DOB: 17/11/75
Jen has raced competitively in road cycling since 2000, winning many prestigious races along the way, including the national title race in both 2001 and 2002. Jen was a member of the AIS in 2003, spending part of the year racing and training in Europe. 2006 will see Jen continuing to race at a high level, riding for Team NSCC Mace 'Powered by Up&Go Energize' for the domestic season. Jen also works fulltime as a Project Manager at a large university.
What is a typical training week?
A typical training week will depend on what I am preparing for and what time of year it is. I always start the week on a high with a day off the bike and do a yoga or pilates session instead. At the moment I am in full training for two major international tours so training involves a lot of intensity as well as plenty of endurance work. Each week includes up to 3 club races, 2 to 3 specific hill training sessions, at least 1 ergo session on a stationary bike and a number of sessions of 60-140km of medium intensity endurance work. All this adds up to 600-700km a week on the road!
It must be difficult to fit training, work & other commitments each week. How do you manage the balance?
As well as the training I am also studying a Masters degree and working full time so "balance" is the perfect word! I have a great family and friends who all understand how busy I am and why I sometimes can't be around when they want me! I have also developed what I call a "team" - a good physio, great lecturers and staff at University, an awesome doctor and acupuncturist - people who I can turn so I don't waste time finding answers when I have a problem. I plan ahead and I make sure I look after myself by getting enough sleep and eating the right food. Mostly it works but every now and then I find myself feeling like it's all too much. When that happens I take a step back, start the process of prioritisation and take a long hot bath!
What importance does nutrition play in your busy lifestyle?
You can't expect the best out of yourself if you don't put the best in! Making sure my body gets the nutrients it needs and when it needs them allows me to meet the high expectations I place on my body. I couldn't do everything I did if I wasn't taking on the right kind of fuel - in my experience not taking nutrition seriously just leads to illness and injury, not to mention non-performance.
What did you think of Up & Go Energize? / why is it a fitting product to the sport you play/to active people leading busy lifestyles?
I mainly use Up & Go Energize as a post-training/post-racing drink. It's not uncommon in cycling to have to "back up" - ie. one tough training session or race is followed closely by another and subsequently it's really important to get the recovery process going as soon as possible by assisting in glycogen replacement. In the AIS I was taught that a certain combination of carbohydrate and protein is the best way to do this and Up & Go Energize has the optimum balance of both these things - all wrapped up in a convenient package that even tastes good!
What do you love most about cycling?
Where do I start?! I love the feeling of being "brought to my knees" by the nerves and excitement in the build-up to a competition - nothing I do in my life can challenge me like that and the skills I have developed to deal with such pressure have helped me in many other areas. On a less serious level, I love the social aspect - meeting new people from all walks of life, I love the feeling of pushing my body to its limits, of being exhausted but happy that I have given my all, I love the rush of adrenalin that comes from taking risks (and getting away with it!), and I love the opportunity to be outdoors and the opportunity to travel.... the list is endless!
