19 Aug. 2015 – Laura FALLAHA is a very dedicated athlete and swimmer, full of motivation and desires. She won last year the Hannibal Race and she is participating again this year to defend her title on August 30!
First can you tell us how do you see the Hannibal race as an athlete and a swimmer?
As an athlete and a swimmer, all races I take part in are obstacle free, I either flow on ground or in the water. For me the Hannibal race is more than a race, it’s a physical and mental challenge, a challenge that pushes the athlete beyond its limits, a challenge that is at the same time fun and entertaining as you never repeat the same step or obstacle more than once. The course can never be boring as each athlete finds his own approach to complete it!
Can you also tell us how was the 2014 Race and where does this achievement stand in your career?
The 2014 race was full of surprises and entertaining challenges that enjoyably led us to find our own way to finish the course. I consider achieving the Hannibal Race as a result of hard work, motivation and support.
How are you preparing for this year’s race?
Mainly with altitude training, endurance running and circuit trainings
Can you briefly tell us how you start running? and swimming?
As a kid, I used to follow my parents for a jog every other day. Igot into several types of sports: tennis, ballet, taekwondo, basketball, biking, swimming, running… but ended up sticking to the last two. In school my running improved and I started weekly swimming. In university, I went on for daily swimming and running with both varsities and the competitions went along: university leagues, Lebanese championships, Euro tournaments and University Olympics.
What would you chose between swimming and running and why?
I am frequently asked this question, but I still can’t choose between swimming and running. I love both. They both have pros and cons but the feeling after each run or each swim is priceless! Even though the 2 sports work different muscle groups, they feed into one another. Mixing swimming and running improves my mental attitude towards both sports in a way that doesn’t keep me bored of over training. The variety of each sport leads to more pleasant training sessions and therefore better results. For a swimmer, it is a chance to enjoy the outdoors and breathe fresh non-chlorinated air. Whereas for runners, it is an opportunity to relax your muscles from a heavy environment!
Do you see yourself as a future triathlete?
I have done 3 triathlons already (Batroun and Lebanese championships) and results are improving! Started off with 3rd place in Batroun and moving on to 2nd in the Lebanese championship.
Do you think that the Hannibal race can affect your preparations for the Lebanese Swimming Championship?
As much as I don’t want to believe it, yes the Hannibal Race might affect the preparations for the Lebanese Swimming Championship as the race puts a lot of pressure on the knees (which are a weak point in my body) with the uphills, downhills and obstacles. And I definitely can’t afford knee injuries 10 days before the championship!
Do you encourage people to do the Hannibal race? and why?
DEFINITELY! It is a high class fun race! Full of entertaining challenges, fun people and a one of a kind atmosphere in the mountains of Zaarour! It is totally worth waking up early on Sunday morning! Grab a bunch of friends and have a blast! Turn your gears on and don’t forget to be witty!
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