Dad and I found a race that allowed me to run side by side with him. It was a magical start to running.
What does your normal training week look like?
It changes alot depending on what I am training towards. At the moment I am training for a 100mile race and so its alot of slow miles but still with speed work, strength work, cross training, hills and flat. Variety is key for me to stay motivated so I mix it up all the time!
What are your strengths in trailrunning?
I think my mind. I can be very stubborn and strong and for me this is a big advantage in the ultra distance.
What is your favorite training session?
The long run where the pace doesn’t matter, you can stop and enjoy the view and enjoy the big re-fuel at the end with aching legs!
What are your secrets for mental toughness and do you train for it?
Smile! Studies show that faking a smile in a tough time can trick your body into believing that it isn't so bad. MOST of the time I really am just loving what I am doing but sometimes I have to ‘fake it till I make it’. Its powerful!
You seem so happy and confident person. Do you ever feel overwhelmed or even doubt that you can master the challenge ahead? If yes, how you tour situation for better?
For sure! Training towards this new distance for me is very scary! When I finish a run I always think, wow I would have a long way to go if this was in the race but at the same time I see it as very exciting and an opportunity to really grow as a person. I really believe that we are capable of anything and that with the right attitude you can go to great places!
Nutrition is one of the important elements of life, also for training and racing? Do you have special nutrition you use?
I follow a plant based diet in my life and during racing I use CLIF shotbloks, gels and fruit.
Do you have a coach? Tell us how you work together.
I have a coach that mentors me with ideas and structures of how to train for a race. It works for me to be flexible but still with good sessions.
What has been the most important advice you have got to make you reach awesome results in your racing/life?
“its just running” . For me its really important to remember that I am more then a runner and that no race defines me. I think this is really important information to not let the sport become you just make it apart of you and enjoy it.
How do you ensure your livelihood?
I keep people close to me who can balance me out and shift my focus. I think this is a really important skill to be able to find balance, be a rounded individual and grow in all areas of life.
What would you recommend to a person who is wanting to start to run ultra distances?
Share the ride with someone, keep it fun and don’t focus on the numbers!
What is your favorite leisure time activity?
Cooking. I love time in the kitchen creating healthy food and sharing it with everyone!
Imagine situation: You are nominated for a prize – who would you give thanks to during your victory speech?
Everyone who supports me. I believe we become what we are surrounded by and so I choose to surround myself with people who share my values, passion, goals and desire to be my best. The list would be endless.
-------------------------
I would like to thank you Lucy so much - for your time and sharing this all with us! You are an real inspiration for many people in different ages and backgrounds! Your dedication and hard work is something I so value and admire - keep up the excellent work!
Thank you Lucy!
Hugs,
Krisse
Instagram: @lucy_bartholomew
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucybartholomew17/
Homepage: www.lucybartholomew.info
Lucy is so fabulous with social media - how she shares her love (towards her family, running, fans, cooking etc...) is so sincere and inspiring. You are so going to love her! I bet I said that already.. :)
Here we go to the short interview:
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your trailrunning/ultra running background?
I really started running when I was 15 years old. My Dad ran lots of marathons and he signed up for a 100km race so the distance didn’t seem so scary even when I was so young. Between working and training I barely saw him so I decided to join him for these runs on the weekend. It became a really special time we shared. We would pick locations, a nice place to stay for the night and eat at some really cool cafes. When the race date came, I wanted to do the event too. I had done all the training so I didn’t think there was any reason I couldn’t. I wasn’t old enough so I still went and supported Dad by running from checkpoint to checkpoint and saw the fast front runners, the middle packers and the heroes fighting cut off…all these people of different shapes and sizes were running through the mountains with a smile, eating a lot and achieving something that a lot of people thought was not possible. After the race my Dad and I found a race that allowed me to run side by side with him. It was a magical start to running.
What does your normal training week look like?
It changes alot depending on what I am training towards. At the moment I am training for a 100mile race and so its alot of slow miles but still with speed work, strength work, cross training, hills and flat. Variety is key for me to stay motivated so I mix it up all the time!
What are your strengths in trailrunning?
I think my mind. I can be very stubborn and strong and for me this is a big advantage in the ultra distance.
What is your favorite training session?
The long run where the pace doesn’t matter, you can stop and enjoy the view and enjoy the big re-fuel at the end with aching legs!
What are your secrets for mental toughness and do you train for it?
Smile! Studies show that faking a smile in a tough time can trick your body into believing that it isn't so bad. MOST of the time I really am just loving what I am doing but sometimes I have to ‘fake it till I make it’. Its powerful!
You seem so happy and confident person. Do you ever feel overwhelmed or even doubt that you can master the challenge ahead? If yes, how you tour situation for better?
For sure! Training towards this new distance for me is very scary! When I finish a run I always think, wow I would have a long way to go if this was in the race but at the same time I see it as very exciting and an opportunity to really grow as a person. I really believe that we are capable of anything and that with the right attitude you can go to great places!
Nutrition is one of the important elements of life, also for training and racing? Do you have special nutrition you use?
I follow a plant based diet in my life and during racing I use CLIF shotbloks, gels and fruit.
Do you have a coach? Tell us how you work together.
I have a coach that mentors me with ideas and structures of how to train for a race. It works for me to be flexible but still with good sessions.
What has been the most important advice you have got to make you reach awesome results in your racing/life?
“its just running” . For me its really important to remember that I am more then a runner and that no race defines me. I think this is really important information to not let the sport become you just make it apart of you and enjoy it.
How do you ensure your livelihood?
I keep people close to me who can balance me out and shift my focus. I think this is a really important skill to be able to find balance, be a rounded individual and grow in all areas of life.
What would you recommend to a person who is wanting to start to run ultra distances?
Share the ride with someone, keep it fun and don’t focus on the numbers!
What is your favorite leisure time activity?
Cooking. I love time in the kitchen creating healthy food and sharing it with everyone!
Imagine situation: You are nominated for a prize – who would you give thanks to during your victory speech?
Everyone who supports me. I believe we become what we are surrounded by and so I choose to surround myself with people who share my values, passion, goals and desire to be my best. The list would be endless.
-------------------------
I would like to thank you Lucy so much - for your time and sharing this all with us! You are an real inspiration for many people in different ages and backgrounds! Your dedication and hard work is something I so value and admire - keep up the excellent work!
Thank you Lucy!
Hugs,
Krisse