Claude Godbout had her first taste of obstacle racing at the original Spartan Race Beast in 2011 taking home a second place finish. This Canadian National Team Biathlete at the time was quickly hooked on obstacle racing and quickly found more obstacle races around both the US, Canada, and even Europe. In 2012, she came back to Vermont to win the Spartan World Championships as well as the first Ultra Beast. During the 2013 year she made a huge bid for the Sochi Olympics pouring all her time and resources into her attempt to represent her country in Biathlon. Godbout moved from Quebec to western Canada to train and put her OCR racing on the side. She still managed to find time to come back to Vermont and race her only OCR of the year taking 3rd in the 2013 World Championships. After just missing the Olympics this past winter she refocused some of her summer on obstacle racing, smashing the competition in Canada this year.

This 28-year old came back to Killington, Vermont this year and reclaimed her title as Spartan Race World Champion in 2014. When not training for biathlon or chasing down OCR’s she makes her home in Québec city as not only a biathlete also a student and hotel bartender to fund her dreams. Claude took the time to answer some of our questions on her way home after the Killington Beast.

How did you get involved in your sport?

I started doing xc skiing when I was 6 because my brothers were doing it and I wanted to be like them! At 18 years old, my boyfriend made me try biathlon and I just fell in love with that sport.

Were you always an athlete?

Yes, I have always been an athlete. Starting at 6 with xc skiing and playing soccer, I also competed as a swimmer and xc runner when I was younger. I think it’s now safe to say that athleticism runs in my DNA now!

What are some of your athletic achievements?

Biathlon: 4x gold medalist at the 2014 Canadian championship, 4x overall Noram winner, 9th place at an IBU (international biathlon union) cup in Russia in 2013

OCR: 15 victories out of 17 races, 2x SR WC
Winter triathlon : silver medal at 2014 WC
Xterra : gold medal

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

The OCR season is coming to an end but I would like to step on the podium at the OCR World Championships in Ohio in October.
As for biathlon, I would like to crack the top 10 on the IBU cup circuit, race on the World Cup circuit and get a gold medal at the Canadian nationals!

Who is/are your inspiration?

Is that bad if I don’t have any? People have been asking that question for a long time and I never had an honest answer so I quit trying to answer it! I think every person in my circle of friends are truly an inspiration for me!

What is your most proud moment in sport?

Cracking for the first time the top 10 at an IBU cup in Russia! I had an awesome race!
Getting my SRWC title back this year was also pretty awesome!

What is your most proud moment in life?

When I held my brother’s newborn for the first time! Life is so precious!

How do you overcome a bad race or training day?

I always tell myself that we need bad races/days in order to appreciate the good ones. Life isn’t perfect neither are races!

What is your training routine like?

7:30 am waking up, breakfast
9:00 am first workout of the day (I try to do strength and intensities in the morning)
12:00 pm lunch/relax/study
14:00 pm nap
15:00 pm 2nd workout of the day OR working at the Hilton Quebec all night
18:00 pm dinner and relax
22:00 pm bed time!

What advice would you give to someone starting out in your sport?

Have fun! Trust me, it’s crucial! I have been training since I was 6 years old and the only reason why I’m still doing this at 28 is because I love it so much! Enjoy it and try to take as many opportunities as you can!

What is your favorite pre-race and post-race food?

Pre-race : I will have Alegria pasta (Organic pasta from Quebec) the night before and rolled oats in the morning. After that, I will consume some infinit sport drink before the race (and during if it’s a long race).
Post-race : recovery drink with some infinit repair in it. Having Alegria pasta with chicken and kale is the best post race meal in my opinion.

Sometimes, when I really want to treat myself after a long trip of racing/training away from home, I will get some poutine!

When not training and competing what do you do with your down time?

I love cooking and baking! I will also take some time to see my family and friends. Finally, walking with my boyfriend Marco in the old city (Quebec city) is a must!

What is your favorite quote to motivate you?

I was having a bad set of races one year in Europe and Marco posted a quote on my Facebook page that said: “you’re one tough chick, now go out there and show the world”! This quote stuck with me since then!

What is the best advice a coach ever gave you?

One of my coaches use to compare training with swimming. He said that you should feel like the only thing out of the water is your head. If you overtrain, you will drown but if half of your body is out of the water, you’re not going to gain anything from your training.
It helped me to get the feeling of not doing too much or not enough!

If you could share some advice to the next generation of athletes, what would it be?
I’ll go with my answer above! I really think it’s important.

What is/are the races you are most looking forward to this year?
OCR: OCRWC in October in ohio

Biathlon : world cups and IBU cups
trials in Alberta in November. Those trials will than decide where I’m going to race.
February : IBU cups in Alberta
March: Canadian nationals

Winter triathlon : WC in Quebec City and a Finland cup in Finland in February.