Personal statistics

Basic information

D.O.B: 16/06/1982

Place of birth: Inverness, Scotland

Height: 182cm / 6′0″

Weight: 73kg / 160lbs

Education: School (1994-2000): Forres Academy
University (2000-2007): Heriot Watt, Edinburgh – BEng Chemical Engineering.

Live/train: Stirling/Stirling University - Stellenbosch, South Africa – San Diego, USA

Club:
Stirling Triathlon Club (Scotland)
Total racing Int – T.R.I (UK)

Resting HR: 35

Max HR: 210 or thereabouts

VO2 Max: 75ish

Quick Q&A

Before triathlon:
Regional swimming galas most weekends – I never even broke the minute for 100m freestyle!

First ever triathlon:
Oban moutain bike Sprint, April ‘97

Most memorable race:
Winning the 2007 Ironman UK 70.3 – my first attempt at a 70.3 race. Then going onto the World Championhips in Clearwater later that year and placing 7th. I realised I could race at this level after these results.

Toughest race yet:
Back when I only ever raced short course…… the Australian Sprint Champs, Jan ‘05. It was 40C, humid, very hilly, and I was walking less than 500m out of T2. It was my first time racing at Senior level outside of Europe and the racing was fast and furious. It was a baptism of fire, but I finished. 18th I think. That day certainly made me a stronger athlete without question.

Favourite race:
Wildflower long course triathlon festival, California. - The race is iconic and in my experience lived up to everything I had heard; great venue set in stunning scenery, a tough course with a fantastic atmosphere and crowd support.

In Europe it is deffinately the Gerardmer event. – If you can ever get the chance to go, please do! Races from novice to olympic to long course all on the same weekend.

Favourite training Base:
Stellenbosch, South Africa for ‘our’ winter, and San Diego, California for ‘our’ summer

Best racing Performance so far:
Retaining my UK Ironman 70.3 title in 2008, whilst lowering the course record held by Chris McCormack.

Worst training Session: 

Ah, there is no such thing as a ‘worst’ session! – What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!!

Most enjoyable Session(s):
A long steady ride with the boys in Stellenbosch or a nice long run round the North Third resevoir in Stirling (when in summer time!). Both rate equally highly.

Regrets so far:
Not making the Commonwealth Games qualifying standards for Melbourne 2006.

Hobbies:
Mountain biking (never get the time), skiing (again, very rarely), coffee, reading….sometimes books but usually magazines. I enjoy driving too.

Best food:
Chicken Pie a la mum!

Food to avoid:
Seafood with shells, eyes, slime or wriggly bits.

Music:
All sorts – and I use music often when training. Keeps me going.

Holiday:
I’m always on holiday!!

International Honours (GBR team representation)

2007
World Long Course Championships, Lorient, France – 12th

2005
World U23 Championships, Gamagori, Japan – 20th
European U23 Championships, Sofia, Bulgaria – DNF

2004
European Elite Championships, Valencia, Spain – 55th
European U23 Championships, Tiszaujvaros, Hungary – 21st

2002
European Elite Team Trial Championships, Gyor, Hungary – 11th

2001
World Junior Championships, Edmonton, Canada – 39th
European Junior Championships, Carlsbad, Czech Republic – 25th
European Junior Team Trial Champs, Carlsbad, Czech Rep – 6th