Athlete:
Grace Musgrove
GRACE MUSGROVE
Triathlete
What does your standard training week involve?
Throughout the week my sessions include recovery, endurance and quality sessions. I swim 6 times a week, 5 times in the pool and 1 open water session. Ride 5-6 times and run between 7 and 9 times, including a long run on Sunday.
Where is your favourite place to train?
My squad, coached by Jamie Turner basically have three training bases throughout the yearly cycle. IN December and January we are up at altitude at Falls Creek, Victoria. The following 3 months we spend in Wollongong, New South Wales and during the European season we are based in Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Basque Country of Spain.
What is your favourite 2XU garment? When do you use it and why?
2XU Femme Tri Top. I use it every single time I run!
What is your favourite training accessory?
would be difficult for me to go past my Garmin 910 multisport watch although I am lucky enough to also gather data from an SRM Power Meter. Being relatively new to cycling, it is very interesting to see my progress.
What has been the toughest experience in your career and what did you learn from it?
How to know when you are training and racing on the edge and when you topple over that fine line of health. Being a female athlete it is vital to take 100% care of your body and at times this can become difficult so it is important to listen to your body as well as take advice from professionals and people you trust who know you well.
What’s the most common training mistake you see on the circuit? Any suggestions on how to avoid it?
On one hand there can be athletes who are not training enough or meeting the high demands of competition within their sessions. On the other hand there are athletes who probably overtrain and find themselves constantly obtaining niggles and injuries or burning out mid season.
What motivates you to train and race harder?
Standing on the top step of a podium is a pretty magical feeling. Once you get a little taste of success, it drives you to constantly better yourself.
Describe your diet/meal plan leading up to a big race:
I don't think it is a great idea to try anything new leading in to a big race. Depending on the length and intensity of the race as it gets closer I might increase carbohydrates but nothing too drastic. I am lucky enough to have Greg Cox the AIS Nutritionist available to give advice whenever it is required so this is never a huge worry for me.
How do you balance your training and racing life with life outside the sport?
During the main season it is very easy to get caught up in triathlon 24/7. I think it is important to make an effort to get away from your training environment when you get the chance. Also to take full advantage of your annual break and forget how to eat, sleep and train.
What type of nutritional supplement do you find most helpful (either for training or competition)?
The only sort of supplement I currently use are Powerbar Energy Gels. I use these for racing where I will usually eat one during the bike leg to ensure I don’t hit any sugar lows in the later stages of the race.
Best and worst thing about being a professional athlete:
I love the fact I can travel the world with people who have the same interest in similar goals to me while doing what I love to do. But on the other hand I can feel as though I am missing out on happenings in Australia, especially this year being the year most of my friends turn 21!
In five years time, I'll be:
Doing what I love to do and I am pretty sure it will be similar to what I am doing now but hopefully as a better athlete!
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Australian Elite Sprint!Champion 2013
- 2nd place Geelong ITUSprint Championships 2013
- 3rd place Oceania Olympic Distance Championships Wellington
- 1st place Mooloolaba Oceania Cup 2013