I’m A Runner
THE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL-WINNING CYCLIST, 28, ON HARD WORK AND CREME EGGS
Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Dani Rowe
I’M A RUNNER
I WAS IN A TRIATHLON CLUB WHEN I WAS GROWING UP.
I would run and swim lots, but not cycle as much, which now seems crazy.
IT WASN’T UNTIL I WAS 14 THAT I STARTED CYCLING SERIOUSLY.
British Cycling came to my school to do some talent spotting. We first did a run and then a static-bike test, followed by a mountain bike ride. I think they saw my determination rather than any amazing talent.
WHEN I WAS COMPETING, ALL MY TRAINING
was on the bike or strength and conditioning work in the gym. Because you need a different set of muscles for riding, we weren’t allowed to do any running. So I’m a novice when it comes to running.
AFTER RETIRING FROM ELITE CYCLING IN DECEMBER [ 2018],
I wanted to find new challenges to stay fit. That’s why I was so keen to do the London Classics Challenge,* where I will run, swim and ride in three highprofile mass-participation events.
THE LONDON MARATHON
is probably the most daunting of the challenges. But I hope the years of pushing myself, combined with my competitiveness, will get me over the line.
I SUFFERED A STRESS FRACTURE TO
my heel [in December] just before I got stuck in to my training. I made the mistake of doing much too soon.
I’VE DREAMT OF DOING THE LONDON MARATHON
for years. My sister has done it and my dad has run marathons too, but it was never an option until I retired from riding.
FROM MY CYCLING,
I’ve gained lots of mental strength. Doing gruelling road sessions or races – where I’ve been out on my bike for five hours in the rain – stays with you.
I LOVE THE FREEDOM OF RUNNING.
I feel much more confident on my bike, as I know what I can do on it. But running is actually harder and is taking me out of my comfort zone.
I’VE ALWAYS STUCK TO A FAIRLY BALANCED DIET.
But since retiring, I’ve not been as strict. My reward in the evening, after a tough session, is good-quality chocolate or, my biggest weakness, a Cadbury’s Creme Egg.
I KNOW ONCE I HAVE DONE THE MARATHON I WILL WANT TO DO IT AGAIN.
It’s that competitiveness that I’ve always had that will make me want to run a better time.
THE CROWDS AT THE LONDON MARATHON ARE AWESOME.
I get a huge boost from an atmosphere like that. The crowd at the Olympics in the velodrome was so incredible that I nearly burst into tears when I first heard it, before pulling myself together for my own race.
I WILL BE SO PROUD IF I FINISH THE MARATHON
and receive my finisher’s medal. I keep my Olympic gold safely in my beside drawer. It’s amazing to have that, but a London finisher’s medal would be fantastic, too.