Posted: June 26, 2006

Triathlon: Twenty Questions with Kathy Tremblay

Full Name: Kathy Temblay
Sport: Triathlon
Born (City): St-Foy, Quebec
Current Hometown: Montreal
Age: 24
Coach: Alex Sereno
Club(s): ATI
Occupation/University: Bacc.Art
Sponsor(s): Proteck (Financial Groupe), Cascades, Centre De Santi Lucie Blouin, Speedo, Oakley, New Balance, Cycle G&M Bertrand, Nineteen, Enervit And Friends.
Personal web site: KathyTremblay.ca
Favourite Web Site: Triathlon.org.

Kathy Tremblay finished third in Mazatlan World Cup (Photo: Delly Carr/ITU Media)

Background: Kathy Tremblay has had a breakthrough year. She claimed her first ever ITU podium finish at the Mazatlan ITU World Cup and then followed that with a gold medal performance in Brazil in early June.

First of all, congratulations on your third place finish at the Mazatlan ITU World Cup triathlon for your first international podium finish and your gold medal at the Pan American Championships in Brasilia.

1. Runner's Web (RW): When and where did you start competing and in what sports?

Kathy Tremblay (KT): I started triathlon at the age of 12 but before I did a lot of competitions in swimming, figure skating, diving and karate. I also competed in biking, and track and field, when I was doing triathlon.

2. RW: At what age do you consider you became a "serious" athlete and in what sport?

KT: I have always been serious in everything. For me being serious means to be devoted, organised, and doing everything with passion.

3. RW: You are a full-time athlete. Do you believe it is possible for someone who is not a full-time triathlete to compete at a high level internationally?

KT: Everything is a progression. For me going to school has always been a priority. Presently, I have 4 more classes to complete before finishing my deree. right now it is more complicated than before because i race a lot more and i miss a lot of classes. but it has to be done and it is as important as my sport.

4. RW: Who has had the greatest influence on your athletic career to date?

KT: My sponsors, which give me the opportunity to train my own way and my coach, Alex Sereno who gave me advice that prevented me from injuries.

5. RW: 1- Could you discuss your training in terms of an average week's workouts prior to racing season? 2- Also could you review, at a high level, your macro program for a year? Do you do most of your training alone or as part of a group?

KT: 1- I train an average of 20 hours per week plus all the extra hours like massage, chiropractic, yoga, etc. but before an important race, I always train a little bit less but more in training camps (December and March). Most of the time, I train with my boyfriend and other athletes who are also my friends.

6. RW: What are your short-term (rest of the year) and longer-term goals?

KT: I would like to be the best Canadian at the national championship and at the world championship.

7. RW: What do you consider your best race to-date and why?

KT: In Mazatlan (Mexico in may 7th). After Jill Savage, I'm the next Canadian who made a podium in world cup

8. RW: What do you consider your strongest attribute of the three triathlon disciplines?

KT: If we split the 3 sports, then running is my best, then swimming and biking. This spring, I ran 5km in 16 :27 after a little bit of biking. My goal is to run like that in triathlon but I still have a lot of work to do.

9. RW: Do you have any interest in coaching or other involvement in sport after you stop competing?

KT: No thank you for coaching, but maybe working on health programs for a company.

10. RW: Have you been tested in a lab for max VO2, body fat, etc? If so what were the results? If not, do you plan on getting tested?

KT: No, I don't really bother with that. I really think that good training does the entire job i need.

11. RW: What is your favorite triathlon and why?

KT: I really like the "Triathlon Cascades" in Drummondville, QC because it is at home.

Paul Tichelaar and Kathy Tremblay at the Pan American Championships in Brasilia.(Photo:KathyTremblay.ca)

12. RW: What do you consider your greatest achievement in the sport?

KT: Having no injuries and being healthy again.

13. RW: You currently live and train in Montreal. How does Montreal compare to Ottawa/Gatineau as a training location?

KT: Nothing compares to the nature of the Gatineau Park. Wherever you go, there are always positive and negative aspects. There is nothing perfect. Here in Montreal, I have the best health care team than you can imagine, including my coach. The only negative side is for bike riding. We always need to drive out of the city but nothing is perfect.

14. RW: Could you describe your current training environment in terms of training sites, partners, etc.

KT: For the summer, I swim at the 50m outdoor pool at Parc Jean-Drapeau with my swim club. Sometimes we also bike after the training or swim practice or in the afternoon. Normally we run at Mont-Royale in the afternoon. Most of my training is made with my traning partner and boyfriend David-James, and Dave Thomas.

15. RW: Apart from swimming, cycling and running, do you do any other training, such as weight-training, yoga, etc.?

KT: Other than doing everything to perform, only eating and studying.

16. RW: Apart from the triathlon what is your favourite "other" sport?

KT: Soccer. Those guys are awesome athletes!

17. RW: What activities do you do away from sport to relax?

KT: Yoga and watch movies with my boyfriend.

18. RW: What is your racing schedule for the next year?

KT: A couple of world cups, world champ and hopefully, the Olympics.

19. RW: Could you take us through the Mazatlan race, discussing your strategy, how you felt during each of the disciplines, etc.

KT: I knew I had to swim hard but all the training I did helped me to do this perfectly.Everything went the way I thought it would! I got out of the water in the first pack and biked with a large group of girls, which helped me to save my legs for the running part. I had a good run. It was the first race of the year and I know my run will be better in a few more races.

20. RW: How long do you intend to compete at the top level of the sport?

KT: As long as my legs will hold!

RW: Thanks for doing this. Continued success in your competitive endeavors. Any additional comments?

KT: Sorry to take so long to write to you. I just finished my last exam of my summer class yesterday. I owe you an other article.
Cheers, Kat.

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