From morning latte to lights out, we get to know a little bit more about triathlete, Jodie Stimpson.
Jodie has had a rocky start to 2018. As well as recovering from injury, she experienced a devastating puncture which put paid to her hopes of a home ground medal at last month’s World Triathlon Series in Leeds.
Ahead of WTS Hamburg this weekend, we chatted to Jodie to find out what life as a pro triathlete is like and how she’s bouncing back from disappointment stronger than ever.
Photo credit: Du Plessis Photography.
My alarm goes off…
As a triathlete, no two days are the same. However I’m an early riser so my normal alarm is at 5am. As a result I also like to get an early night, usually around 9pm.
I got into triathlon…
At a very young age. My dad, who was a swimming instructor, taught me to swim when I was four. My uncle was also an Ironman athlete so both of them had a strong influence on me.
Aged eight I entered and won my very first race. The look of pride on my dad’s face at that moment cemented my love of triathlon and ever since then it’s been all I’ve wanted to do. There’s never been a plan B.
My typical day…
Again, every day for me is different depending on my schedule and the season, but my favourite days are Tuesdays and Sundays. On Tuesdays I’ll start with a speed session in the pool from 7:30 – 9am, then an hour’s easy ride. I’ll end the day at the track at 4:30pm.
On Sundays I’ll also start at 7:30am with a long run followed by an endurance swim session in the afternoon.
My most memorable moment…
Without a doubt, winning my gold medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the women’s elite and relay events.
The setup of the course was such that there was a huge crowd at the finish line, and as I crossed it I could see my parents. As I ran down the blue carpet the crowd were cheering so loudly that I thought I was in a sprint finish!
The best part of my job…
Is that I can do what I love for a living. As cliche as that sounds, it’s true, and I just can’t see myself ever doing anything else. I love the fact that every day I’m pushing myself through tough sessions and reaching new limits. I get a lot of satisfaction out of that, out of finding a way to do what you think you can’t.
The worst part of my job…
Is the time I have to spend away from my family. I’m a real home bird so I hate to miss family occasions and see my young niece and nephew growing up.
My family are my support network and such a huge part of my triathlon journey that I want to be able to share as much of it as possible with them. They try to come to my races and I’m really excited that my mum will be coming out to Hamburg to see me race at the weekend.
After work…
I like to chill out and watch a movie or Netflix, as I’m normally pretty tired after a day of training. At the moment I’m really into Love Island (sorry!) But because of the time difference as I’m out training in Banyoles, I tend to watch it over breakfast so I’m a day behind on all the gossip.
Yellow Jersey provide Triathlon Bike Insurance and Triathlon Travel Insurance to Jodie Stimpson