Short Introduction

The most promising upcoming star on the junior circuit this year is none other than the Slovakian European Champion, Margaret Vrablova. I am happy to say she is an astonishing human being and I am truly amazed by how she developed year by year. Our racing history stretches far back in time. Of all these races, I was the happiest for Her at the Aquathlon European Championships last year, where she grabbed the gold. After the race, we had the chance to spend an amazing night together and celebrate. We talked a lot over an amazing pizza and as she told me Her story and struggles, it stuck with me. She is an inspiration for everyone.

Beginnings

First of all, do you remember when and where we met first?

I remember it very well. It was in 2019, in Levice, Slovakia. You came for an aquathlon race with your siblings. I was stunned by how strong you were, even the guys had problems and of course, you destroyed all the girls. 😀

Then, the next year you came again to Slovakia, I felt truly happy that we were able to speak and take our first photo.

To be honest, on the way home from that race, you were the topic of our conversation. We were surprised that we hadn’t heard of you yet, but I knew from that day that you were going to make it big. But let’s rewind a little bit: how and when did you start doing triathlons?

Well, I grew up with triathlon since I was a child. It started when I was still in the stroller watching my father compete, but to tell the truth, I enjoyed doing sports much more than just watching them. I was introduced to various sports from a young age. I learned to swim and ride a bike at the age of 5. At this age I competed in my first aquathlon race, of course just for fun - I ran barefoot😀. Basically, our family is a sporty one, we were always doing something. We went hiking, skiing…

I started doing triathlons under my father’s guidance when I was 11 years old.

In 2021 as a 16-year-old, I went to my first Europe Triathlon Junior Cup in Olsztyn and my pre-race thoughts were like: “OK, if I perhaps will be able to bike in 2nd or 3rd pack and finish around 25th I would be really happy…” so you can probably imagine how shocked I was to be in the lead group and finishing 2nd! Seriously during the race, I was wondering what am I doing here?!

The year of struggles

The last year was rough for you, did you feel the need for you to take a little time off? How was your off-season?

Yes, really rough. I had a LOT of misfortune. I felt like sinking deeper and deeper, trying to find the bottom so I could bounce back. And believe me, I found a lot of them.

Off-season? I guess in 2022 I probably had three of them.

You were struggling with serious health issues; how did you manage it mentally? Can you walk us through the process of coming back and preparing to race again?

In January I went to a training camp in Lanzarote and after 5 days it was over. ITBS (Iliotibial Band Syndrome) injury, it was around 3 months without running. During recovering I got Covid-19. I would not even know about it if were not for the positive test. But because of that, I had breathing problems for the rest of the year.

After fixing the problem with my leg and 5 weeks of running again, I went to a Europe Triathlon Junior Cup Caorle. I finished second behind Tilda Månsson (the winner of the Elite World Triathlon Cup Bergen). I was so happy, that my tears started dropping on my cheeks. That was like a miracle.

Week after I started in another Europe Triathlon Junior Cup in Panevezys, Latvia. That was just part of my journey to Europe Triathlon Junior Championships in Olsztyn. I was able to take the win.

And about the European Championships, the misfortune continued? The semifinal went well (I won mine), but I crashed during the bike part in the final and finished 20th. At least I qualified for the World Championships in Montreal.

Three days prior the flight to Montreal I started to feel weak. I hoped things would get better, but did not. I tried to race, but could not breathe and was not able to finish. My first ever DNF (Did Not Finish). After coming back I was diagnosed with Herpes Zoster and the blood tests showed, that I also had mononucleosis. That meant my race season was over in the beginning of June. I had four weeks off, and then I slowly started the preparation for the next season.

Don’t worry, there is a happy ending

I’m brutally honest when saying that I have goosebumps reading this. But despite the bad things, you had a blast season. You placed 6th at the Youth European Champs and became an Aquathlon European Champion. What were your main goals with these races?

Yeah, I was training for 4 weeks and I received a call from the national team coach If I am able to participate in the youth European Champs? I was not sure, but we agreed, that I will go. Just to enjoy the atmosphere of the race, I didn’t travel there for the results. And that’s typical me… Aquathlon European Championships were so close and only one week after, so I decided to prolong this adventure a little bit more. The only goal of the trip was to finish the season with the best possible attitude. I think I managed that pretty well 😀

I’ve followed your races and we raced a lot together too. It’s obvious that this year you stepped up a level. You’re more confident on the bike and your swim is no joke. Is this improvement a result of a well-planned program that you follow?

To tell the truth, I struggled the whole last year. I was not able to reach the “numbers” from previous year. And this year? I am definitely much stronger and more confident on the bike, but I am building my fitness step by step. Of course we have a long-term plan, but … you know plans are just plans…

It seems that you have a great relationship with your father, he is the strategist behind your career magic. In our family, our parents are the coaches and managers too. What does the dynamic of your father-daughter and coach-athlete relationship look like?

Probably you are one of the few people who can really imagine how complicated this relationship is. My dad knows me better than anyone else, sometimes I think even better than I know myself. He is always ready to help me, he is with me on training and he always knows how I feel. He is also my sparring so we always suffer together. I guess I cannot really imagine doing triathlon without him. I know, it’s difficult for him. Sometimes he is too soft on me. Often I have too many comments during training, which is quite usual in a father-daughter relationship, but not usual for a coach. However, in my case, it’s the same person. We are a team … that’s all.

“I didn’t think about winning”

A Junior European Cup win in Melilla Spain, then in Quartiera, Portugal. You showed the Junior field that you are a real contender for winning the Junior Rankings this year. Did you expect this to happen?

Honestly, I didn’t think about winning. Last year I didn’t have the opportunity to race any sprint triathlon. I just wanted to start building my race shape. I was looking forward to racing in such a strong field of athletes and wanted to do my best and have fun, which I certainly did.

What were your goals running into this season? Did these plans change after your early successes?

Our plan was to start the season this early because I was really hungry to race again.

Let’s change the topic a bit. Last time we met, you said that you take school seriously. Pursuing triathlon at this level as you do is truly time-consuming, the training, traveling, and racing. How do you manage to be a student and athlete at the same time, how does school look like for you?

I have Individual Studying Plan. It allows me to study online. I think it’s very efficient.

Would you like to apply to university, what would you study?

Yes of course. I definitely plan to start studying at university.  I just need to find a program that allows me to combine sports and studying. I am thinking about physiology or sports science.

Looking into the future, what are your long-term goals after this season?

That is really hard to tell. There is a long journey in front of me … I hope. I know it will take many years to become a good triathlete, but I decided to go this way.

Transition Zone aka Fast Questions

What music motivates you during the toughest training? What is the music that sets you in race mode?

I don’t listen to music very often… If I do, it is a mix of all.

What is your go-to meal before races?

If I race in the morning it’s porridge with fruit and cereals. I the race is in the afternoon the menu is rice with pineapple.

Apart from Slovakia, where do you feel at home? (anywhere in the world)

Probably Spain.

If you could go on a vacation, would you choose the beaches or the mountains?

Mountains, for sure.

If you had to choose a sport, but it can’t be triathlon, what would you choose?

Cross-country running.

That’s a wrap!

I am really thankful to Margaret for taking this interview with me. I am sure I can say it in all of our readers’ names, we wish you the best of luck for this year and beyond!

And also Thank You (yes, You!) for taking the time to read this blog post. If you are interested in past blogs, go check them out and if you are interested in the next ones, follow me on my socials to get notified. If you found a mistake or have an idea for the future, please do not hesitate to reach out to me on the given platforms!

See Ya at the next one! :)

Disclaimer All the photos above were taken by the FETRI or Margaret herself, the are the respectful owners.