Jodie Swallow To Take On Olympic Qualifying And Long Course In 2011

Jodie Swallow talks to Triathlete.com about her goals for 2011, which include becoming the best all-around triathlete possible.

Jodie Swallow has been on a dominant swing lately, winning the 70.3 world championships last year and opening her season with a win at Ironman 70.3 South Africa. She agreed to answer a few questions that Inside Triathlon editor-in-chief Courtney Baird had for her.

Triathlete.com: What’s life been like since you won Clearwater?

Jodie Swallow: All has been pretty good. I went home to visit my parents for a while, but not much partying can proceed when you live in the country with your mum, so I just had time chilling out and enjoying the freezing weather. Home is harder for me than camp is because I know the training world far better than the normal one. I then went out to La Santa with the Great Britain team and then came out here to Port Elizabeth [South Africa] on Boxing Day. South Africa has been amazing. I’ve had a problem with my foot whilst I’ve been here but other than that I’m very happy at the moment.

Triathlete.com: You pretty much dominated in Clearwater—were you expecting that or was it surprising to you?

Swallow: I think if you are expecting to dominate then you are preparing for a beating. I’m confident in my own ability, so it wasn’t a surprise. I try to race with a clear head these days and accept what develops.

Triathlete.com: Is it safe to say that you’re going to focus on the longer distance races now or do you still have London 2012 in your sights?

Swallow: My focus is to become the best all around triathlete that I can—that would include the Olympics, 70.3 and probably Ironman too. I’m 29 so I have limited time to enjoy winning in this sport.

Triathlete.com: You’ve had a ton of success since you’ve teamed up with Brett Sutton. What do you think has most contributed to your success with him?

Swallow: Brett gets me. I’m not gonna say I get Brett sometimes, but I do trust him and to be honest I have probably trusted too many of the wrong people in my life. It works because I know I trust the right one

Triathlete.com: What are your goals for this year and further into the future?

Swallow: My focus is to become the best all round triathlete that I can—repetitive but that really is my goal. I want to be able to say I raced just maybe two years of my career at 95 percent fitness.

Triathlete.com: Now that you have won in Clearwater, do you think you’ll step up to Kona one day and try to win it?

Swallow: I’m sure I will. I hope to. It’s an amazing feat—maybe the ultimate and I’m lucky to have Bek [Rebekah] Keat and Xena [Caroline] Steffan in my team, Team TBB, around me to be inspired by as brilliant Ironmen.

Triathlete.com: You are one of many extremely successful British triathletes (Chrissie Wellington, Julie Dibens, the Brownlees, Stu Hayes, just to name a few). Why do you think there are so many outstanding British triathletes nowadays?

Swallow: I think we were probably inspired by the likes of [Simon] Lessing and by Tim Don—I certainly was. Then there is the start we had with funding—back in the day—and then getting chucked off funding, which in itself acts as a motivator. We are all very different people so I don’t think there is a personality thread.

Triathlete.com: You’ve raced for Poissy for a few years. Are you going to race for them again this year?

Swallow: I have—the French Grand Prix calendar is brilliant for financial help, teamwork and top-class competition. I loved racing for Poissy. I love the parties we have in late season, too. This year it is a no-go because I’m trying to work well at three distances and also add in a non-drafting American series. To add in French Grand Prix would interrupt training for the other circuits

Triathlete.com: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Swallow: Ummm…not really! Just to say thanks to Team TBB and that you girls better watch out—our team is pretty damn hot this year!

[sig:CourtneyBaird]