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On the crest of a fitness wave
WHEN the Olympic Games officially open today, Stephen Shaw will be watching his favourite discipline, the triathlon, with great interest, hoping he might be able to pick up a few tips.
“As you get older, you really feel the need to keep exercising,” he says. “The triathlons are great, because you are only competing against your own age group.
“If I can keep doing them until I am over 60, I would be very happy. Definitely, my cholesterol levels have gone down and my weight is under control because of exercising.” Last month, Stephen competed in the Eireman X Off-Road triathlon in Courtown, Co Wexford. He had to swim 750m in Courtown Harbour Bay, where the water temperature was 12 degrees. Then, he had to cycle 10km across hills and muddy woodland paths, carrying his mountain bike through two rivers. Finally, he had to run 3km cross country.
“I came 37th out of over 200 competitors, which I was very pleased about, as I had fallen off my mountain bike in training and had hurt my knee,” he says. “But I had a good swim, and definitely improved my time from last year.
“I knew the cycle course from doing it before, so that was fine, and the running was only 3km, so it wasn’t too hard and didn’t effect my knee. I am not incredibly fit, but I wouldn’t be too bad for my age.”
It comes as a surprise to hear that he finds the “biggest adrenalin rush” comes at the start of the race, rather than when he crosses the finishing line, usually two hours later.
“At the start, your heart is racing, you are waiting to hear the beep, you are all lined up on the beach. You know it is going to be a mad dash to the first buoy and it can get physical,” he says.
“There can be a bit of argybargy. But the start is the most exciting part of the triathlon. Then, during the race, you try to keep the pace going. I just enjoy what is happening, I really love swimming in the sea, looking at the bottom. It is very satisfying to cycle, and the whole thing is very enjoyable.”
Stephen says it’s never too late for someone to start training for a triathlon, and suggests starting with a friend or joining a local club. The only equipment you need is a wet-suit, a bike, helmet and runners.
“A wet-suit can be quite expensive. Luckily, I just won one as a prize. But you can ride any bike - I have seen bikes costing €4,000, then ones that cost •150.
“I have been passed by a bicycle with panniers and upright handle bars and I was on a racing bike. He was a damn good cyclist,” he says.
During the winter, Stephen would swim once a week, and, if the weather is good, go for a run or a cycle ride. But, by April, his training would increase to running 6km twice a week and he would cycle to work and back - about 20km.
“Triathlons are so good for your health, as long as you don’t think you can beat age and try to take on the 20-year-olds,” he says.
“You can still be competitive, just within your age group.”