DARE TO TRI
Sticking with the
Programme
Although now an experienced triathlete with multiple Ironman medals, Warren Thomas stays a member of the beginner-oriented programme because he says it’ s a great way to train for the big races. – INTERVIEW BY SEAN FALCONER
MA: Please start by telling us about your sporting background, and how you got into triathlons.
WT: I dabbled in soccer, rugby, cricket, and did a bit of weights, but nothing serious or competitive, and instead, I put on weight. By 2012 I weighed 120kg with a 38cm waist, so in 2014 I made a mental shift – I entered a few short running races up to 10km, did a 19km Warrior obstacle race, then entered my first 21km. Those all went well, so I entered my first sprint tri in Germiston. To be honest, I was shocked that you can do all three disciplines together and still do well.( Warren now weighs 85kg with a 30cm waist – Ed.)
MA: What made you join Dare to Tri( DTT) in 2015? WT: A friend, Carli, had done the full Ironman through DTT, and another friend, Ryan, had also done the full, and I thought let’ s give it a try as well. I had still only done one sprint tri, so I thought let me try a 70.3 and see how I go. I found an awesome team vibe and support system of like-minded athletes at DTT.
MA: You did your first Ironman 70.3 in Buffalo City in 2016, finishing in 6:37. Tell us about the experience.
WT: There is no better place to step up to 70.3 than EL, as the community support on the road is just incredible. My goal was just to finish, and in most of my pics there is a smile on my face, because I was having such a great time out there!
MA: You went on to do the 2016 Ironman as well, finishing in 14:32 … WT: I was also training to do Comrades, so it was a tough day out for me. My goal was again just to finish, but I had some challenges. A bee stung me on my head after flying into my helmet, then a guy fell on me after we both stopped at the halfway refreshment station of the bike. I only discovered later that my front break was pushed up against the wheel in the fall, hence the second half was so much harder! Then ITB struck during the run leg … but I still finished with a huge smile.
MA: This year you’ ve really excelled: First DTT athlete home at 70.3 Buffalo City in 5:59, first at Ironman PE in 12:34, and first at 70.3 Durban in 5:18, just two weeks after finishing your first Comrades in 9:05. Quite some year!
WT: Thanks! In Buffalo City the ITB problem had cleared up, so I went there with a sub-6 goal, and came home in 5:59:09. In PE I must admit that I made a rookie error … I changed my nutrition on race day, after buying energy bars at the Expo. Unfortunately, they did nothing for me, and the halfway point of the bike, I had to stop at a food station and pile in bananas and energy gels. I battled in the run, surviving from one food station to the next.
After that, Comrades went better than I expected. Triathletes tend to be more focused on nutrition, especially during races, and I saw that in Comrades as runners around me caved in. I recovered quickly, and two weeks later I was back in Durban for the 70.3, even though it was not originally part of the plan. The swim was good, the bike was tougher than people had said, not quite as flat, but the run was one of my best ever.
MA: So what is next for you? WT: I just want to try improve my times, but I am going for my Comrades Back2Back medal in 2018 and Durban 70.3 is a week before Comrades, so I will have to skip that. My results are getting better and I’ m moving up the age rankings, so maybe I can even get a podium in 2018!
MA: And you’ re going to stick with DTT? WT: What I appreciate most is that it allows you flexibility to train in your own time. We all have busy schedules, but with DTT you know what you need to get done, and then have great coached weekend training sessions, ongoing support, people sharing advice and stories, and you get to see the smiles on faces as they hit their targets. It’ s an awesome programme.
Sign up for DTT Today!
The season is underway, but you are still able to join the DARE TO TRI programme, which is an affordable and manageable training programme that fits in with your family / social and work commitments. You will receive personalised coaching and can join coached weekend group training sessions. You cannot get this level of coaching at this cost anywhere else! To sign up, go to https:// daretotri. canbook. me / dtt-2017.
Images: Courtesy Warren Thomas
18 ISSUE 101 DECEMBER 2017 / www. modernathlete. co. za