Q&A Session with Catharine Pendrel

Catharine Pendrel (born September 30, 1980) is a Canadian cross-country mountain biker from Fredericton, New Brunswick. A member of the Canadian National team since 2004, Pendrel was the world champion in cross-country mountain biking in 2011 and 2014 and the 2007 Pan American Games champion. She is also the current reigning Commonwealth Games champion when she won gold in Glasgow. Additionally, Pendrel is the 2010 World Cup Champion as well as the winner of the 2012 UCI and 2016 World Cup Series. She won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Pendrel participated in the 2017 Women's Ride Calendar for Little Bellas, and we caught up with her to chat about some very important questions we had weighing on our mind.
What is the biggest obstacle you've overcome? Riding a really scary feature after coming back from an injury. It took me days to work up the confidence!
What do you do when you don't think you can go on? Flip my perspective, only 2 laps to go not oh man I still have to do 2 laps!
What is your biggest source of energy? Sunshine,sleep, coffee, and chocolate.
What goes in your favorite recovery drink? Clif Bar chocolate recovery powder. Add milk and banana if you have a blender.
Who are your role models and/or sources of inspiration? Clara Hughes (Olympic Speed skater and cyclist). Always wears a huge smile and gives her best.
What are your favorite tv shows, movies, books, iphone apps? Grey's Anatomy, Big Fish, Rosie Project and social media apps
What is your preferred pre/post race music? Anything with good energy.
What is your favorite non-race outfit? A slip-on dress.
When have you felt your strongest or most courageous? After doing something that scares me!
What is your spirit animal? Kung Fu Panda
What does the last text message on your phone say? That is an efficient use of bod parts (in reference to my comment that it was so hot my eyelids were sweating).
You're on an island. You make all the rules. What is the first rule you make? No chocolate is to be wasted.
What were you like in high school? Outgoing
How would your best friend describe you? Stubborn:)
What's your favorite 90s jam? Pump Up the Jam
What would the name of your debut album be? Lip-syncing
What's in your wallet/purse/bag? Too much stuff.
What's your favorite t-shirt? Wonder Woman T-Shirt.
What is your favorite cheese? Goat Cheese
What are you afraid of? Losing my phone.
What type of sandwich do you want right now? Toasted veggie bagel. Mustard is a must.