Olympic Triathlete Rachel Klamer Is All Set To Make History!

Namita Nayyar (WF Team)

8 years ago

Women Fitness’ Sixth Exclusive Interview on its 17th Anniversary:

Netherlands’ Olympic Triathlete Rachel Klamer!

Rachel Klamer, born on 8 October, 1990 in Harare, Zimbabwe, is a Dutch professional triathlete and member of the National team. She placed third at the Junior World Championships in 2009. She began her career as a triathlete at a relatively late age. After being active as a swimmer and runner, at the age of seventeen she decided to have a look at the triathlon sport. In her first year as a triathlete, Klamer won both the Dutch Junior triathlon and duathlon Championships. She also became fourth in the European Junior Cup in Holten.

In 2009, only one year after Klamer started doing triathlon, she won the silver medal at the European Championships in Holten followed by a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Australia’s Gold Coast. Klamer also won her first race at the elite level at the Premium European Cup in Alanya.

Rachel Klamer is an Exceptionally Talented Rio Olympics Triathlete. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar, President – Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: At the age of 17 you decided to have a look at the triathlon sport and won the Dutch Junior triathlon and duathlon Championships. In 2009, only one year after you started doing triathlon, you won the silver medal at the European Championships in Holten followed by a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Australia and then you took part in the 2012 London Olympics. Tell us about this spectacular journey and how it all began?

Ms. Rachel Klamer: I grew up in a village where the swim squad is known as one of the best swim squads in the country. There weren’t too many options to do other sports on a close distance, as I wasn’t a big fan of ball sports. I was never a star in swimming, but raced at provincial level and relays at the national champions for juniors. When I got older, both my parents where into running so they made me interested in this sport too. When they started doing some running races, I ended up watching them, but I rather participated in the kids races. After swimming for many years, I was looking for a new challenge. At the end of 2007, after winning some local races, I decided to take running a bit seriously: I joined a running squad! Soon I got noticed by another triathlete who told me about a talent day organized by the national triathlon federation at the end of 2008. Back then I’d have never guessed that less than one year later I would be racing at a (inter)national triathlon level!

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Ms. Namita Nayyar: Before taking up this sport, you’ve also been a swimmer and runner. How has that contributed in your success as a Triathlete?

Ms. Rachel Klamer: A professional swimmer often has a different build than a professional triathlete. As swimming is a technical sport, it’s important to have a background in it. It’s not easy to learn the right swimming technique when you are older, but it’s possible. It just takes a lot of time! Cycling is easier to learn, although many triathletes underestimate the technical part of it.

I think everyone can do a triathlon, but having the right body type or having a swimming and running talent, will make it just a bit easier!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine?

Ms. Rachel Klamer: During the season I train a couple of times a day, in off season I will take a couple of days off and then stick to one or two sessions a day. Every day we tend to focus on a different discipline. For example: on Tuesdays we run twice and on Sundays we go for a long ride. On the days where we run more, we swim and bike less.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?

Ms. Rachel Klamer: I think everyone should eat healthy, whether you are an active person or not.
My breakfast often contains of a cup of tea, peace of fruit and a big bowl of oats, or yoghurt & muesli.
Lunch will be bread, with different spreads (cheese, egg, salad or nutella, jam etc). I’m a real sweet tooth (and love chocolate), so I have something sweet with basically every meal!

Dinner varies! I often train with my boyfriend and on days we come back from training late we make something quick. Those days we eat very simple but healthy! Even when you are really busy, it is always possible to put a quick healthy meal on the table! Frozen/canned vegetables, canned tuna/chicken, pasta, tomato sauce and your dinner is ready in 15min!
I have snacks in between the main meals (muesli bars, fruit, yoghurt etc) and depending on how hard I train I might even repeat breakfast or lunch..

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Ms. Namita Nayyar: Triathlon requires a lot of outdoor training and activity. Share with us your skincare and haircare routine that you follow to cope up with the strenuous training?

Ms. Rachel Klamer: Chlorine, sun, wind and lot’s of showering.. it all makes your skin really dry. Because we train a couple of times a day, we shower a couple of times a day too. I try to keep those showers short and barely use soap during the day. After the last session of the day, I will take a ‘normal shower’, but only wash my hair with shampoo every 2nd or 3rd day.
I always have body lotion and Vaseline with me to keep the skin hydrated.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding triathletes who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in field of triathlon sports?

Ms. Rachel Klamer: Follow your heart! The most important thing is to enjoy what you do. Triathlon can be a sport where you need to train a lot, so finding training buddies will make it more enjoyable!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career?

Ms. Rachel Klamer: When I started doing triathlon I barely knew what it was and didn’t know any triathletes. My parents have always supported me, so they were my biggest supporters and motivators!

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Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have won a silver medal at the European Triathlon Championships in Holten (Junior), a bronze medal at the Grand Final of the Dextro Energy World Championship Series (Junior) and a gold medal at the Premium European Cup in Alanya. Tell us about the most memorable experience that you’ve had across all these Championships?

Ms. Rachel Klamer: That’s a difficult question as all races bring special memories! Maybe I need to choose for the World Triathlon Series race in Madrid 2012. Here I officially qualified for my first Olympics after having a great race. My family was there and I saw some happy/proud tears!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: As we get closer to the Rio Olympics 2016, would you like to share with us your last-minute preparations for the Olympics?

Ms. Rachel Klamer: I’m currently finishing the last couple of days of my altitude training camp in the France Pyrenees with my training squad. Before going to Rio I will spend just under 2 weeks in Spain: staying away from all the craziness around the Games! 5 days before the big day I will head off to Rio. We are still training hard, but will slowly start to take it easier in the weeks to Rio..

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?

Ms. Rachel Klamer: Let your heart guide you in following your path in life. Do what your heart really wants you to do and put all your energy in reaching that goal.

To know more about Rachel Klamer and her Olympics Journey, check out her website: http://www.rachelklamer.com/

To know the latest about her check out her social networks:

Women Fitness Team thanks Rachel Klamer for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her.

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