Name: Beth sharpe

Triathlon background

My first big sporting adventure was at 25 when I cycled solo from Beijing, China and up through Mongolia. Triathlon only entered my psyche after getting into running in my mid-thirties', breaking myself, needing to get back on the bike, and then noticing swimming might help too. I was so bad at it though! It took me ages to get even the basics of freestyle, but coaches and peers at my local triathlon club had the patience to help, and to let me keep coming back to sessions! From there on in, I was into triathlons.

My first ever triathlon was the Brutal Half in 2014. In 2015 I did the Wasdale X and the Double Brutal, and then over the last decade or so, I’ve participated in further extreme tris, ultra runs (winning three!), more long biking adventures, ultra-distance swims and a cross-country triathlon.

How old are you?

48

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

Trying to sleep after the run but probably being unable to, then facing the Channel swim. Oh, and the cold water.

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

Running is my favourite because it's the easiest for me, and it’s what I’ve had most success with. Swimming is my most precious skill since it was so hard to learn, and it’s had the biggest impact on my life overall.

Why do you push yourself to this level?

On any given day, the reason could be one or more of the following: to look for and feel the lines; to explore beyond ‘where the sidewalk ends’; to find that meditative state where intense feelings just pass through, or; to learn to side-step the psychological black holes that open up at inconvenient moments in endurance events.

What made you want to take on Arch2Arc?

I enjoy traveling under my own steam and, when possible, country or state lines.

Favourite post-training meal

A big, warm, Italian or Caprese baguette, please … maybe two!

How can people follow or support your journey?

https://www.instagram.com/mycamino8/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573358213557

Least favourite discipline?

Cycling, because I find the bike a hassle to prep, maintain and keep rolling, but I've had wildest experiences through it, and I love climbing.

What does finishing Arch2Arc mean to you personally?

Right now, everything!

Hidden talent outside of sport

Making it happen

What do you do for work?

Paralegal, former English teacher

What does a typical training week look like?

Lots and lots of swimming (indoors, outdoors, open water, challenging water, cold acclimatisation), some running, some cycling, some weights, eating, visiting my sports masseuse who keeps me moving, and talking with my coach.

Nationality / where you’re based

British, living in San Francisco, California, USA

One word your friends would use to describe you

I don’t know, but I’ve noticed they tend to just look at me and laugh. I’m not sure why.

Who or what inspires you?

Lots of women achievers, but I mostly get a lot of motivation from locker room chatter and other swimmers in my communities. That’s when it becomes crystal clear that most of us, whether fast, slow, pro, amateur, or stubbornly mediocre, all experience the same physical and psychological challenges as one another. It's reassuring, plus I learn a lot of tips and tricks to try out.

What keeps you going when things get really tough?

Remembering that it's probably still possible, no matter how it feels at that moment, so I try to trick or distract myself into keeping moving until I forget about quitting.

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

More diligently, and by training more consistently with the guidance of a coach. I’ve also acknowledged the bad habits I used to cling to in training and during events. I’ve been working to change those while still trying to hold onto the parts of me that succeeded.

Any unusual or extreme training methods?

Not any more. If I did have some previously, they didn’t tend to be useful, so I don’t do them any more.

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

Yes, though really seriously only a few times. As an emergency measure, I drag myself to a locker room, or I schedule something with others who expect me to show up. What really perks me up during the grind, though, is when someone asks what I'm training for and they ask excited questions about it. That's when I remember I should be excited too. How incredible is this event?!