Helen Jenkins pt 2: Hopeful for Hyde Park
The Welsh star on missing the start of 2013 and a formidable Welsh team at the 2014 Commonwealths
How do you look back on the Olympic period now? You became Britain’s most successful Olympic female triathlete ever, but is there a case of ‘what if’?
Of course I think ‘what if I’d been fit’? It’s hard to get over that, as it had been the focus for so long and all I’d been thinking about. But that’s sport. There are massive highs and massive lows, and that’s what makes the highs so good. But the whole experience was amazing and I wouldn’t have done as well as I did without that support. With the injury I had I shouldn’t have been so high up the field.
Has triathlon’s increased profile since the Olympics had any impact on you? Are you being recognised in the supermarket?!
People recognise me but it’s not like it’s all the time! Generally triathletes or runners might say ‘I saw you at the Olympics’ but I’m not spotted as soon as I’m out of the house! I think it’s a general increase in the awareness of triathlon but nothing has changed for me day-to-day, and my life has carried on.
Is the ITU Grand Final at Hyde Park in September realistic for this year?
I won’t be ready for the start of the season but I definitely hope to be ready for London.
You’ve been training with Vicky Holland.
Vicky’s been swimming with my local swimming club. It’s been cool, especially to have someone more my own age to swim with!
And Leanda Cave has talked up the Welsh team at the Commonwealth Games with Non Stanford and yourself.
We’d have a pretty strong team there, wouldn’t we?! Non had a great year 2012 season and Leanda is currently the world’s most-successful all-round triathlete. She just needs to do Xterra now as well!
Is Leanda someone you’ve got to know over the years?
I was lucky enough to train with her and [former Junior World Champ] Anneliese Heard when I started out in tri. We keep in touch mainly by twitter but it would be great if she came back for the Commonwealths.
Is Leanda’s a career path that interests you?
At the moment I just want to do the next four years but I’m not sure how I’d feel after that.
It’s obviously going to be hot in Rio. Does that have a bearing on how you approach this Olympic cycle?
I’ve got to think about the Commonwealth Games first but the conditions in Rio will become more relevant as the Olympics approaches. We have great staff at the BTF who will look into every aspect of training and where camps are held. And that’s why we have such a successful team.
British triathlete, Helen Jenkins is an ambassador for sports performance brand ASICS. To view the new ‘Journey of Improvement’ video, visit; http://www.youtube.com/asicsvideo?x=eu-en_sports_357_4
Image: ITU
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
