Xtri's Chat With Kat Baker, Presented By Polar By Betsy Delcour 6/17/2009
Xtri is proud to announce a partnership with Polar, the world leader in Heart Rate Monitoring technology. With their comprehensive product range, Polar caters to athletes of all abilities, from first-timers to professional athletes. Today we chat with Kat Baker one of the most promising up-and-coming pros from Australia, here’s what Kat had to say…
1. Hi Kat! You’re an up-and-coming pro from Australia, with the distinction of being the youngest female pro at the moment. Can you introduce yourself to us? What’s your background, and how did you discover triathlon?
Well, I started out a swimmer throughout my school years and did my first triathlon in 2005 in my first year of Uni- off a week of training. I was 2nd overall in my first race and was selected for the U20 ITU Worlds in Hawaii. I won that- my second race ever and then took up triathlon a bit more seriously. I trained up for worlds 2006 and won again- still U20. I then got my professional license and in only the first 2 months I broke my arm in 2 spots so I took time off and just sat on the Wind Trainer. I was then selected, after doing some testing with the Australian Institute of Sport, for a talent ID cycling program. Unfortunately they had a different idea of what kind of cyclist I was going to be and put me into the track program. After sitting on the rollers the entire meet because I was bored from doing 3min long races I realized I really was a distance athlete and made the switch back to triathlon- Ironman. I started training again, 6months later and was 3rd Pro in my first at 21 years old and here we are today.
2. Already in your young career, you’ve had to deal with some setbacks due to injury. Can you tell us about that? How did you recover, and do you have the guidance of a coach?
Well I’ve had a stress fracture in my shin, a broken arm and more recently an overactive glute- which killed a couple of the smaller muscles in my hip. It was a long 5mths of rehabilitation to get the muscles alive and working properly again. At the moment I’m training with my boyfriend who also races in the pro field, we write our own program. It works better than having a coach because we know our own bodies the best. Especially with my hip, I have good days and bad and it’s important for me to keep on top of it.
3. You have a very busy schedule set up for this year, and recently competed in the Auburn Half Iron triathlon. Can you tell us how that went? What’s ahead for you this season?
Auburn was awesome-my first race back since Ironman in December- its been awhile. I managed to set a course record, 1st female and 7th overall which was pretty rewarding. The main goal this season is Ironman Canada. I’ll also do a few 70.3 races around the US- traveling to each in our $500 ’92 Dodge Caravan with the rust colored roof.
4. With so many races, how will you recover and be at race peak so quickly?
I don’t know if it’s just because I’m young or not but I always seem to recover quite well. I guess I always take a couple of easy days after a race with lots of massage, hot/cold and I always keep moving a bit- and you pull up even better and stronger for the races ahead.
5. Do you track your heart rate – at rest and during workouts – to monitor your fitness levels or if you need to back off training for a day or two? How did you first decide to use heart rate as a training tool?
Yeah I do use Heart Rate monitors- I didn’t used to but my coach at the time insisted. It’s actually really interesting and I’ve been using it for a few years now. Because I’m from quite low altitude back home and coming up to a high altitude in the US your heart rate changes dramatically. You can also see when you are fatigued or fresh through heart rate, and it’s always good to know when you’re doing efforts week to week you can see changes in fitness- lower heart rate doing the same times. Sometimes in training you want to keep your heart rate a bit lower or higher so it’s good to watch.
6. You use the Polar RS800CX with ProTrainer 5 software. Can you tell us about these products and why you recommend them? How has the ProTrainer 5 software increased the effectiveness of your training?
I like the Polar RS800 CX because it does everything; I can track my swim, ride and run all on the one watch. The bike I can see speed, cadence, mileage plus some other interesting but not essential things like temperature, altitude, and distance climbed. On the run I can also see cadence, stride length, speed and distance. My running is my weakness so it’s always good to watch my cadence there- I have to work on my leg speed. The Pro Trainer software just enables me to quickly and easily download all of my training onto my laptop. I can then compare it to training the week, month or year before. I can also download all my race info.
7. You’re travelling the world to race at such a young age. What have you learned from your experiences? Do you watch the more seasoned professionals and how they race, or chat with them for advice? Are there any athletes in particular you look up to?
I have learnt so much just from one year in the Pro ranks. I like to watch how some of the older athletes prepare for races/recover from races. It’s all just me learning- taking everything in. I just look up to anyone who has been there for so long and gradually reached the top. I know it’s a long road and it’s great to see people who have been banging their heads against the wall for so long finally make it- Because a lot of people would just give up.
8. What are your favorite past times when you’re not training, travelling or racing? How do you relax?
Hmm..ice cream, wine and cheese, driving the dodge caravan.
9. What’s your advice for other young girls who would like to become professional triathletes? How is it different being a professional, than racing as an age grouper?
Don’t wait too long. Once age group isn’t challenging, move on. Its different being a professional, because if you don’t win you don’t eat…I guess the reasons behind racing certain races are different. But in the end I still believe in doing things for the love of it. I love training and racing and that’s why I now do it full time. Best life in the world.
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Ten years?
Wow that’s a long time; I guess I just hope I can be successful. I’m going to Hawaii one day and I hope I can be competitive, Podiums in 70.3 and Ironman races. 10 years still living the dream.
