Emma Moffatt chats with Julia Russell in Aix les Bains, France as they prepare to head to Beijing

Julia Russell has been at the European training base, Aix les Bains France working with the Australian Institute of Sport Triathlon. This is the second year in a row that Julia has been the physio and soft tissue therapist for the Australian team. “It is a beautiful part of the world and these individuals are incredible athletes. My role as physio and soft tissue therapist keeps me busy and my basic French has come into some good use especially at 6am last Wednesday morning when the drug testers arrived at my door!”

Julia’s day usually starts at the pool first thing, treatments as required post swim pre ride, a huge baguette for lunch, then treatments as required for the afternoon. “Where possible I go in the car to watch them ride the incredible mountains here (there is no way I would be able to keep up!). One of my favourite parts of the week is to observe the athletes do their track work and our Sunday night BBQs.”

Two weekends ago the team went to Lausanne in Switzerland for the ITU World Sprint and Team Championships and they have now left for the World Champs in Beijing. It will be a busy and exciting week this week with other Australian athletes including the junior girls joining the team in Aix in the lead up to Beijing.

Julia took some time out to chat to Emma Moffatt for Trizone while in Lausanne. Emma is racing for Australia this weekend in Beijing at the Dextro Energy Triathlon World Championship. Emma is currently ranked 7th in 2011.
Emma Moffatt won the Olympic bronze for Australia in Beijing, was named Australian Triathlete of the Year in 2007 and was crowned World ITU Champion in 2009 after dominating the world series. (Emma’s ITU result history below this interview)

Julia Russell: Tell me about training in Aix les Bains France?

Emma Moffatt: Aix is a little town on the largest lake in France. It’s a very beautiful place which makes training much more enjoyable, plus the weather is usually pretty good. I’ve been coming to Aix with the AIS since 2006 which makes it feel like a second home. There is a 50m pool about 50m from our door, great cycling and a few different run options.

Emma Moffatt celebrating her win in Hamburg this year with Emma Jackson and Emma Snowsill

Julia: I believe you have been having French classes once a week. How are they going?

Emma: Yes, it’s only taken 5 years but we’ve started French lessons, just once a week for 2hours. I have learnt a tiny bit, but I still mainly point or mime whenever I go out to the shops or dinner!

Julia: Do you have a favourite French food?

Emma: I can’t say I love the French food, but as we are here over the summer, the fruit is usually fresh and tasty!

Julia: What do you do in your free time here in Aix?

Emma: It’s always nice to go for a swim in the lake on a hot day, or I have a town bike that ill ride into town and have a look at the shops. We are also very close to another nice town, Annecy, which is good to go to for lunch and a walk around.

Julia: When I first started working with triathlon I was just amazed at you and your fellow competitors daily training regime. For those none triathletes reading this article, in a ‘normal’ week here in France can you tell us what training involves.

Emma: We swim every morning (besides Sundays) at 8am, that is usually followed by a mid day ride and a run in the afternoon. Some days we do double runs so we might not ride, and Fridays are usually taken pretty easy! Sunday morning long run is probably my favourite session of the week! Plus we have a couple of massages a week!

Emma Moffatt at the 2011 Sydney ITU race

Julia: If you weren’t doing triathlons, what do you think you would be doing?

Emma: I’m not too sure. I think that’s why I’m still doing triathlons! Maybe I would be a teacher, but I haven’t really thought too much about it…

Julia: You raced in the Sprint event in Lausanne last weekend. What are your thoughts on the Sprint Events?

Emma: Sprint races feel like a bit of fun compared to the Olympic distance races, but it’s probably just as hard and even more competitive!

Julia: What has been the highlight for you this year?

Emma: I haven’t had a very good year, so for me winning Hamburg is definitely a highlight. To race and feel strong was a nice feeling, plus having the other two Emma’s on the podium was very exciting. Also Brad (Kahlefeldt) winning the day before was pretty motivating!

Julia: World Champs in Beijing is now just around the corner, how do you prepare for this?

Emma: Lots of hard training here in Aix! We leave France on Sunday so my taper will start then, it’s always nice to get on a plane and be forced not to do anything!

Julia: After Beijing what are your plans?

Emma: I’m racing a week later in Yokohama, Japan, but then after that its straight to Vietnam for a three week holiday with Brad! I can’t wait to relax, not have to go training and maybe drink a few cocktails!!

Julia: Olympics 2012 is this a motivating time coming up?

Emma: Yes for sure, trying to get a place in the Aussie team will be hard, but too make another Olympic team would be fantastic. I have such great memories of Beijing in 2008, and I think London will be just as good, if not better!

Emma’s ITU Results