#TheFirstSecond by Lucy Bartholomew: Run on the light side
© Maxime Moulin
Trail running
Friday, 14 June 2019

#TheFirstSecond by Lucy Bartholomew: Run on the light side

The last gesture before departure, slipping on a mask or goggles, plunges us into our “bubble”. This special, intimate moment, laden with experience and emotion, is “The First Second”: it reveals the human factor underlying the athlete and outdoor enthusiast. Share this insider vision with Julbo...


#TheFirstSecond by Lucy Bartholomew : Run on the light side

 

« When things are tough, keep smiling! That's the most powerful thing I've ever heard »

 


Lucy isn't like other athletes! With her smiling face, she's almost the opposite of the ultratrailer focused on the battle of mind over body. She doesn't talk much about how extremely tough the races are and the fact that she's already a regular on the podiums. Instead, Lucy has a delightfully positive and happy personality...

Is it easy to dare to go for long distance?

I did my first 100k at the age of 15, when I only knew how to run 3 hours with my Dad. I was so surprised to see him in tears at the finish line, so proud of me... It was cool to feel so good, so strong! And the next day I'd become a superstar at school! I didn't drink in the evenings, I went to bed early, I was happy to be called "grandma!" I dreamed of being Emelie Forsberg, because she smiles when she runs!

"Even when things are tough at the time, keep smiling, that will help you cope": that's the most powerful thing I've ever heard. It's a useful lesson in running and in life. Smiling allows you to give the best of yourself...

I was living in the city in Melbourne, and on my first trail I felt like Bambi on ice, it was a kind of surreal moment. I wasn't good so I thought: at least the only way is up! - laughs -

But you quickly started getting good results...

For me, winning isn't about getting on the podium, even if the trophies and the money are a nice bonus! Winning is about putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation, going beyond it and coming out stronger. It's as if you needed to be in the dark to see the light, to show your dark side so that you can ultimately tell yourself: "OK Lucy, that wasn't your best version today, and we won't be seeing that again!" The race connects you with yourself, as you struggle between doubt and success. It gives you the ability to believe in yourself.

Is your positivity contagious?

Being the best version of yourself isn't about pushing yourself forward, it's about being happy and self-sufficient. People know that I'm capable of that. In a race, everyone struggles and I ask myself: how can I help them, make them laugh? So I ask them the three things they're grateful for: The flowers are beautiful, the sun's shining, I'm happy not to have been eaten by a bear... It's all about changing your state of mind!

If I'd been asked the question, at times I might have said: "Shut up and get lost!" - laughs - And on the starting line, I hug all the other competitors. I give them energy, and I get some back. I'm the person looking the wrong way when they fire the starting gun. - laughs - I've missed a few starts!


Tell us about your preparation...

I don't have a coach. I go out running for 5 minutes and sometimes I run for 5 hours; I train very intuitively. I don't have any special superstitions... I shave my legs. Weirdly, that tells me whether it's going to be a good race for me. - laughs -

Being on the starting line can be a terrifying experience. I'm ready to live the most difficult day of my life, but I'm convinced that it can also be the best!

- Worn products -

Team present in the article

Lucy BARTHOLOMEW

Lucy BARTHOLOMEW

Ultra-Trail

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