Red Dog AOTM, how do you feel about that? I’m obviously very stoked to finally get there and join such illustrious company. But I’m also feeling a bit like a fraud seeing I haven’t completed a triathlon in about 7 years, I didn’t medal in any of my races at the Aussies and I now only swim with the club.
When did you join, and what attracted you to the club? I’m an inaugural member and first started swimming with Red Dog in late 2008. I was competing in triathlon at the time and swimming during my lunch breaks at the Valley Pool. Trent was there and I knew a squad member, so it was a no brainer to start training with the squad. Everyone was great, so I started to also run and ride. As you know squad training is so much easier and enjoyable than trying to do it all on your own.
How much training do you do at the moment? At the moment I’m swimming at least 3 times per week. Just coming off a back issue, so hoping that will start to increase soon to include running and paddling.
What’s your favourite session and why? I have 2 favourite RD sessions – Friday lunch swim, I always enjoy the shorter, quicker efforts and when I was riding the Saturday morning rides were great, especially heading out to Mt Nebo and the Goat Track. There’s something special about riding out of the city and getting to chat to a variety of people during the ride.
Who’s your ideal training partner and why? Swim, Bike, Run Swim – Anyone who’s a bit faster than me, so you work hard to keep up Bike – Always someone who’s good with the chat to take you mind off your butt Run – Sarah my partner as she doesn’t mind waiting for me when I have to make a toilet stop
Favourite motivational quote? Pain is not your enemy, it’s you call to greatest.
The one bit of advice I’d give to a newbie is? Jump and have a go, everyone was a newbie once. Also listen to Trent and Cath as they know their stuff, don’t second guess everything by going down chatroom/Instagram/Facebook rabbit holes.
What’s your next event? Coolie Classic Swim.
What do you do outside of training? I have a great job running People First Bank Foundation which supports quite a few wonderful charities and I love spending active time (mainly at the beach) with family and friends.
What’s your one guilty pleasure? Finger Buns – pink icing and hundreds and thousands.
