Although he is about the same height as some of the F4L Junior athletes – Liam is one F4L athlete with some big ambitions in this sport… he was very keen to have his turn on the questionnaire. Didn’t hold back either:
What’s the first thing to enter your mind when you wake up on a training day?
It is really cold right now and I want to sleep…. but if I go back to sleep the guilt of not doing my session will bug me all day. Wrestles with consciousness*…. get’s out of bed.
Tell me your favourite F4L story.
16 x 100 (swim) at just above 400TT pace. Brutal set (thanks coach). Clancy half way though magically ‘has to go to the toilet’ and disappears for 10 minutes. Comes back smashes the 15th and 16th and looks at me and says, ‘What? It was just starting to hurt’.
Who trains and who complains the hardest?
I have admiration for Catherine who for a young lady possesses an incredible maturity, drive and focus to get the best out of herself (not just in triathlon). She missed nationals this year due to an unfortunate injury but she still had that look of determination to keep going. She trains well, works hard and will be rewarded one day for such efforts.
Biggest complainer is easily Clancy. ‘My legs hurt’. No Candy Snakes for you! (Liam encourages the juniors – and seniors come to that – with a bag of sweets at group turbo sessions)
What’s your favourite / least favourite type of training?
I love swimming although I still regard running sessions as my preferred type of training. Cycling remains my least favourite discipline for a number of reasons; it is the only leg where some days I just don’t want to do a cycling session!
If you could have any superpower – what would it be?
To go back to any period of history and watch it unfold. It would answer so many questions lost in history.
What’s your typical meal and snack line up on a training day?
I train everyday and a lot of the time twice a day, so I eat a lot. My diet is more balanced these days. 6-9 weetbix or 3-4 slices of toast for breakfast, a few sandwiches or toasties for lunch and dinner is usually meat, veggies and rice. Obviously you can throw in a mix of foods I snack on. I am happy to eat cookies, fruit, bars, chocolate drinks, mixed nuts or chocolate as a snack. I find I train quite well with some high sugar/fat sources of food!
What’s your usual pre-race routine?
Pretty standard. Pack your bag the night before, triple check you have all the equipment you need. Race morning I am up extra early so I don’t have to rush, try to snack and sip on water, toilet breaks and work out the entry and exit points in a transition.
Describe the perfect 2016/17 for you.
Honestly if the most important people in my life are happy that’s what matters most. In a triathlon sense I am targeting a sub 4.30 IM 70.3 and looking to go under 10 for IM NZ in March. A Kona qualification would be the dream scenario, if not this season sometime in the near future.
Quick fire round:
Favourite training music?
Changes every few months. Common contributors include Eminem, Karnivool, Kanye West, The Prodigy, RATM or Linkin Park. Keep the tunes heavy and fast.
Favourite chocolate bar? (If you have one!)
Who said chocolate? Where, where is it! I don’t care what type, maybe Toblerone?
Favourite film and why?
Just to clarify Star Wars is the best saga. If I had to pick a single film I would probably choose Titanic (bet you would never have guessed that one).
Biggest inspiration?
Crowie, Chrissie and Macca inspired me when I first got into the sport. These days I think anybody who can really get out of there comfort zone, work hard and accomplish something they want is pretty amazing to witness.
What’s the best bit of advice you’ve ever received (that you’re able to share!)?
Be consistent. Listen to your body. Have fun.
