Noel Mason

1	Name	Noel Mason
2	County of Birth	Thurles, Co. Tipperary
3	What’s your sporting background?	Soccer. Played for three different clubs over a 20 year period.
4	Why pick triathlon? Was looking for something more energetic than golf, once I discovered I was getting too old for running around after young fellas on the football pitch. Happened to be in Lilliput when the 2005 Tri To Beat Cancer Triathlon was on and thought, yeah that’s what I’d like to do.
5	When was your first Triathlon?	Tri to Beat Cancer 2006
6	Where was it?	Lilliput
7	Which bit do you love: Swim, Bike, Run ?	Bike. Great to be sitting down having a chat while still putting a bit of work in.
8	Which bit do you hate: Swim, Bike, Run ?	I don’t hate swimming but it’s definitely my weakest. The only ‘S’ I’m managing at the moment is Survival!
9	Pool, Lake, River, Sea ?	Lake. I like the fact that you can get in and just swim without having to stop and turn every 25m. I also get into a better rhythm as I don’t have to worry about who I might be holding up behind me.
10	Cross country run, road run ?	Trails actually. Do most of my training in Donadea Forest Park. Beautiful. Very like Belvedere.
11	Lough Ennell, Lough Owel ?	Lough Owel. Fabulous when calm and tough when windy.
12	Favourite triathlon	Favourite Sprint would have to be Lough Key but for a real challenge it has to be the Beast of the East Standard distance.
13	Proudest moment in triathlon. Qualifying to compete for Ireland (and Midland Tri Club) in this year’s European Championships.
14	Most embarrassing moment in triathlon. Dropping my towel in transition in the days when I used to change from my swimming togs to cycling shorts. Then somehow falling over in the ensuing panic to get my legs out of the togs. Whatever move I made…
15	Your inspiration	The stack of books and magazines which lie beside my bed. (Tri ones of course!)
16	In terms of triathlon, what could you not live without ?	My bike rack. It’s rarely off the back of the car.
17	Ironman ?	Yes, probably, but not just yet. I’m still interested to see if I can get any faster before I start slowing it all down.
18	Biggest wish for triathlon ?	To remain injury free (I’ve two very dodgy knees) and to enjoy it for many years to come.
19	What’s the agenda for 2010 ?	Race wise, the European Championships Standard Distance in Athlone in July. Otherwise, Edel has me persuaded to buy a camper van so I’ll probably end up racing in all corners of the country, just to get the value out of it.
20	Who do you want to beat in 2010 ?	Ah sure I’m not a bit competitive!!! Even if I was, do you think I’d let my targets know who they are. That said it’s always nice to keep the in-laws behind you. That’s Enda, Nigel and Eoghan gunning for me now.