News
Interview - Jen Salter
04 October, 2010
Q: Jen, you have had some amazing successes in running - which stands out the most for you?
I had a great year last year - it kicked off with a win by 51 minutes at my first Ultra, Tring2Town, followed by a 6th at the MdS. I also took up triathlon - in February I couldn't put my head under water and had never ridden a road bike - I won my first event in May and 3 events later qualified for the European Triathlon Championships. I also won the Welsh Half Marathon Championships (Age Group) and the new Survival of the Fittest event in Cardiff which was great fun - a 10km course with obstacles every kilometre. So far though, I think my 3rd place at the MdS this year is probably my proudest moment, particularly given I hadn't really been able to run much during the four months beforehand due to an ankle injury. It is the highest a Brit has ever been placed in the event, and coupled with that it was the first ever British stage win (I won the marathon stage).
Q: When did you start running? Have you always been athletic?
I ran at school - sprinting and cross country. I didn't really get back into it until after University when I desperately needed to get rid of that beer-bulge which I'm sure most students are familiar with! I did my first marathon in 2000 and it has developed from there.
Q: With the Utra Races that you do, you must have a tough training schedule; what does your typical training week look like?
I mix up my running with a lot of cross training to reduce the injury risk. I am just getting back into my training at the moment, but when I'm back to full capacity my week will include approximately 100 miles of running, 2-3 swim sessions and 4-5 bike sessions (1-3 hours) coupled with weights and core exercises. For my World Record attempt I will need to include at least one or two back-to-back 90 mile runs.
Q: Ultra Races are really demanding, you must have to ensure you have a huge amount of calorie intake - what does your diet consist of?
A lot of everything! I eat a large bowl of cereal, All Bran or similar, with fruit - strawberries, blueberries, bananas for breakfast. Lunch is normally on the go so varies, but it generally includes meat and salad. I eat a large meal in the evening - pasta, chilli, chicken and vegetables, Thai curry, etc. - I am not a fan of pre-prepared meals. For snacks during the day I have milkshakes, fruit, rice cakes, more cereal. I do tend to find I can squeeze in the odd treat as I am burning off so many calories.
Q: How do you stay motivated with your training, have you got any tips to share?
1. I live with Rory Coleman, an Ultra Training God in my book... he has revolutionised my training by designing my training programme and identifying my technique flaws - this has had an immediate effect on injury prevention.
2. I enter events. I love competing so I need events in the diary to train for. I am constantly striving to improve my performance and my technique. I think the most important factor in sticking to your training is goal-setting: for me it is events, for someone else it might be completing a mile without walking. The key is that your goals have to be achievable, particularly at first, so that you can see your improvements which will in turn encourage you to stick to your training. The 'parkrun' series around the UK is a fabulous way of getting into running - it is a free 5km race every Saturday morning put on at different locations around the country. Runners of all abilities take part - it is a great, healthy kick start to your weekend.
Q: We know that a big part of a balanced training programme is to ensure there is time to recover and rest! How do you relax?
Sounds daft I know, but training is the most crucial part of relaxation for me. If I don't train I can't relax, I just become grumpy and irritable - you can imagine what I am like to live with when I can't train! I like going out for walks, a massage now and again, watching a good drama on tv or catching up with friends, but training is the key to enjoying my free time.
Q: Is there a Race that you have yet to properly conquer?
How long have you got?! I missed out on both the Anglo-Celtic Plate and the European Triathlon Championships this summer due to an ankle injury. I hope to qualify for these races in 2011. Other races I have on the agenda are a World Record attempt at M2M (running the length of Ireland - 360 miles): the current record, set some 22 years ago by Richard Brown, is 4 days and 12 hours which means I will need to run around 90 miles/day. I also have an MdS win, a Welsh Ultra Distance Championships win (2nd this year), a sub-3 hour marathon, UTMB, Grand Union Canal Run, JOGLE and an IronMan in my sights in the near future.
Q: What's the next event that you are training for?
I've been off for some time with injuries and only just got back into a proper training plan this week - I have really missed competing so have a number of events I would love to do by the end of 2010: the Cardiff Half Marathon, Survival of the Fittest, Round Rotherham, the Tenby Long Course Weekend (IronMan distance - one discipline/day for 3 days) and the Bala Standard Triathlon.
Q: Finally Jen; if you could pick any celebrity as a joggingbuddy, who would that be and why?
Eddie Izzard - he's an inspiration and makes me laugh, but he isn't quick enough :-)