My Chattanooga Checklist: Ellie Salthouse
From a trusty trucker hat to her favorite chocolate, check out what this Aussie will be toting to Tennessee.
by Zoie Clift
Australian pro Ellie Salthouse set her sights on half distance racing last year as a route to revitalize her passion for the sport. Salthouse turned pro in 2010 and raced for years as a short course athlete, seeing quick success in her first year at the distance: she landed two IRONMAN 70.3 wins that year and an 11th place finish at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.
Along with living in Brisbane, Australia, Salthouse has a training base in Boulder, Colo. Her results this season include placing second at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai and IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, and third at IRONMAN 70.3 St. George.
"I love that IROMAN 70.3 racing is very individual, particularly the bike leg," she says. "Everything about my day can be completely controlled by me. I love that feeling of being comfortably uncomfortable for four-plus hours."
A focus for the athlete this year has been the upcoming IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga. "Of course I will go out there and race with every intention to win," she said. "A podium...would be incredible."
Below, she shares what she will be packing along with her to the upcoming championship race.
Stellar support
"This year I am lucky enough to be bringing my parents to Chattanooga with me. They are my luckiest charms and have been my biggest supporters since day one."
Blue Triad SL
"My bike is my favorite piece of gear as it is the leg where I will spend the most time on race day. It has been with me during some of the hardest training sessions and the piece of equipment I really rely on most come race day. I need to give my bike the love and gratitude it deserves so that it can perform as well as I hope during the race."
Way too many bikinis
"I love collecting bikinis and find the need to take at least five with me wherever I travel, despite the complete lack of beaches or swimming holes in Chattanooga." (Editor's note: Salthouse might be surprised, as there's lots to do in Chattanooga! Related Article: Chattanooga: Get Ready to Be Charmed.")
Feed needs
"Electrolytes to consume in the days leading up and during the race, as well as gels for during the race."
Homey comforts
"I’ll definitely be bringing some Vegemite for my toast in the mornings, as well as some Cadbury Marvelous Creations chocolate from home. This is my favorite chocolate and I can’t seem to find it anywhere in the U.S."
Prime headwear
"I'll be bringing a Love the Pain trucker hat to the race for the run. I like this running hat a lot as it keeps the sweat off my face and allows me to store ice underneath if necessary. I'll be wearing my Giro Aerohead helmet for race day. I love the custom pink decals that were a surprise from my boyfriend."
Prime headspace
"A positive and relentless attitude, knowing I've done everything I possibly can to be the best I can be on race day."
Prime backup
"My coach Siri Lindley will be with me every step of the way, my parents will be flying over from Australia to watch, and my boyfriend, Talbot Cox, will be cheering and taking pictures out on the course."
On the wish list
"My two French bulldogs. But unfortunately traveling with them from Australia isn’t as easy as I’d like."
Follow the women's race on Saturday, September 9th at IRONMAN.com and on Twitter @IronmanTri.
Originally from: http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/news/articles/2017/09/ellie-salthouse-chattanooga-checklist.aspx#ixzz4xmauvpoF