Pete O'Malley
1. How did you get into Triathlon?
I watched the 1989 hawaii ironman 'ironwar' on eurosport in 1992 and thought that it looked a cool thing to do. It was only in July 2000 that I drummed up enough courage to do a sprint triathlon in Yorkshire. It was a lake swim and everyone pulled out a wetsuit, except me. At that point I realised that it would be a good idea to invest in the sport if I was going to continue.
2. What training do you enjoy and what do you hate?
Enjoy - Hill climb repeats on my bike - I'm not fast but I know it's training that has a lot of benefits.
Hates - any run training that involves intervals or intensity - I'd rather just plod along and not have to think. There’s a distinct correlation here between the fact that I don’t do any intervals and the fact that I run very slowly.
3. Give us an insight into your day dreams when you are out training on your own?
Invariably it involves qualifying for the Hawaii ironman. The realisation then dawns on me that I’d have to give up curries and the dream dies.
4. Give us one top training tip?
Just get out there and do it. There’s nothing worse than sitting on the sofa and realising that you could have been out on a ride half an hour ago if you hadn’t have turned the TV on. (made a coffee, made a G&T, stared at the walls ………….insert as necessary)
5. Talk us through your best and worst tri events to date?
Worst - 25th May 2002 - getting off the bike in ironman Lanzarote after 7hrs 42 mins and feeling intense pain in my left foot. I hobbled into T2, took my socks off and two toenails fell off. Then had a 6 hour hobble on the marathon.
Best - 23rd May 2010 - getting to the end of ironman Lanzarote with all my toenails intact.
6. If you were doing (or thinking of doing) a triathlon for the first time, which one piece of advice would you give?
Just enjoy it – I had several years out of the sport due to family commitments. Starting again made me realise what fun it is.
7. What’s your ultimate triathlon dream (e.g. win a race, complete an Ironman)?
Get to ironman Hawaii – it will probably be as a spectator at this rate.
8. What’s your favourite piece of tri kit/gadget that you own?
A heart rate monitor. Over the years I’ve accumulated several models and brands and I rarely train without one. They tell you when you’re training too hard but more importantly (in my case) when you’re being lazy.
9. What’s your post race indulgence (food and drink)?
Wine gums, Guiness, pizza, Chinese food, curry, chocolate, nutella, toast, ginsters pasties, crisps – basically anything I can get my hands on. My Labradors have been known to stay out of the way on my return from a race for fear of being eaten.
10. Finally, who from KTC would you most like to pip on the finish line?
I’ve only done one race as a member but Jim Cox passed me on the run at the Tatton Triathlon. To add insult to injury, as he passed me he said hello, pulled out a picnic basket, stopped for lunch and still beat me (at least that’s the way it felt at the time). See you at Tatton 2011 Jim!
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