Triathlon Madrid KM0 from the point of view of the national elite. We interview Natalia Raña

"Triathlon Madrid KM0 IS a very solid project with very good prospects of becoming a reference TRIATLON of LD worldwide"

"I love those triathlons of organizers who like this sport who break their horns by making circuits in places that do not leave you indifferent as Madrid KMO Triathlon"

Galician settled down in Madrid, of adventurous blood and with many km "of experiences", Natalia Raña is a reference in Spain in the world of Triathlon.

With almost two decades of "triathlon" on her legs, touring circuits at an international level and sharing experiences since she was only 10 years old with her little brother Iván Raña, Natalia is also a superior triathlon trainer and material tester for Triathlon News, facets that support his professional career as a benchmark, both at a training level (Diploma in EF and Graduate in INEF) and for his experience in the world of sport.

Natalia started doing sports with only 10 years, when every day he ran through "Galician lands" with his little brother Ivan so as not to miss the bus that took them from Ordes to Santiago for their swimming training, making each day "an adventure". A 18 years competed in his first test, achieving his first podium, under the guidance of his coach Cesar Varela.

Years later, Natalia remains in the National Elite combining her work with the trainings that, despite limiting her to take the free time she would like, allows her to continue enjoying the sport and even achieve some podiums in the most important tests of medium distance at national level.

From Triathlon News we want to interview Natalia today, and know in this way her point of view about TRIATLON MADRID KM0

Natalia Raña

You have competed in many international events, and lots of different circuits and cities, so you have an excellent criterion at the time of selecting the tests to compete and / or recommend the athletes. What do you think about the circuits of TRIATLON MADRID KM0 and what Did you feel when you heard that Madrid was going to host a circuit of this magnitude and neither more nor less than in Long Distance?

At first I thought it was a risky bet. Then you know who is behind the organization, you realize that it is a very solid project and with very good prospects of becoming a reference triathlon of LD worldwide.

Swimming takes place in the swamp of Buitrago de Lozoya, a beautiful place. The quality of the water is very good, very clear and calm.
The bike circuit can be compared to an important stage of the Tour of Spain, three important and mythical ports in the Sierra Madrileña will make this sector something different from other long distance triathlons that you can find worldwide.

The race on foot for Madrid Río taking advantage of an infrastructure created to show Madrid to the world through an Olympic Games, to finish the test in the famous Puerta del Sol. A tall triathlon for a great Capital.

You no longer dedicate yourself professionally to the competition itself, but if we have seen you on the starting line, and even podiums, this year in the elite category, how do you combine your workouts and work in order to remain in the national elite?

It is difficult to combine training and work. I should do many more sessions than I do, but there are days when I don't feel like going out at all. In the pool your legs swell a lot from the heat and humidity and the sensations after training are horrible.

Even so I try to do a minimum session a day, apart from adapting the classes that I have to give in the aquafitness pool to take advantage of and make a career or strength technique, since I have to do it to serve me as well.

Galician settled in Madrid, I guess part of your training during these years have been on the circuits in which this test will now be held What would you tell the athletes who are going to compete or are thinking of enrolling in TRIATLON MADRID KM0?

To those who are facing this distance for the first time, first my admiration and respect. The Ironman distance is hard in itself and on this circuit it increases. I think the only fact that considering such a career is brave people. It is a great challenge and I think a "little twist" in search of the physical and psychic limits of this sport.

I imagine that all those who dare to a challenge like this are well prepared and little can be said. Only wish them luck and that everything goes to face to enjoy crossing the finish line at Puerta del Sol.

In addition to being a sportsman, you are a coach. What advice do you give to the triathletes who will face each other for the first time at this distance?

 Those who confront each other for the first time would advise them not to be afraid, only to respect distance. Eat and drink well on the bike. Try to regulate yourself on the bike, it is hard and many kilometers ahead. The race ends running and you have to arrive with strength.

And above all go out with the idea that you're going to end up ... be a finisher, that there are bad moments, but if you are clear about finishing, everything is overcome.

Natalia Raña

When choosing a circuit to compete or recommend to the triathletes you train What are you looking for?

When I choose tests to compete I give a lot of importance to the organization. I want a safe place, that the circuits are well controlled, refreshments and facilities to reach the transitions.

Another facet that is important for me is that the circuit is spectacular, if possible. Every time I like less the franchise triathlons ... "all the same and polygonal circuits", but this is a personal vision, perhaps because of my adventurous spirit.

I love those triathlons by organizers who like this sport who “break their horns” by doing circuits in places that do not leave you indifferent. It is very noticeable later in the environment in the race: Vitoria, Pamplona, ​​Palmaces, Guadalajara… ..and of course Madrid KM0 Triathlon

Would you recommend this test?

 For those who come prepared with good training and kilometers on top and who are looking for an altitude challenge, I think that KMO is a good place to find your limits.

Will we see you cheering the triathletes who train this 2015 and on the starting line in the 2016?

At the moment this year I am watching it from the barrier, although it has been very tempting the possibility of being able to participate .... Next year I leave (it smiles)

Natalia Raña

About Natalia Raña:

Natalia Raña Fuentes was born in Ordes (A Coruña) ago 37 years ago. It is the second of five brothers who have always been linked to the world of sports encouraged by their parents.

At the age of nine, she starts swimming at the Club Natación Santiago accompanied by her little brother Ivan Raña. They attend their workouts three times a week. When leaving the school they took a bus that took them to Santiago and at the end they took another one back to their house.
For years he is dedicated to swimming participating in different Galician swimming championships.

During this time he enters the world of athletics as part of the physical preparation for swimming.

At eighteen he participates in his first triathlon. His swimming coach Cesar Varela is the one who encourages her to try this new sport.

During his first seasons in this sport is Cesar Varela who leaves the road bike to compete.

In these first years, he only works in triathlon in the summer months, obtaining the second place in Spain in the Junior category in the Spanish Triathlon Championship held in Gijón in the 1998 year.

The following year in Burgos it obtains the third place in Junior and 7 ° absolute.

After these results appears the opportunity to go to train scholarship to the Residence Joaquin Blume of Madrid.

He starts to compete representing the Spanish Triathlon Team by different tests in Europe getting podiums and finalist positions in many of them. Highlight the position of finalist in the European Championship Sub-23 Antalya (Turkey) 3 ° ITU EVENT Azoresy 7 ° ITU EVENT Copenhagen in addition to different participations in the World Cups in Nice and Hungary.

When he finished his time in the Blume Residence, he returned to Galicia and decided to dedicate more time to his academic training by finishing his studies in Physical Education Teaching and started his Bachelor of Science in Physical Activity and Sports in the Inef-Galicia.

After years without competing in Triathlon, in the year 2010 returns to the competition with 3 ° remaining in the Spanish Duathlon Championship in Soria, 14 ° Cros in the Ring Triathlon World Championship (Cáceres), 1 ° Duatlon Championship in Madrid and Duatlon Cros.

At the moment it has reoriented its race towards the long distance obtaining good results in different tests on average distance.

  • 3 ° Half Triathlon Lisbon 2015
  • 1 ° Ecotrimad medium distance 2015
  • 3 ° Half Pamplona 2015
  • 5 ° Championship Spain Triathlon MD 2015
  • 2 ° ICAN-Malaga 2014 and 3 ° in 2013

Natalia actively collaborates with TRIATLONNOTICIAS.COM writing material tests, in addition to being a Triathlon coach for the Spanish Triathlon Federation and working professionally in a gym as a Lifeguard and Swimming Monitor.

Author: Susana Sancha, Communication Challenge

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