Q&A With Canadian Triathlete - Claudia Johnston

We recently had a chance to have a Q&A session with Canadian triathlete, mother of 5 (not a typo!) and femme extraordinaire, Claudia Johnston.Claudia is one of the most successful Canadian age-groupers to have competed at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii placing 6th in 2009, 3rd in 2010 and 3rd in 2011 with a time of 9:55:35!

Q: You’ve got so much on your plate and obviously triathlon doesn’t pay the bills, what drives you to train or commit to the sport?

A: Triathlon has given me so much in life. I will be forever grateful for C3 and Barrie Shepley for taking me on their team!! I have many struggles as everyone does, but this sport is something that makes me happy, it always pulls me back onto my feet. It throws me tough mental and physical challenges and I love to tackle them. There is a huge sense of accomplishment when you finish an Ironman.One thing that is very close to my heart is to show Moms and Children to never give up, no matter how tough a challenge, you can overcome anything!! Keep your head held high (I know it can be tough) and keep on going, follow your dreams!

Q: How do you balance training with family life and your 5 kids?

Claudia with her 5 kids

A: Many times my children train with me. I would say as they grow older, they are beginning to kick my butt! It is complicated to fit it in, so sometimes you have to let go and miss a workout. What is important is that the ones I do have to count!! The funniest training was this fall when I had to go to a hockey tournament with my son, so I was biking and running in between games, LOL, you should have seen our motel room, full of hockey equipment, (my son is goalie) my bike , bike trainer and running gear. I know parents on this team find me slightly insane, and that is probably the case.

Q: What’s your goal in the sport?

A: I want to be the fastest I can be in Ironman. I want to be the best I can be and I don't think I have found my fastest yet, or my perfect race. Hopefully next year things will come together!! It would be nice to finally win at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships!!

Q: When did you start in the sport?

A: I have been competitive for four years now. I did do a couple of races before, but nothing serious. But I was an Ultrarunner beforehand.

Claudia in her Rockin' Dots!

Q: What is your strength/background prior to triathlon?

A: My strength used to be the run, but my biking has caught up, LOL!! I was initially a ballet dancer, I know, hard to imagine, then I was very competitive in Showjumping and Eventing. Later I turned to Ultrarunning, I always loved to run!!





Q: If you could convince any triathlete of doing a specific workout or training session what would it be?

A: hmm, let's see; come to my spin class and then join me at circuit!!

Q: What’s your most memorable moment in triathlon?

A: 2010 Hawaii Ironman World Championship. My first Ironman under 10hrs. I didn't realize at the time how huge that was, but it is simply that I always strive for better!!

Claudia was featured in Triathlon Magazine Canada as a "Triathlete Of The Year" for age-group women.

You can follow Claudia on Twitter @Mamma2Five or on her website at www.ClaudiaJohnston.ca.

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