Workout Wednesday with Cecilia Davis-Hayes

Workout Wednesday has been a longstanding tradition at the International Triathlon Union, where we like to honour and showcase some of the best triathletes in the world - you!

We’ve talked to medallists from the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Cozumel age group races in both the standard and sprint distance sport classes and have asked them to provide their triathlete story along with their favourite workouts, proving that no matter your age, gender, race or country, anyone can tri!

This week we have USA’s Cecilia Davis-Hayes. Competing in Cozumel was a first time for Davis-Hayes competing at the World Championships, but it looks like once is all it takes for her to land on the podium. In her debut World Champion appearance, Davis-Hayes earned the bronze medal in the 25-29 standard-distance age group. That medal came from training 10 times and up to 20 hours a week, and did we mention she is in Medical School? Wow! You go Cecilia!

Name: Cecilia Davis-Hayes
Country: USA
Age Group: Female 25-29 Standard Distance
Profession: Medical Student

How you got involved in triathlon?
I ran Cross Country/ Track in college, then picked up cycling as cross training when I broke my heel bone while doing the steeple chase.

How often you train?
10 times per week. 20 hours maximum.

Best training advice?
Love your training, it should be fun! Find a trail or cycling route that you really love doing, and a swimming group where you really have fun. 

  What motivates you to race?
I love competing. It makes me feel alive. And I love preparing for a big race scientifically—it’s like an experiment to see how well you can use the machine that is your body to move fastest across the three disciplines.

Favourite swim workout:
8x4min building to race pace in the open water at Lake Tobyhanna, near my parents house in the Poconos.

Favourite bike workout:
10x6min threshold intervals on 9W bike route in New Jersey, stopping at the Runcible Spoon in Nyack, NY for a pumpkin muffin.

Favourite run workout:
2x30min tempo run on the Bridle Path in Central Park.