RPG Athlete Profile: Clarissa Herbst
REEDY: As a vet surgeon I imagine your hours are non-typical? How do you work with Twiggy around making sure the training fits around work?
How long have you been in triathlon and when did you start with Coach Twiggy and RPG?
CLARISSA: I was always a runner. Cross country and track but with many injuries, I did a lot of biking and swimming as cross training and that’s how I started my triathlon journey in 2020. I started with Twiggy last year in October (2024).
REEDY: As a vet surgeon, I imagine your hours are non-typical? How do you work with Twiggy around making sure the training fits around work?
CLARISSA: I am an emergency vet, so I do shift work and mainly night shifts. I don’t have a consistent roster and every week I have different shifts (usually 10-12hr shifts). Also it’s very common to never finish on time and do 13-15hr shifts. Twiggy has been so good in managing my training around my crazy work schedule, kudos to him. We still don’t have the perfect recipe and it’s still evolving but Twiggy has been working alongside me to try and figure out what works best. I struggle with sleeping during the day, usually only getting 3-4hrs post night shifts and sometimes with 2-3 night shifts in a row I’m very sleep deprived. So he usually gives me multiple options on those work days and mainly aerobic sessions and then on my days off would give me bigger sessions.
Also, his communication has been exceptional and always available to adjust training when work gets in the way. He also doesn’t just focus on training but every aspect of my life (such as work stress and life stress) and taking all those things into account to ensure I am training and recovering well. (I have a lot more to say here… but in summary my work is very stressful and then add night shifts and not much sleep so my overall stress level and tiredness is high so he also takes that into account to manage my training load and help reduce injury risk).
REEDY: Totally non-related question to tris but while I have you, should a bloke with a Spoodle have pet insurance? Asking for a friend.
CLARISSA: I would always recommend pet insurance because you never know when an emergency happens and since we don’t have Medicare to assist with costs, the vet bills can be expensive unfortunately. So if you don’t have pet insurance just ensure you have a spare savings account for your pets just in case. Also, a free money saver while we are here: “PLEASE STAY ON TOP OF FLEA AND TICK PREVENTION” if you are living on the east coast of Australia. You don’t want to be dealing with tick paralysis that could cost you thousands of dollars.
REEDY: What are your goals going forward in the tri space?
CLARISSA: My absolute long term goal is to:
Become a professional triathlete in long course racing
Be a top age group athlete and compete at the world championships for 70.3
Get under 5 hours for 70.3
Currently, Twiggy is trying to help me enjoy training and racing again without putting so much pressure on myself to perform. Aka. Enjoying the journey and process
Eventually do my first Ironman
