Hello and welcome to The Progress Theory, where we discuss scientific principles for optimising human performance. I'm Dr. Phil Price.
On this episode, we're joined by Celtman and Norseman champion Eilidh Prise. Now, extreme triathlons like the Celtman and The Norseman are getting more and more popular, so it's a real privilege to have on The Progress Theory someone that has won both. On this episode, Eilidh discusses how she's incorporated her training into a lifestyle that she absolutely loves and also discusses how she deals with that cold.
In this episode, we discuss:
0:44 - Introduction
1:57 - Getting into Extreme triathlons
08:10 - Changing sporting career
12:24 - Training for the Celtman
15:15 - Make training fun and part of your lifestyle
18:50 - Fitting training around work
21:25 - What is the celtman?
26:03 - Creativity breeds resilience
31:38 - Going for the Celtman for a 3rd time
33:30 - Qualifying for the Celtman
35:50 - What is the Norsman?
39:40 - Training for the Norsman
41:30 - Dealing with the cold
44:20 - How to qualify for the Norsman
46:51 - Make your sport your lifestyle
Key thoughts
Reevaluating dreams: "It just wasn't that dream that it had always been, which was quite a scary realisation, when it's something that's so huge, that has always driven you from day to day, and then you one day wake up and you, hang on a minute, I don't necessarily want that anymore."
Hill Running: "And I ended up buying a gravel bike because I was accompanying my dad quite regularly."
Cold Water Swimming: "The most important thing with the swimming was just getting into some cold water and doing some cold water dips."
"Training for Endurance Sports": "I tried to make it manageable so it fits within my work, but also I can do it mentally. It's not too taxing."
Managing Priorities: "But I really try not to let those situations beat myself up or I don't beat myself up. When that happens, I just get on with it and then you reset and the next day you go again."
Finding Freshness in Elite Sport: "I don't want to have this mindset where it's all about comparing myself to how I used to be. I still need to keep it fresh."
Overcoming Challenges: "It's about proving to myself that I can get back to the same level."
Preparing for Norseman: "And to be honest, I wouldn't have wanted to train for it because it's not the type of running that I enjoy."
The Benefits of Outdoor Training: "It's still better to get outside and do something rather than to try and adapt and do something inside on a treadmill."
The Benefits of Outdoor Activities: "I think that hill running and hill walking and just being outside, having the fresh air against your skin and it's just so good for the mind, for the body."