Non Stanford – ITU World Champion

With only 81 days until the start of Rio 2016, we catch up with Non Stanford on being patient for Rio as well as catching a few top tips for us first timers and what the comradery at the top is really like.

Non, let’s start with patience – the title of your most recent blog. To us, it appears you clearly want to fight it, but why? Why is it important to be patient when training?

I’ve had to learn the hard way that pushing too much or too soon will only come back and bite you. As a youngster I would always want more from myself; every day, every session; I was never satisfied. There’s a mentality and a culture to always push yourself to the limit, to never give yourself an inch, but the more experienced you get you realise that theres a time and place. You can’t exert yourself 100% all of the time; thats just impossible. It’s being smart with the application, being patient and waiting for the right time.

Rio – we’re sure you’re asked this sort of question all of the time. It’s such an amazing opportunity for you after a lot of hard workd and we’ll be rooting for you behind our screens, but, what’s your biggest fear of Rio?

My biggest fear is not making the start line. I had to sit the Commonwealth Games out in 2014 with injury and that was heartbreaking. I can’t let that happen again. The aim is to go in 98% ready rather than striving for the last few percent and risk pushing past 100% into over cooked.

And how are you planning on overcoming that? Can you plan for something like that?

Whats the difference between being 98% ready, 100% ready and ill or injured? We’re talking fine, fine lines. And theres no exact science to it. Certainly there’s an element of luck to it too. We’ll do what we’ve done in the past, nothing new, nothing revolutionary. And I guess on my part, I’ll have to be patient, even when every other part of me wants to keep pushing.

And Rio is renowned for its parties… will you have time to let your hair down post Olympics? Or are you in and out? 

We’re actually the last day of events. We race Saturday 20th and the closing ceremony is Sunday 21st! So the timetabling won’t allow much party time. We’ll probably drop into Rio the Wednesday before the race and leave the Monday after. But I’m sure we’ll find time in the 48hour window between crossing the finishing line and boarding a plane to celebrate, regardless of the race outcome.

Back to us beginners. So you didn’t start out in triathlons. A lot of newcomers to the sport we’ve talked to didn’t start in Tri either. It looks like you started in Tri at University? How did you know that triathlon was the sport for you? 

Yes I started triathlon during my second year at the University of Birmingham. I’d been a runner up until that point. I’d swam competitively as a youngster but had been out of the pool for 5 or so years. I could ride a bike, but I couldn’t ‘ride’ a bike; I’d never ridden drop bars and was concerned by the look of those racing saddles. To be honest, when I started I didn’t know it was the sport for me. I definitely didn’t think I’d be the World Champion 5 years later. I thought the training regime was crazy and that the people were even crazier! But I did love the new challenge and the variety in training that triathlon offered. I guess I grew into it; before I knew it I was one of those crazy people doing crazy training regimes!

Having just completed our first tri’s over the last couple of weeks, the comradery was amazing and helped us get through some tough times on race day. From the outside, it looks like there is lots of comradery between you top flight guys. Do you all really get on, or is it just game face?

It’s one of the things I love about this sport; I’ve made some great, life long friends, both here in the UK and across the world. Rivalry is largely saved for on course; on the whole the girls are good at leaving it there which is nice. The atmosphere within the GB team is really nice. We’re genuinely great friends; Vicky Holland is my housemate and one of my closest mates which makes the whole journey much more fun. I think its a definite strength for us.

Do you have a key training partner that really keeps you going? Makes you laugh, but also gets serious training done? 
I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by a group of amazing training partners. Without doubt they are my most valuable assets. They are some of my best friends and that obviously makes training more fun; but they are also some of the best athletes in the world, so of course we are a highly motivated, hard working bunch who always get the job done.

If you could go back to when you first started in triathlons, what two top tips would you give yourself when starting again? 
1. Take snacks and cash for cafe stops on long rides; bonking is never fun. Cake and coffee is always fun.
2. You’ll question what on earth you’re doing this triathlon business for at several points during a race. You’ll cross the line and forget all of that and look at when you can do the next. This will happen even when you’re one of the best in the world.

I noticed in our first tri, there is a lot of confusion amongst beginners as to how to lay out their kit or what they really need in transition. What’s your top tip to get organised for transition? 
Only take into transition what you need; don’t overcomplicate things by taking the kitchen sink. For cycling all you need is your bike, your bike shoes, your helmet and some sunnies if you wear them. Then after that you just have your run shoes. Write a list the night before so you’re not stressing that you’ve forgotten anything. Your actual set up is quite individual; are you putting your bike shoes on before you run out, or are they on your bike ready for when you jump on at the mount line? Either way make sure the set up is logical to you so when you get to your spot tired from the swim or the bike, its obvious what you need to do next.

And finally, a couple of quick questions for you. 
What do you love about triathlons?

Racing is unpredictable and varied. There’s lots of different elements to consider before and during the race and that keeps things exciting.

What do you dislike the most about tri? 
The amount of stuff you amass and have to travel with. I dream about boarding a flight with just a carry on.

What’s your go to snack post training? 
Milk. Simple and easy and ticks all the immediate refuelling boxes.

Thank you Non, we look forward to cheering for you at Rio!

If you want to keep up to date with Non’s progress, check out her website, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.