The fast and humble Paula Findlay
Paula Findlay had shown quite a bit of promise the last couple years, but really stepped into the limelight with great wins at the Dextro Energy ITU WCS races in London and Kitzbühel. The fast, charming and humble Canadian had a few words with slowtwitch.
Slowtwitch: First of all congrats on three fantastic wins in a row.
Paula: Thanks!
ST: Was winning in Kelowna pretty much expected now?
Paula: No, not at all. I felt like people expected me to win, but there was some tough competition and I knew that it wasn’t going to be an easy race. Traveling back from Kitzbühel only 5 days earlier worried me, but I did my best to recover properly and was definitely feeling ready to go on race morning.
ST: You seemed genuinely surprised after the wins in London and Kitzbühel. Did you really not expect to do well?
Paula: I did expect good races from myself, since we had an excellent training camp before London and I felt strong, but I never ever imagined myself winning. I would have been very happy with top 10 finishes, so to win was very unexpected! Kitzbühel was equally surprising; I did not feel my best heading into that race so to come out with another win was a shocker.
ST: If you didn't feel well going into Kitzbühel, should the others be really worried when you feel great?
Paula: I felt okay once the race started, I was just very jet lagged and sluggish all week leading up to it. I had a quick turnaround coming back to Europe after London, and my body had a hard time adjusting to the time change. I don’t think it affected my race though.
ST: Prior to London, do you think you were on the radar of the top contenders?
Paula: I had a fourth place finish in Des Moines in June, which was a big result for me, so I may have been seen as an outside contender for a top 15 finish – but definitely not for the win. I was ranked 53rd going into the London race, I don’t even know if people read that far down the start list! I was definitely not seen as a major contender.
ST: But you actually had some great performances before that. What ranks highest in your mind?
Paula: Besides the 4th place in Des Moines, my 3rd place finish at the U23 World Championships in 2009 was probably my best performance before that. I hadn’t done much run training leading up to that race so I was thrilled to finish on the podium.
ST: You have been dealing with injuries recently. How frustrating was that and are you completely well?
Paula: I struggled with a stress fracture in my foot and IT band syndrome for most of the season last year, which was very frustrating to say the least! I was able to maintain pretty good fitness through swimming, biking and water running but it’s definitely no replacement for run training. I have been completely well all season this year and the consistent running is really paying off.
ST: How much has your life changed in the last month?
Paula: I’ve had lots more attention from the media, which has been the biggest change for me. I’m not a very outgoing person and I don’t like drawing attention to myself so it has been a bit of a challenge. Not much else has changed; I got right back to hard work after coming home to Canada.
ST: Did the high-altitude camp in Les Angles, France or the generally lighter race schedule before Dextro Energy London help you more?
Paula: At the beginning of the year I was frustrated that I wasn’t allowed to race in the early WCS races but it may have been a blessing in disguise. We put more emphasis on the second half of the season so I was still feeling fresh and ready to go by the end of July. The altitude camp definitely helped with my preparation for London. I’m not really sure which helped more.
ST: You took a semester off from your studies at the University of Alberta. Is it very tough to juggle racing and attending classes?
Paula: It is difficult to find enough time for both, especially when trying to do both well! I want to go into medicine eventually, so keeping good grades is important. Last semester both my grades and my training were suffering, as there were simply not enough hours in a day to put all my effort into the two. I’ve been a student-athlete for the past 14 years, so it is possible, but it is very tough.
ST: How much time do you have left and when will you go back to your studies?
Paula: I’m currently half way through my degree, and I’m not quite sure how long it will take to get the other half. My plan is to return to school in the fall after racing in Budapest, and then to take the winter semester off to focus on training and racing. It’s taking longer than most people, but I’m slowly working away at my degree.
ST: Is there a specific field of medicine you are especially interested in?
Paula: I’m not entirely sure right now but I’d like to get into the sports medicine field.
ST: Looking forward to London 2012, do you think the hopes and dreams of Canada might rest on your shoulders?
Paula: There are so many other talented athletes in Canada so I don’t think that all of the hopes and dreams rest on me! I still have to qualify for the London Olympics and lots can change in 2 years. My goal for now is to make the Olympic team, and if I’m lucky enough to do so, I’d like to have another good performance in London.
ST: Simon Whitfield has described you as a very hard working and focused worker. Is that an accurate description?
Paula: I’d say I’m a pretty focused worker. I moved away from my family and friends in Edmonton to train the National Center in Victoria, so I don’t have many outside distractions here. Although I don’t always love the hard workouts, I do love the satisfaction that comes after I’m finished.
ST: How much do you get work out with Simon when you are back at home?
Paula: Simon and I have different coaches so most of our workouts are done separately, but our groups join together a few times a week for open water swims. I did a few hilly base rides with him last year and nearly died! It’s hard to integrate with such a strong men’s team, but it’s great to have the opportunity to train with his group a couple days a week.
ST: How are things going for you in terms of sponsorship?
Paula: I have been very lucky to have United Cycle in Edmonton lend me a bike every year so far (thanks Paul!) but other than that, or at least up until 4 weeks ago, I’ve had a hard time getting sponsorship. I’m not very good at selling myself. I was very fortunate to have Blueseventy help me out with a wetsuit at the last minute this year and Asics has sent me some product as well. I’m hoping that things might be easier for me after this season!
ST: So no new sponsors have come calling yet?
Paula: I have had some potential sponsors approach me but I’d like to leave everything until after Budapest. I don’t want to get distracted with all of that when I should be getting ready for the big race, but I’m excited about the opportunities for next year.
ST: Tell us about you food likes and dislikes.
Paula: I’m generally a very healthy eater, but I do have a big sweet tooth. I love vegetables, fruit, chicken and fish, and I eat way too much cereal. I don’t really like red meat but I’m not a picky eater.
ST: What was the last book you read?
Paula: “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall.
ST: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Paula: Definitely still racing and trying to qualify for the 2016 games in Rio! Hopefully I’ll be finished my undergrad degree by then too.
ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?
Paula: Lets see… I was a dancer for 15 years before switching my focus to triathlon. We have a very active family! My dad is a brain surgeon and is nuts about skiing. My mom was national team rower and is still a great athlete. My little brother is a 250-pound football player. My sister has a million freckles and hair that is redder than mine. We have 2 Airedale terriers that I love, and 2 fat cats, that I don’t love. Haha.
ST: I guess when you have a big little brother there is no need for you to protect him.
Paula: Haha, no protection needed. He’s a big guy!
ST: Thanks for the chat.
Paula: Thanks very much for the interview!
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