Search
shop

Strava QOM challenges helping Lucy Charles-Barclay find that “extra 10%” as she zones in on Kona

It will be all about Kona next month for Lucy Charles Barclay but for one day recently all that mattered was a Strava segment.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Lucy Charles-Barclay continues her build-up to Kona – and in her latest YouTube video shows how having a goal in a training block can help squeeze out that extra bit of effort, whether you’re an age-grouper or a top-level pro.

Building in an added challenge can be a great motivational tool and in LCB’s case last month that was a Strava QOM [Queen of the Mountain] crown she was determined to better.

“Sometimes having a small fun goal within a training block can really make you push that extra 10%,” says the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion before going all in on the attempt.

Advertisement

‘Favourite climb in the world’

Lanzarote has been a base for much of her training in 2023 – so much so that she was impacted by new Brexit rules earlier in the summer – and her latest spell in the Canary Islands saw her tackle what she calls her “favourite climb in the world”.

That’s the ‘Tabeyesco’ ascent – 9.59km, featuring 527 metres of climbing for an average gradient of 5.5%. And on a day where she collected an incredible amount of Strava bling, that was the segment she wanted to focus on above all others.

She has actually held the crown since 2018 and given triathlon’s strong links to the island it’s no surprise that the other names just below her on the Strava podium come from swim-bike-run – Sif Bendix Madsen and Lucy Gossage.

But LCB’s target was not just going under her previous best of 26:16 but also trying to dip under 26 minutes.

And there were pros and cons in terms of her bid. On the plus side she was using her new Cube Litening Air bike, a far lighter set up than her TT bike from five years previously. But she was tackling it in the heat of summer rather than January and also on the back of a heavy training day 24 hours earlier.

One better at Kona?

You’ll have to watch the video above to find out how she got on but, either way, preparations for the IRONMAN World Championship look nicely on course.

This season she’s again had to battle injury (a fractured third metatarsal) but has collected podium places at the PTO European Open and 70.3 Kraichgau and is currently #4 in the PTO world rankings.

But there’s no doubt it’s that Kona title she craves above all else after four successive runner-up spots on the Big Island.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Challenge Family Jort Vlam CEO
“It’s not just for nutty people who train 40 hours a week!” Jort Vlam on taking triathlon mainstream and why he’s still inspired to keep growing the sport
Chain hanging to dry after waxing
PremiumSwitching to a waxed chain could take minutes off your Ironman bike split, without riding any harder – and here’s why
PremiumAre women better than men at long distances? We uncover the truth once and for all
Castelli Aero Pro 8S women's cycling jersey
Castelli Aero Pro 8S cycling jersey review: can this ultra-aero jersey turn watts into speed without dialling down on comfort?
Sian Rainsley Vitus
PremiumThreshold or VO2 max? The best type of intervals for triathletes who want to get faster
latest News
Hayden Wilde wins T100 London 2025
T100 London men’s results 2025: Hayden Wilde wins in one of the GREATEST EVER sporting comebacks
Lucy Charles Barclay wins T100 London 2025
T100 London women’s results 2025: FAIRYTALE win for Lucy Charles-Barclay in front of home fans
Lucy Charles Barclay finish line T100 London 2025
WATCH AGAIN as LCB and Wilde claim incredible wins at T100 London 2025
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Lionel Sanders on his way back – but Nice too soon so sights set on new targets
Adam Peaty photo credit Aquatics GB
Gordon Ramsay, Adam Peaty and Harry Judd face Olympic challenge at T100 London
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...