Whether she's coaching at track, exploring a hiking trail, spotting wild orchids or racing in an age group World Championship, Sarah Clark has never been one to sit still. After more than a decade at BTC, she's still finding new adventures…and helping others discover their own potential along the way.
Sarah, how long have you been a member of Bayside Tri Club?
I've been a member since 2014, when I returned to Melbourne after 25 years away.
What drew you to BTC?
I specifically wanted to join a community club that supported the sport. BTC has people with all sorts of backgrounds and experience levels, and after being away from Melbourne for so long, I've made some really good friends through the club.
You've recently started coaching our Tuesday night track sessions. What inspired you to complete the AusTri Foundation Coaching Course?
The AusTri Foundation Coaching Course is designed for people who want to help out at their local club and support the development of the sport. Running has always been my first love, and I really enjoy track sessions. It’s fun to give back by coaching track and see people improve.
Everyone has potential, and if I can help bring that out, that makes me happy.
I think plenty of our members would say you're doing exactly that!
Have you always been sporty?
Pretty much! I did Little Athletics growing up, then hockey through school and university.
Since then, I've added a few other hobbies to the list including body surfing, skiing, bushwalking, paragliding and trail running.
That's quite the resume! What distances have you raced in triathlon?
Sprint, Olympic (oops, sorry – ‘Standard distance’), and Half Ironman, although my Half Ironman days were before joining BTC.
What sporting achievements are you most proud of?
Winning silver at the Triathlon Age Group World Championships was amazing. But also, the first time I broke 40 minutes for a 10km run I was on such a high.
Do you have another race planned?
Not yet, but when I get over some niggling issues, getting back to some local social racing would be fun.
Which age group are you in?
Oldies! 55-59
Any big race goals?
I don't have any huge race ambitions anymore. I love being fit so I can do whatever sporting event or adventure presents itself. That might be a local triathlon, or a long-distance hike now I have the time.
That's a pretty good philosophy. And I hear that bike-packing in Japan might be on the cards soon? 😊
Who's your greatest rival?
My younger self…how long can I keep anywhere near her?
You've had a couple of memorable moments on the bike?
Yes...two crashes. Both times I came off my bike – once in a race and once on a training ride.
The first time was during a Half Ironman in Canada, on a corner. I got back on and finished, but every time I rode past spectators, they’d see the road rash and I'd hear, "Ouch... that must have hurt!" Very annoying when trying to refocus and put it out of my mind.
The second happened when a friend went down in front of me during a training ride. It was awful. Everything was in slow motion, trying to decide where to manoeuvre to cause the least injury. I’m not sure whether I made the right decision or if I made a decision at all. It happened in a flash.
Any other race-day mistakes?
How long have you got?
I've forgotten my bike shoes leaving T1 (before I learnt to put them on the bike), got lost in transition, under-fuelled before the World Championships and bonked 5km into the 10km run, and I’ve done the same thing in a Half Ironman. It's why I prefer shorter distance races – I don’t have to be as diligent with nutrition.
What's your favourite post-race recovery?
A nap on the couch.
The best! But surely now you've recently retired you can nap all the time 😊. How's retirement treating you?
Excellent!
A good friend recommended the book How to Have an Epic Retirement, and I couldn't recommend it highly enough.
Nine months in and I’m not regretting the decision at all. I love taking the time over a cuppa in the morning, reading the news in depth or deciding it’s a nice day for a long hike. Although I do occasionally question why I'm still getting up for the early swims...
I question every Tuesday and Friday morning why I'm getting up early to swim!
What else keeps you busy in retirement?
Travel is a big one.
I recently spent a fabulous month backpacking through Vietnam, hiking in the jungle, swimming in caves and eating the best food. My next little get away is a week in FNQ and then as you say, maybe Japan later in the year.
I also love native plants and wildflowers, so I enjoy a good orchid hunt. In fact, I once stopped Lou Shaw during a gravel ride because I'd spotted some orchids!
Wowsers, how did she take that?! 😉
What's the best advice you've ever received?
"You've got to have a plan, because then you have something to change."
Hidden talent?
I can’t sing in tune, paint a portrait or sew a dress…but I'm surprisingly good at spotting echidnas in the bush.
Finally, what's something else we should know about you?
I lived for 20 years in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada, where I first discovered triathlon in 1997. It’s where the original Ironman Canada used to be held and is Canada’s holiday playground – lakes, ski hills, wineries and tons of other outdoor activities.
Oh, and I used to give wine tasting courses.
These days... I just enjoy drinking it.
