Race Media

Lucy Bartholomew from Melbourne, Australia – Salomon - Junior World Champion

Interview with the up and coming young 18 yr old star...coming to the MSIG Sai Kung 50 Feb 7 (Skyrunning Asian Championship) as someone to watch out for and coached by Emelie Forsberg

No presure on her as am sure she's coming to Hong Kong just to have some fun, enjoy the race and gain some international experience.

1.    Any idea on number of marathons you have run over the distance of 42k?
18 ultras! 5 100km!

2.    What got you into running?
My dad is as crazy as me, when he started training for his first 100km event I did some of the training runs with him and was so amazed at the places you can go and the things you see. I ended up running from checkpoint to checkpoint to see him in the race and that’s where I started to realize that I have the ability to just keep running and I felt really happy! That was just the beginning..

3.  What is your definition of trail running?
Trail running to me is moving out in nature; weather it is mountains, beach, desert. But getting off the paved roads and getting back to nature.

4.    Where was your first trail running race?
Walhalla 50km. A week before my first 100km I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make the distance so I entered this low-key race that is still one of my favorite races

5.    Favorite trail running course and distance?
I grew up running more on the coast which was flat and fast, now I have finished school I can get to the mountains and it has opened my eyes to a new type of running-slower and steeper but the rewards are greater! I like single track that climbs up mountains and has sections were everyone is forced to walk and real strength is shown! 60km is my favorite distance.

6.    Most memorable race?
Surf Coast Century 2013. I had just come back from running through the Simpson Desert and for 7 days and Mum and Dad had said I couldn’t do another race to let my body recover. At the last minute I registered and ran 9:36:00 which was 3hrs faster than the year before and to come 2nd female! The top 3 were separated by 5minutes, it was intense!

7.    Favorite training course?
I live in Melbourne which is flat, but when I make the 4hour drive to Bright in the Victorian Alps I run sections of the Buffalo Stampede skyrunning course. It has 4 climbs, all steep and demanding to make me strong!

8.    As you do so many big long distance races (and in the mountains!!) how do you prepare to combat the challenges of injury that humble some of the best runners each year?
I try to listen to my body, I am not afraid to take a few days off! I also make sure to get regular massages.

9.    What are your personal and/or team goals for the year?
My goal for 2015 is to qualify for the world trail championships in Annecy and represent Australia there. I also want to get some international races in and hopefully have some success!

10.    What are the biggest differences between racing in Europe compared to racing in North America or Asia?
Personally I have never raced in Asia but I have heard that it’s humid and quite smoggy which would definitely make for different conditions to Europe where the air is very fresh as you get high so quickly! I’m excited to experience this different climate and conditions.

11.    Have you ever had a running coach and what did you learn from them?    Which teammate or coach has taught you the most over your career?
I never really considered a coach until the end of last year where I thought it would make me more responsible for my own training. I started with Brendan Davies, Australia’s best ultra-runner and he taught me to be disciplined and that importance of having key sessions and hitting them hard. I am now semi-coached my Emelie Forsberg, from the Salomon international team who has taught me more about hours and meters rather than kilometers and pace! I love the diversity!

12.    What is your typical race day routine?  Do you have any prerace superstitions?
Race day is a very calm morning but with nerves in my stomach which I try to replace with food early so I can let it digest! I double check my gear and try to get to the start line early! My only race superstition is that I like to wash my runners in the washing machine and have them clean for race day!

13.    What is the one moment in your career that you are most proud of?
Crossing the finish line at the Mont Blanc marathon as first junior with the streets lined with people screaming allez, ,allez, allez! And the rest of the Australian team waiting at the finish line for me! Unreal!

14.    Personal records?
10km: 38:42,  21km: 1:26:40,  50km: 4:28:00,  100km: 9:36:00

15.    Ever injured? Which kind and how serious?
Never had an injury! A sore knee and rolled ankles here and there but thankfully nothing too serious!

16.    Hot or cold weather runner?
I like both! A hot run is nice for the views, the tan and the energy from the sun! However the rain gives a feeling of free and invigorating as well as everything looks green and lush!

17.    Morning or evening runs?
Morning! Rising with the sun gives good energy for the rest of the day!

18.    What is your motivation?
To push my limits and see the world!

19.    Ever DNF?
Nope! And hopefully not for a while!

20.    Race I'd like to forget:
Yurrebilla 56km. I was a favorite to win and at 3km in my stomach wouldn’t hold any food or water. It was a long 53km from then on!

21.    One part of your body that has never seen Body Glide:
I have never used body glide anywhere!!

22.    Best part of running
The people and the environments!

23.    If I didn't run I__ ___.
…might have done better at school as it takes up a lot of my study time running and watching youtube clips of runs!

24.    I can't run without_________.
My Salomon sense softgrounds3. They are my favorite shoe and when I put them on I know it’s ‘go time’

25.    Favorite gel flavor?
I don’t use gels a lot but I do like the new hammer peanut butter gel… yum!

26.    How many days after a marathon do you usually start running again?
2-3 but super easy

27.    What is your typical night before the big race meal?
Simple pasta with a tomato sauce and some grated cheese! A childhood favorite...

28.    What's the farthest you've ever run at one time?
100km

29.    Any other comments to encourage ultra runners to go the distance?
Don’t think about it as one big chunk of a run. For me I break it down into checkpoints and make it into achievable amounts! It’s never going to be easy but the key is to find happiness in the toughness of it.. because when you get to the top its worth it!

We're all hoping Lucy enjoys Hong Kong and wish her all the best.