ATHLETE OF THE MONTH – MARCH 2020

HEDDA COOPER


 

 

 

 Congratulations to Hedda Cooper, AOTM for March 2020 for winning her age group at Mooloolaba Triathlon.

 

Hedda's exceptional performance is relevant for us all in the current COVID-19 context. Hedda's preparation was less than ideal by spending one month in India completing her medical studies with limited training opportunities before integrating into the squad for three weeks leading into Mooloolaba.

 

Her mental strength, positive attitude and ability to negotiate the challenges associated with maintaining her fitness should be noted by all members of the squad. Well done!

 

 

 

1.                       Red Dog AOTM, how do you feel about that?

What a privilege. There are so many great athletes at red dog that I look up to immensely. 

 

2.                       What attracted you to the club?

Alana. 

And I kept bumping into Trent at Yeronga pool

                                                                                                                                                                                 

3.                       How much training do you do at the moment?

I’ve had a pretty scattered year of training so I’m just trying to do what I can where I can. I was in India for a month earlier this year so I was limited to just running. Now with the pools closed I’m trying to ride/run on alternating days. 

 

4.                       Least favourite session and why?

I’m not a big fan of indoor or stationary sessions. Or the rowing machine… Luckily the red dog program has next to none of these sessions! 

 

5.                       If you had one wish, what would it be?

To live close to all of my favourite people. All my family and many dear friends live in Melbourne and I miss them constantly. And when I’m in Melbourne I miss my QLD friends. 

 

6.                       Favourite motivational quote? 

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog. 

  

7.                       The one bit of advice I’d give to a newbie is…

Show up. And try run short strides at track otherwise Trent will yell at you. 

 

8.                       My next race is…

Sunshine Coast 70.3 I hope. 

 

9.                       I couldn’t do what I do without…

My grandma. I can’t articulate how much she means to me. 

 

10.                   What do you do outside of triathlons?

I’m currently in my final year of medical school so I spend a lot of time standing around the hospital trying to blend into walls and make myself invisible. Sometimes I do some study. A lot of the time I eat icecream. 

 

11.                   What’s your one guilty pleasure?

Festive foods. Mainly hot cross buns and mince tarts. And I love reading




A list of all AOTM recipients can be found here