Getting to know.........rodneyr1981

pgibbo

After a bit of an absence we're going to kick off the "getting to know" series to bring us up to race season. As ever, please have someone lined up and ready handover to them on the Thursday.

Our first victim volunteer is rodneyr1981. :P Thanks for volunteering. Go easy on him folks

A couple of easy ones to get going.....

How long have you been involved in triathlon?
What got you interested in triathlon?
What's your sporting background?
How do find balancing work, family & training?
What has been your best race to date & why?
Any aspirations to do the Rás?
Oh yeah, where did "rodneyr1981" come from?

P.

tunney

Are you married?
Do you have kids?
Crunchy or smooth peanut butter?
Where you born in 1981?
Worst thing that ever happened you in a race?
Worst thing that you did in a race?

rodneyr1981

Cheers P.

How long have you been involved in triathlon? Year 4 now. The more i'm learning the more i realised i didn't know.
What got you interested in triathlon? Needed something to keep me busy post rugby. Did my first race and got hooked.
What's your sporting background? Football & hurling up until 21 then switched over to rugby up until 30/31.
How do find balancing work, family & training? Alot better than before. had to adapt with kids etc. At the moment feel it's ok. More about sacrificing my free time than the family's. Getting in 10-12hrs/wk with busy job and 2 kids so can't complain.
What has been your best race to date & why? Kinvara half marathon 2014. Turned up and expected sub 1.30. Hoped sub 1.28 and did 1.22. Nothing special by any means but gave me great confidence to kick on.
Any aspirations to do the Rás? Not in the next few years. Enjoying what i'm doing now and still have way to much to learn.
Oh yeah, where did "rodneyr1981" come from? Not sure really - was often called rodney and this was taken up, boring but just added YOB

rodneyr1981

Are you married? Sure am. 3 delightful years for her.
Do you have kids? 2 boys. 3 & 6. Great criac at this age.
Crunchy or smooth peanut butter? Crunchy every day
Where you born in 1981? Yup
Worst thing that ever happened you in a race? Might have to think about this and come back on it. Nothing sticks out.
Worst thing that you did in a race? Nothing major. School boy errors like taking off laike a rabbit and blowing up or going on a break group when i was way out of depth. Again nothing major spring to mind

BennyMul

so far whats your favorite race,
Ideal place for a bike ride or run
whats music is currently in your playlist

joey100

Do you have a long term plan for tri Rodney??

Any bucket list races??

Current bike (know you were looking at changing recently) and dream bike set up??

rodneyr1981

BennyMul wrote: »

so far whats your favorite race,
Ideal place for a bike ride or run
whats music is currently in your playlist

Fav race so far would prob be Mallorca 70.3 last year. Beautiful swim with a nice climb on bike. Made a family hol out of it which added to it.
Enjoy mullaghmore sprint. Find it well run but may be because it was my first ever tri??
Haven’t done much cycling abroad but lap of corrib on a nice sun morning is very enjoyable. Something I hope to change as the kids get older.
Most recently listened music on playlist – I’d have to actually check. Sad!! Could be anything. I don’t listen to music when biking or running. Maybe something heavy for harder turbo sessions. My short commute to work is generally just radio.

rodneyr1981

joey100 wrote: »

Do you have a long term plan for tri Rodney??

Any bucket list races??

Current bike (know you were looking at changing recently) and dream bike set up??

Hi Joey,

Plan to go long in 2015. Austria/Sweden or Copenhagen. (Might just follow Pgibbo and the red where ever they go)However really enjoy the HIM's. Have 5 done but feel I’ve a lot more improvement to make in these. No long term plan as such. Once i'm enjoying what i'm doing i'll continue however may take a season out and focus on some bike racing.

Bucket list - would love the black t-shirt. Would love the mental challenge.

Current bike - changed from the Felt B2 to the Argon E-116. Has mainly been confined to the turbo but well happy so far from the few outdoor spins so far.

Hope your feeling better.

AndyC80

Rodney, was there any triathlete or workmate in particular that inspired you to get into triathlon?

rodneyr1981

AndyC80 wrote: »

Rodney, was there any triathlete or workmate in particular that inspired you to get into triathlon?

Inspire......no

Do you feel your an inspiration??:-)

NeedsTraining

What is your favourite part of training?
Favourite discipline also?
Is the better half into sport?
Any role models in sport? (Tri, football, rugby). Who and Why?
Coffee stop during a long bike or after or both?
Crisps or chocolate?

EC1000

You had a great season last year (only going by the races i know you did). Going back to Mallorca or Kinvara? What did you learn from those races last year - each being challenging in different ways.

rodneyr1981

Hi Needstraining,

What is your favourite part of training? Love the feeling of completing a good hard honest session.

Favourite discipline also? Bike, especially the long weekend training spins.

Is the better half into sport? During the summer does a bit of running - more for social aspect.

Any role models in sport? (Tri, football, rugby). Who and Why? Wouldn't have one in particular however being from a rugby background love listening to certain people like Paul O'C, O'Gara. Honest and expect nothing easy. Love their mental strength.

Coffee stop during a long bike or after or both? No stop. Some of group meet after but i generally head for home

Crisps or chocolate? Both! But treat nowadays

rodneyr1981

EC1000 wrote: »

You had a great season last year (only going by the races i know you did). Going back to Mallorca or Kinvara? What did you learn from those races last year - each being challenging in different ways.

Hi EC1000,

Mallorca no unfortunately. Family hols planned for end of year this time. Heading back to Kinvara alright. Kinvara last year gave me a lot more confidence in my limited ability. Going to target 79.59 but will be touch and go. Down a few Kg on this time last year so fingers crossed.
Mallorca - learned I can't decent for sh*t. Tried to follow some German fella's line. Nearly ended up over a cliff!!

BTH

What's your triathlon race plan this year?

How do you find the collinamuck spins?

You gonna do any Thursday night bike races? 5k race series?

Which would you prefer? Being able to swim like me run or like John G, leaving your other two at their current level??

What do you do to pass the working day between training sessions? (You've probably told me before)

what sport(s) would you really love to see a real interest and ability in and which mainstream sport (if any) would you prefer they didn't get involved in??

How many years will I need to be living out west before I'm no longer considered an outsider??

pgibbo

Someone give BTH a hug.....poor guy is feeling like an outsider

rodneyr1981

BTH wrote: »

What's your triathlon race plan this year?

How do you find the collinamuck spins?

You gonna do any Thursday night bike races? 5k race series?

Which would you prefer? Being able to swim like me run or like John G, leaving your other two at their current level??

What do you do to pass the working day between training sessions? (You've probably told me before)

what sport(s) would you really love to see a real interest and ability in and which mainstream sport (if any) would you prefer they didn't get involved in??

How many years will I need to be living out west before I'm no longer considered an outsider??

First of all your an outsider. Full stop.

Plan is to get 2 HIM's in. Athlone and prob Lough cutra. Will do a few sprints. Toying with lost sheep.
Enjoying the collinamuck spins. Some good lads that I bounce questions off. Try to train with better level than me so this group works for me.
Yes will do some thur spins if it doesn't impact other training leading into races. Another mistake of last season. Will do 1 or 2 of the 5k races just to target a pb.
Run like John. Prefer to be chasing than be chased.
I assume your another question regards the kids? If so I'm not too confined to what they take up but would prefer it to be a team based sport.

BTH

Sorry, yeah I was referring to the kids. I was in a bit of a daze when I posted them.

Cheers for the responses.

Dory Dory

Hi Rodney!

How many bikes do you own? Do they have names?
When and how did you learn to swim?
What is your favorite pool toy?
Do you wear a watch when you swim?
While on the bike, do you grab the water bottle with your right or left hand?
How many miles a week do you run?
Have you ever run a marathon? If so, which one(s) and what is your best time?
Are you targeting an IM in 2015 (as stated on page one) or in 2016?
Favorite flavor of ice cream? How many scoops? Bowl or cone? What kind of topping(s), if any, would you have?
Have you any tattoos? If so, of what and where are they located?

rodneyr1981

Dory Dory wrote: »

Hi Rodney!

How many bikes do you own? Just the 2 but love the suggested simple formula of correct # of bikes = n + 1. Simple but true.

Do they have names? No

When and how did you learn to swim? Still can't :-) remember my first Tri involved a 250m. Got into a fight with water fir that 250m. Nearly killed me. Got some lessons with tri club last year and doing same again this year. Prob area mad biggest gains but still not great.

What is your favorite pool toy? Armbands!! Prob pool bouy.

Do you wear a watch when you swim? Most of time now yes

While on the bike, do you grab the water bottle with your right or left hand? Right

How many miles a week do you run? 40 + km

Have you ever run a marathon? If so, which one(s) and what is your best time? Yes just the 1 Dublin few years back. 3.16 but looking back I would do very different next time.feel I could knock a good bit off that now. On my list of races to do again.would also love to do Boston.

Are you targeting an IM in 2015 (as stated on page one) or in 2016? 2016. Passport is stamped :-)
Favorite flavor of ice cream? Choc
How many scoops? 3
Bowl or cone? Bowl
What kind of topping(s), if any, would you have? Something crunchy
Have you any tattoos? Nope If so, of what and where are they located?

Cheers Dory

tunney

Why were you up at 0419?

rodneyr1981

tunney wrote: »

Why were you up at 0419?

The 3 year old came in and kicked me out of my bed. He's a bit sick at moment so let him off

joey100

You seem to be pretty competitive Rodney, when you do a full ironman will you be doing it with a time in mind or just doing it to get around??

How fast do you think you can go over half distance??

Oryx

Morning or evening person?
What mental tricks do you use when the going gets tough in a race?
Glass half empty, or glass half full person?
Toughest lesson you had to learn? (In life or tri?)
Do you wear jewellery?
What scares you?
Who would be your ideal dinner date and why?
Trisuit or two piece?

rodneyr1981

joey100 wrote: »

You seem to be pretty competitive Rodney, when you do a full ironman will you be doing it with a time in mind or just doing it to get around??

How fast do you think you can go over half distance??

Yes for full IM i'll be going with a time in mind. Don't plan on investing all that time and money without doing the best i can do. What my goal time will be i'll decide next year. No point in me plucking a time from the air as my target.
I'd like to think i could go sub 4.30 on a decent course. I know that i have a lot to learn in all aspects. There is loads of room for improvement in a 3 disciplines as well as race prep, pacing, nutrition etc.
I've just signed up with a coach this week to help structure my training. I seemed to peak before my main races last year and be fatigued race day so hoping a more structured approach will help this. Will also remove a lot of the guess work.
Hope to go sub 4.40 in athlone HIM in July.

rodneyr1981

Oryx wrote: »

Morning or evening person?
What mental tricks do you use when the going gets tough in a race?
Glass half empty, or glass half full person?
Toughest lesson you had to learn? (In life or tri?)
Do you wear jewellery?
What scares you?
Who would be your ideal dinner date and why?
Trisuit or two piece?

Hi Oryx,

Morning person big time. Not one for lie ins.
Tricks - nothing major. Just try break things down be it get through next km etc.
Would like to think i'm glass half full person.
Lessons in Life - Without going into details. Put everything in perspective. Don't stress the small things.
Jewellery - Nope even the wedding ring hasn't been put on much lately.
Think my biggest fear would be something happening the kids or being helpless if something was to happen.
Ideal dinner date - Mr EPO himself. Most won't agree but mentally he strived to be a winner. Don't get me wrong he cheated & sh*t on people but love to get inside his head.
Two piece.

pgibbo

What's a typical training week like for you? I know that's now subject to change but what's the before & after looking like?
Death row meal - all the trimmings?
Who did you play rugby with and what position?
What are your 5k, 8k & 10k PBs?
Favourite eatery in Galway?
Anyone with a target on their back this season or do you have a nemesis?

rodneyr1981

pgibbo wrote: »

What's a typical training week like for you? I know that's now subject to change but what's the before & after looking like?
Death row meal - all the trimmings?
Who did you play rugby with and what position?
What are your 5k, 8k & 10k PBs?
Favourite eatery in Galway?
Anyone with a target on their back this season or do you have a nemesis?

Currently week would be along the lines of 3/4 morning swims - one being a coached session.
Run 3 times a week. Track on tues, tempo 12k run and long run 18-20km on a fri. Sometimes get an extra short depending on Work etc.
Bike- 2 turbo and 3.5/4 hr Sun spin.
This could all change with with the start of coaching.
Most of my rugby was played as a back rower. Played a bit in the centre.
Love the Asian tea house.
5k pb 17.21
8k - never done one. Easy pb in the waiting
10k pb 36.36
I would be targeting 1 or 2 local lads in the club.

Podge83

Do you find the first or last step of a run the hardest?
Do you prefer a large loop course or multiple smaller loops?
Any bad falls off the bike?
Do you prefer big and marketed races or small and local?
When the weather is sh1te, do you head out on the road or for the turbo?

rodneyr1981

Podge83 wrote: »

Do you find the first or last step of a run the hardest?
Do you prefer a large loop course or multiple smaller loops?
Any bad falls off the bike?
Do you prefer big and marketed races or small and local?
When the weather is sh1te, do you head out on the road or for the turbo?

Hi podge,
Last step.
Loop versus loops. Depends. Running race 1 loop. Longer race such as HIM I'd prefer 2/3 loops
No bad falls to date - touch wood. Have had a few close ones where I'm not sure how I didn't hit the tarmac.
Big versus small races - think both have a place. Love being able to roll up to smaller races an hour before kick off but I've done a few I'M branded races and enjoy the occasion as apposed to just the race.
Road every time - only thing I won't go out in is ice. Really struggle mentally with 2/3 hour turbo. My man cave is the shed out back so no tv etc to keep me occupied

pgibbo

What are your swim PBs like for 50m, 100m, 200m & 400m?
Do you do much strength and conditioning or stretching & foam rolling?
What shoes do you run in?

rodneyr1981

Hi,

Swim times still not great. Better than last season but still a lot to do.
Haven’t done any TT’s recently but based on training sets I reckon 200m is 3.20 & 400m is 7.00/7.10 ish. While times aren’t very fast I’m def a lot fresher getting out of water so if nothing else hope to see gains from this. Actually starting to enjoy swimming as opposed to a necessity.

S&C – little to nothing. Back in my rugby days it would have been a min of 3 times per week but something I need to add to my training. Foam roller only comes out when I’m feeling something tight etc. I’ll learn eventually!

Runners are Mizuno Air Wave’s. AKW’s recommendation. Work for me so haven’t changed. If it ain’t broke…

68 lost souls

In terms of diet what are the main differences you see between when training for rugby and training for tri? Or does it concern you?

rodneyr1981

68 lost souls wrote: »

In terms of diet what are the main differences you see between when training for rugby and training for tri? Or does it concern you?

Hi,
Volume would be the main difference. I would have averaged 15 1/2 stone where now I'd be just over 12. As a forward wasn't too concerned with weight and diet would have reflected that a bit. Rugby is very much an explosive sport where generally there is never long before a break in play be it a lineout, scrum, penalty etc.
I found a hugh difference in times and enjoyment in tri related activities as the weight came off. Weight would be one of my bigger challenges.
Drink culture is very different between the 2 sports.

68 lost souls

rodneyr1981 wrote: »

Drink culture is very different between the 2 sports.

This is something that stands out to me too, having gone to a rugby school myself I can see a huge difference between before I got involved and tri and after.

Do you still socialize with the guys from rugby and if so how do find being out and not as interested in alcohol as the others?

(Personally I find people look at me twice when I say Im not drinking cause I want to get up at 8am on a Saturday to go for a cycle instead.)

rodneyr1981

68 lost souls wrote: »

This is something that stands out to me too, having gone to a rugby school myself I can see a huge difference between before I got involved and tri and after.

Do you still socialize with the guys from rugby and if so how do find being out and not as interested in alcohol as the others?

(Personally I find people look at me twice when I say Im not drinking cause I want to get up at 8am on a Saturday to go for a cycle instead.)

Some of my closest friends would be rugby lads. To be honest as we all got that bit older houses, kids etc knocked a lot of socialising on the head but I hear you. Some of them can't understand why u would get up early to cycle a Bike for a few hours. Some think it's just funny. I was at a rugby stag recently and I def wasn't last man standing!!

tunney

rodneyr1981 wrote: »

Some of my closest friends would be rugby lads. To be honest as we all got that bit older houses, kids etc knocked a lot of socialising on the head but I hear you. Some of them can't understand why u would get up early to cycle a Bike for a few hours. Some think it's just funny. I was at a rugby stag recently and I def wasn't last man standing!!

Were you drinking water though?

rodneyr1981

tunney wrote: »

Were you drinking water though?

Maybe I should have would have been the better for it!

Podge83

One more question -

Do you practice transitions. If so what do you do - do you go to some shady car park and continually "transite" with the risk of someone questioning your crazyness?? If you feel that your transition is good enough now did you spend much time in the past practicing.

I ask because my "Transite" is sh1te!

pgibbo

Any chance of tango giving up his king of POF title and doing a bit of training? :pac: