This country girl from down under is a fighter.  She also knows that getting a strong start to the beginning of a long season can really help you mentally.  Hoping karma will pay her back for her act of kindness; she will always be remembered as the one who handed a CO2 cartridge to Chrissie Wellington during the 2008 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.  Ladies and gentlemen: Rebekah Keat.

KK: Rebekah, tell us a little about yourself, where did you grow up?

RK: I am a country girl; I grew up in Albury and also my grandparents' farm on weekends in the beautiful Kiewa valley. They are my fondest memories riding the motor bike, fishing with my pop, floating down the river, horse riding and generally going crazy at the farm with my sister!

KK: What was your sports background as a youth?

RK: We were race walkers as kids, and then we did a little x country running but were not very good as we never trained at anything! I also loved Basketball and use to play against womens legend and fellow Albury girl Lauren Jackson!

KK: How old were you when you started in the sport triathlon?

RK I was 18 years young!

KK: What helped you decide to do triathlon as a profession?

RK: I had some success winning two junior world titles one in Duathlon and one in Triathlon; it went from there.

KK: How does your body handle such a long season of long course racing and training?

RK: My body loves it; it thrives off it I am an adrenalin junkie so I love it!

KK: How does your preparation Kona change from year to year?

RK: It will change a lot this year and the next few years as I finally have a coach. After training myself for 4 years, look out I think it is time to start having a really good crack at it! I am not young anymore...I just hope its not too late heehee!

KK: Why do think the Ironman distance is so popular amongst the age groupers?

RK: Because it's a huge sense of self achievement it gives you a goal and sends on a journey to achieve it. The journey is the best part and crossing that line is indescribable weather you win or just finish! The awesome atmosphere of the event, the friendships you develop and everyone is so into fitness and having fun, it's a very social sport..

KK: You are now known for helping Chrissie Wellington in Kona, by handing her CO2. That was a very nice thing to do. Did she thank you after the race?

RK: Oh she surely did thank me about 100 times I didn't think twice about it, I am known for being too nice sometimes but hey that's just me...I think that will change now I have Brett Sutton coaching me, I need to get my grunt back and be a bit more of a warrior and no more of that nice girl on the block!

KK: What are some of your major accomplishments in the sport of triathlon?

RK: Proving my innocence after a 2 year lay off and fighting back to win two Aussie titles and an Australian record in my first two races in 2007!

KK: What do you do before the big race; do you listen to a song, read a quote, eat a special breakfast/lunch/dinner and/or meditate?

RK: I get my twin to do some special stretches for me to help me swim fast! We call it the 'bitch pinch' cause it really hurts as you squeeze the hell out of your lats , but also feels really  good afterwards!

KK: What do you like to eat race morning?

RK: 4 pieces of white toast with peanut butter, bananas, power bar etc COFFEE!!

KK: When you're in a race, it doesn't matter what the distance or event, and things start to get tough how do you adjust to the situation?

RK: I think of what I have been through to get me to this point, my family members I have lost and call on them to help me draw strength ...it really works!

KK: What are some tips that you would give to someone just starting up in the sport of triathlon?

RK: Enjoy it guys!!...too many age groupers are too caught up in what makes you go faster with the new technology, supplements etc ,but in the end we all have other things in our lives that are a lot more important than some race... like our partners and friends and family!

KK: What are your usual nutrition and hydration requirements while competing in an Ironman?

RK: 1 liter water 1 liter Megaburn ammo per hour depending on conditions??

KK: Do your nutrition and hydration demands change from a 70.3 distance race to and Ironman distance race?

RK: Not really per hour it's very similar but I tend to eat a lot more gels /carbs early on in a full Ironman this is very important!

KK: What are some of your favorite things to do, during the off season?

RK: I don't really have an off season as such; there are races to be done!  But I do like walking my dog with my partner, going to the beach and the markets etc

KK: When people think of Rebekah Keat, what do you want them to know?

RK: That I am a FIGHTER!

KK: What are you goals for the 2009 season?

RK: To podium at Hawaii, to do well at the Long Course Worlds, to Podium at Oz Ironman

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