Page 20 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 31

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SHINES

THE

SPOTLIGHT ON
1397 Brookdale Ave.,

Cornwall OUR MEMBERS

Multi-sport Club Athlete Profile:

Caroline Samson-Belair

By Derrick LoRusso When it comes to motivation,
one person immediately helps
Samson-Belair get going everyday.
f all the marathons and races, “My husband is not only one of
Otriathlons can be the toughest my biggest motivators but also my
on a person. With a mix of biking,
biggest supporter. He encourages me
running, and swimming, one can be to do the things I love and to always
on a bike, then running without a
push past what I think are my limits,”
moment’s rest. For Summerstown she says. “I am lucky to have such
local Caroline Samson-Belair, she a loving cheerleader by my side. It
had her start with a simple foot race
helps very much to have a spouse that
back in 2000. “My first foot race not only supports my goals, but also

ever was the Smith Falls Classic 5km
competes in many of the same events.
run in 2000,” she says. “The first I have a live-in training partner!”

triathlon I ever did was the Cornwall She adds that she, herself is a big
Sprint triathlon. I did it as part of a
motivator to get up and run everyday
relay team; I did the run leg.”
because there are always others who
For someone to train for any event, strive to compete just as hard as she
be it Ironman or a 10 day marathon, a does. “I am also quite driven by my
routine and diet must be established. own goals. I know that if I don’t get
Samson-Belair tells us it really up in the morning or get through a
depends on what she’s going to race. nasty lower bowel disease. “I suffer hard workout, all my competitors are
“During an Ironman year, I spend doing the work. I don’t like to lose, in Kona, Hawaii. You have to qualify
from Crohn’s disease which makes
up to 10 months preparing for the nutrition especially important.” so I try and work as hard as I can so in order to get into that race,” she says.
event,” she says. “Training is done 6 that I can reach my goals.” “Although I have come close, I have
days a week with most days having For someone who has raced Triathlons tend to have swimming not made it yet. I would also like to
two workouts - one in the morning in numerous races, a great many courses that can be either very short,
and another after work.” Even on memories are to be made along or painfully long. When asked what run the Great Wall of China Marathon
the weekend there is no rest for her. the way. “One, in particular, is the she thinks is her most challenging and the Antarctica marathon.”

“The weekends are spent doing all Boston marathon in 2010 because my leg, Samson-Belair knows exactly And just like any good runner,
three sports on Saturday and a bike husband proposed to me right before which part. “The swim! I am not
and run on the Sunday. I also like the start of the run,” Samson-Belair a great swimmer and I am always there is one upcoming event Samson-
to incorporate some training races says. “I also got a personal best time happy to get out of the water,” she Belair is very much looking forward
to see how the training is going on that day!” Another event she says. “That’s when my race really to. “I am doing the ENDURrun in
and to test things like clothing, comments on happened with her starts. I wish I could be a better, more August. It’s an eight day stage race
nutrition, hydration, etc.” Diet is a sister. “The most fun event was when efficient swimmer!” But for Samson- where you have to run a different

very big aid in keeping hydrated and I went down to Walt Disney World Belair, when it comes to biking, that’s event each day and you fi nish the
keeping energy levels high for such for a weekend with my sister to run when her adrenaline really gets going.
a demanding run. “I try and eat a the Goofy Challenge (half marathon “Going downhill at full tilt is the best week by running a full marathon,”
healthy diet of fresh and whole foods. on Sat and full marathon on Sunday). adrenaline rush ever!” she says. “It she says. “In total, I will have 160km

Proteins, vegetables, and fruits are a That was in 2009,” said Samson- can get scary, but I just love going as of road and trail running done. It’s the
staple,” said Samson-Belair. “But Belair. “They now have the Dopey fast as I can on a downhill!” longest run I have ever done.” She
after a long and hard training day, Challenge; 5km on Thurs, 10km on has her husband to thank for the jump
nothing tastes better than beer and Friday, half marathon on Saturday Out of all the races, there is one, in
chips! But that’s only after.” What and full marathon on Sunday. Sounds particular, Samson-Belair dreams of into the race. “My husband did it last
many people do not realize, is that like fun, but I have not done that one running one day. “My dream is to race year and he promises that I will have
she suffers and fights with a very yet.” in the Ironman World Championship a blast! I really hope he’s right.”