Paul
SmithLegends
Paul Smith | Michelle Wu | Steve Baker | Jemani Francis | Jon Howse! | Dannii Broughton | Meg Ross | Michelle Gallen | Anthony Evans | Big Dog (Adrian Craft) | Raeleigh Rogers | John Boxall
Current and past Tridents are profiled on this page.
1. Why Tridents?
I
was swimming with someone even crankier than Benny, so when Benny started out on
his full-time coaching dream and the Tridents began, I was very keen to jump on
board.
2. What triathlons do you compete in?
Long courses and Half Ironmans recently, but it is almost time to give an
Ironman another shot again!
3. What’s been your best performances?
The 10th place overall finish at Australian Ironman in Forster in 1998,
after running in to 6th place and then fading a little in the last 10
kilometers, to miss the magical sub 9hr mark by 30 seconds or so. Greg Welch
yelled at me with 3km to go that I had a chance of dipping under 9 if I hooked
in to it and ran 10 minutes flat, but I just fell short. The presentation night
is always such a big deal - it was an incredible privilege to be standing up on
the stage amongst some of the sport's big names.
I was a bit disappointed at not dipping under 9 hours so headed off to Austria
just 10 weeks later to give it another shot. Ended up 10th again and with a
8:54:19 pb for the distance which unfortunately still stands to this day.
Running down the finish chute waving an Aussie flag, was awesome! Running past
topless girls on the beach during the run was also another highlight! (the
organisers were actually planning to have a topless aid station, but ran out of
time to organise it)
4. Biggest mistake made in a race?
The most embarrassing was during my 10th place finish at Forster. Thousands
of people were cheering and watching me jump on the bike (with shoes clicked in
to pedals already), only for me to realise after taking a few pedal strokes with
my feet still on top, that I had clicked my shoes in to the wrong pedals. Had to
stop and swap them over feeling very sheepish with the crowd going crazy all
around me. I also forgot to put my race belt on for the run that year, so spent
the first 5km of the run unpinning my bike number from the back of my tri-top
and pinning it back on to the front, with thoughts of being disqualified
pounding through my head.
5. Hero / s?
* My dad who was an awesome runner in the 1970's and 80's, including a win in
the Canberra Times Fun Run.
* Yuri Borzakovski, Olympic 800m gold medallist on the track in Athens, whose
attempts to even split an 800m race invariably leave him 20 to 30m behind the
leaders at the end of the first lap. He then either wins it spectacularly coming
from a long way back, or looks ridiculous by losing badly. Awesome when on form,
but always interesting to watch!
6. What's your dream ride (bike & route)?
I would love to ride my trusty old cyclo-cross bike to Brisbane again - I have
already done it twice by myself, and they have been the longest, toughest, and
yet most enjoyable rides I have ever done. In 2004 I rode to Brisbane via
Forster to watch Ironman, then the next year rode a different route to watch
Port Macquarie Ironman. Taking back-roads, lots of dirt, forests and National
Parks - they have ended up being 2,500km long odyssey's. 12 long days starting
at 7:00am, with most nights arriving in the dark at some dodgy little $50 motel.
I had a farmer I was chatting to on one of the rides say to me - "Gee that's a
cheap way to get to Brisbane," but when you factor in the $70 of food (mostly
junk) you have to eat everyday to get your calories, even flying first class
looks like a cheap option.
7. If you had the chance, who would you most like to spend a couple of hours
riding with -- finishing with a coffee of course.
Elvis - I could take some photos and make a million bucks, and add it to my
Lotto winnings below. I think we would also need more than a coffee for the big
fella after some exercise.
8. If you won a couple of million bucks in Lotto, how would you spend it?
I would buy a farm for my beautiful, supportive wife, and then invest the
rest (plus the Elvis money) so that we never had to work again. I would also
have to buy a 4-wheel motor bike for the farm, so that I could then use it to
train up to do the Paris-Dakar rally on it.
9. Training holiday -- where would you go (unlimited money) & (limited
money)?
* Limited money - Bright in Victoria. Great place to ride and then sit in
the river cooling your legs off with a beer in hand.
* Unlimited money - would like to head over and do some training whilst
following around the Vuelta Espana (Tour of Spain) one year. I also hire one of
the million dollar Pro-Tour team buses (with masseuse) to get around in.
10. If you could change one thing about triathlon, as a sport, what would it
be?
I would add a new rule for the swim leg. Every competitor's fat folds would be
measured before the race, with a maximum combined neoprene/body-fat limit of
50mm to be vigorously enforced. In laymans terms - the fatter you are, the
thinner the wetsuit you will be allowed to wear (if at all). Fairness in sport
would be the big winner in this rule change, and me as well obviously.
11. Anything else you'd like to add?
I would just like to say I that I have been part of Tridents right from the
start, and that it is just as exciting and enjoyable now to be a part of as at
any other time in the last 10 years. And a big thanks to those people that have
put their hand up to be on the committee and help out in other ways with the day
to day running of the club. Also a big thanks to Ben for not being a completely
boring, sane and emotionally stable coach - which always makes it interesting
at training. And last but not least, thanks to all the Tridents training
partners I have had over the years!
Michelle Wu
Name:
Michelle Wu (aka Shell, Shelly, Wustar)
1. Why Tridents?
Great range of athletes (from novices to Olympians), training venues close to
home (except Bike Time Trial!!), and one of the best coaches in the country!
2. Favourite Tri Leg?
Don't really have a favourite as it changes all the time, but if i had to pick
one I'd have to say the run :o)
3. 06/07 season goals?
To step up to Elite racing without making a fool of myself!
4. Biggest mistake made in a race?
Using my Zipp 404 wheels in the Newcastle triathlon where it was so windy i was
being blown around like a feather! It was very scary!
5. Hero / s?
Lance Armstrong, Simon Thompson, Emma Snowsill
6. What's your dream ride (bike & route)?
Bike - The one I've got! :o)
Route - Hard one to pick! Canberra's such a great place for cycling! Would love
to ride (or at least attempt to ride!) up Alp d'Huez in
France :-)
7. If you had the chance, who would you most like to spend a couple of
hours riding with -- finishing with a coffee of course
Lance Armstrong - for stories, tips and hints on all things cycling!
8. If you won a couple of million bucks in Lotto, how would you spend it?
Donate some (to RSPCA),
pay back mum and dad, quit work, and hire a personal pilot to fly me around the
world to races!!
9. Training holiday -- where would you go (unlimited money) & (limited
money)?
Unlimited money - Boulder, Colorado. it's apparently the Mecca of Triathlon!
i.e., where all our Pros seem to go :o)
Limited money - if i had limited money i don't think I'd be traveling very far!
Gold Coast wouldn't be a bad place to train :o)
10. If you could change one thing about triathlon, as a sport, what would
it be?
Run first, so i don't have to chase all race! he he! :D joking! nah, it'd be
good to change the view that triathlon is "too hard" and only for the "super
duper fit". Physically, lots of people can do the sport. Mentally though, is
where the catch is! It would be nice if it paid the bills too! (I'm sure my
parents are wondering why i picked Triathlon and not Golf! :)
11. Anything else you'd like to add?
Remember it's not about the destination. It's about the journey. The road my be
long and bumpy, but it's not the size of the dog in the fight. It's the size of
the fight in the dog. Persist and be patient. The destination will take care of
itself :)
1. Why Tridents?
I think my first exposure to Tridents was back around 1996/97 when the likes of Jon Howse and Graham Reilly convinced me to come along and do Benny’s swim squad. It was such a great bunch of fellow triathletes there was no going back. I can certainly remember how hard I thought the swimming was as I did not have much of a swimming base. I recall lying in bed after a squad swim and still feeling like I was swimming.
2. Favourite Tri Leg?
I really enjoy the ride but based on the swim squad training noted above my strongest leg is probably the swim. I can very confidently say in an Ironman my least favourite leg is the run which is ironic as I come from a run background (although it is over 400m and 800m hence why the marathon is so tough).
3. 08/09 season goals?
It is time to give the Ironman caper a bit of a rest so Rachel is very happy that 08/09 does not include any ironman races. I have been very lucky to go to 5 world champs over the last few years (including Vancouver in June) so goals are to have a crack at the world champ team in Australia. I think I will focus on the long course as I probably have a better chance of making the team but I will not rule out maybe having a run at Gold Coast as well. I think a wise man once told me (Benny) maybe it is time on quality rather than quantity.
4. Biggest mistake made in a race?
Probably my biggest mistake about racing was betting that I could do 10 Ironman races within a 3 year period. With the benefit of hind sight although I can tick off the challenge I an not sure if it the best idea I have ever come up with.
As far as during a race the very first world champs team I made was in 2005 in Fredericia – Denmark. It was a very long way to go for a long course race of 4km swim, 120km ride and 30km run. On the second lap of the ride I blew out my back tyre and looked like I was going to have my first ever DNF. As it turned out the race official told me Australia was a long way to come from and not finish the race. He phoned the owner of the local bike shop at home so after about 45 mins sitting on the side of the road this old Danish guy who spoke no English and still wearing part of his pjamas turns up in his van with a replacement tyre and tube, fixes it and then points for me to get on the bike. I still recall this guys running behind me on the bike giving me a push start ala Tour de France and I was back in the race. The mistake I made was not using singles and I have not done another key race since without either using singles or carrying 2 spares and 3 CO2 cartridges.
5. Hero / s?
I’m not really much of a hero person. I of course have much admiration for fellow Tridents who balance work, family and triathlon as I think this is probably one of the toughest things to do in our sport whilst trying to keep everyone happy including yourself. I guess if you can do this successfully you are doing well.
6. What's your dream ride (bike & route)?
The best ride I have done was having the chance to ride up Alpe D’Huez in France and I have been lucky enough to do this twice in the last couple of years. It is a very tough climb but the scenery is sensational. Absolutely one of the best rides ever although I would do it on the Scott again but not with carbon race wheels. Maybe that should have gone under the question about biggest mistake as riding down with full race trim including singles and melting brake pads was not a wise choice.
7. If you had the chance, who would you most like to spend a couple of hours riding with -- finishing with a coffee of course.
I think it would be great to spend a couple of hours riding with anyone that can share some Olympic games experiences.
8. If you won a couple of million bucks in Lotto, how would you spend it?
I would love to take Rachel and the boys over to France for a year to live. Stay in a chateau somewhere near the alps, enjoy the experience of living in another country while taking in the great sporting events like the Tour. If I had that much money I would also fly in Jon Howse for entertainment.
9. Training holiday -- where would you go (unlimited money) &
(limited money)?
Unlimited money would be follow the Tour de France around as part of an organised first class event staying at great hotels, riding the course and experiencing the madness of it all up close. It would be great to do this with the family and a number tridents to share the experience. If limited money I think the Baker base camp at Batemans Bay can’t be beaten. Plenty of good rides (which are more enjoyable outside of holiday periods), excellent swimming pool and ocean swims and some tremendous gravel road runs along the river and beach.
10. If you could change one thing about triathlon, as a sport,
what would it be?
I think triathlon and probably more specifically Ironman would have to be one of the best sports in the world. There are not many sports that have a culture of fellow athletes encouraging each other when racing against a distance. Although I would not really change anything I would love for everyone to experience an Ironman finish and everyone would see how addictive they can become. Foe me personally coming in at the not so pointy end of the filed I strongly believe that allowing family members to be able to run the last 200 metres down the finish shoot is mandatory and this should never be changed.
11. Anything else you'd like to add?
A quick opportunity to say thanks to Benny and all the Tridents for the great encouragement and support in the recent quest of ironman completions. Special thanks to the tridents guys who came to watch Port Mac and were very vocal and encouraging on the day of number 10 especially Rach, Jo, Paul, Jas and Smithy and fellow ironmen Sam and Jay.
1. Why Tridents?
It's a club hell-bent on helping athletes get to the next level.
2. Favourite Tri Leg?
Definitely the
transition. It is the only place where you can make up a substantial amount of
time on your competitors without any real effort.
3. 08/09 season goals?
Start becoming
competitive in the elite ranks of triathlon (so far I have really only been
making up the numbers). To do this I will need to improve my running
substantially.
4. Biggest mistake made in a race?
Not finishing. It just deflates you and gives you no sense of achievement. We work too hard not to finish races.
5. Hero / s?
Anyone who goes
out of their way to help someone else (there are plenty of them in Tridents).
6. What's your dream ride (bike & route)?
I would love to ride the Paris-Roubaix race course just because it looks amazing on TV.Climbing Mount Ventoux (the "moon looking" mountain) and Alpe D'Huez would be awesome too.
7. If you had the chance, who would you most like to spend a couple of hours riding with -- finishing with a coffee of course.
My friends.
8. If you won a couple of million bucks in Lotto, how would you spend it?
I would probably invest it and then live off the returns it generated the rest of my life. Therefore, I could pretty much do what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it.
9. Training holiday -- where would you go (unlimited money) & (limited money)?
If I had unlimited money, then I would be on a training holiday for the rest of my life. So in answer to your question, I would go all around the world.
Limited money,
I suppose it depends on your definition of limited money. I'm not sure where I
would go, but somewhere with lots of good beaches and national parks for trail
running.
10. If you could change one thing about triathlon, as a sport,
what would it be?
The format.
Everything these days seem to revolve around standard distances in the order of
swim - bike - run with the races nearly always coming down to the run. I
wouldn't mind the triathlon organisers mixing it up every now and again
to enhance spectator viewing and widen Triathlon's appeal. For example, they
could introduce eliminators, enduros, reverse order tris, time-trials, draft
legal and handicaps to triathlon.
11. Anything else you'd like to add?
I just want to thank my sponsors Jaggad Multisport Clothing (they have some really quality merchandise) and CoreCoal for their support over this past season.
1. Why Tridents?
When I started out in Triathlon I realised that I needed some structure to the
training. I had programs designed by various “experts “(one of them is now
working with Horses!) While all of them offered something, nothing compared with
the unique structure of Tridents training and racing support.
2. Favourite Tri Leg? The finishing line!
3. 08/09 season goals? Enjoy the tri season and the people that make it fun Go
Top 10 in Vancouver (I am in trouble now!)
4. Biggest mistake made in a race? Putting my bike shoes on the wrong sides!
5. Hero / s?
Thomo for his guts and determination, and so many people who keep doing this
crazy sport in all conditions.
6. What's your dream ride (bike & route)?
A Ducati 1098 at Phillip Island (Motorbike)
Bicycle , Cannondale of course being ridden on repeat reps ( at least 20) of
Corin Dam !
7. If you had the chance, who would you most like to spend a couple of hours
riding with –
finishing with a coffee of course.
Coach Ben as he pushed me off my bike last time before we had coffee !
He needs to drink more Coffee.
8. If you won a couple of million bucks in Lotto, how would you spend it?
Buy a whole lot of Bulldozers and flatten out the Corin ride to do the repeat
reps.
9. Training holiday -- where would you go (unlimited money) & (limited money)?
Unlimited money, South of France for 6 months and then into the Pyrenees’
Limited money, straight from OPH to Kingston Grind for Coffee
10. If you could change one thing about triathlon, as a sport, what would it be?
Stop the cheats drafting on the bike leg. Maybe we have to shoot a couple of
them to set an example!
11. Anything else you'd like to add?
This is a great sport and people like JR, Clarkie and Grasshopper (G Reilly )
are living, (that’s questionable maybe existing is a better word ! ) reminders
that you are never to old or stupid to do Triathlon.
There are also young people like Steve Baker (aka the Burglar) who do 10 years
of Ironman racing in 2 years! He is a reason why they should reopen mental
institutions !
Dannii Broughton
1. Why Tridents?
After returning from South Africa and 3.5 years overseas in the middle of 2003, my brother AB already a Trident’s member convinced me to give the novice program a go. I stared out swimming in the Monday night session and would then wait for AB to finish the HT session in the gym. I remember watching on in awe thinking these guys are really good.
2. Favourite Tri Leg?
The run, because it means I’ve survived the swim and finished the bike in one piece.
3. 06/07 season goals?
At the start of the season it was to back up my Half Marathon debut in May 2006 by combining it with a swim & ride before. Sonja had convinced me to do the Gold Coast Half Ironman in October. After being sucked in to the Ironman fun fair in Hawaii, I was hooked. I wanted to be that person crossing the line well after dark, shedding the tears rather than shedding them with them in the stands.
4. Biggest mistake made in a race?
I am not sure on this one. None to report on as yet –touch wood.
5. Hero / s?
I could mention the names of a few here who I’ve never met or will probably never meet, but it wouldn’t seem right.
There are a lot of people in the club whom I look up to and openly seek their advice and expertise. Those who can still maintain the training and run a family household – wow. Those who don’t look a day over 40 or behave a day over 30 and those who let us share in their accomplishments – you know who you are.
6. What's your dream ride (bike &
route)?
My current bike – Giant TCR Zero
Route: I love the hills so anywhere in the alps.
7. If you had the chance, who would
you most like to spend a couple of hours riding with -- finishing with a coffee
of course.
Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack of course. I’d pick his brain the whole way. I am thinking Collector return and then a table for 2 at Subway Dickson thanks to Simon.
8. If you won a couple of million bucks in Lotto, how would you spend it?
I’d buy my dream home, retire and have a family.
Perhaps I’d then give the Tridents a lucrative sponsorship deal and have my name printed across everyone’s arse – I mean race gear.
9. Training holiday -- where would
you go (unlimited money) & (limited money)?
Limited money: Bright Victoria – it’s a great place in the summer if you’re keen on the hills. Lots of good bakeries, and I found a great single trail for running.
Unlimited: Tour de France tour – 5 stars the whole way.
10. If you could change one thing
about triathlon, as a sport, what would it be?
Live TV coverage of the big races & can I have one more – who orders the bloody competitor t-shirts!!!
11. Anything else you'd like to add?
Coach Ben knows his stuff – he knows more about you as an athlete than you think. Listen & learn.
Meg
Ross
1. Why Tridents?
My husband, Jeremy started training with Tridents while I was away with work for 6 weeks. We had heard good things about the club and Ben’s coaching, so I joined up too as soon as I returned to Canberra. I was training all three disciplines, so joining up with Tridents was a great way to formalise my training, schedule sessions better and get more consistency with my training. Other clubs seem to be great with promoting participation, but I am too competitive for that – it’s great to see that Tridents aren’t afraid of performance.
2. Favourite Tri Leg?
Bike – Of course!
3. 06/07 season goals?
Up until now I have been working my bike leg, so perhaps I should take the plunge and compete in a tri! I like the shorter, faster races.
4. Biggest mistake made in a race?
I am constantly making mistakes with timing my efforts – but I’m always working on it.
5. Hero / s?
I have a few but two of my hero’s include – Shane Kelly, for his natural talent, persistence and is the nicest guy to meet and James Tomkins, for his work ethic and dedication that lead him to win 3 Olympic Gold medals, 1 Olympic Bronze medal and 7 World Championship gold medals… and is still racing!
6. What's your dream ride (bike & route)?
I love riding the Alpine Classic (Bright to the top of falls via Towonga gap and back, then up Mt Buffalo and back to Bright) in Victoria with Jeremy – on anything full carbon. I am fond of Specialized, but have you seen the Biachi-Ducati… nice!
7. If you had the chance, who would you most like to spend a couple of hours riding with -- finishing with a coffee of course.
Sir David Attenborough. I always learn fascinating things from his docos. Just a cruizy ride and no doubts - a great chat!
8. If you won a couple of million bucks in Lotto, how would you spend it?
Well – How the mind boggles! I would buy a new bike for me and one for Jeremy. I would use the money to train up for my pilots licence as I have always wanted to become a pilot. I would go on a skiing holiday in Courcheval, France before investing the rest.
9. Training holiday -- where would you go (unlimited money) & (limited money)?
Every holiday is a training holiday… so Jeremy and I would do our own cycling trip through the Italian Alps. We would do plenty of hill climbing, passing through little villages and stopping for coffee where nobody speaks English. Until then, North East Victoria offers great riding, scenery and the pancakes at the Cosy Kangaroo rock!
10. If you could change one thing about triathlon, as a sport, what would it be?
So many people love the sport of triathlon and put so much time and effort and money in – yes, there is some recognition, but our elite guys and girls have to go OS to make any money out of it.
11. Anything else you'd like to add?
Go Tridents!!
| Michelle is a former elite swimmer who made a great
transition to triathlon.
Michelle at Edmonton Worlds in 2001 |
|
1. Tell us what you are currently up to and why you haven't been as active
in the Tri scene recently?
Just over three years ago I got offered a PhD candidature at
2. Back in your day when you were a bigger Tridents hero, what was the
jewel in the crown of your performance?
Racing elite in the Australian Triathlon Series – it was such a buzz to toe the
start line alongside some of my heroes in the sport like Emma Carney and Barb
Lindquist.
I never saw them after the swim but hey! it was great fun.
3. What do you look back on and wish you had done better (triathlon that
is)?
To be honest, I can’t think of anything.
Triathlon was a ‘second’ sport for me after swimming seriously for many
years, and I always approached it with a ‘no regrets’ attitude.
I am happy that I always did the best I could with the time available to
me and balancing sport with the rest of life.
Probably wish I had learned better bike skills earlier – would have saved
on medical costs!
4. What's your best triathlon experience?
The travel and the people.
Spending a large part of the US summer in Boulder with Rae (Rogers) in
2001 was a time I look back on as fantastic – living the lifestyle of a pro
athlete for even a short time and sharing it with a great friend.
More recently, Steve and I completing our first Ironman together was very
special.
It is the people that have always kept me in this sport and whether in
5. What's your worst triathlon experience?
The bike accidents!
Those who know me from old will chuckle – if there was a person going to
come down in the bunch / on a pothole / in a strong breeze / you name it, it was
me.
I have broken wrists, ribs, hands, tailbone, jaw, cheekbones, eyebrows…it was
ugly!
I used to lie on the ground after an accident and wonder what was broken
this time.
Thankfully my bike skills have improved since then.
Oh, and the worst race experience was a DNF in my first Ironman attempt
in
6. What's the most legendary training day or session you've ever done?
That’s a tough one, I was never into the mega-mileage that many around me used
to thrive on…I do remember one training camp up at Jindabyne with only Thomo,
Rae, Stu Shaw and I – I was outclassed and sooky!
Day two Benny made me get in the van to get back to camp and I lost it
coz I wanted to keep riding, but I knew I was an hour behind the others and it
was a headwind the whole way back…I did love those camps though and the best day
at one of them was Jindabyne – Dead Horse Gap – back to Cooma – fell asleep on
the back of a motorbike getting a lift home!
7. Who's your triathlon hero and why?
Sam Robinson and a girl from
8. If money and/or fitness was no object, what race would you love to go
and do or have done?
All of them!
I love travelling and triathlon is a great excuse to really see a place.
I am sure there will be a few more overseas races in the future – I would
love to do a couple of the European Ironman courses in particular like
9. If money or fitness were no object, where would be your favourite place
to set up a training base/camp?
Boulder Colorado May–September,
10. Is the Hawaii Ironman, or Ironman in general all its cracked up to be?
I can’t really say about
11. There's a bit of a legend that Coach use to crack the shits big time
any good stories worth sharing?
Poor Coach – not all stories about him are when he was wearing his cranky-pants!
I am pretty non-confrontational so used to keep a low profile when there
was a storm brewing.
Besides I was so stubborn I think Coach knew yelling at me would be a
waste of breath.
Benny famously didn’t crack the shits with me one season when I decided
that I was going to make a come-back to open water swimming.
He put on different sessions for me for months and then rode his
motorcycle all the way to some end-of-the-earth place in
12. What’s your worst triathlon related travel story?
One of the hardest places to access that I ever went to race was
13. Who would you really like to beat in a race, or like to have beaten
when you were racing?
Ah, there was this one girl who
shall remain nameless – she used to train with us sometimes over summer (and was
well-known for spectacular
dummy-spits) and in my first draft-legal race I ended up in a small pack
including her on the bike. With one and
half laps to go, she saw the lead bunch catching us and sat up and said ‘oh
well, we’re going to be lapped’. I had
some strong words to her but had to do all the work for the rest of the ride to
stop us being lapped. We got off the bike
and of course she put 8 minutes into me on the run…to finish in the money!
Grrrrrrr!!! Would have loved the
opportunity to reverse that…
14. Any tips for the newbie's?
Listen to Coach when he tells you
to work on your bike skills. If it is
cold, wet and you are tired from late nights at work / getting up to feed the
baby / just life, NO you don’t have to get up and train.
Enjoy the journey! coz success might mean a different thing when you get
there…
Anthony Evans
(added 08/08/2006)
| Anthony is a 4 time Winter Olympian in cross-country
skiing, and basically a V12 Ferrari engine strapped to a pair of legs.
That’s Anthony in the middle (not doing triathlon) |
|
1. Tell us what you are currently up to and why you haven't been as active
in the Tri scene recently?
We shifted to Jindabyne last October – a job came up and it just seemed like a
good idea. We decided that we liked
2. Back in your day when you were a bigger Tridents hero, what was the
jewel in the crown of your performance?
I don’t have any ‘crown jewels’. But seriously, when I was with Tridents I
wanted to do IM, and I was satisfied with the result. But my reason for training
with Tridents was more to train with a group of top athletes. As a Cross Country
skier, there were few fellow athletes or coaches around, so much of what I did I
had to do alone. To hook up with Tridents and get advice from the Super Coach
was a heap of fun, and something I hadn’t experienced much of in the past.
3. What do you look back on and wish you had done better (triathlon that
is)?
The bloody swim, of course. There is no other explanation, swimming just sucks.
4. What's your best triathlon experience?
Don’t know – probably the obvious one – finally getting to stop after that
tortuous 42k third leg.
5. What's your worst triathlon experience?
2 k’s into the run at Forster (IM) 2 years ago my back seized. I just stood
there like I had a stick up my bum, thinking that my race (as well as my
training and preparation over the last 6 months) was over. Lucky there were no
Tridents snooping around because I was probably in tears and it isn’t something
I would have lived down in a hurry! My wife could see me from a distance and was
wondering what the hell I was doing. I spent a few minutes stretching (or really
just hanging over someones front fence) and finally the spasm let go. The next
couple of k’s I did at about walking pace and then I got into my rhythm.
6. What's the most legendary training day or session you've ever done?
Probably skiing from Kiandra to Perisher in a day. It is 85km (if you don’t
stuff up) and there is an unofficial record of about 6 hours, so I took it on.
Unfortunately, being able to ski fast was only part of the equation. Navigation
also comes into it, and I’m a bit shaky on that. I got lost several times, ran
out of food and water and had to catch the chairlift to get over the last hill
into Perisher (don’t think that was in the rules – I haven’t actually told
anyone about that until now, so I feel a bit like Mr Landis). Think I got there
in about 8 hours.
………another time I was holidaying in the
7. Who's your triathlon hero and why?
I don’t have a triathlon hero, however I have the upmost respect for elite
athletes who are also just ‘good blokes’ (or ‘gals). There are just too many top
athletes around who are so full of their own ego. To quote Andre Agassi: “…some
athletes need to take their prize money and go buy themselves some
perspective..” (of course, he was referring to a particular althlete –
Kafelnikov, I think). Tridents is extremely fortunate to have an athlete who is
both ‘super elite’ and a good bloke.
8. If money and/or fitness was no object, what race would you love to go
and do or have done?
Having been bitten by the IM ‘bug’, Kona is probably the only answer here, but
doing it well would be a priotity. Pretty unlikely, I’d say, but isn’t this a
question where we can fantasise? There is also a ski race across
9. If money or fitness were no object, where would be your favourite place
to set up a training base/camp?
Would have to be the Alps in
10. Is the Hawaii Ironman, or Ironman in general all its cracked up to be?
I haven’t done
11. There's a bit of a legend that Coach use to crack the shits big time
any good stories worth sharing?
What’s this “…used to crack the shits…”? I thought he still did! I have this
‘anti-tapering’ theory, where the week or 2 before a big race I would like to go
out and smash myself. I learnt the hard way not to suggest things like that to
Coach, as you will be told without ambiguity that he thinks it isn’t a good
idea. If there are people around, they will also hear (loud and clear) that he
thinks it isn’t a good idea and that you are an idiot (or worse).
12. What’s your worst triathlon related travel story?
Haven’t done enough of them to have one of these.
13. Who would you really like to beat in a race, or like to have beaten
when you were racing?
Thomo – because he is completely overrated. No really, if I could beat him, then
I’d be climbing onto podiums everywhere and at all levels of the sport and isn’t
that what every punter who has an imagination dreams about.
14. Any tips for the newbie's?
Gee, another hard question. Stick
at it. Success in sport doesn’t come easily, especially in endurance sports like
XC skiing and triathlon. Sometimes it’s the late developers who can develop the
furthest in the end. Secondly, look around and learn from others (particularly
in a great squad like Tridents). It’s better to learn from other peoples
mistakes than your own.
I thought there
were supposed to be 15 questions. Memo to Coach – learn to count.
Big Dog (Adrian Craft)
(added 08/08/2006)
| Adrian (aka Big Dog), is one of our most decorated
performers at the after race party. He is from an era where it was ok to
race Ironman in your speedos, and then more than ok to get nude on the
dance floor afterwards.
The picture is of Adrian cresting the Col de Vence in Nice, France, at the 2000 World Long Course Champs. |
 |
1. Tell us what you are currently up to and why you haven't been as active
in the Tri scene recently?
I made a transition (only triathlon thing I can still do) from an 83kg IM
triathlete to a 110kg shot putter. I lost the desire to put in the hours I
thought were necessary to do any good in triathlons so I moved on to track
cycling and then powerlifting/shot putting. Prior to tris I was a Rugby player
so the transition (that word again) wasn’t too hard, and putting on weight is
fun! I won the ACT Open Shot Put title last season as well as the National
Masters champs for my age. The rest of my world revolves around my darling wife
Mell and an 8 month old jolly little fat man named Owen. I still like to go down
and watch the occasional tri, but I’m not active in the scene any more as I
couldn’t run out of sight on a dark night.
2. Back in your day when you were a bigger Tridents hero, what was the
jewel in the crown of your performance?
The jewels in the crown would have to be a top 3 finish in the Nudie Gift at
both Thomo’s 21st and Wayno’s Duffy St. BBQ. Proper competition wise (and nude
running was a fiercely contested sub-sport in the late 90s) I would have to say
that winning a couple of age group titles in the ACT, as well as getting the
chance to compete on the world stage in Europe and the US are special things I
remember. Special mention must also go to toppling cycling legend Stuart
Bardsley in a nude lap of the velodrome of the Jindabyne Sports and Rec facility
on the bike camp in 1999.
3. What do you look back on and wish you had done better (triathlon that
is)?
I wished I was a better swimmer. 23 years of Rugby prior to tris left me
with possibly the world’s most inflexible shoulders. That didn’t help my
swimming much.
4. What's your best triathlon experience?
My best tri experience was probably my last Australian IM. The race wasn’t
the best, but I tapered very well for the post-match function. Bards’
‘helicopter’ on the packed dance floor of the Forster RSL (I only said shirts
off mate) was the thing of legends.
5. What's your worst triathlon experience?
Worst triathlon experience was probably the 2001 South African IM triathlon.
Smithy and I prepared well, traveled well, looked the goods but unfortunately
both came home unhappy. After 10km of the run I had absolutely nothing left, and
walked the rest of the marathon. The wind was so strong I got blown over twice,
and the later aid stations were deserted. The run was an out and back, so I had
no choice but to walk home. We did get to call Spencer Smith a poof at the
post-match function though.
6. What's the most legendary training day or session you've ever done?
The most legendary training day started with a sleep over at Scotty
Preston’s at Isabella Plains. I set my alarm for 0500 but Scotty’s favourite
trick was to set the alarm on his stereo for 0455 and have the Hoodoo Gurus
Greatest Hits CD on full bore. He’d then set his alarm for 0454 and sneak into
the loungeroom (where I was asleep next to the stereo) and watch the fun. He
caught me 3 times with this. Once I’d peeled myself from the roof we then met up
with Pete Taylor, JB, Wayno, Pete Townley and someone else (can’t remember who)
and rode to Tharwa and back. That was the start. Once we got back to Scotty’s
house we then continued on to Cooma and return. Total for the day, over 230km.
Pete Townley ended up collecting me from the side of the road just outside the
ACT after he’d been given a lift back to Canberra by a motocross team because he
looked so haggard on the bike. Everyone blew up that day, even Pete Taylor. We
then got to swimming in the afternoon feeling completely dead and did the end of
swim phase mystery session, where we pulled our workouts out of an envelope. My
lane scored 100x100m. Once we swam all the way through to the start of 2nd squad
Ben said that if we wanted to finish the 10km off we could do so in amongst the
2nd squad. He then didn’t let us out until the end of 2nd squad so the day
totaled 230km on the bike and nearly 15km in the pool. To top it off we all went
out on one of our ‘bad’ nights at PJ O’Reilly’s, got drunk, and Terra ended up
in hospital with dehydration……again!
7. Who's your triathlon hero and why?
My triathlon heroes aren’t the big names or the legends of the sport, but
people who get out and have a go. When I watched the Ironman in 1998 I admit I
did get a little choked up to see both Scotty and Chalks go sooo close to the
top 10, and Stewy Shaw coming so close to breaking 9hrs. I admire Smithy for his
endurance in the sport, and just admired Michelle Dillon (well what male
didn’t?)
8. If money and/or fitness was no object, what race would you love to go
and do or have done?
I guess everyone says Hawaii, and I would have to agree with that, but I got
to do a lot of races both here and overseas so in that regard I’m pretty
satisfied.
9. If money or fitness were no object, where would be your favourite place
to set up a training base/camp?
I would love to set up a training camp in Maui, Hawaii. Absolutely idyllic
place with plenty to do when not training or racing. I love golf and Hawaii is
right up there for courses. OK Maui for during the week but we’d shift to Vegas
for the weekend…..gentlemen shuffle up and deal!
10. Is the Hawaii Ironman, or Ironman in general all its cracked up to be?
I’ve always had slightly different views on IM. I never really put in a
decent go at one, but finished 6 and DNF’ed one. I think anyone can do an IM.
All it takes is time to train, a bit of training direction, and a bit of
persistence. However to race the IM is a different story. There’s nothing worse
than watching an IM race plan crumble before your eyes. Nothing worse than
knowing you were easily sitting on a 5.15 bike split pace and then inexplicably
blowing up. Don’t get me wrong, IM is a great achievement, as such a small
percentage of the population ever gets to complete one, but sometimes it’s
overrated. The Aussie IM is a great week and a great party to finish
though….don’t get me wrong. Hawaii can be full of crankers.
11. There's a bit of a legend that Coach use to crack the shits big time
any good stories worth sharing?
I have to share JB’s story about the Clayton dummy spit. Scotty and Wayno
were also kicked out of training one night before they hit the water after Benny
detected the ‘sherbets’ they had at lunch time (and continued until just before
they got to training). I’ve never known a man to get the word f*ck into so many
inspirational speeches! I also wasn’t popular one night after getting out of the
pool for about my 4th of 5th toilet break then admitting to Benny that I didn’t
need a squirt, I was just buggered. He just pointed back at the pool.
12. What’s your worst triathlon related travel story?
In 2000 Chalks and I caught a bus from Thomo’s pro team city in France
(Aix-en-Provence) to Nice for the World Long Course Champs in which Chalks won
his age group and embarrassed a lot of pros. I assured Chalks that I had read a
map and that our hotel was not far from the bus station……wrong! Chalks and I
dragged our 2 bike boxes and suitcases through the narrow streets of Nice for 3
hours until we told a cab driver that we didn’t give a f*ck if he thought our
bags wouldn’t fit in the cab, we would fit them in; and did. There wasn’t much
said between Chalks and I for a few hours after arrival. Watch a Swedish luggage
handler throw my bike box onto a plane in Stockholm in 1999 wasn’t the most
pleasant experience either.
13. Who would you really like to beat in a race, or like to have beaten
when you were racing?
I always hankered a desire to beat Scotty Preston in a race. He conveniently
forgets I beat him in an Aquathlon in about 1996. Trouble with this desire is in
reality I had no hope. Even if I was close enough in the swim it would have been
bye byes on the bike. Mind you, after years of trash talk Scotty and I stepped
into the boxing ring for the sake of the Quon boys in 2004. The result…well
you’ll have to ask him but put it this way, someone was looking at the roof of
the AIS Boxing arena 10 secs into round 5 and it wasn’t me.
14. Any tips for the newbie's?
I suppose the tips I could give the newbies is always try to improve
yourself physically and mentally in the sport, but understand your own strengths
and weaknesses. Don’t plan on riding a 5hr bike split at IM when you just can’t.
An easy 5.30 split and a great run will easily make up for the slower ride. And
most of all don’t be intimidated by the ‘show and shine’ of triathlon. There are
plenty of expensive bikes out there being ridden by pretty hopeless riders. In
an IM just worry about yourself and your own performance. Unless you’re looking
at a top 10 finish the day is all about you, not everyone else. The last thing I
would say is listen to what Benny has to say. God knows he turned a bunch of
party loving and slightly talented individuals into a squad that dominated
triathlons around these parts for quite a while. It’s not about the destination,
it’s about the journey. I will always remember my time with Tridents as no-one
thinking they were better than someone else. We all ate, slept and drank tris
together as a team. It was a great ride.
Raeleigh Rogers (nee Tennant)
(added 30/07/2006)
Rae is our best performed female Triathlete over the years, with numerous top 10 finishes in the Australian Ironman Championships, in international Ironman races, and also in international X-Terra races. She is also a multiple winner of the ACT Triathlete Of The Year award.
1. Tell us what you are currently up to and why you haven't been as active
in the Tri scene recently?
No Secrets here! My good excuse for not getting up and riding in the cold is
about a foot and a half tall and calls me Mummy!
2. Back in your day when you were a bigger Tridents hero, what was the
jewel in the crown of your performance?
Ironman Australia 4th place in 9:38.
3. What do you look back on and wish you had done better (triathlon that
is)?
RUN!!!! And recovery.
4. What's your best triathlon experience?
Oooooh! A tough one...... I think the whole Xterra thing. The people, the
challenge, the places and the races were the best!
5. What's your worst triathlon experience?
Another tough one! There's been a couple of times I'd rather forget.
Probably World long course Champs in Japan where I had my first ever DNF after
an allergic reaction to stingers in the water.
6. What's the most legendary training day or session you've ever done?
I always think of those days training with Steph for our first IM and doing
the Sutton, Gundaroo, Yass loop on the bike, get home have something to eat and
zoom to the pool for a quiet 6km session! The longest single ride I ever did was
in California and it was 260km. Ouch! The thought of doing that in a car now is
not pleasant!
7. Who's your triathlon hero and why?
Greg Welch, A good all rounder, good at sprint and IM. Plus he's a really
nice bloke!
8. If money and/or fitness was no object, what race would you love to go
and do or have done?
I always wish I had done Roth IM, maybe one day I'll watch it instead!
9. If money or fitness were no object, where would be your favourite place
to set up a training base/camp?
Boulder Colorado for our winter, then back home after the Maggies have
stopped swooping! Canberra is awesome.
10. Is the Hawaii Ironman, or Ironman in general all its cracked up to be?
The feeling of finishing an IM is unbelievable, IM Australia has the best
atmosphere of any I have done. I was a bit disappointed with Hawaii the year I
did it, Aussie IM looked after the athletes better and was more organised but I
hear things have changed with the new management in Hawaii so that's great. It
should be THE pinnacle of IM experiences.
11. There's a bit of a legend that Coach use to crack the shits big time
any good stories worth sharing?
Again a toughie..... so many to choose!!! Ha! I do remember very early in
the Trident's life, Coach throwing a fast and furious kickboard at someone's
head for not paying attention to the instructions. Sound familiar..........
12. What’s your worst triathlon related travel story?
Travelling in the US after September 11 was a challenge as you would expect
but one experience I had was over the top. My luggage and bike box (with both
MTB and Roadie) were totally pulled apart and unpacked at Orange County Airport
in California, by the biggest butchest security guard I've ever seen. The cow
would not let me assist and almost broke my forks while tearing at my bike as
they were clamped into the box. Anyway about 300 other passengers were watching
and waiting for their turn to go through security and got to check out my
underwear and bike bits spread across the floor. I had to cause quite a scene
before reinforcements were called in, and finally the boss came and fixed the
situation, though I almost missed my flight to Maui. It was pretty yucky!
13. Who would you really like to beat in a race, or like to have beaten
when you were racing?
Anyone who was tackled up on drugs!!!
14. Any tips for the newbie's?
Try not to get bogged down by the tough times, remember that if your having
a bad day or a bad time (in a race) to keep going as there will always be a good
time just in front of you! And number one....... Have fun!!!! If it's not fun
it's not worth doing it!
John Boxall
(added 30/07/2006)
John Boxall (also known as Bon Joxall), arguably the strongest swimmer and toughest trainer the Tridents have ever had.
1. Tell us what you are currently up to and why you haven't been as active
in the Tri scene recently?
Raising a baby, concentrating on extending my waist line by eating fine food
and good wine, and of course Fly Fishing.
2. Back in your day when you were a bigger Tridents hero, what was the
jewel in the crown of your performance?
Winning the 30-34yr age group at the Australian Ironman.
3. What do you look back on and wish you had done better (triathlon that
is)?
Hawaii Ironman, I regret not beating Paul Smith.
4. What's your best triathlon experience?
Beating Simon Thompson to win the ACT Sprint Champs.
5. What's your worst triathlon experience?
Foster Australian Ironman, after leading 90k's into the bike and then
getting off the bike and not continuing the race.
6. What's the most legendary training day or session you've ever done?
Probably the toughest training session was a regular Wednesday session which
included 130kms on the bike (included big gear up Corin) before work followed by
an afternoon track session of 24x1kms.
7. Who's your triathlon hero and why?
Dave Scott his record speaks for it self .
8. If money and/or fitness was no object, what race would you love to go
and do or have done?
Hawaii Ironman, it is the pinnacle of Triathlon.
9. If money or fitness were no object, where would be your favourite place
to set up a training base/camp?
Canberra is a great training base, roads are well maintained and we have
heaps of open parkland and trails to run on. I guess my preference would be
Canberra and Jindabyne.
10. Is the Hawaii Ironman, or Ironman in general all its cracked up to be?
Hawaii, is it all and some, even just being a spectator is awesome.
11. There's a bit of a legend that Coach use to crack the shits big time
any good stories worth sharing?
Probably the one that stands out for me is one Saturday afternoon swimming
session after a long group ride in the morning, Clayton Clews showed up late and
there were a few colourful words spoken by the coach and Clayton didn't take it
on the chin. He wanted to stand there and have it out with the coach. It was
probably the quietest Saturday afternoon swimming session I've been to, no one
was game to say a word.
12. What’s your worst triathlon related travel story?
Travelling to Kona for the Hawaii Ironman and having to spend 8 hours, in
the middle of the night outside Honolulu Airport, listening to Alison Coote
rabbit on and on.
13. Who would you really like to beat in a race, or like to have beaten
when you were racing?
John Van Wisse in the swim leg of Ironman, I missed getting $500 twice
because of him.
14. Any tips for the newbie's?
Don’t forget what's important.
