© Copyright – Christopher Kelsall - 2011

19-time Canadian Champion, Lucy Smith launched her first and completely self-penned book this week, "First Triathlon - Your Perfect Plan For Success". 

She is also a two-time World Duathlon Silver Medalist and winner of many races across a broad range of disciplines.

• Silver Medalist, ITU Duathlon World Championships: 2006 and 1996
• 6-time Canadian 10K Road Running Champion: 2006, 2004, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995
• 5-time Canadian Cross-Country Champion: 1997, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988
• Canadian 10,000m Champion: 2004
• Canadian Half Marathon Champion: 2006
• 5-time Canadian Duathlon Champion: 2006, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1998
• Canadian Half Ironman Champion, 2007

Coaching:

Since 1988
Level III certified
Junior World Champion Coach
Coach of national champions and international athletes
Degrees in Education and English Literature

Originally from Bedford, Nova Scotia, Smith now lives and trains in Sidney, BC. She continues to compete at a high level as a master athlete, while balancing a busy life schedule.

A few personal bests:

5km: 15:40
10km: 32:46
21.1km: 1:13:35
Marathon: 2:38:40

Bob Reid on Lucy: “I became close to Lucy as a top-level runner at the Canadian Cross Country Championships in Halifax in 1991, a race run in a blizzard. She showed extreme determination and tenacity that day. Lucy won the Senior Women’s event and defeated many big names such as Angela Chalmers, Lisa Harvey, Ulla Marquette and Cheryl Murphy. "

Here is an interview we put together in advance of the anticipated release of her first book.

Christopher Kelsall: Well this is exciting, you launching your first book. When was the actual release date?

Lucy Smith: The book came out last October, online. The official local release and launch is Feb 17th at Frontrunners.

CK: What prompted you to start the project?

LS: LifeSport was asked by the publisher Meyer and Meyer to do this specific project. I said yes because I have always loved coaching beginners and both taking the mystery out of the sport and helping them take that first valuable step. I also wanted to write a book. It has been my dream since I was in high school. This wasn’t my dream book, but it was my dream and it seemed like I had to say yes.

CK: Have you had feedback from users who bought online?

LS: Yes. For example one woman wrote in to tell us that she was having fun following the program. That was nice, but I feel I won’t hear as much feedback from a book, as through my coaching. Coaching is different because you have constant feedback and communication with someone. It’s very personal and customized.

CK: I understand it is completely self-penned, yes?

LS: Yes, it was my project.

The book

CK: Who is the book written for?

LS: The book is written for an adult (a healthy person over 18) wanting to start training for their first triathlon. The only abilities you need are basic freestyle swimming skills, an ability to ride a bike and the motivation to start a walking or walk/run program. The information in the book will be useful for any novice triathlete or even a runner as I cover a lot of basics about running and triathlon, from getting ready to race, equipment, transitions, nutrition, coaching and mental preparation. I also have stories and anecdotes peppered in there: advice and inspiration from my coaching and competing career.

CK: What are some common training mistakes that first-timers end up doing?

LS:

1. Getting overwhelmed by setting too huge goals, too much information and so not sticking with it;

2: Not setting up a realistic training schedule based on the goals and/or failing to manage time (winging it rarely works with triathlon).

3. getting excited and doing way too much too early in the training and getting injured and frustrated. I hope to steer beginner’s towards early success in my book, so I talk a lot of small steps and short-term goals and giving yourself frequent pats on the back along the way!

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Contact Chris: chriskelsall@flocasts.org