EMMA SCOTT – GB LONG DISTANCE TRIATHLON
Lanzarote Retreat loves Triathlon!
So when we met Emma Scott we were inspired. Emma and her family will be regular guests at Finca de Arrieta as Emma loves to incorporate Lanzarote in her training programme. Emma also competed in the 2018 Lanzarote Ironman event. Emma’s husband, Ian, also competes at a World Class level. Read Emma’s story below…
A juggling act – This working mum swims, bikes and runs her way to the World Triathlon Championship.
Emma Scott, born 1977, has always loved sport. She started her life as a gymnast and ballerina, and only started the path to running when she left home to attend University to study Nursing. In the absence of any gymnastics or dance clubs, Emma joined the University Athletic club and became a committed member of the cross country team. After graduating from University with a first class degree in Adult Nursing, her life took a changing path, she became a farmer’s wife, a devoted mum of 3 and a midwife (after obtaining another first-class degree part-time). Life no longer had time for any real sport, and Emma dipped in and out of running for a few years. Emma will not mind me saying, her running was her coping mechanism in life. Less running equalled a lower mood, and eventual depression (which is still with her to this day), and a change in circumstances. A happier Mum meant happier Children and so Emma left life on the farm, left midwifery and returned to a more sociable working existence as a practice nurse. No more weekends, Christmases, and night shifts. She met her new husband, Ian, at the local running club, Calne SMarTT, and together running and now triathlons became a part of life. Emma again juggled a part-time Masters in Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Non-medical Prescribing, an aspiring family of 3, and 4 London Marathons, including a Guinness World record attempt dressed up as a nurse. Life was good, running migrated into triathlons, and Emma realised the aches and pains were better spread across the whole body, rather than just the legs of running!
With Ian performing well at Triathlons, reaching European and now world level triathlon, a little healthy unconscious competition developed between husband and Wife. Emma qualified for the European Triathlon Age group Championships at Bala Olympic distance triathlon in Wales 2017. The weather was hideous, which helped in her qualification, as only sheer stubbornness to finish got her through the Welsh wind and rain, and a roll down place at the ETU Triathlon championships in Estonia this year. Unfortunately at the same time as having a middle age crisis and deciding to attempt her first Ironman at 40, and not just any ironman, but the World’s toughest Ironman in Lanzarote. Emma completed this in 13 hours and 37 minutes. If all that wasn’t enough, Emma also had a booked a middle distance 70.3 triathlon in Norfolk for a month after the Ironman in preparation for the possibility that she may not complete it. She did not want to waste the last 7 months of training. Emma won her age group in this race and hence qualified for the World Long Distance Triathlon Championships in Spain. Phew ! its been a busy time, and in all this, her 3 children are juggling Tennis, Rugby, Tae-Kwon Do, Scouts and school, and Emma a new job as clinical lead for the Defence Primary Health Care.
Best Racing Achievements
Runner-up in the Guinness World Record attempt as the fastest London marathoner dressed as a nurse – 3 hours 27 minutes. 2014
First Female 35-45yr old in the Wales Marathon, after competing in the Long Course Weekend at Tenby 2015
First female in the Coastal Trail Series Ultra West Sussex race in 2016
15th in my age group at my first Ironman Lanzarote 2018 13 hours 37mins
1st in the Outlaw Half (70.3m) middle distance Triathlon July 2018 and qualifier for ITU World Triathlon Championships.
European Standard Distance Triathlon championships – Tartu Estonia July 2018
ITU 2019 World Long Distance Triathlon Age group competitor for GBR – May 2019
Favourite Activities in Lanzarote
Cycling up Tabayesco climb with a large piece of cake at the top.
Cycling around the island to include Mirador, El Golfo, and Timanfaya National Park
Sea Swims anywhere, but mainly along Puerto Del Carmen
Enjoying the local food – especially local fish or Paella and Canarian Potatoes, and their local wine.
Exploring and staying active. Seeing new things.
