5 Questions with Brent McMahon
One of Canada’s most successful triathletes across all distances and disciplines is Victoria’s Brent McMahon. McMahon has been inspiring Canadians for decades as an Olympian, an Xterra racer and recently as a long-course triathlete. He captured the record for the fastest debut Ironman in 2014 when he crushed the field at Ironman Arizona.
Prior to the complications arising from COVID-19, what events did you have planned for this year? BRENT MCMAHON: I wanted to do an early-season 70.3 race, defend my title at the 70.3 race in Monterrey and I was planning on doing an Ironman.
How have you and your coach Lance Watson modified your training in light of the COVID-19 crisis? We have been trying some different things. With pools closed, we have focused more on strength training. That’s given me the opportunity to heal better from the hip injury I had at the end of 2018. I’ve also used this time to do less race-specific riding. For example, I did a 3:20 ride on my rollers while on the aerobars. I only fell off once, but the workout was really engaging. I am also riding my gravel bike more. Recently, I did an out and back ride on the Great Canadian Trail between Victoria and Duncan. That was around eight hours of riding time and just over 200 kilometres.
Your coaching relationship with Lance Watson has lasted longer than most marriages in Canada, what is the secret to your success? It is special since most coach-athlete relationships don’t go beyond 20 years. I first met Lance was I was 14 years old at a swim camp, and we’ve both grown old together. It’s really like a marriage or any other important relationship. Success in a relationship like this takes work; there are ups and downs. Ultimately, if you are committed, you learn together and make progress. Another thing is, each of us has learned to take responsibility for mistakes and we maintain open conversation through all of it. Because of that, we’ve always kept training fun and enjoyable as we work toward continual improvement.
In my career, I’ve done all aspects of the sport: Xterra, Olympics, Super League, 70.3 and now Ironman. The diversity of racing creates specific demands and that has forced Lance to grow as a coach and me as an athlete. So that willingness to learn and grow is what has ultimately, kept us together.
What are your most favourite and least favourite things about being a pro triathlete? I feel fortunate to earn a living as a professional athlete. For the most part, it’s a very healthy lifestyle. Being able to spend as much time as I do outdoors is just phenomenal. I’ve always been a very active person. As a kid, my parents put me in every sport they could because I had so much energy. I need to be moving, otherwise I’m not a very happy person, so pursuing a career as a professional triathlete was a great career choice.
On the other hand, doing this is really a 24/7 job. Even when not training or competing, we are “on the job,” doing what is needed so our bodies can handle the demands we put on them. Furthermore, I’ve spent many years on the road. As a result, I’ve have missed birthdays, funerals, births and parties with friends because I was unavailable. That being said, it’s still a great way to earn a living. The places that I have been to and the people I have met, it’s unbelievable, and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.
Speaking of earning a living, how are you able to do that during the COVID-19 crisis since you can’t race? That’s definitely one of the downsides to being a professional triathlete, whether that’s being injured or dealing with what were are all facing right now. I’ve got sponsors supporting me through this, and we’re finding creative ways. Social media has really helped with a lot of that. In addition to telling people about what I have done and what’s in my future, I can also be a resource for other athletes. At present, I’m on Facebook and Instagram, and doing online rides on Zwift. Also, I have plans to have a program on Facebook Live where I’ll be answering questions that other triathletes may have.—KEVIN