Michelle Simpson - Rising Star
Michelle Simpson is a relative newbie to triathlon events but is already making an impressive mark, finishing first in age group at the Tinman Triathlon and third in the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman behind Sam Warriner and Jo Lawn.
The Auckland based physiotherapist took up competitive triathlon two years ago after a friend first got her interested in cycling. Her previous sporting background had been in cross country running and surf life saving at school. She entered her first triathlon event with very little training but enjoyed it so much she thought she’d better invest in a better bike and start a more serious training program.
Two years later and come rain, hail, sleet or snow she hits the pool most days by 5.30am before heading off to her full time job. Then after work it’s either a run, bike or wind trainer session. She trains with the North Harbour Triathlon club and is coached by Josh White at provision coaching.
Josh says that after only a few weeks he realised there was a lot of potential for Michelle to excel in endurance triathlon. She is one of the most committed athletes he knows and has dedicated the last 12 months to triathlon.
Michelle’s main race distance is the half Ironman (2km swim, 90km bike and 21km run). Her 2008/2009 season saw some great results with 7th overall at the Gold Coast Half Ironman in October, 1st at the Tinman Triathlon in December, 1st in age group (25-29) and 3rd overall female in the Tauranga Half Ironman in January and 1st at the Panasonic standard distance Triathlon at Maraetai in March. In the 2007-2008 season she placed 1st at the Panasonic sprint distance triathlon, 5th at Tinman triathlon, 1st in age group 25-29 and 8th overall female at Tauranga half Ironman, 1st at Panasonic standard distance triathlon at Maraetai and 3rd overall at the Auckland half Ironman.
On her coach’s advice The Tinman was to be a test race for Michelle. She doesn’t see swimming as her strength but Josh advised her to go hard out for this race. She took the advice, pushed hard and managed to cut a couple of minutes off her time. Next on to the biking, which Michelle regards as her strongest discipline, and another big push meant she was rewarded for her efforts by being first off the bike. On to the run and, in her own words, she simply put her head down and ran to win.
When asked what she enjoys most about her sport Michelle’s reply is “everything”. She loves the training, the race atmosphere and the competition. She likes the idea of
becoming a full time athlete; unlike most of the professional athletes she is still working full time as a physio, but it’s a matter of getting a few more good race results and then hopefully some sponsorship.
Meanwhile over the next 12 – 18 months her goal is to do well in age group at the ITU World Long Distance Champs in Perth in October and if possible get another win under her belt. This will be followed by the Tauranga Half Ironman. No doubt she will also be back to the Auckland Half Ironman after having to DNF this year. (She threw up the whole day but still raced until the second lap of the run). From there Michelle hopes to make it over to America or to Europe and race the 70.3 half Ironman circuit.
Her main strength is cycling, and it was shown this year in the Tauranga Half Ironman when she beat Jo Lawn’s bike split. With cycling her strength she and Josh have now placed a major focus over the winter months on both swimming and running and have been using specific technique coaches for this. They are also using powertap power meters to really understand and develop her cycle training.
Coach Josh White says, “I think Michelle’s future in triathlon is exciting and could even switch to cycling if she desired. She has amazing mental strength and will be hard to stop once she has mastered all three disciplines.”
Michelle’s advice to other women wanting to become more active or perhaps enter their first triathlon is to find a group of friends or to join a club/group as this really helps with the motivation and makes it more fun. A triathlon is for anyone of any level and there are heaps of beginner and women’s triathlons around and groups willing to help.
Photo credit: www.smileclick.co.nz