Here's my latest interview with witsup.com.

Team Keatsy – Mission Kona

Bek Keat has been one of our Ambassadors since we first floated the idea of Witsup past her. In fact, if our memory serves us correctly, her response to being asked to be an Ambassador was not too dissimilar to "heck yeah!" In this interview we caught up with Bek just over a week out from the Hawaiian Ironman World Championships to see how she was shaping up for this year's event. She joins us from Kona where she has settled in with her coach, Siri Lindley and her 'Team Sirius' teammates some of whom are also racing in Kona – Leanda Cave and Luke McKenzie.
In our opinion, Bek is looking like she's in terrific shape, and she is most definitely ready to roll come race day...

It's time to get on the TEAM KEATSY – MISSION KONA train people.

Nine sleeps out from the Hawaiian Ironman World Championships, does that mean that you've started your taper, or do you have a few more hard hits outs before the big day?

We have definitely started to do a little less. Siri still has her pitchfork sometimes, but not as often – haha! I love this time of the year. It's the only time you can cut back and know you have done the work and not feel guilty.

Are there any key sessions that you get in just before race day?

There are really no key sessions just before race day. We have done the work, and really, we just do what makes us feel good. Plus making sure our equipment is ready and that we know the course is the most important 'session'.

Who's your support crew this year in Kona? Is it important to you on race day to have them around you, or are you just focussed on your race plan?

Unfortunately, my most important family members didn't come this year. I am so lucky to have my coach and my friends from home, including Matt, my ART guru and Darwin my PT. My local BSC crew are coming to support me too, which is exciting as they are a new sponsor.

How hard is it to have spent a lot of time away from your family and loved ones while you've been training and racing overseas?

This is definitely the hardest part. I really miss my home and my family back in Burleigh, but, I get to spend five months at home after this so I can look forward to that.

What are the biggest challenges that you've faced at this race in the past?

The whole race is a challenge. Toeing the start line fit and injury free is the biggest challenge. The race itself has so many elements – the heat the wind are obviously physical hurdles, but how your mind can overcome the pain which is relentless towards the end of the run is a huge challenge! With 15 years in the sport I have learnt how to deal with most of the challenges.

The women's field is exceptional, with no clear favourite, are you targeting anyone race day?

I always get asked this and everyone knows who the favorites are. I'm not one of them in the bookies books, but I'm ok with that, I know how fit and how strong I feel. I have done everything possible (and more) to make sure very stone has been over-turned. I have fine-tuned the tools, so now, its only up to me to carve out a great result.

You had a cracker at Ironman new York to get you across the line and qualify for Kona, but you had very little run training under your belt at the time, sporting that calf injury. Tell us. How is it feeling? How's the rest of the body feeling?

The legs are great I am much better prepared than I was for New York. The soleus tear was very frustrating, but, luckily it was only a minor setback. I certainly wasn't run fit in New York, but still managed a solid day. I hope I can improve on that and really run to the best of my capabilities.

We all know that the Ironman game is more than just physical. How much of your preparation has been mental as well? And, how much of a role will that play on race day?

The race doesn't start until the last 10km on the run – I totally believe this! It's all about how much pain you can tolerate for that final stretch. I have little affirmations I use to overcome bad patches, but, usually I just grit my teeth and think of the hard work I have put in over the last 15 years to get my through it. My body is used to pain. We are all used to it. We put ourselves through it daily, so we learn how to deal with it.

What tips have you got for the 60+ Aussie women age groupers racing this year in Kona?

Nutrition and drinking! Make sure you have a good plan to get in enough fluids and calories, and then have a back up plan too.
Make sure you familiarise yourself with the course and especially the trade winds near the bike turn. If you can practice with the winds before race day, you won't be as nervous if its windy on the day.
When you're coming down steep descents with winds, stay low and commit to one position. Don't move around, just keep pedaling to keep the torque on your bike constant. Coasting or rolling down the hill will only mean you get harder hit by the wind.

QUESTION FROM A READER – Oscar Mendez: What's your general advice for nutrition in Ironman?

Hey ... I go by the rule of thumb 1-1.5 grams carb/kg of body weight per hour. Make sure you practice this in training and come race day, stick to the food you usually eat.

QUESTION FROM A READER – Nick McDonald: Bek, can you share with our readers why you are not more active in promoting your sexuality as part of being an athlete? What are your thoughts on those who think people with a profile like yours are obliged to champion the cause of minority groups in sport and in life? What do you think about the fact that there is very few (if any) AFL footballers that are prepared to acknowledge their sexuality in a public arena and use their fame to help breakdown some of the barriers that gay and lesbian people (and athletes) face.

Thanks for the question, I'm not sure of your sexual orientation but I'm assuming, like me you are openly gay, or you are open-minded which is a positive. Firstly I am actually quite active and open about my sexuality – I'm the Gold Coast Gay Ambassador. Plus, I have a 'rainbow' tattoo – haha!

I have always been honest and supportive of gay movement. Whenever I have been asked to support anything from Gay Pride or any minority group for that matter I always will. I also like to support any organization that is specifically supportive to women in sport. That's why I am so proud to be an ambassador for WITSUP, which is all about promoting the women in our sport (and sport in general).

I have never felt obliged to use my profile to promote Gay Pride, and being gay certainly isn't a disability. I don't feel it's necessary to go around promoting being gay, just like it's not necessary for straight people. In saying this though, I am proud and happy to be active in supporting something I feel strongly about.

In reference to the AFL footballers, I think it's (unfortunately) a little different. AFL is an extremely masculine sport, and men in general are a lot more scrutinized because of their sexual orientation than women. I personally have never been subject to abuse, discrimination or judgement because of my sexuality, and I'd like to think that in this day and age people are a lot more accepting. I hope the day comes soon when a footballer feels that he can be openly gay.

Bek, before we go, is there anyone you'd like to thank?

My amazing coach Siri and my family for allowing me to live this dream and supporting my career for so long. I also want to thank all my awesome sponsors:

Body Science, Trek, Kswiss, TYR, Cobb Saddles, Gold Coast Tourism, Xlab, Fuel Belt, Bontrager and Oakley

Thanks Bek – have a ripper out there. We're all cheering for you!