FAST FIVE - AUGUST 2021 - TRUDIE NEWCOMB

“I used to be motivated by the fact I could do something I never thought possible. Now after spending 9 of the last 12 months in lockdown, it’s the fact I can do it.

​This month, our Fast Five feature athlete is Trudie Newcomb, who’s been a triathlete for six years and part of the T:Zero stables, under the guidance of Coach Mon, for five. 


Over the last six years, Trudie has competed in a host of endurance events across the world – from marathons in France to Half Ironman races in Majorca and Port Macquarie, triathlons of various distances in Noosa, Kurnell, Callala, Huskisson and London, as well as various swimming and running events across Sydney. Her favourite thing about triathlon and endurance is that she always manages to surprise herself with what she can do. Her least favourite? The anxiety-ridden evening before race day!  


Trudie’s favourite leg is the run, as she says, “by then it’s down to you, and nothing can stop you from finishing”. To help her get through those tough periods during the race or calm her pre-race nerves, she focusses on thinking about all the hard work she has put in to get there – the countless early mornings and training on jetlag – which help to pull her through. 


Outside of the swim/bike/run, Trudie is an avid skier – downhill and cross country (her top speed is 99.9km/hr!) and enjoys playing tennis with her family; a tradition they started when covid first hit. 


Trudie’s currently training for all her events that were postponed in 2020, including Ironman 70.3 Sardegna, as well as a goal of climbing Alpe d’Huez or Mont Ventoux this year (which she may have already completed at the time of publishing this post!). 


Why and how did you get into triathlon/endurance/multisport? 
My best mate Sophie. She started doing it for a charity called Can Too and convinced me to do it too. I was playing competitive netball at the time and realised I was getting too old to keep doing it and needed to do something else.


Favourite race? Why? 
Nice to Cannes Marathon 2019. What’s not to love running along the French Rivera? You run along the Mediterranean coastline and past one of my favourite places in the world – The Hotel Belles Rives in Juan Les Pins, it was once F. Scott Fitzgerald’s summer house and where he was said to have written Tender Is The Night. 


Leading up to the race I was also traveling to New York every three weeks for work, so I spent most of my training jetlagged. I then flew out to Tokyo the next day so couldn’t stay in Cannes to savour it.


Proudest triathlon moment? 
In 2016 one of my first races was at Huskisson, there was a particularly big swell (care of an earthquake in the Pacific) and there was a huge dumping wave on shallow sand. I was sure I was going to die or break my back – lots of the girls pulled out as there was set after set of what seemed like a mountain of water. My best friend Sophie was in the race and basically talked me through the fear. After I eventually got out, I hyperventilated because of the fear and spent about 10 minutes floating on my back to get myself under control. I finished the race, the time wasn’t amazing, but I did it.

​Best piece of advice for someone starting out in the sport? Or best advice you’ve received? 
You are only competing against yourself. 
 
Have you ever had an apparent training or race day “failure” that has set you up for later success? 
In the marathon there was a wild electrical storm to start, it was torrential rain and my inner soles literally floated around in my shoes...
​
 And one more for good measure (and a big head) …
Why do you love being part of the T:Zero Multisport team?
I am not by any means fast or competitive in the sport. So, I love that despite that I am welcome and that Lisa celebrates every goal and PB I hit.