Gina Crawford's back baby!
Welcome back from your baby hiatus, Congratulations to you and Brett on baby Benji!
Thanks a lot.
How long has it been since your last IM ?
Last ironman was my win at Ironman Wisconsin in September 2010.
When did you have Benji?
July 12th 2011.
How long did it take till you were back on the bike?
It took a little bit longer than I anticipated as I had a really bad labour. I was in labour for 2 full days and ended up with an emergency c section. As they classify this as major surgery it takes a while longer to recover so I think I was back on the bike about a month later (but only on the wind trainer) and running 6-8 weeks later. I had to build my running back from just 5 minute runs.
How has the training schedule changed post Benji?
My emphasis is on quantity not quality. I have to be very flexible with my training as I am still breastfeeding. So early on this meant I could only be away for 2 hour max. Now the gap is more like 3-4 hr between feeds so I have a lot more flexibility but still with my long session this means I have to come back part way through for a quick feed and then go back out. I only do one long session per week. Overall I am doing less hours per week and giving myself more recovery time as we don't get a lot of sleep in our household! and I am up 3 times a night most nights. However, even with the less training I am feeling more sharp and fast when I do train and I am more determined than ever to succeed.
What was your last race? We heard you have done two small races in the lead up to Wanaka How did they go?
I did 2 small races about a month and a half ago to gage how my training was going and to help with getting race fit. I did an Olympic distance race then 6 days later a half Ironman race. In both races I got to race Sam Warriner so it would be an excellent way for me to see exactly where I stood. I was really happy as I ended up doing 2 PB's!! So faster than I have ever gone pre pregnancy over those distances. Also I improved a lot from the first to the second race and was really happy especially with my run as I ran faster than Sam but at the end of the race I had a lot left in the tank and I felt I could keep running the same speed for the marathon.
What are your goals for 2012? (races)
To win Challenge Wanaka by breaking my own course record. To win Ironman New Zealand
To qualify for Kona (with no racing in 2011 I will have to work hard this year) and to be back in the top 10. (I was 8th on debut in 2008 but had a bad race in 2009). To run a sub 3 hr run split.
How did you find the response to you returning to racing from your sponsors?
I am happy that many of my old sponsor's believe in my abilities and wanted to get back behind me in 2012. Thanks a lot to KSwiss, Ceepo, and Rolf Prima. I am currently looking for a wetsuit sponsor (the swim is my strength and I am consistently among the first out of the water) and a nutrition sponsor.
How have you and your family been affected by the earthquakes in NZ ?
We were all very lucky in that we don't know anyone that has been killed or injured in the quakes and our houses have suffered only minor damage. We sold our house shortly after the Feb quakes and left Christchurch in May. Our suburb suffered very bad land damage but our house was in a pocket of houses that were all fine. My parents are still in Christchurch and we returned to visit for 3 weeks for Christmas. There was a fresh round of earthquakes on the day we arrived on the 23rd Dec and they are nearly up to 10 000 earthquakes since September 2010. People are finding it very tough mentally but are hanging in there and trying to be positive about the rebuild.
Thanks so much Gina we look forward to watching you smash it in one of your favorite
races Challenge Wanaka.
Thanks a lot, I can't wait to be back out there on the race course!!
pic: Delly Carr
