Meet Michael Pratt, a Victorian triathlete preparing to represent Australia at the upcoming World Championships in Pontevedra as an Age Group athlete.
Michael is now preparing for his 20th outing in the green and gold, a feat he was never sure was going to happen.
“I didn’t know if I would be good enough to qualify for one World Championships, let alone 20,” Pratt said.
The lure of Worlds keeps Pratt driven and gives added meaning to every single race throughout the season.
“It gives focus to my training year, with the season based around performing at World Championships. Especially in an individual sports the opportunity to represent Team Australia is an honour and privilege.”
With plenty of World Championship experience under his belt, it can be hard to keep that hunger alive. But for Pratt it’s more than just competing it’s about representing the country and traveling to new places to compete.
“Every Championship is different, new places, new people and new challenges. It keeps it fresh and exciting, leaving you wanting to do more.”
When asked about what he’s learnt over his time representing Team Australia, Pratt highlighted the importance of taking a moment to reflect on the occasion and not getting swept away with race prep.
“To take in the whole experience, not just the race. Enjoy the parade of nations and the feeling of being part of something bigger.”
“Racing for something more than just yourself.”
“Explore the local area, people and have a complete experience.”
Pratt goes over to Pontevedra as more than just an athlete though, he also doubles as a coach with two of his athletes selected to represent Australia.
“Being a coach and athlete certainly makes it a busier time.”
“In some ways it helps as you are so focused on your athletes you don’t have time to worry about your own race.”
Being in Pontevedra with his athletes, also provides Pratt with a chance to give some last minute instructions and be a sounding board for the needs of the athletes.
“Being there together at a World Championship with your group allows you to celebrate your successes together making it more special and if things don’t go to plan then you are there to help.”
Preparing for a World Championships doesn’t happen overnight, it takes countless hours of training and preparation to equip oneself such as ‘an initial assessment of the specifics of the course, time zone changes, decisions around optimal equipment’
It doesn’t stop there though with Pratt also detailing the need to examine his requirements from the team to ‘extract the best performance, doctors, physio’s, myo-therapists, bike mechanics, coaches’ and so forth.
It’s not until all of those elements are aligned that Pratt implements a plan to prepare for such a major event in the sporting calendar.
“Then I would start the training plan, putting the date of the event in the calendar and working back from there planning the various training blocks to bring you up to peak performance on the day.”
And when it comes to training it’s hard for Pratt to decide which discipline is his favourite, with the Melbourne weather proving to have a sway on his outlook.
“In summer in Melbourne swimming becomes more attractive once the Bay warms up.”
While the simplicity of running also speaks to Pratt’s heart. But all in all, the three can’t be split.
“I guess I am a triathlete, I love them all!”
