Cup of Tri 48: Rachel Joyce

Rachel Joyce is the biggest name in British Iron-distance racing. Her results over the last three years include two 2nd places and a 3rd place at Kona! In addition to this, she's a former ITU World Long course champion, and winner of Challenge Roth and IM Lanzarote.

This interview covers her progression from hopeful age-grouper to multiple Kona podiums - and it's a story you might not expect. Always unquestionably physically talented,  the biggest shift that happened for her was a mental one - here's her story of learning to believe that she was good enough to compete at Kona.

She also shares with us the story of Tri Equal, and organisation that she co-founded to push for equality of representation for pro women at Kona, and in triathlon in general.

Cup of Tri 47: Stuart Hayes

Stuart Hayes was the man British Triathlon turned to in 2012 when then needed someone who could swim like a fish and bike like the wind. They needed someone who was fast enough in the water that he could keep up with the Brownlees - no mean feat in itself - and then was powerful enough on the bike that he could control the race - chase down breaks, and keep the pace so high that no one had the ability to break away. He did his job to perfection, and played a pivotal role in Team GB winning Gold and Bronze that day.

Stu talks to us about his race at 2012, but also his recent comeback from injury that has blighted his last 3 years, his sub 31 minute 10k against Mo Farah, and his aspirations to race 70.3 and possibly Ironman too!

Cup of Tri 46: Deca Dave Clamp

'Deca' Dave Clamp: World Deca Ironman Champion at 56 years old! We talk to possibly the most inspirational guy in the World on the back of his recent win at the Deca Ironman Championships.

Yes, that's right. Deca Ironman. As in 10 Ironmans in 10 days.

Yes, that's right. 56 years old.

So if you're waking up this morning and feeling the aches and pains of aging and using the excuse that you're getting a bit older and your best days are behind you - well, I'm sorry, that just won't cut it. Lace up those running shoes, take a spoonful of concrete and harden up a little on the inside. This interview will convince you that it's mostly in your head, and even that bit that's not in your head is mostly in your head. And even that little bit that's left that really is physical - well, that's probably in your head too.

Let's take Dave's example and decide that as we get older, we get more experienced, and experience is teaching us that we have done this before, and we can do it again, and we can do it faster than last time.

I'm going to stop typing now, and go off to do some training. Because you know what? I'm going to get faster too, for the next 14 years... :)