Sports
Mikelle Coelho: Confidence and Strategy at Ironman 70.3 Brasília
The professional triathlete from Fortaleza shares her journey, preparation for the Full Ironman, and the importance of personal motivation.
Professional triathlete Mikelle Coelho reflects on her journey and anticipation for the Ironman 70.3 Brasília. She details her Full Ironman planning, including a training camp in Mallorca and a race in Lisbon. The athlete also reveals her sources of motivation and personal curiosities.
In an exclusive interview directly from the Nubank Ultravioleta Ironman 70.3 Brasília, hosts Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura welcomed professional triathlete Mikelle Coelho, hailing from Fortaleza. Mica, as she is known, opened up about her journey in the sport, her preparation for upcoming races, and her inspirations.
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The Evolution of a Professional Triathlete
Last year marked Mikelle's debut on the professional circuit, a period she describes as a year of testing and new experiences. "It was a year of testing, of novelty, of new experiences," she states. After competing in various 70.3 races, both in Brazil and abroad, she now feels more composed and confident.
With the experience gained, Mikelle better understands her body and the path forward, making her feel like she's in the "right place." She emphasizes that experience brings more calm and self-awareness, crucial elements for high performance.
Ironman 70.3 Brasília: Challenges and Strategy
Familiar with the Brasília race, where she placed sixth the previous year, Mikelle describes it as very fast. She recalled the challenge of swimming in the river, unlike the ocean she's accustomed to, and the fast bike course. Last year, she faced the run with an injury, but for the current edition, she is 100% confident.
When it comes to competition, Mikelle adopts a strategy focused on herself. "I try to focus more on myself. On me, on what I can deliver," she reveals. Although she does a superficial study of the start list, the priority is personal performance and what she has trained for, avoiding distractions with others' results.
Heading Towards a Full Ironman: Training and Planning
Brasília marks Mikelle's first race of the year, following a cycle of four months of direct training for Ironman Brazil, her main race of the semester at the full distance. She feels well-prepared and excited about the process, without the common fatigue of intense cycles.
The post-Brasília plan is intense: there will be no tapering. The Monday after the race, Mikelle heads to Mallorca, Spain, for a training camp focused on the final hard bike and long run workouts. Afterward, she'll make a brief stop in Lisbon for a race representing her sponsor, Itaú, before returning to Brazil for the final taper in Florianópolis.
"I'm so eager to do this full cycle that I'm enjoying it 100%," Mikelle shares about her return to Ironman Floripa after four years. Her motivation is high, fueling every stage of her preparation.
Athlete's Curiosities and Inspirations
In a quick Q&A, Mikelle shared some personal details:
- Training Music: Always gospel music (louvor), with her affectionately named playlist "Heaven's Caffeine."
- Desired Superpower: "Run faster," wanting to be The Flash.
- Soccer Team: Ferroviário.
- Post-Race Food: Madero.
- Longest Bike Ride: 215 km in Portugal, during her December vacation.
- Childhood Idol: Ayrton Senna.
She also highlighted the importance of her mother, affectionately called "My Lady" on her social media. "She's my number one supporter. She's my number one fan," says Mikelle, who sees her as her greatest inspiration as a woman and a person, and a great force in her athletic career.
With the Brasília race and Ironman Brazil on the horizon, Mikelle Coelho demonstrates the mindset of a focused and inspired athlete, ready for the challenges and achievements that high-performance sports can offer. Her journey is an example of dedication, self-awareness, and passion.
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