Catriona is warming up nicely for the day next month when she will pack in a 10K run, a 40K bike ride and then, just to nicely finish things off, a 5K run around the environs of the Queen's Park and Arthur's Seat.
 
She won the British Duathlon Championship at the end of last month and, just last weekend, she finished second in an Iron Man 70.3 (two hour swim, 90K cycle and half marathon) at St Croix in the Caribbean to qualify for the World Championships in Florida in November. This weekend she defends the World Duathlon Championship in Hungary - phew!
 
Putting things in perspective, it is apposite to point out that Catriona is not a full- time athlete. In fact, outwith the punishing training sessions, she is packed with just as much energy carrying out her part-time job as an Active Schools Co-ordinator based in West Lothian.
 
Yes, the more you get to know Catriona you realise she is a very special and a very talented Scot. "I work three days a week and everything else has to fit around it," explained the 30-year-old, who spoke to In The Winning Zone during a work-out session on her bike (even after the 30-minute chat she was hardly puffing).
 
"I swim six times a week, do five long runs and then have about six sessions on the bike. I also have massages and other bits and pieces and it all adds up to around 25 hours of training a week."
 
With the majority of duathlon, triathlon and iron man events taking place in sunny climes, the swimming legs are held outside. That could prevent some training problems for a Broxburn-based athlete - but Catriona even gets over that problem. "It's not exactly deal, but I do train in Denny Reservoir and a quarry in Ratho." Doesn't quite equate with Florida or the Caribbean.
 
Before taking up the new job last year, Catriona, a geography graduate who spent time working on glaciers in the Canadian Arctic, had considered giving up the sport that had been part and parcel of her life for seven years. She had won a World Championship, competed for Scotland in two Commonwealth Games and she was unsure of her funding situation.
 
"I had received some Lottery money through sportscotland, but the funding situation was becoming a bit woolly," she explained. "I was also very excited about the prospect of the new job. I didn't just want to show up and take the money. As an Active Schools Co-ordinator I want to help young kids enjoy sport and get fit."
 
But an excellent multi-tasker and recognising the thrill she would get from competing on home soil, Catriona set her sights on the Edinburgh, June 16th 2007.
 
And her dream of becoming a home winner has been helped by backing from Winning Scotland Foundation. She was awarded the first "Winning Scots"  award and has been given £7,160 of funding to cover the cost of her campaign.
 
"It has been fantastic," said Catriona. "The money not only covers my costs, but also allows my coach - Gordon Crawford - to take the necessary leave and help me prepare fully for the race.
 
"Now I'm totally focused. Winning around the world is great - but it would be extra special to become a home winner on home soil."

EB

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* Read more about Catriona in next month’s edition of ‘Champions in their Field’ in The WinningZine!