I’ve always been someone who loves sport and have always harbored some desire to compete at a high level. Over the years I’ve tried a lot of different sports, probably with the aim of finding the one thing which I am naturally good at. I would say that my strengths and interest lie in endurance events. I tend to get the most out of these on a personal level, having achieved something challenging. That’s not to say that I don’t get a lot of personal satisfaction out of being part of a team but I’ve found the harder the physical exertion involved, the more I like it. Which is why it was kind of inevitable that I would end up trying to complete an Ironman.
It’s a running joke with my family and friends that I’ve tried and abandoned numerous hobbies over the years. My garage is full of the remnants of many of these including various bikes, a rowing machine, golf clubs, a windsurfer, a rugby ball…the list goes on. I’ve had varying degrees of success with some of them and failed abismally at others. All I know is that I love sport and like a challenge, and I’ve had a lot of fun along the way.
Although I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve tried I guess I’ve realised that the sports that I enjoy the most are not necessarily the ones I can excel at. Consequently, these can only ever be hobbies rather than a basis for a professional sporting career.
Nevertheless, I’m fascinated to know what it must be like to be a professional sports person. I’ve read countless autobiographies and books on all different types of sports. Several themes emerge for me from all of these. Firstly, every elite athlete is naturally gifted, physically or psychologically. Secondly, the environment in which they are brought up or live in can be a key factor in defining their development. Thirdly, you have to plan for success, it does not happen by accident. To my mind, you can control the second and third, but can only do so much with the first one. i.e. no matter how hard you try, you may not be physically capable of running a sub 30 minute 10k or mentally capable of hurting yourself more than your rivals. These attributes are what separates the elite from the masses.
That said, I’m convinced that you can apply the skills and experiences you learn from sport to everyday life, be it on a personal or work level. These have undoubtedly helped my career and has shaped my social life. I’ve taken something from all of the sports I have tried.
For me, all sports I tried led to Ironman, and in my case Ironman UK in Bolton on 16th July 2017. My garage full of hobbies finally came in useful on a sporting level, and continue to shape my life. Read on if you want to know more.
Here’s my personal sporting (non-elite) biography:
Alpe D’Huez Long Distance Triathlon- August 2018
Ironman UK, Bolton – July 2017
Ironman 70.3 Staffs x3, Full Boar Half distance, Outlaw Half
Olympic distance triathlon races, various: Castle Tri Series, Birmingham, Belvoir Castle
Henley Regatta Wyfold (Coxless Fours) 2008 1st round
Boston Marathon rowing race
London Marathon x1
Half marathon races, various x8
Rugby – Friary school 1st XV captain, Staffs County
Swimming – Lichfield Swimming Club Captain, Staffs County
Modern Pentathlon Biathlon (Swimming & running) – Midlands
Basketball – School captain
Athletics – 800m school record holder x3
Thanks and I hope you enjoy the journey.
Andy