Member of the Month is a new feature from Triathlon WA, created to celebrate the incredible people who make our clubs and our sport so great. To kick off the series Sue Libbis has been nominated – a proud member of the North Coast Triathlon Club for 20 years. Sue is an inspiring woman – an athlete, coach, and volunteer who balances work, family, friends, and racing.
We had the pleasure of connecting with Sue to learn more about her story, discover some fun facts, and hear some of her tips.
How long have you been a member of North Coast Tri Club?
Since my first race I guess, so about 20 years. I love being part of this club and have seen so many changes in the sport and in its members as well. Not to mention equipment! I was on the Committee for some time as a member and as Secretary and coached the WIT women in running for a few years which I loved. I have made many great friends, some that are lifelong friends for sure. But I also really enjoy the enthusiasm and energy that new members bring to the club. It is contagious!
Outside of Triathlon what other hobbies/interests do you have?
Training for Triathlon doesn’t leave me with much extra time (especially working full-time), but I do like to spend time with my family and friends, read and have done some amazing hikes in Tasmania in the last couple of years.
What advice would you give to someone new to the sport/
Go slow! Not on race day, but often new members go straight to 70.3 and IM events and burn out after a couple of years. Make time to take part in Club and Local events and really enjoy the triathlon lifestyle. Ironman distance is not going anywhere soon!
What is one goal you have for the season?
I guess we all just want to get to those start and finish lines injury free and really enjoy the vast array of events we are so lucky to have on our doorstep.
Funniest or weirdest thing to happen to you in a triathlon or in training?
There have been quite a few but the first super embarrassing one was my 2nd Busso Half where a friend and I (terrified of getting a puncture-something that has not changed to this day) decided to get some ‘goo’ put into our tubes…a couple of days before the event. As a result of pre-race nerves in the morning (which also hasn’t changed to this day) I somehow cross-threaded the valve and the green ‘goo’ squirted out at force all over my face and my wetsuit about 15minutes before race start. Fortunately, a very nice man changed the tyre while I was on the beach so that when I got to my bike it was good to go, and I continued the race with no further issues. Since then, I have rarely put air in my tyres on race morning!
What’s your go to post race or training food?
Ah, always hot chips and champagne when I can find them. That has been a longstanding post-race tradition
Do you have anyone you look up to/admire in the sport of Triathlon
After 20 years in the sport there are so many people who I have trained with, been coached by and simply chatted to that I wouldn’t like to name anyone, but I would like to think that they know who they are. Each person brings or has brought their own special qualities to the sport whether it is their talent, determination or wisdom. But of course, I love seeing the pros in action – watching Lucy Charles Barclay come charging out of the water in Nice was amazing! I guess that is what we all like to think we look like in action -‘ the Pros’, a pity we get so many photos that tell us otherwise!
We’re incredibly grateful to Sue for taking the time to share her journey, her wisdom, and a few laughs with us. Her passion for the sport and her commitment to the triathlon community truly embody what makes our clubs so special. Thank you, Sue, for being our very first Triathlon WA Member of the Month – we couldn’t have asked for a better person to kick off this new series!
If you know someone in our sport, whether they are an athlete, volunteer, technical official or coach who you think is worthy of this feature please let us know, we would love to hear from you, please contact jo.bennett@wa.triathlon.org.au
Sue & North Coast Tri Club Members before the start of the 2014 Melbourne 70.3