Lucy Charles-Barclay: “My main goal is to enjoy T100 London and soak up the crowds”

After the disappointment of a DNF last year, Lucy Charles-Barclay shares how she’s excited to be back at her home race and looking forward to sharing the atmosphere with friends, family and supporters.

Ahead of the T100 race in London we spent a day catching up with Ironman world champion Lucy Charles-Barclay to find out how she’s feeling about the upcoming home race.

As well as putting team 220 through their paces in the pool and sharing her tips on achieving a fast transition, we chatted about how T100 is changing the racing landscape. For the full interview and Lucy’s swim tips see the November issue of 220 Triathlon on sale 26th September or subscribe here to get your copy.

For now though, it’s time to find out how 2023’s Ironman World Champion is feeling about the upcoming race…

Back in London

220: Hi Lucy, how are you feeling about the T100 coming up in London?

Lucy Charles-Barclay: “Yeah, really good, really excited! Obviously, it’s my home race. For me, it’s just around the corner from where I live – and last year was really disappointing when I had my probably my first ever DNF in a race [last year’s event saw Lucy DNF during the run after an achilles injury flared up], plus it was my home race with all the family and friends there.

I feel like the pressure’s almost off this year. As long as I finish, it’s better than last year, but I do feel in really good shape! I feel like I’m just going in with the main goal to enjoy it and soak up the crowds, but then my secondary goal is to try and deliver a really good performance as well.”

220: What appeals to you about the T100 distance?

LCB: “Well, the T100 distance from what I have found is just so competitive, the racing is just full on from the gun! There’s no let up, and I feel like that’s what I love about it, plus it really challenges me in a new way.

Obviously, I love the long-distance racing as well, but the T100 is bringing in the long course athletes plus the Olympic distance athletes are stepping up as well. It’s just getting faster and more difficult every year. I love that it is such a big challenge, and it’s definitely improving my triathlon game, which ultimately as a professional athlete is all you want to do.”

220: Do you find the slightly shorter distances more tactical than iron-distance?

LCB: “Yes definitely. I mean, we’re here today, doing transition training with you all, which before I never really focused on in my training for long-distance.

Sometimes the long distance does come down to small margins though. I’ve come second at Challenge Roth before by about 9 seconds… So if I’d done a bit of transition work there, that could have been it. But T100 is all about every margin. If you make a mistake that can cost you not just one place, it could be three places so, it’s just about refining those skills. T100 is challenging me in different ways, and then hopefully I can also then take that up to the longer distance.

I’m hopeful that I will be able to get a win over this distance soon. Singapore went well [Lucy placed second] – I definitely love those hot and humid races. that environment is something that I’m good at preparing for and I enjoy it.

I think all of us suffer, but it’s kind of about suffering and trying to deliver the best performance. Having raced in Kona, which is very similar multiple times, I am used to managing myself in that environment. London shouldn’t be as hot and humid as that, so hopefully that means that I can race a bit faster. To get back on the podium would be amazing!”

Thank you to the T100 series for our time with Lucy. Find out more about the upcoming race series here.

Lead image: T100 Singapore 2024 Pro Women Race on the 13th April 2024 at the Marina Bay, Singapore. (photo; T100/Alexander Polizzi)