My sporting background is varied.
As a teenager I took part in
competitive spot squeezing! I was
under 16 All Crumlin Champion for
2 years running. I also did martial
arts believe it or not!! Is reading a
sport??
I ended up in triathlon because a
friend of mine in work told me he
was doing one for charity – Tri to
Beat. I went down to Lilliput to
support him and liked the look of it.
I still really really like the look of it,
it’s the actual execution of it that I
have difficulty with!!
The part I like the best is the
training! I really don’t like the
racing!! For me the word ‘race’
implies an element of competition
which if you saw me ‘race’ you
would realise competition isn’t
there! I especially do not like the
swim part – I always hear the Jaws
music and think of the Piranha
movies where safety in numbers
doesn’t apply!!
Biggest wish for triathlon? – (is anybody still reading this?) I would like to have some
element of competitiveness! I definitely remember being competitive before I hit 30!!
Coming through cancer in my early 30’s seems to have got rid of that! Now I am just
delighted to be able to get out and train.
Embarrassing moment (s) – trying to get out of transitions on the wrong bike! The poor guy
who owned the bike was running after me with his wetsuit half off! Also, at my first (and
only) Olympic triathlon (it sounds so athletic doesn’t it? Whereas I trudged through three
hours of blood, sweat and tears) I mistakenly brought my daughters goggles – see picture
above.
Proudest moment – ah now this is easy … (if you are still reading this then fair play to you.
I stopped in the middle of the orange box above!!) There are three moments that stand out
for me:
1.
Seeing my son Eric take part in the Kidathon.
2.
Seeing my most beautiful wife Caitriona finishing the Navan half marathon as part of
Madhead Duffy & Whitelaw’s 32 Marathon Challenge.
3.
Finally, I will always remember watching my brother Douglas taking part in the
Ironman UK 2008. It was such a spectacular spectacle that left me feeling inadequate and
yet capable of anything. I was so proud when he crossed the finish line.
Ironman – absolutely although it will be some day, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow
but someday (where did I hear that from????)
