| Triathlete Champion Jen Salter | |||
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 Final Fitness caught out with triathlete champion Jen Salter to find out what it takes to train to compete in some of the most challenging races in the world. FF: How did it feel to come first in a competition the first time? JS: I was just relieved to finish to be honest as this was a 40-miler and the first time I had run further than a marathon. That said, it felt quite nice to go into work that Monday and tell my work friends I had won a 40-miler, when all they had to show for the weekend was a banging headache from a night on the tiles! FF: How did you get into Long distance running and triathlons? JS:I ran my first marathon in 2000 which was a natural progression from running to keep fit. It was the most painful run of my life but probably my most satisfying. From there, like most seasoned marathon runners, I strived to improve my PB and there my addiction began… By 2008, running a marathon wasn't challenge enough and I started looking for the next step up - this is when I came across the Marathon des Sables ('MdS'). My training for the MdS in 2009 was mainly comprised of swimming and cycling (due to injuries I sustained - see below) which meant I was naturally suited to triathlon - it looked like fun so I thought I'd give it a whirl! FF: How do you train for your events? JS: Over the past 18 months I have followed a somewhat unconventional training plan… before the MdS (in both 2009 and 2010) I have sustained injuries which meant I only managed a handful of runs in the months leading up to the event on both occasions - I therefore took up swimming and spinning, spent hours in the gym improving my strength and had a few weekend 'breaks' on the tandem with my personal trainer covering circa 160 miles each weekend. The key for me is being able to adapt your training to ensure you maintain your CV fitness. I strongly believe that, to a large extent, it doesn't really matter what you are doing as long as you are putting the hours in. I am very lucky that my partner, Rory Coleman, is a personal trainer and has really helped me to find new ways to train and stay motivated whilst injured.  FF: How do you prevent injury during such long, harsh events? JS: For me it's all about preparation and management. Yes, I make sure I stretch after every hard training session and use a foam roller on a regular basis, but the most important thing is being aware of what is happening to your body during these events… if your hamstrings are tight, take five minutes out to stretch them… if you are thirsty, take a drink… if your feet are sore, get them treated (or share a tent with Rory who spent an hour and a half every morning taping them up for me)! Learn where your weaknesses are before the event, prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised is my motto. FF: How do you change your diet during these events, do you have any diet tips to keep yourself sustained for such a long time? JS: At the MdS you don't really have a choice - you are self-sufficient so boil-in-the-bag fat-based foods is pretty much the only portable food with enough energy to keep you going. The minimum permitted is 2,000 kcals/day which is obviously far less than you actually burn. I took exactly this amount this year in an attempt to minimise my pack weight and really struggled so I won't be making that mistake in 2011. During the day I use 9bars (natural seed bars that have a superb energy-to-weight ratio), nuts and trail mix, etc., although in the heat of the day (which apparently reached 53 degrees this year) it is extremely difficult to eat anything. I am lucky in that I don't seem to need to take on as much water as many - for the larger men that do the race the heat can be crippling and by the time they get to each checkpoint they are absolutely parched. During the 7 days you are in the desert it's all about piling in the calories. FF: Can you tell us a bit about your record attempt? JS: In June 2011 I will be attempting to beat the World Record for running from Malin Head (the northern-most tip of Ireland) to Mizen Head (the most south-westerly point). The route is approximately 350 miles and the current women's record stands at 7 days and 9 hours. That said, I would actually like to beat the men's record which is widely accepted as 4 days and 12 hours, run by Richard Brown in 1988 - this will involve 18-hour daily runs of circa 75 miles for 4 days+. FF: What made you want to do it? JS: Rory has now accumulated NINE world records for ultra running feats. I thought it was about time to add one of my own to the collection! FF: How do you push yourself to keep going? JS: I have a burning desire to win. I break the race down into pallatable chunks and take each one as it comes. If you think about racing 58 miles across the desert in one stint you will never feel any closer to the finish line - taking each 10km as it comes and comparing it to a favourite route at home really helps to break it up. FF: Who is your inspiration? JS: The Ahansal brothers have won the MdS 13 times between them - they are just the most incredible athletes. FF: What do you focus on while you're racing? JS: Winning! When negative thoughts creep in I think about my family who are always so supportive and don't really care if I finish first or last as long as I finish in one piece! I also look forward to being with my tent buddies each night. I have been incredibly lucky with my tent mates in both 2009 and 2010 - the bonding experience is like no other.  FF: Do you listen to music while you're training? If so what?JS: Always! Anything upbeat - traditionally dance, although Rory's son, George, is in an up and coming rock band, Toxic Federation, which is great to get the adrenalin flowing! FF: Do you have any advice for people wanting to take part in extreme endurance events? JS: Preparation. Don't think you can just turn up and miraculously finish this event without incident. Learn about how to train, learn about the kit you need to take, learn anything and everything you can to make the actual event less stressful for you. Just completing the event is hard enough. Every year the Brits are the worst prepared and incur the worst foot injuries. This is the main driver for the training weekend we will be running in September this year - ULTRArace Desert Camp. The event is aimed at helping MdS first-timers get to the start line in Morocco with the best poossible chance of finishing the event. Check out www.ultrarace.co.uk/events for more information. FF: What's next for you? JS: I have just completed my first proper run in four months (a marathon!)… I have therefore decided to enter the World 50km Championships in Galway this month, then my focus is on 2011 and the Marathon des Sables in March, followed by my World Record attempt in June.
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Issue 6. Cover - Photographer - Moritz Stragholz