CHANGING THE PACE

Q

You took part in the Formula One triathlon series in the 90s that carried great prizemoney and a shorter format of racing. How much did you enjoy that?

A

That was huge. I was one of the younger ones and got he wildcard. There were guys like Greg Welch (pictured) and Spencer Smith and Miles Stewart. There were some big names. We had Jackie Gallagher and Michellie Jones and Emma Carney in the women’s as well as internationals. I was trying to break into it and I had to make the most of it.

Q

Did you ever consider giving the longer distance halfironman or ironmans a go?

A

No, it is a completely different sport. I really liked going fast. The Olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run) is just a flat-out race. The ironman (3.9km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run) is a lot different. There is more thinking involved, you have to look after yourself with nutrition. I didn’t like to think, I just liked to go flat out. I used to switch off. It was not one I thought about dabbling in.

Q

Did you always love training in all three disciplines or was one more of a challenge than the others?

A

I trained a bit differently to many other triathletes. Most would go out on long bike rides but it wasn’t something I ever did. My racing was a 40km time trial so I never sat back and rested on the bike and really liked to lead from the front so I trained myself for that. I’d do an hour-and-a-half or two-hour rides going flat out. I’d have my partner on the scooter behind me. I liked to get on, go hard and get off it. I wasn’t one to sit on the bike for hours and socialise on the rides.