[Lucky Luke Sub Download
Abdul Soumphonphakdy
ST: Recovery from longer races is a tricky issue for many. How do you recover from an Ironman race?
Luke: I try to get out on my bike the next day for a very light spin, which usually involves stopping at the coffee shop. If the race is close to the ocean, I would be diving in for a splash the day after the race. Part of the recovery for me is enjoying the post race party, having a beer and breaking that disciplined lifestyle for just those few days to enjoy myself.
ST: What is on schedule for you for 2008?
Luke: I have an early season Ironman planned in New Zealand. I look forward to going there and testing myself against guys like Cam Brown, Bryan Rhodes and Kieran Doe. Then I will head back over to the USA in April to race some of the Ironman 70.3 series. The second half of the summer I will be working towards Kona, Hawaii.
ST: Is there anyone you train with on a regular basis?
Luke: These past two seasons I have been training with good friend and fierce rival Mathias Hecht from Switzerland. He comes out to Australia each summer to train and race. He is one of the most disciplined and motivated athletes in our sport and I enjoy training with him. We always joke one day we will be having a sprint finish down Alii Drive for the title!
ST: Do you consider yourself disciplined in terms of training and nutrition?
Luke: I consider myself a disciplined trainer. I really enjoy pushing myself and trying to take myself to that next level. Living with guys like Craig Alexander and Luke Bell in the past definitely taught me what it takes to be a top performer in this sport. Michellie Jones is another athlete I have been lucky enough to learn a thing or two from over the past few years. She is the ultimate professional in our sport.
The nutrition is where I need to pick up my game. I have the amazing support of PowerBar and managing my nutrition is something I am currently really working hard on to improve. I have been happy with my nutrition in my Half Ironman racing but I have made a few mistakes in the past in Ironman that has cost me. So in 2008 one of my number one goals is to improve my race nutrition.