CHI TRI members story – Kev
24 October 2024
When did you join CHI TRI?
2018
Any race / nick names?
Not really, just general friendly p!sstake from members about any number of things… injuries/bike-dropping/idiot moments – there’s plenty to go on!
How did your triathlon journey begin – and where are you now on that journey?
My daughter Rose was the inspiration.
She attended CTC Juniors and I instantly recognised the huge benefit the club was having on our kids under the guidance of Head Coach, Nicky and her team.
I was quick to volunteer as a parent helper, then soon asked to become a coach which was such a great opportunity to develop myself and contribute to the kids training and welfare…but there was one big PROBLEM that was sink or swim 😉
My sports had been mostly football, windsurfing and a little running for fitness so I was truly out of my depth doing Triathlon, let alone coaching it!! So, I got busy learning to swim, bought a cheap road bike, leaned on a few members for kit
(Thanks Jonty!) and somehow cobbled it together in time to pass my L1 coaching badge.
From then on the coaching sessions with Juniors and Youth have become my soul-food, the racing an obsession and the training sessions with members an absolute joy. OH!
And I became the fittest I had ever been in my life, completing an Iron man in my 50th year and smashing my marathon PB in the same year, 30 years after my first.
In the 6 years I have competed OR just completed, and both are equally satisfying and beneficial to my wellbeing. Sometimes you just need to
What was your best event and your worst event – and what were the learnings?
BEST EVENT: Best event is easily the Southwater relays, the end of season Team event where the club is typically represented by around 10 teams) of mixed abilities and ages. It truly captures the heart of our club seeing everyone support the shirt competing in teams of 3 with the primary goal of having fun, and sharing positive vibes.
I was coerced to compete in my first one with almost zero triathlon experience, only doing it to not let down a friend of mine (Kerry!). I was asked the day before and already was planning a night on the beers so when I turned up at 6:30am, I was not in a great place. However, the members there looked after me and I formed some friendships that have endured to this day.
WORST EVENT: I’m struggling with a worst event. I once had to walk the entire run of a 70.3 ironman (22km) due to severe injury which was a challenge. Least of all the annoyance from well-meaning supporters encouraging me to run and telling me ‘you can do it’ …when I couldn’t.
Seriously needed to wear a sign saying ‘Leave me alone, I’m miserable and can’t run’ – LOL.
What are your triathlon goals for this year?
2024 has been frustrated by a long-term injury so I’m managing my goals to just keep training at the moment and then hoping to get a couple of Olympics in next year building to Weymouth Half Iron man in September (my favourite individual race).
Favourite CHI TRI session?
Defo the Bike… Always a cake involved and if you go double distance …it’s double cake!
What 3 tips would you give?
- ‘TURN UP’ for training / events and whatever you do will be better than it will have been and guaranteed you will feel good about yourself for doing so.
- Put a couple of races in the diary early. There’s nothing more likely to get you out of bed early than the pending glory of a finish line and the opportunity to get a PB or completion of another milestone.
- Seek advice and opinions from as many members as you can. Graze on their experience and mistakes as part of your learning. We LOVE talking about kit/races/nutrition strategies and disasters(!) so don’t be afraid to ask😊
What would be your 10-15 tracks listing for a SPIN bike or run session?
13 tracks as my son says this makes the best albums:
- Eyes to the Wind – War on Drugs
- Don’t Stop the music – Rhianna
- Loose yourself – Eminem
- Starships – Nick Minaj
- Titanium – Sia and David Guetta
- Wanna know – Obi Trice
- Harder than you think – Public enemy
- All these things I have done – The Killers
- Ready for it – Taylor Swift
- Royals – Lorde
- High 5 – Beck
- Ray of Light – Madonna
- Seven Nation Army – White Stripes
If you would like to find more about becoming a member of CHI TRI click here, or go big and join today…
Chichester Triathlon Club
To train. To race. Together.