Posted: July 13, 2006

Triathlon: Twenty Questions with Lauren Groves

Runner's Web 20 Questions - Athlete's Profile

This month we profile: Lauren Groves, Canadian Triathlete. On July 2nd Lauren won the Canadian Championships in Brampton, ON. She followed that up with a 7th place finish (first Canadian) in the Edmonton BG World Cup last weekend.
Groves won an International Triathlon Union points race in Honduras in March and followed that up with finishes of fourth, fifth and sixth in World Cups in South Africa, Japan and Mexico respectively and a third-place finish at the U.S. nationals in Long Beach, Calif..
She is currently ranked #3 in the world by the International Triathlon Union.
On July 15th she will be competing in the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis.

Photo: Triathlon Canada

 Full Name: Lauren Jessica Groves
 Sport: Triathlon 
 Born (City): Vancouver, BC
 Current Hometown: Vancouver, BC (but living in Boulder, CO for race season)
 Age: 24
 Coach: Siri Lindley
 Club(s): None
 Occupation/University: Queen’s University, Psychology degree
 Sponsor(s): Triathlon Canada, Argon 18, Asics, PowerBar, Speedo, 
 Blackwell Research, Rudy Project, Profile Design, Suunto.
 Personal Web Site: None
 Favourite Web Site: Runner’s Web & The Humane Society.

Congratulations on your big win in Brampton, Lauren, and your performance in the Edmonton BG World Cup where you came off the bike in 23rd position and ran into 7th place at the finish.

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

Lauren Groves (LG:): I swam competitively for a club in Vancouver from age 6 until 13. I ran cross country and track during elementary school but swimming was my primary focus back then.

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

LG: It was my second year competing in triathlons, in 2002. I moved from Kingston, Ontario to Victoria, BC to train at the National Triathlon Center. Finishing my education was important to me and I was fortunate for Queen’s University to allow me to complete my last year of studies at the University of Victoria so I could train at a high level. This is also the first year I raced as an Elite and won my first ITU triathlon.

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?

LG: I think it would be possible for part-time work but it would require some pretty amazing time management skills and discipline. I believe that taking a high performance approach to triathlon truly is a full-time job in itself. Making time for recovery and taking care of the smaller details is just as important as the training.

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

LG: My parents. I owe it to them for introducing me to sports as a kid and having patience while I dabbled in various activities before I found my niche. They have always been there through the highs and the lows and supported my triathlon career from the beginning.

5. RW: Could you discuss your training in terms of an average week's workouts prior to racing season?
Also could you review, at a high level, your macro program for a year?

LG: Siri would kill me if I disclosed all our secrets! But in general terms, I swim 6 days a week, bike 3-4 days, and run 3-4 days. We do not focus on specific sports but work all disciplines equally. I typically have a recovery day every 7-10 days depending on fatigue levels.

Photo: Triathlon Canada

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

LG: My goals for the year are to podium at a World Cup, win Canadian Championships (achieved!), finish in the top-10 at World Champs, and finish the year with a top-10 World Cup Ranking. Overall, I want to have consistent top-8 finishes at World Cups.
My long-term goals are pretty simple: win the Olympics and World Championships.

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

LG: I’d say any race this season could be considered my best race to-date. My results at World Cups and ITU races have been consistent and my current #3 World Cup Ranking shows that all the hard work Siri has put me through is really paying off.

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

LG: Running has always been my strength but my swim and bike are getting stronger so the difference between the disciplines is shrinking.

9. RW: How long do you intend to compete at the top level of the sport? Do you have any interest in coaching or other involvement in sport after you stop competing?

LG: I still consider myself quite new to the sport and I have many goals I wish to achieve. I don’t think I can put a time frame on my career but I will compete at this level as long as I am still enjoying it and improving. As for my career post-triathlon, I don’t know just yet what I will do. I have a strong interest in continuing my psychology studies, possibly in forensics but I could also very much see myself working with adolescents in a sports-related environment.

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?

LG: No, I haven’t had much in the way of testing done. My training with Siri is somewhat unscientific and is based more on Siri’s personal experience with what worked to make her a World Champion . We simply go by rates of perceived effort. However, I do ride using wattage and found it is a great tool to help me monitor my improvements and fitness.

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

LG: Corner Brook World Cup. The support from the city is incredible and I really don’t think there is any other race where the entire town comes out to volunteer, compete or cheer from their front lawns. The energy race week is amazing!

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

LG: Winning the National Championships this year has definitely been the highlight of my career. Also, any chance I get to represent Canada on a world-level is a huge honour.

13. RW: You currently train with former world champion Siri Lindley who is rapidly becoming a world champion coach. Can you discuss the training environment with Siri.

LG: I think anyone who knows Siri would agree that she is truly passionate and whole-hearted. She is 100% dedicated day-in and day-out to helping us achieve our goals. The training environment has an interesting dynamic; she pushes us hard but at the same time I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much.

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

LG: Siri strongly believes in specificity. Apart from our training, I always set aside time for stretching, massage, and ice baths.

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

LG: Dog-showing! I am actually kind of joking but I do quite enjoy watching a good dog show now and then. In my off season I play a little basketball and badminton and I recently learned how to skate ski.

Simon Whitfield and Lauren Groves – 2006 National Triathlon Champions Photo: Triathlon Canada

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

LG: I spend most afternoons hanging out at the neighbourhood coffee shop and most recovery days involve a trip with Mirinda Carfrae to the mall. I also work a couple hours a week at Siri’s Mom’s dog grooming salon, The Pampered Pooch. Getting creative with cooking and crafts help me to relax as well.

17. RW: How are you able to finance training full-time? Do you get any financial support from the government? Do you think that Canada can do more in terms of supporting our athletes through direct financial payment, facilities, coaching and medical support?

LG: I am fortunate to be a first-year Senior Carded athlete (Government funding). Also, Triathlon Canada provides funding for National Team athletes and I have a couple bonus-incentive plans from sponsors. I have also been fortunate enough to have earned a income from prize winnings this year on the ITU circuit.
I think Canada does well supporting athletes but there is still room for improvement. Coaching subsidies and medical coverage (i.e. Dental plan) are two that come to mind.

18. RW: Could you take us through the Brampton race, discussing your strategy, how you felt during each of the disciplines, etc. ANd also tell us about the Edmonton BG World Cup.

LG: (Brampton)My strategy was pretty basic: go hard, take charge and be aggressive from start to finish. Siri is really pushing me this year to race like a champion and to take risks. The swim was a one-loop course that kept most of the field in one large pack, except for a couple stronger swimmers who were off the front. I was in a pack on the bike with about 10 others and a few of us worked hard to catch those off the front and to keep away from those behind. The conditions were quite challenging with a strong wind and a very technical course. It was hard for anyone to sit in and rest their legs. I have full confidence I can run well of a hard bike as that is how Siri trains me and that’s another reason why I worked to keep the pace on. I was one of the first onto the run and put in a fast opening couple kilometers to test out my competitors. No one was with me after the first few minutes and I decided to keep the tempo up and get in a great training day. I’ve learned this year that no matter what position you find yourself in, you will always benefit by giving your best effort.
(Edmonton) I was pretty pleased with the race today. It wasn't my best race this year by any means, but it was consistent. I was quite disappointed with my swim though. I really struggled to hold on to that large front pack and found myself in no-man's land when I got on the bike. I don't think that swim was at all indicative of how my training has been but nonetheless, I kept my focus and chased hard on the bike. I rode solo for the first of 6 laps of the bike and eventually found myself in a pack of about 6 or 7 other women. We worked well together and managed to gain a little time on the front pack. We started the run about 40 or 50 seconds back and I knew I would have to dig deep to move into the top-10. I didn't feel stellar out there and definitely ran the 2nd half quicker (so those splits were probably correct!). It was so wonderful to have a Canadian crowd cheering out there.
I really think I ran as hard as I could today and caught as many women as possible so I can't be disappointed with that. Plus, I can't forget this is my 3rd race in a row! I still have two more to go (lifetime and Corner Brook) before I get a bit of a break before my World's prep. It's funny, I am actually starting to miss the long, tiring training days!

19. RW: Who do you see as your biggest competition for making the 2008 Olympic team?

LG: Canada has always had a history of great triathletes so I can foresee it being between 4 or 5 women, as it was for Athens. My plan is to keep improving and gaining race experience and I hope that if I keep giving my best it will be enough to earn me a spot on the team. My goal is to not just participate in the games but to put myself in a position to come home with some hardware!

Lauren (L) and Tara Ross - Photo - TaraRoss.ca

20. Personal Profile:

i) Favourite movie: Best in Show
ii) Favourite book: Power of One
iii) Favourite meal: Post-swim breakfast: scrambled eggs, toast and hash browns. Or peanut M&M’s.
iv) favourite drink: Izze sodas 
v) I hate it when….my bike box doesn’t close properly.
vi) I love it when...I am done training for the day.
vii) The person in the world I admire most is: anyone who is not afraid to take charge of his or her own destiny.
viii) If I could spend a week free in any place in the world it would be: The Mall of America.
ix) I drive a: Suzuki Aerio
x) My favourite animal is: Poodle

RW: Thanks for doing this. Continued success in your competitive endeavours. The last word to you.

LG: In the words of my Grandma, “Call me what you want, but don’t call me late for dinner!”
Seriously though, thanks for this opportunity and for your tremendous work at keeping us updated on all the latest sporting news.

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