Beth Potter, the Scottish champion runner-turned-triathlete seems to be getting the benefits of cross-training as a part of her new sport. She has been prepping herself for all the three sports of the triathlon- swimming, cycling, and running. And to add to her achievements, she qualified for the summer’s World Championship with a 10K run.

Beth, who is just 25 years old, has been the star athlete in 10,000m running and was also a Rio Olympics 10,000m finalist. Her win at the qualifiers at Hampstead only proved that the cross-training that she has infused in her workout is proving to be beneficial.

In a chat with her, she said, “I actually feel like my running is easier this year rather than harder because of the other sports.” Beth is originally from Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire and while growing up, she did a lot of swimming and running and so, the triathlon schedule was not new to her.  It helped her fit as a kid and now, it is helping her with her training as well. Even during her university time as well, she used to cross-train in swimming and running. She believes that she runs well because she swims well.

Speaking of her current plans she said, “Although I am not focusing on this one sport, as I have done previously, I feel as though I am running really well on the track. I am hopeful of a PB this year and I am looking forward to the World Championships.”

She qualified in Hampstead at 32.04, while her fellow competitor Fellow Scot, Steph Twell, 27, finished second but did not qualify for the finals.

 

Swimming and Running since Childhood

Swimming was the first sport that Beth did as a child. She took up this habit from her mother Ann, who herself was an excellent swimmer. In her formative years, Beth swam for the Milngavie and Bearsden Amateur Swimming Club. Soon after, she found her new interest in running. Her dad and sister are accomplished runners, so she received a lot of encouragement from her family.

Beth was coached by Mick Woods in 2013, and in the coming year, she represented Scotland in the Commonwealth Games. She came fifth in the 10,000m and ninth in the 5000m.

Switching to Triathlon

Beth started with her triathlon training after quitting her job as a physics teacher in London. After the Olympics of 2016, she decided it was time for her to start with the multi-disciplinary sport made famous by the Brownlee brothers.

She now shares a house with Jonny Brownlee and is coached by Jack Maitland in swimming and cycling and by Mick in running.  Her training group includes Vicky Holland who was the bronze medallist in the Rio Olympics triathlon event in 2016.

Beth finds running and swimming quite easy but cycling is the category in which she struggles the most.  She has access to the Yorkshire Dales where she practices her cycling. She says, “it’s the technical side of cycling that is the most difficult for me. I am a cycling newcomer and I am not used to riding in groups.”

Beth aims to win the Olympic distance triathlon- 1500m swimming, 40km biking, and 10K run at the Blenheim Palace Triathlon next month.