Non Stanford is a Welsh triathlete. Stanford was the ITU World Champion in 2013 and represented Team GB at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she finished fourth. Non Stanford is based in Leeds, England and was born in Bridgend, Wales. Stanford graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Sport and Exercises Sciences in 2010.
Stanford was a successful cross country runner; she was Welsh Schools 1,500m champion in 2002, 2003 and 2004. In the 2009 British Triathlon Super Series she came second, and in 2009/10 was awarded the ‘Paul Weston Triathlon Scholarship’ to concentrate on triathlon.
The 2012 season was a breakthrough year for her as she won senior gold in the Stockholm ITU Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships and U23 gold at the Barfoot and Thompson World Triathlon Grand Final Auckland. The 2013 season started with a win at ITU World Triathlon Madrid, before going on to take the title of ITU World Champion at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final London. That season Stanford also achieved silver medals at the ITU World Triathlon San Diego, ITU World Triathlon Hamburg and ITU World Triathlon Stockholm.
The 2018 season saw Stanford win two silver medals at the Cape Town ITU Triathlon World Cup and ITU World Triathlon Mixed Relay Series Nottingham. She also secured a bronze medal at the ITU World Triathlon Yokohama. Stanford also captained Team Wales at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
In 2019 Stanford left the Brownlee Centre in Leeds and joined an international group of elite triathletes under Coach Joel Filliol. The season saw her win gold at the 2019 Hamburg Wasser World Triathlon.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Non Stanford, World Triathlon Champion here she talks about her workout, diet and the success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You were picked out as a bright young running talent in 2004 and invited to join Kelly Holmes on the first-ever ‘On Camp with Kelly’ in South Africa. How did it help in your initial years as a runner and then triathlon?
Non Stanford:
My involvement with On Camp with Kelly was probably one of the most key moments in my development as a young athlete. Having someone as successful and experienced as Kelly identifies you as a talented prospect for the future was a huge step in giving me the confidence to believe in my ability.
That aside, Kelly strived to teach us exactly what it took to be a successful professional athlete, the good and the bad, and many of those lessons still help me today. To be able to draw on the experiences of a career like Kelly’s has been an invaluable tool in allowing me to progress from a talented junior into a successful senior, and the lessons have transcended sports seamlessly. I will always be grateful and indebted to Kelly for all her hard work, support and belief in me.
Namita Nayyar:
You also represented Team GB at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and finished at 4th place, a commendable performance. Being the best involves a lot of dedication and commitment. Share five keys for beginners to become an outstanding winner in sports?
Non Stanford:
- Train Smart: More isn’t always more with training. Listen to your body and don’t be afraid to back off from time to time.
- Be Patient: Success doesn’t come over night and it often feels like you’re not making any progress, but if you stick with it you will be rewarded for your hard work.
- Sleep: It’s the most valuable recovery tool you will ever have. Try to get 7+ hours every night and if you have time take a nap during the day. You’re body makes the biggest adaptions when you’re resting.
- Do what makes you happy: A happy athlete makes a successful athlete. Make sure you’re in an environment that you enjoy, surrounded by people that make you smile. If training becomes a chore then you’re not doing it right.
- Be consistent: Consistency is key in progressing your fitness and becoming a better athlete. It’s better to do 3 weeks working between 40% – 80% of your maximum capacity, than 3 days all above 80%. There’s not point killing you for a short period of time and then getting tired, sick or injured.
Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your life. Your morning begins with what routine.
Non Stanford:
Being a triathlete, and having 3 sports to train for, every day is a little bit different. I generally wake up naturally around 7am, and where possible I don’t set an alarm because I like to allow my body to sleep for as long as it needs. Seeing as I am a full time athlete I have all day to train, so I generally don’t need to rush too much in the morning.
My fiancé is also a professional triathlete, so we generally make a coffee and watch the morning news together before the first session of the day. Depending on the duration and intensity of that session I will either eat my breakfast before or after. At the minute I have 2 go to breakfast’s; peanut butter and banana on raisin toast with lots of honey, or porridge with banana, sultanas, berries and Greek yogurt.
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