Rosemary: Pure Passion for Sports
Rosemary, hearty and modest, is a Chinese triathlon athlete. She has had a deep passion for triathlon since many years. In 2008, she began to devote herself to the triathlon scene and promote it in China with all her heart. Nordic Ways is pleased to be able to cooperate with such an experienced triathlete. She will also appear in the Shangri-La competition scene on May 20th, and the following is an interview with her.
Q: Please give a brief introduction about yourself.
A: Hello, I’m Rosemary from Guangzhou, a triathlete for 11 years and the founder of GD Pioneer Triathlon Club.
Q: Why are you called Rosemary Marines? Any meanings?
A: Just because triathlon, I think, is similar with the US Marines to some extent. Several years before, there was the recruiting of new Marines at the Kona event in Hawai. Participants who finish the Kona can register in the Marines and once admitted, they can be exempt from the boot camp. So cool. And I love rosemary and its smell sweet.
Q: How did you get into triathlon?
A: The triathlon, I think, is interesting and not so hard for me. So I decided to give it a try.
Q: Who or what inspires you in your triathlon career?
A: In my opinion, sport is not the approach to an end, but is the end itself. So that I devote myself into triathlon just because I love it. It has nothing to do with external motivation. However, in my triathlon career, some participants, such as disabled people who take part together with their dad, left a deep impression on me. They encourage people with their passion and persistence. I hope that my insistence on the triathlon can encourage more people to plunge into triathlon.
Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses in the triathlon?
A: At first, I thought I’m good at swimming but gradually I found that I’m wrong. In the past several years, cycling has been my weakness while running is the weakest now. In fact, swimming, cycling and running, all can be my strengths and weaknesses, based on the evaluation criterion.
Q: What’s your sports concept?
A: Sports is a very pure thing. It’s not a flaunt and not an approach to an end. Maybe it’s my concept of sports.
Q: You’re said to be addicted to sports data. Where do you do the daily training? What equipment do you use? And how do you promote yourself based on the training data?
A: Generally speaking, I’m addicted to the sports data. I can’t help recording the training data otherwise it seems that I don’t take the training. I usually do the daily training at home, in the gym and in the outdoors, which is depend on the weather and time. Comparison with the past data, I can make the targeted adjustment.
Q: Do you have any suggestion for other participants in the upcoming event? Especially regarding race equipment, training plan, training supplies and sports recovery.
A: Shangri-La is at a very high altitude, the acclimatization to the high altitude is very important. Have a clear knowledge about yourself and your equipment. Given the high-altitude environment, people should protect themselves from sunburn and low temperature. For the training plan, it’s 4 months before the event so that participants can make a regular training plan based on their own needs and time, at least 1 time running-cycling joint training a week, including the transition and gear supplies. In every training, try different supplies and find your optimal supply schedule finally. Pay attention to the stretching and relaxation after training, which will benefit the sports recovery. If necessary, use some instrument and nutrition to help the recovery.
Q: As an experienced athlete, do you have any suggestion for the service of the organizing committee?
A: Nordic Ways is an experienced event organizer in marathon, cycling and others. It’s the second year for Shangri-La International Duathlon Challenge. I think Nordic Ways will provide us a perfect event service. However, I wonder if there’s pick-up service from Kunming airport to Shangri-La as it’s not so convenient to go there.
Q: What do you enjoy doing away from triathlon?
A: Travelling. I like to stay in a tropical city by the sea with sunshine, beach and waves. Also, I like reading, drawing and music. While I cannot do everything I like, limited by time.
Q: What’s your personal goal in 2018?
A: I have made my 2018 sports plan already in last year. Take several triathlons, finish an Ironman and win the AWA award in WTC series events.
Thank Rosemary for the interview. Wish her can achieve her goal in 2018 and enjoy the triathlon.
（Rosemary and her club）
