My name is Samantha Lake, I am a ZONE3 ambassador, I have loved being part of the team this year. I am also a wife, mum of two and work full time as a teacher, which I love. Sport wise, I have been swimming and running for most of my life, as a teen, I mainly swam competitively, winning medals up to regional level, then I began running and found I really enjoyed distance running. After a few years of hard training, I managed to run a 2:59:03 at the British Marathon Championships in London 2017. This background is definitely why aquathlons suit me! You race a 1km swim immediately followed by a 5km run.
Being chosen to represent Great Britain in aquathlon and England for distance running has definitely been a sporting highlight for me. I love training for multisport, it gives me such great versatility to my sessions and workouts. My weekly training typically consists of running about 40 miles per week, with two speed sessions and a long run, I also swim 6 times a week, usually for 90mins then strength and conditioning where I can.
My best results so far include:
-World Aquathlon Age Group Champion 2022
-European Aquathlon Age Group Champion 2022
-World Aquathlon Age Group Silver 2023 and Bronze 2016
-European Aquathlon Silver 2017, Silver 2018, Silver 2019 and Silver 2023
-European Middle Distance Triathlon, Bronze 2018
-South West Cross Country Championships 2023 & 24 - Representing Devon team
-National Cross Country Championships 2023 & 2024 - Representing Devon team
-British Marathon Championships (London Marathon) 2016, 2017 (2:59:03), 2018
-South West Regional Open Water Championships 2023 Silver
-South West Track and Field Championships 5000m 2017 Bronze, 2018 Silver.
-National Open Water Masters Championships 2023
-National Masters Swimming Championships 2023 - 800m Silver, 400m Bronze, 200m Bronze.
I hope my sporting journey will inspire others and show that you can achieve no matter what age you are. I truly believe ZONE3 have given me the tools to reach my goals and dreams. I have many ZONE3 products, including the Aspire and Vanquish wetsuits, my trisuit, boots and gloves amongst many others. When racing in open water (unless they are banned!) I will always use my ZONE3 vanquish wetsuit, to give me the racing edge. Being a swimmer, this wetsuit gives me amazing flexibility and freedom when swimming! I highly recommend it. During the winter when sea swimming, I also use the ZONE3 gloves, neoprene hat and socks. These products have been a game changer for me, enabling me to train in the sea year-round.
Looking to 2024, I aim to race nationally and internationally in the pool and at open water championships. I have also been selected to represent Great Britain in the World and European Aquathlon Championships; showing that age is still not a barrier to success. I hope to return to the podium at the World and European Championships this year. I know ZONE3 products certainly support me in trying!
