With just over a month until this years Sprint and Olympic Distance World Championships being held in New Zealand, each week ‘Zoolander’ will catch up with one of our qualifiers to find out how their training is going and their thoughts leading into this years Age Group Championships. First up is GEOFF TAYLOR read his story here.
An interview with Zoolander….
Z: The World Championships are not far off now, how has your training been so far?
G: Pretty good. No serious injuries, (but am feeling very tired of late). Biggest Issue is time. Between training and work, NOTHING else can be fitted in. It is a big commitment. Earlier in the year, work related issues had a big impact on training but now training is getting all the attention. (Geoff had a small work project working on the Higgs Boson Big Bang Theory!)
Z: What have you found has been the most valuable lesson from the training regime and the decision to race at this level?G: That when you think you are spent, taking a deep breath and drawing on something deeper, you can go that little bit harder and that little bit further when you need to.
Z: A couple of questions around the race,
Why have you chosen to race Olympic/Sprint Distance?
G: Was thinking of moving from Sprint to Olympic distance anyway (last year Geoff races Sprint distance and came 4th in his age group in the world), but then ran into a parked car on beach road in November last year and was in a leg brace recovering during the Sprint qualifying races. Recovered enough to race in the OD qualifiers in the second half of the season. So, no choice really. Olympic distance it was!
Z: What do you think your biggest challenge will be leading up to the race?
G: 1. Controlling the nerves and staying on track with the training program.
2. Keeping my weight under control as the training volume decreases in the last weeks.
3. Getting enough sleep!
Z: What do you think your biggest challenge will be during the race?
G: 1. Not getting too far behind in the swim.
2. Pushing through the barrier at around the 7-8 km mark on the run, where I always think I have run out of steam
Z: How has your motivation been?
G: Very strong!
Z: What has motivated you?
G: The 4th at Worlds last year helped! It showed me that I can be competitive. But it was a case of close but no cigar! This year I am really hoping for a podium (And wondering whether I am setting myself up for disappointment) 🙂
Z: What has inspired you in the past? Has this had an effect on your training?
G: 1st year – the surprise that I could compete at this level.
2nd – I thought I had a chance!
3rd – same thought! But now I am more experienced in my training and general attitude.
Z: It is an exciting time, heading off to the World Championships, the Olympic Distance and Sprint distances have a uniqueness about them. You are an official member of an Australian Team that is competing internationally, how do you feel about the lead up?
G: Feels great, a real ego boost. However, the pressure that comes with it is substantial, especially when trying to finish high up the listings. Pressure from wanting to do well in the eyes of family, friends and Tri Alliance teammates is also strong.
G: I started planning before the OD qualifiers back in January. The starting point was a bit of a low as I was still recovering from the accident (torn medial ligament on left knee). Then Sydney was not until mid-April. The training program called for a start 2 weeks later! My training went well except for a major distraction caused by the Higgs boson and the big conference I was chairing in July. Since mid-july training has been going well, including a trip to Europe and a triathlon in Germany. The big weeks of training are very big and tiring. 18-19 hours some weeks around a busy work schedule, sometimes three sessions a day, means planning is very important.
G: This can be quite difficult. Not being a naturally fast swimmer I am happy in lane 1 or 9 and that is fine with the squad. I get to all the swim sessions I can, and now do a few light lunchtime sessions, to try to improve stroke problems. The base phase on the bike was great. I love the big rides and the wind-trainer session. Lately, however, I have been doing the Saturday morning rides alone – speed work on Beach Road and hard, seated repeats of Olivers Hill, to more closely resemble the Auckland course. Thursday nights’ run sessions with T-A are great fun. I do Tuesday morning run sessions alone on the Uni track (800s) or Anderson st hill repeats. Sundays I like to start late so have always done my long runs alone. Running races and duathlons are an attempt to get some race experience in the off-season before Auckland.
G: There is so much support from Tri Alliance mates for all members training for their particular events. Squad members, friends and family are very encouraging which is a tower of strength. I have a strong sense of responsibility to do my best for my many supporters, as well as my own ambitions and self-esteem. It does feel like a partnership.
G: Yes. Looks weird but at the big events everyone is wearing them so you are just one of the crazy looking mob. The literature says they are a cheap improvement to air resistance.
Z: One word association
Swim: faster
Bike: hills
Run: fast
Gel: bonk
Wax or Shave: wax
New Zealand: cold
Film: in-flight
Song: sad
Wetsuit: cold
Pool or Ocean: ocean
Apollo Bay or Falls Creek: both
Z: Thanks for taking the time to chat with me Geoff, we know how hard you work and train and we all look forward to cheering you on next month. Good luck with your final preparations.
‘Zoolander’
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