Emily Batty

29; Professional Mountain Biker, 2016 World Championships Bronze Medallist Home: Ontario, Canada

I broke my collarbone three days before riding in my first Olympics in London in 2012. I’d worked harder than one can ever imagine preparing for the Games. It happened while I was training on the course.

It was my first Games, but it wasn’t my last. I have a long-term plan to go to four Olympics.

It was my first injury as a mountain biker, and I also cracked two ribs. I’d grown up in a super-rugged lifestyle, and I thought I was invincible.

Luckily the collarbone was just cracked, and the doctor said I was safe to ride. It was up to me if I wanted to ride. I knew there was no way I wasn’t going to take that opportunity, given how hard I’d worked. I had so much kinesio tape on me, nothing could move! I finished 32nd in the end.

It was the first time I’d had to overcome something that hard in my life. It was an incredible chapter in my experience. I wouldn’t

choose it to happen again; but life never goes as planned.

On social media it always looks like we have this amazing life; but being a pro athlete is a tough job, and we’re very hard on ourselves. Negative experiences make the victories more worthwhile.

At the 2016 Olympics I finished fourth, just seconds away from a medal. It was gut-wrenching to be that close to a medal; but it’s also great when everything comes together. And to be only two seconds away from a medal was very empowering.

It took months to actually tap in to what I was thinking in that race. In the moment you just have tunnel vision, and you’re not really thinking anything. But coming up a few metres short was traumatising. Everything has to be perfect… the stars have to align and you need some luck, when you’re at the Games.

I know when I’m in good shape when I’m healthy

and happy. We do training camps, and everything is laid out and analysed so you have daily benchmarks; and I have enough experience to know that I can turn it on when I need to.

It’s hard to stay healthy, because your immunity is constantly compromised, and you’re in airports and meeting people all day. It doesn’t help that I’m a hugger, either.

World Cups are getting more technical, but that’s always been a strong part of my performance… I feel like I’m gifted at that! I grew up with two older brothers who rode bikes competitively, and I guess I’ve always compared myself to men.

When it comes to the technical training, my coach and husband Adam plans for us to ride diverse terrains, and see how everything responds. It’s about being a finesse rider in various conditions.

I currently ride 27.5 (650b) wheels, since I’m a smaller rider and my number-one

goal is being as lightweight as possible. Everything else on my set-up is pretty neutral.

I’m a fierce competitor on the bike, but I’m a woman off the bike. I don’t obsess over bike mags all day; and when I’m at home, I’m really into home décor and gardening.

I think it’s important to have women as role models. Not just for young women, but for young men to see as well.

The women’s World Cup circuit is often much more exciting than the men’s. We’re not as predictable, and there are 15 riders capable of being on the podium. I think the women in sport movement has taken a big step forward, and I’m honoured to be part of it.

During my early-season training this year I’ve tried to do bigger volumes. It’s all about chasing that extra one per cent. I do a lot of volume and threshold between December and March, and include some 36-hour weeks.

Doing long, big-volume kays is about building a big pyramid. Your base needs to be solid, so you can fine-tune the details and be more consistent.

I do most of my training on the road in the early season. On the road you can keep your heart rate and wattage in the exact window you need to be in. You can’t do that on the trail.

The best way to get intensity training is racing. Racing is the only way to bring out the intensity that you can’t do on your own.

In the off-season I ride dirt bikes, and do trail riding. Between December and September it’s all business; but from September, I can do the fun stuff.