Name: Adele Havercroft

Triathlon background

I did some sprint triathlons in 2009/2010 but was knocked off my bike.  That knocked my confidence but I eventually did some more sprints in 2017.  That led to two half-ironman triathlons in 2018 and Ironman UK in 2019.

How old are you?

51

What do you think will be the toughest moment during the event?

I can't decide whether it will be beyond 50 miles of the run (the longest I've ever run) or all of the cycle!I'm hoping it will feel like the end of an era, that everything I've done previously has been building to this.

Favourite discipline (run, cycle, swim) and why?

Probably the swim.  I'm slow but I have more experience of swimming when it gets tough and not giving up.

Why do you push yourself to this level?

For lots of reasons that vary from day to day.  Sometimes it's to show my daughter what is possible if you work hard.  Sometimes it's to show myself that I'm capable of hard things.

What made you want to take on Arch2Arc?

Having done Ironman UK, I moved over to swimming.  I spent a few years swimming the length of Coniston, Ullswater and Windermere and did a solo swim across the English Channel and the Bristol Channel.  During that time I came across the Arch2Arc tracker and decided that was next for me.

Favourite post-training meal

Cadbury wholenut chocolate

How can people follow or support your journey?

My training is on Strava if anyone wants to follow.

Least favourite discipline?

Definitely the cycle.  I find it really hard work.

What does finishing Arch2Arc mean to you personally?

I'm hoping it will feel like the end of an era, that everything I've done previously has been building to this.

What do you do for work?

I work in two local libraries.

What does a typical training week look like?

I do 3 runs (2 short and 1 long), 2 cycles, 2 pool swims and at least 1 outdoor swim and 3 strength sessions.  I try to time my recovery week for the school holidays when it is much trickier to train.

Nationality / where you’re based

British/England

One word your friends would use to describe you

Stubborn

Who or what inspires you?

My daughter.  She was born with four genetic disorders, two of which have never been seen before so she is unique in the world.  We were told when she was very young not to expect her to walk or talk.  She is now walking, talking, running and much more.  She can swim front crawl and is slowly learning to ride her bike independently.  She is the bravest, most resilient person I know.

What keeps you going when things get really tough?

That I'm tougher than I think I am.

How are you preparing differently for this compared to other races?

The biggest change for me is a more consistent approach to strength work than I've ever done before in a bid to fend off the many lower leg injuries I've suffered from previously.

Have you ever wanted to quit during training? What got you through it?

I try only to quit during training for a very good reason, like an injury that might cause me more harm if I continue. What gets me through hard times is the thought that every session gets me a little further along the A2A route before it gets hard.