The art of keeping it simple on the road to Tokyo

After having her best year in 2019, British triathlete Jess Learmonth is hoping to build on her success with qualification for a first Olympic Games this summer

Jess Learmonth is aiming for a first Olympics later this year (Getty)

After having her best year in 2019, British triathlete Jess Learmonth is hoping to build on her success with qualification for Tokyo 2020 in sight.

The Leeds native only took up the sport at the age of 24 when she competed in a local triathlon, but she enjoyed the experience and her career soon snowballed.

The 31-year-old has quickly progressed to the elite squad and had success on the World Triathlon Series in 2019 claiming silver at the Grand Final in Lausanne.

Having entered the sport so late, triathlon was all about fun for Learmonth and she tries not to set specific goals heading into races preferring to take each one as it comes.

“I started off quite well throughout the year but towards the end, I probably had the best run I’ve ever done in Lausanne in the Grand Final,” Learmonth said.

“It was quite nice to finish the season off with that so that I can progress into this year. For me, it’s always about progressing. Because I’m so late into the sport I must learn quickly and analyse my performances and look at what I need to work on.

“If I spend years doing it, I’ll run out of time, so I have a bit of pressure in that respect, but I just enjoy it and I love going around the world with the GB girls.

“I don’t see it as major goalsetting – it’s just a triathlon race for me! I have a bit of fun, it’s hard work training but when it gets to racing, I just enjoy it and try to look at it that way.”

All roads lead to Tokyo for many athletes this year, but for Learmonth it will be her first taste of trying to qualify for an Olympic Games.

Four years ago, the triathlete was in the Great Britain squad and helped Vicky Holland and Non Stanford prepare for their time in Rio.

But Learmonth isn’t focusing on the end goal. Simplicity is key, and her main aim is to stay fit and healthy so that if the Olympic opportunity arises, she will be raring to go.

“I’ve never experienced anything like the Olympics,” Learmonth added. “In 2016 I was helping Vicky and Non out in St Moritz and my role in the squad was to help them prepare for Rio.

“It was really interesting being with them, helping them on the camp. I lived it with them but obviously didn’t have any involvement in the Olympics themselves and that was a nice learning curve.

“But for me, obviously I’d love to go and it’s a long way away and anything can happen, but I’ve not thought about it that much.

“I’m just trying to have a similar season to last year. I’m doing the majority of the World Triathlon Series races and mainly trying to stay fit and healthy, because with triathlon there’s always a risk that something could go wrong.

“My main aim is looking at each week to make sure I don’t overreach or do something stupid. I’m not doing anything I wouldn’t do usually just because it’s the Olympic year – I’m just keeping it simple.”

British Triathlon are hosting the World Triathlon Series Leeds 2020 from 6 – 7 June. Tickets are now on sale