Rebekah Keat's win at Ironman Australia in 2007 was a bittersweet redemption for the Aussie triathlete who is currently still entangled in a lawsuit with a supplement manufacturer after her positive drug test in 2004. We had a few words with her as she is getting ready for the Quelle Challenge Roth.
ST: Rebekah, can you tell us what is going on with the positive test/supplement issue?
Rebekah: I am currently lecturing as a guest speaker for ASADA Australian Sports Anti Doping Authority. I am fortunate enough to be able to tell my story, by educating to athletes and Coaches on the risk of using SUPPLEMENTS. I also talk about how supplements played a part in my positive test, and how they can cause an inadvertent positive drug test. I hope my story helps to prevent athletes from having to go through what I went through!
ST: What is the current status with the lawsuit? Any updates?
Rebekah: We have a date set for the trial in September 2009, and I am hoping at least for an apology from the company involved.
ST: Do you feel you are now fueled by thoughts of redemption?
Rebekah: I guess my first race back I wanted to prove a point! I wanted the public to know the truth and that all I was guilty of was hard work! The reason I race has not changed, I do Ironman because I love it and love to win. I race for myself and knowing within myself that I am innocent is definitely what helps to drive me! I am racing better and feeling stronger than ever before, I think going through something so tragic makes you a lot tougher. It also helps you to realize the most important things in your life such as your family's support is all that matters!
ST: Can you tell us about your family and how they are part of your team?
Rebekah: My twin and I have an amazing bond, we know each other inside out and she has always been there for me! My mum went through my pain with me, I think she and my sister hurt as much as I did in those two years when they could see how much I was suffering!
ST: Rebekah, after your win at Ironman Australia you had a very impressive 6th place at the 2007 Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. How did that match up with your expectations?
Rebekah: I was aiming for top 6 so was not too disappointed! I was with the lead women with 30km to go on the bike, but got a 4-minute penalty and lost 10 minutes to the lead girls. I continued on my own for the last 30km suffering with severe cramping! I found myself in reach of 3rd place at the energy lab, but ended up losing 4th and 5th place along the finish straight! I was then diagnosed with Hyponaetremia after the race, and put on 3kg during the race which apparently is not healthy as my body was not absorbing fluids.
ST: Challenge Roth is next, what else do you have on your race schedule this season?
Rebekah: Roth Ironman will be exciting, as I have wanted to do this for a few years and I cant wait! I will do some shorter Half’s in Oz and Singapore 70.3 then back to tackle the Big Island!
ST: What is your athletic background and who or what inspired you to race triathlons?
Rebekah: I ran cross-country, and did a bit of swimming at high school. I made state level and didn’t really over excel because I never trained! My sister used to beat me in swimming, athletics and cross-country all the way through high school and I was always the runner up! I think my intrinsic motivation to get the very best out of myself at any sport, is what drove me to take up an individual sport like Triathlon. It meant I no longer relied on my teammates but on myself. Which I liked as I could only let myself down!
ST: Please describe a typical hard training week for us?
Rebekah: 450km biking, 15km swimming and 70km running
ST: If you could change anything about the sport of triathlon, what would it be?
Rebekah: To keep drafting out of Olympic distance world Championships and maybe shorten the swim! ☺
ST: How are things going for you in terms of sponsorship?
Rebekah: Fantastic, I have had amazing support from my major sponsors Scody, Asics, Professional Investment Services and Planet-X.
ST: Do you follow any other sports?
Rebekah: I love watching Swimming and Tennis!
ST: Can you share with us some of your food likes and dislikes?
Rebekah: I love chocolate, chicken caesar salad, coffee, coca-cola, lollies!
ST: What about music? Anything you listen to more often?
Rebekah: Pink…she rocks!!
ST: What was the last book you read?
Rebekah: The local paper…I am bad at reading but its something I would like to try to do more of, there is just not enough time in my day to relax! I like trashy mags!
ST: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Rebekah: Probably close to being retired and kicking back in my beachfront apartment with two kids running around!
ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?
Rebekah: I am a twin and my sister’s name is Simone she is my best mate!
