Is Lesley Paterson the greatest UK off-road triathlete ever? Is she the greatest women’s off-road triathlete ever? These are all legitimate claims the flying Scotswoman can claim and despite a long period off ill health that needs continuous management (Lyme disease) and a recent shoulder fracture - Paterson was still in imperious form with a recent win at one of the XTERRA majors - XTERRA Alabama.

We caught up with Lesley to find out a bit more with the big news being that she is targeting the Olympics at Rio… and not in triathlon!

Read more here.

Congratulations Lesley, a fantastic result in Alabama. How did the race go down for you?

Yeah it was a fun one. The swim was terrible for me! My shoulder got hit a few times at the start and it was not pretty!

It’s still pretty sore from the fracture but making gains. Swimming in a wetsuit is the best for me right now and this was a no wetsuit swim so tough! I then got out on the bike and hit the slick trails. Loads of people were crashing around me so I was determined to stay upright!

I got in to the lead at about a 1/3rd of the way through the bike andI never looked back.

There were a lot of crashes reported out there but in true XTERRA spirit it sounds like most were able to brush themselves off and go again. How technical is the course out there?

Well it was slick and rooted out. I think those that crashed were either not used to the terrain or pushing it too much. So in parts, yes it was technical but mostly just that it’s different from the usual.

That’s two in two for the us series. How does it feel to be back out racing and performing at this level again? Is your body back to full fitness?

It’s great! I’m loving it. The big thing for me right now is to try and keep all my lyme symptoms at bay. It’s constant management which is hard work but so far I’m doing a good job of it. More than anything, I just really focus on the gratefulness aspect of things you know?

I understand that you are going to now focus on qualification for Team GB mountain bike team. Can you tell us a bit about how that works, your plans and what you need to do?

Oh boy yeah, why not eh? Well I am doing the next couple of UCI U.S cup races then I head over to Europe to do my first world cup. I’m going to get my arse seriously kicked but basically I’ve got to get out there and see if this is even a possibility for me. Basically I believe there is only 1 spot for GB women so I’d have to show I’m a medal contender to even get a look in. Gotta face those fears and try right?

We sure will miss you on the Xterra circuit. will you be racing again at all this year? I hear you have one European race on your wishlist - would that be the Xterra England European champs and do you plan to be back for Maui?

I’m trying to take things month at a time right now in terms of how the body is responding! I would love to try and squeeze in a couple more Xterras during the Summer so maybe I’ll get to Xterra England. Yeah I’ll be hitting up Maui for sure!

Knowing you, you have a ton on outside of sport - what other projects, filming, fitness or otherwise are you working on?

It’s never a dull moment with me! my husband and i are setting up a cool Braveheart membership system to go with our coaching - basically a way for people to still get some coaching and be part of the team but not as expensive - check out our website www.braveheartcoach.com

We are also developing a fitness studio right now…more to come on that! As for the film stuff - next year is going to be a big year. I can’t say too much but I get the feeling there will be some tough choices about my career path to come!

Inspired by Lesley Paterson? XTERRA is coming to England on the 29^th/30^th August at the Vachery Estate in Cranleigh, Surrey. Find out more and enter here: http://xterraengland.com/