A two-time ITU Duathlon World Champion in the 30-34 age group, Peggy Labonté has racked up victories in recent years. We asked her a few questions three days before the Half-Ironman World Championships in Tremblant. An interview with a Quebec athlete who seems unstoppable.
Quilicot: Where does this drive to always push yourself come from?
Peggy Labonté: I've always been involved in sports. When I was younger, I played soccer and did gymnastics. I started running in 2004 when I stopped playing soccer and went to university. I do sports primarily for enjoyment. I've always been like that. Whether I win or lose, I just try to do my best. Sports are what give me all this energy.
Q.: On September 7th, the Half-Ironman World Championships will take place in Tremblant , how do you feel a few days before the competition?
P.L.: I'm really looking forward to it. It will mark the end of a very busy season. I couldn't be more ready! As a teacher, I was able to use the whole summer to do my homework properly (!). But I don't forget that the best in the world will be there too. My ideal would be to finish among the top 10 women in the 30-34 age group.
Q.: Did you have any special preparation for such a competition?
P.L.: I have a coach, Mathieu Sauvé, who plans my training from week to week. On average, I train 10 to 12 hours a week. Some weeks are very demanding, so I need to have recovery phases afterward.
Q.: What are the different types of cycling training you do?
P.L.: I do interval training. In cycling, for duathlons and triathlons, we also do a lot of what are called " bricks" , meaning training in two disciplines (running/cycling, for example) that are linked together in the same session.
Q.: What is your strong point?
P.L.: This year, it's definitely cycling. I've really improved. Fundamentally, I'm better at running, but today I'm better at cycling. This is thanks to a winning combination of my training and my bike. My training is more intense and frequent than before. I really pushed myself last winter. I also have a better bike than two years ago: it's more aerodynamic and electronically equipped, and I'm really well positioned on it.
Q.: And your weakness?
P.L.: I like swimming a bit less; I started it later when I began triathlon in 2009. I start with a significant delay in swimming, but cycling allows me to catch up. And over time, I'm slowly improving.
Q.: What is your greatest victory?
P.L.: It was winning the gold medal for the second time at the ITU Duathlon World Championships in the 30-34 women's category, which took place last June in Spain.
Q.: Have you ever felt like you've reached your limits?
P.L.: It's true that at a certain level, you reach a plateau. I sometimes wonder if I'll improve further because it's true that I'm progressing less than before. But, for now, I'm not complaining.
Q.: What are your next goals?
P.L.: My last race of the season will be the provincial Timex race in Quebec. For next year, I'm still considering joining the Canadian elite duathlon team to participate in the World Championships in Australia in October 2015.
Q.: Is there another competition you would like to participate in?
P.L.: Last July, I finished as the top Canadian woman in the 30-34 age group at the Magog Olympic Triathlon. This qualified me for the World Championships in Chicago next year. I'm considering going, but nothing is certain at the moment.
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