“Triathlon is an affordable sport if you prepare well”
Ruth Gómez, a professional triathlete with an impressive career, tells us about her origins and training, nutrition, and supplementation routines.
We spoke with Ruth Gómez, an athlete with an impressive career in triathlon, excelling in swimming, cycling, and running. In addition, she holds a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences and in Business Administration and Management. Currently, in addition to being an active triathlete, she is also a coach for triathletes, clubs, and children’s schools. On October 8th, she finished the 2022 triathlon season with a Half Ironman in Gijón, which she has done several times, resulting in being the runner-up for the Asturias Middle Distance Championship.
But the most remarkable thing about her is her 11 completed Ironman, with victories in the Ironman Portugal and being the runner-up in the Long Distance Spanish Championship in the Ironman Lanzarote, not to mention numerous victories in Half Ironman races.
1. How did you start in the sport of triathlon?
From a very young age, I loved running (my father was a marathon runner), and although I spent more than 20 years playing basketball (even playing for teams like Tintortto or Estudiantes), I always ran on my own. And so, without realizing it, at the age of 27, I found myself doing a duathlon by chance.
2. Which discipline is your favorite?
Cycling.
3. Of the three disciplines you practice, which one requires the most technical preparation?
Without a doubt, swimming.
4. You have completed 11 Ironman races as a “finisher,” and you were the first European woman to climb Kilimanjaro in trail running (2018). Do you have any goals or objectives to fulfill in the coming years?
To do another Ironman, to reach number 12, and to accomplish a sports challenge as beautiful as the one with Kilimanjaro. For such a challenge, sponsors are needed, and it is not easy.
5. You have also dedicated more than 20 years to the professional world as a sports coach and coach for children. From what age do you train?
I train the youngest children, starting at 2 years old, teenagers, adults, and beyond.
6. What healthy lifestyle habits do you recommend as a coach for children starting in professional sports?
What I recommend is a good diet, without junk food (which unfortunately is abundant in the snacks I see), and healthy sports habits. Less couch time and less technology in their hands.
Above all, they should have a well-directed sports initiation, and the goal should be to enjoy, engage in physical activity, and interact with children of their age. The aim should not be to achieve the highest performance at an early age, but rather to engage in physical activity that can endure over time and be well-practiced.
7. And to anyone, whether they are an athlete or not?
Practicing sports is healthy, the important thing is to leave sedentariness behind, get out of the car, eat better, and introduce more daily activity, such as walking or swimming.
8. Let’s talk about your training routines. What is your daily or weekly training routine? How many hours do you dedicate per day?
It depends on the time of the season we are in. During the preseason, from October to March, I usually train fewer hours and with less intensity. During competition season, depending on the goals, I can exceed 20 hours per week with high intensity.
In general, I usually do two sessions a day, which are usually cycling and swimming. Triathletes are used to double sessions. I also incorporate strength training (mostly functional), especially during the preseason. Recently, I have been doing less running due to an Achilles injury.
9. Which parts of the body suffer the most during triathlon? How do you take care of them?
In my case, it’s the Achilles tendon. I have had surgery and have a chronic injury. A MARNYS dietary supplement that I take and is very beneficial for me is Condrohelp.
10. Nutrition is fundamental for practicing this sport. What does your diet look like on a regular day?
I don’t eat meat. I incorporate plant-based protein, I love fruit, salads, tofu… I indulge in cheese because I love it. And I also have a weakness for sweets, but I substitute them and try to “trick my mind” by snacking on nuts.
11. Do you take any sports supplements to complement your diet? Do you think it is important?
During competition season, yes. Your MARNYS supplements and MARNYS SPORTS are great for me. I have high energy expenditure, and I believe it is important to support our body, that’s where supplements play a crucial role.
12. Which MARNYS® and MARNYS SPORTS® supplements do you take?
In addition to Condrohelp that I mentioned before, I take the Vitamin D3 4000 IU from your Vitahelp line daily. I also take your iron supplement Ferrobine MAX, which provides an extra dose of iron, especially important for women. And also Royal provite 5000, which has the highest concentration of royal jelly on the market and is a very important energy booster.
During competition season, I always have Metal endurance for running endurance. It is very easy to take due to its single-dose liquid format and it is also suitable for vegans.
For post-training or post-competition recovery, my favorite is Electrolyte Recocovery to ensure hydration and replenish salts, and Col Recovery, a magnificent recovery supplement after intense workouts.
13. What advice would you give someone who wants to start participating in duathlons and triathlons?
Triathlon is a very beautiful sport, and I encourage everyone to try it. My advice is to start without rush, respecting the progression. Always seek the guidance of a professional coach who can adequately guide you. I would also advise not to be afraid. It is an accessible sport if prepared well. In fact, among the people I train, I have profiles of all kinds, from adults who are starting out and barely know how to swim or have never ridden a bike, to more experienced triathletes.
