SDC Backed Triathlete Heads off to World Championships in Florida

Date published: 20 September 2006

Bedford born Yvette Grice continues her successful season by qualifiying for the Ironman World Championships in Florida in November

SDC sponsored athlete Yvette Grice will be representing the UK at the Florida Ironman Triathlon on November 4th 2006 having recently qualified for the event by finishing 7th in the UK Ironman Competition in Sherborn, Dorset.

The following weekend Yvette was determined to compete in the Jordans Bedford Classic Triathlon, an event she won the previous year. This time around the previous weekends' efforts had taken their toll on her but despite being very tired, Yvette still finished a very creditable 2nd.

The World Championships in Florida will be a real test for Yvette, comprising a 2.4 km swim, 112 miles on a bike and 26.2 miles running. It is a key event in her professional career and even though it is not until November, it is a major part of her training and competition focus. She is currently training about 30 hours a week despite the hindrance of a part time job. The training has to cover all three disciplines and often involves double days. In the winter there is a greater focus on weights and strength training whilst summer is more about running drills. A heavier training session can often involve spending 7 ½ hours on the bike and a half hour run or alternatively a 3 hour run. Typically, like most triathletes her training each day focuses on one of the disciplines rather than all three.

She plans to head out to Florida a week or so before the event to get the lie of the land and acclimatise to local conditions. It is also important for the athletes that they get the opportunity to check out the route to remove any uncertainties and doubts. She is determined to finish in the top half of the field and SDC wish her every success with this and are proud to be supporting her.