Canadian middle-distance triathlon superstar Paula Findlay has set the cat among the pigeons with a revealing Instagram post.

The three-time Canadian National TT Champion is used to winning IRONMAN 70.3 races, but she was back in the saddle to hit Arizona’s most scenic bike climb at Mt Lemmon last week.

And after missing out on the women’s QOM by 69 seconds, she admitted she sometimes get more out of herself chasing Strava segments than she does in racing.

Strava vs racing

Findaly, who finished in a total time of 1h32:46, said: “I know it’s just a silly Strava segment but I really care about it and somehow I can get more out of myself chasing Strava segments than I do in racing sometimes. #strava #thattriathlonlife.”

The 35-year-old is no stranger to Mt Lemmon. Back in 2020 she took the lead on Strava to become the new QOM. This time around she improved by almost three minutes.

A perfect puzzle

She said: “There are so many factors that go into this climb: wind direction, temperature, traffic, road bike vs TT bike – it’s a puzzle to get it perfect but I gave it absolutely everything for over 90 min and I have to be happy with that!

“The last time I went for this climb was 5 years ago during COVID and I beat that time today by nearly 3 min, so maybe I’ll try again in another 5 years.”

Findlay had support on the climb from Eric Lagerstrom, her partner, plus husband and wife triathletes / ultrarunners / gravel bikers Sean Watkins and Heather Jackson, and gave the trio “enormous thanks” in the post.