Samantha Howard

Athletic Background: Running at county level in track high jump and xcountry

Biggest sporting achievement to date?: That's a tough one biggest for me was finishing Ironman & qualifying for Kona

Favourite workout?: Gotta be the puke feet run intervals mile reps it's a love hate relationship

Least Favourite Workout?: Swim technique boooooooo

Worst Habit ?: Training hmmm probably doing too much training not backing off enough

Favourite song to train to / motivate?: Too many to list but an all time fav for longer runs Kings of Leon - 'Sex On Fire' did a whole marathon with it on repeat

Something about you that many people do not know?: Is there much people done know ha ha when I was a teenager we did a road run training session is Southport as a group young girls people would shout out their cars so out coach used to follow in his car one time he stopped right by me and shouted I couldn't hear him so looked and shouted back he replied and I hit a lamp post ha ha

If you could tell other athletes one thing you have learned so far in your training what would it be?: Rest is part of training but know the difference of being ironman training tired and ill. If your not recovering from training back off. Also hard sessions are needed as much as we hate them no pain no gain monitor your resting heart rate etc in the morn it tells allot back off if it jumps up in a few days.

What is your ultimate goal as an athlete?: To be the best I can be and be happy with what I've achieved it's always gotta be for yourself no medal or trophy can make you happy. I used to have times but with triathlon it's less about that but more if your happy with your race. I'd love to go to Kona also

Favourite Race / Course?: Wasdale it's bloody tough just getting round is an achievement not to be missed

What's your most memorable racing moment?: Starting in the elite pen in the Great North Run alongside Paula Radcliffe (as picture above I have green headphones around my neck) .Woohoo'ing down a big hill in a race, hilarity.... high fiving with my family and friends in the ironman this was joy, despair gotta be trying to qualify for the worlds last season and being seriously injured the pain was horrendous along side frustration

Any unusual race day routines or superstitions?: I'm OCD were do I start with this my lists tick boxes and neatly packed race luggage I used to always re-use the same race pins for my number when I was a runner can't do this in Tri and I lay my kit out night before a race

What race / event / ride is on your bucket list?: Fred whitton, kona & a fast marathon course prob Boston to get my marathon under 3hrs I was 1 min away ! Yrs ago now... I'd love to complete Norsman too.

Swim: Tyr and predator goggles

Bike: Ridley dean TT and Louis garneau

Run: Love my newtons on road and Solomon's off rd

Nutrition of choice: Bananas and sis gels also jelly babies

What piece of equipment couldn't you live without?: Garmin Edge & Gamrin Watch

Twitter: @Triathlonhoward

Website: www.ocdathlete.com