The Daily Star spoke to World Champion triathlete Beth Potter to learn how she makes use of know-how to assist her attain new heights in probably the most gruelling of sports activities.
The 32-year-old Scot grew to become European Champion in 2019 and gained the distinguished World Triathlon Championship Series final yr, however she now hopes to go one higher by bagging gold on the Olympics in July.
What know-how do you utilize to assist your efficiency?
I’m at present utilizing a Garmin Edge 1040 Solar for all my bike coaching and the Garmin Forerunner 965 when monitoring my runs. On the times once I’m not coaching, I put on a Venu 2 as my on a regular basis watch, in order that I can nonetheless keep related with my wellness insights.
What options show you how to probably the most?
Measuring my tempo is certainly a function that I pay loads of consideration to. When I’m coaching, I want to ensure I’m working in the precise coronary heart fee zones for the tempo I need to preserve. For occasion, if it’s a simple run, I’d intention to maintain my coronary heart fee in a decrease zone which is highlighted on my watch. It additionally pays to have quick suggestions on issues like energy output because it permits me to check my stats to find out the place I want to enhance.
I additionally actually just like the wellness perception capabilities because it’s fascinating to watch my efficiency round my menstrual cycle, guaranteeing that I gasoline my physique with the precise vitamin as you burn extra carbs at totally different occasions of the month.
(Image: Santara Studios / George Marshall)
Do you monitor your sleep?
At night time, I put on my Garmin watch because it tracks my stress ranges and provides me a breakdown of how a lot sleep I get every night time, which means I understand how well-rested I’m. Regardless of the climate, you’ve nonetheless obtained to get the coaching executed however throughout a time like winter, you usually want extra relaxation in comparison with different occasions of the yr.
Understanding your sleep is essential to each bodily and psychological wellbeing and so by monitoring my sleep, I’m able to recognise how a lot time I’ve spent in a lightweight, deep and REM sleep. It may even assist me to know my sleeping sample and provides me insights into why I may need had a disrupted sleep.
(Image: PR Supplied)
Do you get obsessive about knowledge?
I attempt to not, although I do wish to have the info there so I can login and look again at it ought to I need to. I‘m a big believer in listening to your body over anything else so it’s necessary to hearken to your intuition too.
Do you ever go tech free?
Not in coaching, no. If it’s a notably windy day than I’ll contemplate going tech free, however usually I shall be logging in to the info someplace simply via behavior. My coach additionally has a watch on me once I’m coaching so can monitor from a distance.
What function does tech play in your restoration?
I feel for the typical runner it’s a actually good software as it may assist measure your quantity of coaching. But as knowledgeable athlete, I do know precisely what I can deal with and what my weaknesses are. Also, I can recuperate faster than most individuals, so it’s about understanding your physique and trusting your intestine.
(Image: Santara Studios / George Marshall)
Do you depend on tech throughout a race?
I take advantage of the Edge 1040 Solar for the journey, however I don’t depend on the watch as when you find yourself racing, you’re reacting to different folks within the second. You are ensuring you aren’t lacking any breaks or assaults so that you don’t actually have time to take a look at your wrist. If I obtained dropped at a selected stage of the race, then I can take a look at the Garmin knowledge to assist work out why this occurred. But having mentioned that, it may typically be helpful to function a reminder of what number of laps you’ve obtained left so it actually does rely. Reflecting on the info and the tech is extra helpful after the race for me.
Why do you utilize a sports activities psychologist?
I first regarded right into a sports activities psychologist in 2013 after which extra not too long ago up to now yr as I regularly seen the long-term advantages from these classes. It helps me cope with anxiousness round large races. I additionally really feel there’s such a giant false impression round athletes and their psychological well being. We are all human beings; we’ve got doubts and insecurities similar to everybody else – it’s a really pure, regular feeling and typically there’s a lot give attention to bodily coaching, it’s essential to keep in mind to not neglect the psychological facet.
Was there a second once you realised you had what it takes to grow to be world champion?
No, it was a gradual factor. It doesn’t occur in a single day, it’s extra of an ongoing thought. Last yr there was loads of development for me, however nothing is assured in sport – something can occur. I knew I used to be heading in the right direction due to my outcomes, so it was only a matter of getting a little bit of luck and letting the coaching come via.
(Image: PR Supplied)
Have you had any dangerous accidents?
I had an accident on the bike final yr, which was attributable to a automotive driving on the fallacious facet of the highway, leading to me getting stitched again collectively.
How do you preserve a wholesome work-life stability?
Training is my job, so it naturally takes precedence though I additionally do a little bit of consultancy work with a operating app once I get some downtown. When I’m not coaching, I’ve issues which might be necessary to me that I attempt to find time for however fairly frankly, I don’t have loads of time for something exterior of coaching at my present degree.
What does the remainder of the season appear to be for you?
2024 appears to be like to be an necessary yr for me. Right now, I get prepared for the Paris Olympics which takes place in July. That shall be my primary focus for the primary a part of this yr, however I may even be partaking in the identical variety of occasions as a traditional yr. Although my schedule will all be geared in the direction of peaking in July, within the hope of doing effectively and bringing house a medal for Great Britain.