Scottish triathlete Seonaid Thompson was crowned winner of the 2012 British Triathlon Super Series title, Britain’s premier elite triathlon race series, at the London Triathlon in September.
She performed consistently in the season long series, finishing in second place at the Toshiba Windsor Triathlon in June and delivering two strong performances at the GE Blenheim Triathlon and GE Strathclyde Park Triathlon. Her 7th place finish at the London Triathlon, the final event in the series, earned her enough points to take the title.
This result is particularly impressive as she only switched from track running to triathlons last year. She has however already highlighted her capabilities, not only with the Super Series title but also by winning the Scottish Aquathlon Championship and taking silver in the British Aquathlon Championship.
These impressive performances have earned Seonaid a place on the Triathlon Scotland Development Squad for 2012/13 and means she is able to benefit from coaching from Jack Maitland and Malcolm Brown, who helped coach the Brownlee brothers to Olympic success.
With these early achievements and the support of the British Triathlon development programme Seonaid looks likely to have even greater success in the near future.
Sportsister contributor Helen Russell spoke to Seonaid to find out about her meteoric rise.
What is your sporting background?
I joined my local athletics club, Macclesfield Harriers, when I was 11 years old and the swimming club, Satellites of Macclesfield, a couple of years later. I competed in both athletics and swimming events but I was better at running - my favourite event was the sprint hurdles. I gradually moved up the distances until I went to Durham University where I focussed on 800m. I continued to swim but only once or twice a week as cross training for my running.
How did you start out in triathlons?
My boyfriend (now husband) entered me in The London Triathlon in 2009 - I wouldn’t enter myself as I thought it was too expensive. I wore my husband’s wetsuit, cycled his bike (wearing my trainers) and ran in my swimming costume with shorts over the top. I was still training for 800m on the track at the time, but despite my lack of equipment and training I really enjoyed it and decided to do a few more. I continued to train for 800m though and didn’t switch to triathlon training until 2011.
What do you consider to be your best result to date?
My best result in athletics was winning the 800m at the Celtic International in 2010. I was so happy to be running for Scotland that I didn’t even feel nervous. I think my best result in triathlon so far was my 7th place at the London Triathlon this year. I enjoyed the race, but the best part of the day was finding out that I’d won the British Triathlon Super Series (The London Triathlon was the fifth and final event in the series).
Do you consider this year to be a break through year and if so what do you think made the difference?
I don’t consider this year to be a break through year as I’ve only been training for triathlon for a year and a half. Quite simply, I am better at triathlon this year than I was last year because I’ve done more training. Training at the Leeds Triathlon Centre has also made a difference though. I certainly wouldn’t have improved as much if I was just training by myself without a coach.
What does a typical training week look like?
At the moment, a typical week’s training involves five sessions of each discipline (swim/bike/run), two strength and conditioning sessions and regular stretching and foam rolling.
Do you race for a team or are you sponsored?
I am sponsored by MTa Learning, a people development consultancy that specialises in the design and supply of training activities and people development programmes.
What are your plans for next season and beyond?
My plan for winter training is to gradually increase my bike and run volumes whilst remaining injury free. I don’t have any specific races planned for next season yet but I’d like to do some British Triathlon Super Series races again and some European Cup races.
Helen Russell, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
