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The world's top triathletes descend on the island this weekend for the Escape to Bermuda event. Among them is Karen Smyers. At 46 she's the oldest woman on the pro-circuit. But after more than 20 years at the top, a horrendous bike crash, two kids and a whole lot of miles she's still one of the favourites for the podium.

The former Hawaii Ironman champ talks to James Whittaker about returning to Bermuda, her clash with an 18-wheel tractor/trailer and why she hopes to be running triathlons when she's 80.

For many of the competitors it will be their first trip to Bermuda, but I understand you've been here before?

I've been to Bermuda a few times actually. My first time was at the Triathlon of Champions, back in the 80s, when I was just starting out.

Most of the top triathletes in the world where there for that one.

Then there was a World Cup race in the 90s. I've been around a while. I remember getting a flat on the bike course and finishing fourth.

I've been over a couple of times to do coaching clinics and kids triathlons. Just last year I was over for the awards ceremony.

Have you trained specifically for this event?

It's coming towards the end of the season and there's some other big races around. Normally I would have done the Hawaii Ironman but I had a little injury that kept me from training for that so I was happy to have this event to aim for.

How long have you been competing professionally?

Since 1985. When I first got into it I was working full time and I fit my training in around that. That's how it was for four or five years, then the company I worked for went bankrupt and I was unemployed so I decided to give it a go full-time.

I went up a level when I started training full time and I won the World Championships in 1990.

That helped me get sponsorship and I was able to race pretty much full-time till about 1998. I took some time off when I started a family but I decided to keep racing after that.

I've moved away from full-time professional racing. I've got two kids, I coach and do clinics. My training isn't as big a part of my life as it was.

Obviously to be as competitive as you are in pro events you must still have a pretty hectic training schedule?

I've always been about quality over quantity. It ranges from something like ten hours a week when I'm doing light training in the off-season then I step it up as I get into the season.

Even in full Ironman training I don't get up to more than 24 hours a week.

On average I'd say I train about 16-20 hours a week. I believe 30-40 is more like the norm.

So how do you manage to stay competitive?

I think, even in my prime, I didn't feel like I was cutting corners or anything.

I was doing what my body would allow. I think because of the way I train, I've stayed with it for longer and have got better over time.

I really, really enjoy it.

Some people go the other way and really go for it with their training. That requires a lot of sacrifice in terms of their lifestyle, they put everything on hold and achieve incredible things in a short space of time, but then get burnt out.

I got into triathlon as a lifestyle sport. I was always an athlete growing up and when I discovered triathlon it was the perfect sport for me.

I'm 46 and I'm definitely the oldest on the pro circuit but I've just found the balance between life and training and I'm still really enjoying it.

How long do you see yourself racing?

I'm taking it year-by-year as far as racing professionally is concerned. There is going to come a time when I'm not able to finish on the podium and then I'll think about finding a way to transition to amateur level.

The trouble with that is the top amateurs don't like it!

There's a lot of good amateur triathletes here in Bermuda. Any advice for them on how to improve?

What I always stress to people is to be patient. It's an endurance sport. It takes consistency.

I didn't start out as a great swimmer, biker or runner. I had to work at all three and with time I eventually got better. It requires perseverance more than anything.

It's a sport that I think everyone can do.

Everyone did some swimming, biking and running when they were a kid, it's just when you put all three together people think it becomes this gruelling, impossible task.

If you go about it methodically it's pretty achievable even for the average person.

There's also huge inspirational stories in the sport. If you ever start to look at what other people have done it is amazing.

A double-amputee finished the Hawaii Ironman this year, an 80-year-old guy finished it last year, plus there's plenty of stories of women who never did a sport in their life before and took it up when the kids left home, found their inner-athlete and ended up winning races. It's incredible what people can achieve.

You've overcome some struggles yourself. I understand you were quite badly injured in a bike accident?

An 18-wheeler was trying to pass me on a road that was really too narrow and he basically side swiped me off the road. I broke six ribs, I separated my shoulder, I had a lot of road rash.

The physical injuries all healed eventually but the fear of riding around traffic took a little longer and still hasn't really gone away.

I've changed the times I ride now, I avoid the morning and evening commutes and try and go when there's a lot less traffic around.

Having raced here before, what do you think of Bermuda as a venue for this triathlon?

I think its wonderful. You've got beautiful water, challenging roads, there's some good hills. I think it's going to be fantastic. I know the community of triathletes in Bermuda are very gung-ho and I think there will be a lot of support for it.

Do you think you can win?

I wouldn't say I'm one of the favourites but you never know. Becky Lavelle is racing really well at the moment and she will be very hard for me to beat. I'd have to run an incredible race but it's possible. Why not?

What do you think is your greatest achievment in triathlon - on or off the course?

There's so much, really, that's why I keep doing it - the people you meet, the satisfaction you get out of setting goals and striving to reach them, hopefully I've been a good role model in terms of being a good sport. I'm a big believer in doing your best and usually that means finishing the race no matter what. I only had to drop out of a race once and that was because of a broken collarbone.

Do you think you'll still be doing this when you're 80?

I hope so. I certainly hope I can be setting the women's record for the oldest ironman competitor.

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