Rhodri Jones AOM November 2014

Name: Rhodri Jones

Age: 35

Occupation:

Brand Executive, SHS Drinks.

Years in Triathlon:

On and off 20 years.

Triathlon Highlights or recent performances:

Notched up a few wins over the past few years and podium places. 1st Letterkenny Triathlon 2014 / 2nd Titanic Tri 2014 / 4th Welsh National Champs / Penninsula Tri 1st 2013 / Roe Valley 2nd 2013 / Causeway Tri 2nd 2013. Also seeing my wife Gillian compete in her first ever triathlons this year was great, especially completing the DUST tri with the open water swim and gruelling run!

Current Goal:

Compete in a few cross country races and start building a base on the bike. Currently going through a change in my swim stroke to try and gain a few seconds in the water (I thought I was a decent swimmer until James Walton burst onto the scene!).

Next Year’s Goal:

Really just improve on my swim and bike, being able to compete for podiums. If I can get a season under my belt without any injuries, illnesses or broken bones I will be happy. Causeway Coast is always a race I like to do well in, I’ve had some bad luck there in recent years so maybe things will improve 2015!

Favourite Training Sessions:

Swim 30 x 50’s off 60 secs with last 5 off 50secs.

Bike: Thursday night with the Bann Wheelers, no holds barred! A fast and furious 35miles, things start to heat up climbing past Dunluce School and it’s a big effort not to be dropped.

Run: has to be at the university cross country course with AP, Davy Jackson and Paul Fletcher.

What made you take up the sport?

My Dad was a triathlete and a founding member of Triangle, my Mum and brother also competed so it was a no brainer for me!

Favourite food/drink

Gillian’s lamb tagine or my brothers seafood platter in Tenerife!

I like craft beers, especially wheat beers like Blue Moon and Hoegaarden.

Also fiery ginger ale for some reason!

Favourite bit of kit/equipment

Garmin 310xt – I’m a bit of a slave to it

The new TTC tri suit – love it!

Who do you see as your main rivals?

Anybody faster than me! And there are quite a few!

Finish this sentence: If I wasn’t training I would be ‘probably doing a lot more surfing and taking more time to coach / help my kids. Eva has just turned 8 and is involved with the swimming and running club, I take a group of kids at Coleraine swimming club and get a lot of satisfaction trying to bring them on and seeing there times improve. So yes trying to put a bit back into the local running and swimming clubs at junior levels, but due to my busy work and training schedule I can’t fit it all in.