Today I have an interview with David, an avid member of the Oxford University Triathlon Club:
Hi David, had you competed in a Triathlon before university?
I was a Modern pentathlete for most of my school life, so I learnt fast how to juggle five sports and my school work. I did my first Triathlon in my final year of Sixth Form and never looked back.
How did you get involved in OUTriC?
I knew I wanted to carry on at university, so I made contact with OUTriC at Freshers' Fair. They hold a 'Freshers Aquathlon' for new students to try out the sport. It's a 200m swim followed by a 3k run and its open to everyone! Great fun.
How many training sessions do you have to commit to per week?
Absolutely zero. You can do as much or as little as you like. You don't even have do all 3 sports. The club caters for all abilities.
There a number of members who just swim with OUTriC. Some people learn to swim for the first time with us. On Saturdays there is a novice ride, typically 30km at a social pace that can be completed on any bike.
For those who are committed... there are 4 swimming sessions a week (plus open water in summer), 3 running sessions (hills, track, long run), and 2 turbo sessions.
How often do you compete?
There are 4 main university events each year. They are BUCS Duathlon, Varsity Duathlon (5k run, 20k bike, 5k run) , BUCS Sprint Triathlon (750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run) and Varsity Sprint Triathlon.
In addition to this the club also sends a team to BUCS Standard Distance Triathlon (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run).
We are the current Varsity Triathlon Champions in both men's and women's and we are men's Varsity Duathlon Champions.
What do you enjoy about the club?
It is a club I feel immensely proud to represent, a badge with history that means something. I enjoy the competition, there are plenty of athletes to spur me on. We all improve together.
If readers would like to get involved who do they contact?
Come visit the OUTriC stand at freshers fair when you arrive, or contact our president, Laura Fenwick at: laura.fenwick@lmh.ox.ac.uk or check out the website: http://groupspaces.com/outric/