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Preparing for Peguera: BBC journalist makes GB Age-Group debut

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Turning the tables on a BBC Sport journalist, we interviewed Helen Murray as she prepares to compete for the Great Britain Age-Group team in Mallorca on Saturday. Helen is one of the many Age-Group athletes taking on the Peguera-Mallorca ETU Challenge Half Distance European Championships over a 1900m swim, 90km bike ride and 21km run.

What exactly do you do for the BBC?

I'm an Olympic sports producer for BBC Sport which involves making sure the BBC covers Olympic and Paralympic sports across TV, radio and online. It also involves working on major events so if you saw the likes of Vicky Holland being interviewed on the BBC the day after she competed in Glasgow, or Non Stanford on BBC Breakfast TV the morning of the triathlon, I helped to make that happen.

Did your job have an influence on you wanting to compete in triathlon?

I remember watching triathlon make its' debut at the Sydney Olympics and I thought it looked pretty cool, but didn't think more of it. That was until 11 years later when I decided to give it a go. I did my first triathlon in September 2011 on a borrowed road bike and loved it. A couple of months later I interviewed GB's former under 23 world champion Matt Sharp for the BBC website and watching him training and hearing him talk about it spurred me on even more.  

What motivated you to race for the GB Age-Group team?

Working for BBC Sport at the 2013 world championship in London and seeing all of the Age-Group athletes really inspired me. But it was two fellow members of Knutsford triathlon club who had qualified for London who persuaded me to give it a go myself and try for the middle distance team.

How are you finding the experience so far?

A little daunting, pretty intense, very unique but also a lot of fun.  I feel very privileged to be here and lucky that I have the support of so many friends and family who have also made the trip to Mallorca.

What's your sporting background?

I did every sport going at school, from tennis, to swimming, gymnastics, netball, badminton and hockey. But I was better than average at running a long way. I could just keep going, so I was always made to do the ‘long distance’ 800/1500m on sports day. I carried on running for fun after I left school but only got into cycling when I bought my first road bike in 2012.

Tell us a bit about the atmosphere and the course

The atmosphere within the team is fantastic as there are over 200 people representing GB, of all ages.

Its going to be hot on Saturday which poses a number of challenges; It looks set to be a non-wetsuit swim, the bike course is tricky in places and it'll be important to keep hydrated and cool on the run. However, the course goes through Magaluf and Palma nova, so I don't think there'll be a lack of vocal support!

What are you most and least looking forward to about the race?

I'm most looking forward to finishing and having a cold beer! Aside from that, I can't wait to challenge myself against the other girls who've qualified in my age group.

I'm least looking forward to the logistical problems of taking a comfort break in an all in one Tri suit!

Which British athlete would you most like to model your performance on?

I'd like to think I could do a Chrissie and crush everyone, but realistically it'll be more of a Lucy Gossage. I'll fight my way around with a determined smile on my face.

The Peguera-Mallorca ETU Challenge Half Distance European Championships starts at 12 noon on Saturday with the men’s elite race followed by the elite women, paratriathletes and Age-Group atheltes. Ritchie Nicholls, Nicholas Ward Munoz,Vicky Gill and Parys Edwards are Britain’s professional athletes taking part in the elite race.

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