S4E8 -- UM Australia 2023 Preview & Profile of Simon Cochrane

UM Australia is the focus of this episode.  I have a chat with race director, Jeff Morris, to preview a few of the 45 athletes who are toeing the line in Noosa this weekend.  Like most 515 races, the line up includes some big names with lofty goals like Richard Thompson and his sub 20 challenge, and some people who are just challenging themselves to complete the distance.   We discuss the variety of situations that bring people to take on a 515 event..

My athlete in profile is New Zealand’s Simon Cochrane.  Simon is a pro triathlete with 37 Ironmans on his resume but is taking on the 515 distance for the first time.  He is the owner of Athletic Peak, a coaching and conditioning business which focuses on supporting athletes along their endurance journey.  Building to the lead up of UM Australia, Simon has recently topped the podium in a couple of ultra runs including winning “the claw”, a feat not previously attained at the Blue Lake 24 hour Challenge.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• UM Australia
• Ultra 355 Cozumel
• Ultra 355 Texas
• IM Cairns
• IM Canada
• IM Western Australia
• Basque Country
• Ultraman Florida
• Ultraman Arizona
• Taupo 100 km Ultra
• Blue Lake 24hr Challenge
• Tarawera 100 mile Ultra
• IM New Zealand
• WynRepublic
• IM Japan
• Badwater
• Marathon Des Sables
• Negative Split Carbon
• Athletic Peak

Shout outs and mentions in this episode:

• Tony Horton
• Judith Hudson
• Jeremy Brown
• Steve King
• Hayden Lyons
• Erica Lumb
• Rikki Anderson
• Dee Fuller
• Kylie Jones
• Karren Sewell
• Thomas Dade
• Andrew Trout
• Shaun McCarthy
• Benat Oliveira
• Mathew Thompson
• Shane Kent
• Simon Cochrane
• Carl Read
• Richard Thompson
• Jason Shields 
• Troy Gelch
• Steve Ledger
• James Scanlan
• Shaun Pero
• Nathan Stewart
• Shane Duffy
• Tim Franklin
• Matt Kerr
• Luke McKenzie
• Beth McKenzie
• Larissa Cochrane

___________________________________________________________

Show Contributors:

Host : Larry Ryan
Contributing Raconteur : Steve King
Announcer : Mary Jo Dionne
Production : 5Five Enterprises
Music  :  Run by 331
___________________________________________________________

For show notes and past guests, please visit the Podcast Website: https://515theultrapodcast.buzzsprout.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/515TheUltraPodcast
Insta : 515theultrapodcast
Email : 515Ultraman@gmail.com

Transcript

UM Australia Preview with Jeff Morris

Larry 0:51

UM Australia is running its seventh race from May 13th to the 15th. For some of my listeners, that will be tomorrow. But for the athletes and the crews, it's already today. I was hoping to have two people join me today for this preview of the race. I was looking forward to catching up with my old pal Tony Horton, who I crewed for at Ultraman Canada in 2014, who's the owner of this race, but unfortunately, his schedule was not lining up with recording. Still, I am happy to have the race director join me for this preview of their race, uh, which at the time of recording is in its final days of preparation from Harvey Bay in Australia. Welcome to the 515 podcast, Jeff Morris.

SPEAKER_02 1:36

Thank you for having me here, and welcome and good night to everyone.

Larry 1:40

A nice good day, all right. It's a good way to start off the uh Australia version.

SPEAKER_02 1:48

That's what everyone wants to hear. Yeah.

Larry 1:51

Uh as I said, I you know, I've been trying to get Tony on this show a few times now over the years, and uh I I thought I had him a few weeks ago when you guys were both in Cosmale and we were gonna do this preview. You guys were down there for the 355 race in Cosm Mail. Things happen and it didn't work out. Um maybe tell me a little bit about how that Cosmale race went. I know you were over there with them to help organize that event. I saw it was a bit smaller field, uh, but tell me tell me how that race went for you guys.

SPEAKER_02 2:21

Yeah, so Cosmel was great. It's uh uh you know it's the sort of fourth iteration or the fourth location that we're doing, the Ultra 355 event, uh to go with Harvey Bay, uh Canada next year and Houston this year. So um obviously Cosumel and Harvey Bay. Cosmel's now had three. We plan our third one in Harvey Bay in September. Uh and the idea was for me to go across and and meet with Judith, who's race director there, uh, meet with Jeremy, who's race director at Texas, uh, and experience Cosumel and have some of that really valuable face-to-face time. Um these races are a big logistical exercise to pull together. Um we we've got a great team and and with Tony steering the ship and and providing direction and and facilitating this to happen. Um, it was a good time for me to to commit to going over there and and just a magical location for a race and uh just everything was perfect. Yeah, if we we had a small field, but uh that's that's ours, that's Tony's commitment to to the brand and the the distance um that that we want to grow this and and like any business growth can be painful at times. Uh, you know, coming out of the pandemic, we started the Ultra 355 brand in the pandemic and uh put on some successful races. The the one race in Harvey Bay that we had to uh to reschedule. Uh you know, we had probably half the entered field uh we refunded and half of them committed to to the the next state that we could make it happen. And and that's what we're we're planning on doing is is maintaining that and and giving people the goal of Ultra 355, but also it's there as a stepping stone to that that UM distance stuff uh that that some people need in three-day racing, which is so different to any other long course sort of thing that goes on. So it was it was a great weekend or a week in Cosmell. Uh and yeah, uh having Tony one place for for a week was pretty amazing because he is really hard to pin down. Uh yeah, it was was great to have him and Judith and Jeremy and our crew all in the one spot and and have some good conversations and and talk about the future of the brand.

Larry 4:35

Yeah, and and even with the the 515 distance races, many of those races went with six, seven people, you know, when they were growing back in the early days. And even when I was doing Ultraman Canada coming out of the pandemic, we did a race with seven people. And like you said, if if the race director wants to show that they are willing to put that on and grow and and and take a hit, quite honestly, to put those races on, but to make that future happen, um, I it says a lot about you and Tony and the organization to be able to do that because I know the ones in Australia have been successful, right? Like the fields have been pretty large down there.

SPEAKER_02 5:21

Yeah, so we've had uh between 50 and 70 across the couple of events we've had so far. So uh Feb 21 and August 22 were the two events, and we're heading to to exceed that this year, which is great. Um the the small numbers, you know, it concentrates that that that feeling, that family feeling that that we're getting that we know exists with these long distance races. Um, particularly, you know, you put seven people together, it's it's massively intense. Um, but we know that extrapolates out. So, you know, we put 55 people on the course in in Newssa for UM Australia. Uh those 55 people have such a bond um that weekend and into the future. Uh so yeah, those the small numbers that we put out in these long distance events is is really something special anyway.

Larry 6:11

Yeah. And and Texas is the is the new one there. Tell me a little bit about Texas. Do you know? Can you just share a little bit about that one?

SPEAKER_02 6:18

Uh look, we've got uh Jeremy Brown, sprace director up there. So uh it's it's in an area, and we'll get him on to talk to people at some stage about this, but it's uh an area south of Houston uh where he's putting on. It's Jeremy Stomping Grand. He's got a lot of uh local contacts and local knowledge there to put a course together. Uh so yeah, we're we're looking to get um a good number of people out on course there.

Larry 6:42

Now, when I was um crewing with Tony back in 2014, that was kind of his opportunity to come into the Ultraman community and announce his race that would be showing up down in Australia. And originally he was part of the Ultraman brand and for a couple of years down there. And since then he's gone his own way, the way Steve Brown did up in Canada as well. Um, tell me a little bit about the the history and the the ohana that surrounds the Australian race, because I know it's it's very unique. Um, you get a lot of Australians, obviously, at the race, but also international people. So tell me a little bit about how that's grown over the time and maybe your involvement with the race from the beginning and and how it's all come together to this point.

SPEAKER_02 7:29

Yeah, so uh 2015, um, as you said, it was was Ultraman Australia at that stage. Uh I crewed, so my introduction to the distance was as a crew member for a really good friend of mine, Hayden Lyons. Uh uh was out of my realms. You know, I was mid training for an Iron Man at that stage. I was still really only a couple of years into the sport of triathlon. Um but even right back there at the start, and I I get goosebumps now to sitting here thinking about uh being there for Hayden and and in his journey, uh, but also seeing all those other people out there. And this this style of racing is just it is so special because it triathlon's an individual sport. Uh 515 UM is a team sport, and and I've said to a number of people, an athlete might get themselves to the start line, but no athlete gets themselves to the finish line. It's a it's a team sport that gets in the finish line, and I I love it for that fact. Um, now uh will I ever do the distance myself? I don't know. Um do I want to be involved in it forever? Absolutely. Uh it's just spectacular. Um the location in in NUSA in Australia is uh I you know, people will argue, but I don't think it can be beaten. It it really is just amazing. Just to drive that that ride course is some of the most beautiful country out, and it changes um the the swim and run, you know, there those ocean views and and the amazing water that people travel the world to come and see Bird Alone Race at. Uh, and yeah, we look at at this year where we've got you know 10 different countries, people coming from 10 different countries. I think it's about 18 athletes overall um from outside Australia, uh, which is you know, it's it's a third of our field this year because of of that location and and the race and the feeling that that Tony's fostered and put on and supported. Uh, you know, the crew that sits behind me to put the race on, and I I guess this is the same all around the world, but but every one of those people has either done the distance or has crewed for someone at the distance. And I think that um that important thing where you've got people that have crewed but haven't raced um is important because we have a yeah, well it is true, actually. That's right. Yeah. Um we we can have every bit as much passion for for the distance in the races as anyone, um, and we get that we're hooked on it. Um even though we haven't haven't done that 515 kilometer distance, we we are hooked on it and we know we're part of it, we're accepted into that family. So it is it is pretty special, and yeah, Australia yeah, is an amazing location for it, that's for sure.

Larry 10:16

Yeah. Well, well, let's get into uh talking about your race a little more and get into that preview. Um, I know you got Steve King coming down to do the race, which is amazing. Um he'll he'll be talking about these athletes in much more detail than we will. And obviously, we can't hit on all 45 athletes right now in this preview, but I would like to talk about some of the people that stand out maybe and that people will know a little bit more or or that want to follow along with the race. So uh let's go through a little bit of the numbers. You said there's 10 countries with 18 people from outside Australia competing. I believe you had 45 athletes. What's the breakdown of the athletes you got showing up at the starting line?

SPEAKER_02 10:59

Yeah, so so 45 should be hitting the start line. So we've got 13 women, 32 men, uh, which I think is a good is a good split. Um, you know, you don't always get a lot of women wanting to jump on, but we've got some people there. We've got a couple of um couple of people that are coming back for redemption, particularly in the that female field, some people that that have missed cutoffs in previous years. Um so that's always really cool and to see those people come along with what they've learned. So uh yeah, there'll be some some big cheers out there uh for a couple of girls uh that are that have you know owned where they were at last year or or two years ago and uh and have come back for uh for redemption, I guess. Yeah that's that's really cool. Um those those stories that you get from first place to to last finisher are are amazing.

Larry 11:49

One of those people that you were talking about that is on a redemption race from uh I saw on your Facebook page. I by the way, who's ever doing your Facebook page? Um, the idea of having the people to come and do their own videos to introduce themselves was absolutely fantastic. Uh I watched all of those, I thought they were great. Um, one of those was Erica Lum, who said, and she's in the 30 to 39 division of the women, said that she was on a redemption race. What do you know about what's happened for her at the previous race and why it's redemption?

SPEAKER_02 12:23

So Erica's previous race was two years ago. Um, you know, hard on the on the back end of the pandemic. Uh she's a nurse. Uh so uh and and in Australia, I don't know how many people know the landscape of COVID, but but we were uh very, very blessed. Uh probably a weird term to use, but uh some people were locked down, some weren't. We we led a pretty normal life during COVID times compared to some parts of the world. Now uh in Australia, Victoria was probably the place hardest hit, had the most cases, had the the uh most strict lockdowns, um which I think still by comparison weren't terrible, but uh they they were still uh pretty bad for people, particularly people that live an active lifestyle, which is our our kind of people. So um Erica was a nurse, she was in Victoria, uh, you know, did it tough, I think, through COVID, uh, still managed to get to that start line. Um, and you know, day three ran in in full nurse PPE uh and really put herself out there as um it was something she was doing, I think in her words, you know, she was doing it for all the nurses and the and the the frontline staff out there, you know. She wanted to to do something herself that was paying homage to those people that had sacrificed and and suffered through the pandemic. Um she's come back this year uh and and been blatant that this one's for her. Uh and she's come to put a time down to see what she can do. Uh and and this is the story you get all the way through uh these events is that people have their own motivations and their motivation changes during their their lead up, probably changes across the race weekend of what's motivating them at that particular point in time. Uh and you know, saying you're doing it for yourself is perfectly acceptable. Uh, and she's she's been really at there about that, but this year is about her and uh and showing herself what she can do. So looking forward to that, as I am everyone's story and journey out there.

Larry 14:32

Yeah, that that's that sounds like a a really good way of doing a redemption race. And some people just come back because they they gotta beat that clock, but uh yeah, she's she's coming back to to put one in for herself. I like that. Uh another another woman in that 30 to 39 category that looks like maybe she would be a contender, someone who's topped the podium before at Iron Man Iron Man Cans in 2015 and 2016, goes about 1030 at those. Uh is Ricky Anderson. She's 37. What what do you know, or what can you share with us about Ricky?

SPEAKER_02 15:11

Uh Ricky's Ricky's a pretty quiet uh kind of human. Uh so yeah, I don't know what Ricky's gonna lay down, to be honest. I know that yeah, she's got some speed in that body. Uh but yeah, I've had a I've had a couple of quick chats with Ricky. Uh she nearly pulled the pin. Uh look, I'm I'm gonna say Christmas time. Uh she she got a she got a pretty stand talking to you from me. Uh and uh and it was funny. The I I think the day I rang, she was at the pool and she just told her friends that she thought she wasn't gonna do it. And uh I rang her and and said, Well, you're doing it. And she she was a bit taken aback. She's like, have my friends been talking to you? They've all just told me the same thing. And I said, No. I said, You uh you put in so much work already. Uh if I let you pull the pin now, you you're not you're not gonna be a happy person come May. Uh so yeah, she she turned it around, you know, with a bit of harsh love or tough love from me and her friends. Uh and yeah, she will, you know, she's um yeah, doesn't put a lot of stuff out there, but yeah, obviously those the the times from my mares and things are there for all the C. Uh and and yeah, she's she's she's gonna be on a game, I would say, uh come next weekend.

Larry 16:30

Yeah, well, I I noticed that she's also been to Kona. Um, she's got uh she's been to Iron Man Canada when it was in Whistler and got a second there. And it looks like her PB is a 948 at Iron Man in Western Australia. So she's can definitely put down the times. Does she have the crew to back her up for this sort of a race?

SPEAKER_02 16:54

Uh look, I don't know much about a crew. Uh I know they've uh they've been following all the uh requirements we need of them, you know, getting forms back and and communication and details. So uh that's a big tick in the box from the uh the race organizers sitting here. That's uh if uh if they're doing that, then they're a good crew in my mind. So I it sounds like they're pretty organized uh and they're a pretty tight-knit group. So uh if if you know your athlete, then I think uh that that goes a long way to making you be able to look after them and and get them, like I said, to that finish line on uh on Monday.

Larry 17:27

Yeah. Uh looking ahead to the the 40 to 49 division, I see you have a past champion in that category in Dee Fuller, who's gonna be 42. Can you tell me a little bit about the time she's put down before and and what you might be expecting this year?

SPEAKER_02 17:44

Uh look, I think Dee's probably uh you'd probably say the one with the target on her, she's probably gonna be out in front. Um I think she uh she struggled with a little bit of motivation. Now she was to race last year, I think pulled out. Uh and we we rolled her over to this year. And uh yeah, she has been training well. Uh she uh actually talked to me yesterday, just checking on the rules with shoes because she's got herself some um some nice soft shoes to look after the legs over the 84 kilometres. Um was just making sure that everything was legit with that. Uh so yeah, she's checking the boxes, she knows she knows how to go fast depth there, she knows the course. Uh, you know, you'd probably be silly not to rank her number one. Um, but once again, she's had she's had her own journey to get there and um and battled some demons um and is is a great soul and has been someone that's been around us for a long time and um and has a has a really, really strong connection to UM uh in the distance. So yeah, it's uh gonna be great to see D out there giving it a crack.

Larry 18:51

Well, I see that her previous championship time was 25 hours, 35 minutes, 28 seconds. Do you think she's in the shape to better that this time around?

SPEAKER_02 19:02

Uh look, I'm not sure. Um, I think she certainly um knuckled down. I haven't kept an eye too much on her on her training. Uh but yeah, I think Dee's the kind of person that will want to want to better what she's done before. So uh yeah, I think if you're you're putting money on it, you'd probably say she's gonna give that time a bit of a tickle up.

Larry 19:22

And and a couple of other people that kind of stood out for me as as people that are, you know, coming in with a story again and and and maybe battling a few things along the way. And one of them is also in this category at age 48 as Kylie Jones. Uh, can you tell us a little bit about Kylie Jones and and what's going on with her as she comes into this race?

SPEAKER_02 19:45

Uh so Kylie's someone who's coming back to uh to become a finisher. Uh she battled battled through last year, um, two-time, I think, breast cancer survivor. Um, she's had some some battles in life and has chosen, you know, this this kind of race, this pathway to to show again what she's capable of. I think anyone that's beaten cancer's probably proved to the world they're they're pretty damn strong. Uh but yeah, she's she's coming along and and wants to uh knock it out of the ballpark. She's uh requested no rain for the uh the runday Monday after a minor flooding we had last year. Uh so yeah, I think um for for for Kylie, her it it's uh it's it's making that 12 hours each day for her. Uh and that is that is her her winning winning is is getting to that finish line. So yeah, um keen keen to see Kylie get there this year, that's for sure.

Larry 20:43

Yeah, and and for people that didn't uh catch your videos from last year's race, I I believe you had reposted one of them recently for for that run and the flooding that was going on. If they want to go onto your Facebook page and check that out, where it was like halfway up their knees running around across the roadway as they were trying to run. What was going on there? What happened?

SPEAKER_02 21:05

Yeah, it was um well, we it was absolutely torrential. Uh there was a number of spots on the course where roads got flooded, cars couldn't get through. Uh, but what actually happened about uh look, I'm gonna say about 12, 14 kilometers from home, uh, there's a uh a creek that's that's generally you don't notice it. Uh, but we got a video sent through from Marcus Brown's crew, who was first one there, and the the flood waters were so high he he actually shimmyed across a railing on the path because he wasn't quite sure how deep the water was, but he could see the top of the railing. So he shimmied across the railing, uh, at which point uh I was I was back at Race Central at the finish line, and we went, Hey, we need to get down here and make sure these athletes are safe. So I hightailed it uh on a scooter in the absolutely pouring rain, 10Ks down the road, Nusa, and uh Got to that particular point on the the opposite side to which the athletes are approaching it from. And uh yeah, made sure I I walked across it, made sure it was safe, and yeah, then waited for each athlete to come along and and just escorted them through there um for probably probably two hours when it was yeah, a good you know, half metre, two feet deep. Um and yeah, it was you know, this is this is a thing about this event is it it's three days of of whatever the world can throw at you, whatever your mind can throw at you. You know, we had cars breaking down, people getting flat tires, uh just epic stuff. Uh that all adds to to make it the thing that it is.

Larry 22:37

Yeah, and and for uh for people that are race directors, when when when you get a little bit of adversity, that's that's part of the fun too, is how quickly can you solve it and how well can you solve it?

SPEAKER_02 22:48

Yeah, that's it. And that crew um last year, which the which the core of the crew is all still remaining. Um, you know, we we have talked about it since and gone. It you know, the easy thing would have been to pull the pin and go, sorry, this is this is no good. We can't keep you all safe. But we kind of swung into action, we moved to the pinch points, uh, just crew that uh our internal UM crew that just got things done, made sure everyone was safe, communications were happening, we knew everyone was. Uh and and yeah, I think some of the athletes were were like nervous that we were gonna call it and and pull the pin. Uh, but we got it through, got everyone there safe, and and everyone who was able to finish got to finish. Uh, and I know a lot of them are appreciative of that. And uh but one of the the more wild days you'll have as a as a um a race crew, that's for sure.

Larry 23:38

Yeah. Well, let's let's let's move over to the to the men's side where you have both your youngest and eldest competitors. Your youngest competitor is Thomas Dade. And even though he's only 24 years old, I saw on his resume that he already has 43 ultra marathons, including 900 mile races and a 200-mile race. So I'm guessing day three is the day he's looking forward to. Do you know anything else about Thomas Dade?

SPEAKER_02 24:08

Tom's an interesting one. I think he's another one that was entered to race last year, had to uh had to defer to this year. Uh yeah, definitely a runner, definitely a runner. Uh, but but I've had some some inside info that he's actually been working pretty hard on the swimming bike too, to be honest. So uh I think he is going to be pretty speedy uh at at the end of it. Um and yeah, certainly we're looking towards day three. Uh massively varied, um interesting background. He's you know done four of the the six summits, um continental summits. So yeah, uh there's a bit of mountain mountaineering there as well. Uh certainly up for an adventure um of the physical nature is is Tom. So yeah, it's gonna be interesting to see. He's uh got one of uh our local guys up here, uh former former finisher Andrew Trout, who's gonna be his uh local guy on hand on the ground. So so Tom's recruited well with crew, so he's got good good crew there to support him. Uh and yeah, gonna be interesting. I think it's um yeah, a little bit beyond anything in this field that Tom's done, but certainly not beyond the size of challenge that he's taken on uh in the past. So yeah, he's gonna be be cool to see how he goes with it.

Larry 25:21

And is there a a reasonable age group record for him to maybe be reaching for there?

SPEAKER_02 25:29

Mate, I'm not a I'm not a numbers man to be honest. So uh Steve King would be able to tell you if that was we'll ask Steve King that.

Larry 25:39

All right, fair enough. And then your your eldest um competitor is gonna be 64 years old, and that's Sean McCarthy.

SPEAKER_02 25:47

Yeah, so Sean's uh coming over from New Zealand. Uh so he's uh you know making the trip across the ditch, as we say it, uh to come and have a race here. Uh, you know, active, active grandad, you know, he's uh his his his wife features heavily around his his kids and his grandkids and and that active lifestyle stuff and challenging himself. So yeah, another another interesting person. Uh I don't think Sean's gonna break any speed records, maybe, uh, but he's gonna be out there and he's gonna get through it and uh and put some smiles on his face and other people's faces along the way, I'm sure. So, you know, we love those people that commit and uh and bring some family with them and and make it that that journey that everyone enjoys and get something out of. So yeah, looking forward to to meeting Sean as I am everyone. So yeah.

Larry 26:37

Yeah. Uh okay, Jeff. Well, let's look into some of your age categories then. And in the men's 30 to 39, it looks like it's gonna be a huge battle where where you got some really big guns coming up. But before we get to some of those guys, one of the ones who was the most entertaining that I saw on your videos on the Facebook was the one that you had to buy a new flag for. And that is not Oliviera. Uh, he lives in Australia now, but what country is he representing?

SPEAKER_02 27:08

Well, it's interesting. So he's representing the Basque country, which officially isn't actually a country. Uh it's a what do you call it, an independent municipality? It's it's uh, you know, I think there's a bit of an argument whether they're part of Spain or part of France. Uh they they sit in Spain, but they're definitely independent uh and uh a very proud people. I did a bit of research when I uh I saw that on his application. Uh and I I actually had an interesting email exchange because I sent I sent the flag and I said, can you just confirm this is the flag that that you identify with that you want to race under? Uh and he was really excited. So uh they're very proud of the Basque country. Uh and you know, anyone with passion for whatever it is they have in life, uh, I love passion in life is important. Uh, and he's a a very passionate person from the Basque country, um an autonomous region uh in in Spanish territory, shall we say. Uh and yeah, very very entertaining guy, very entertaining crew. Uh I look forward, they promise to be loud as per their video. So yeah, looking looking forward to uh to three days of entertainment from those guys. And yes, we have the uh the Basque Country flag that will be flying high and proud uh across race precinct. And I'm I'm sure it's uh our presentation banquet on Tuesday, he will very proudly march into the room uh carrying his flag high.

Larry 28:38

Yeah, that's excellent. Yeah. And then um also in that age category is a man with a 930 Iron Man. He's 33. That's Matthew Thompson. What do you what do you know about Matthew Thompson coming into the race?

SPEAKER_02 28:53

Uh Matt Thompson. So Matt Thompson's been uh I'll I'll say loosely under the tutelage of um a very speedy racer by the name of Shane Kent. A few people will be familiar with Shane. Uh so yes, uh, so there's a lot of character there, a lot of speed there. Uh so there's a video that'll actually go up in the next uh day or two, possibly before the podcast hits the deck. But if people go back to the Facebook page, there's a uh a video, quite entertaining video uh of Matt. Um you alluded earlier about the videos now. We we kind of always asked an athlete for their why. Uh, but for these people that are really spectacular athletic humans, they all seem to be very shy. So I uh I casted a different way to them. Uh and I I gave them a little script. Uh I included their crew in it and said, look, if you don't want to talk to camera, get your crew to be involved, which obviously some have very much embraced. And and I think as you said, uh that little insight to people is is pretty spectacular to see and and to feel you know that person before they start. So um I'm stoked that so many have taken that up. There's been a big flood probably towards in. You probably noticed, you know, there was a few at the start. Uh there's a bit of a gap in the middle, and now as we get close to the race, I think people are on tape for time and they've got time to uh to do the video, but but we do love seeing it. And yes, the uh uh Matt's crew uh just yesterday uh sent through his video, which uh yeah, it's um it's uh MA 15 plus rated. There's there's some language in it, but uh there's also um a massive insight to the person that is Matt. Uh and yeah, behind all that joking, very similar to Shane, behind all that joking is a very stout athlete. Uh that's that's that's gonna be up that pointy end, I think. So yeah, looking forward to that one.

Larry 30:46

Yeah. And and another one who's gonna be coming in, you know, pretty hard each of the days, I think, on the on the race is someone who I've actually also spoken to as the athlete in profile for UM Australia, and that is Simon Cochrane. So he'll be coming up right after this preview in the episode, the podcast episode. He's 38. Um, he's done 37 iron Iron Man events three times at Kona, a PR of 821 at two different races. Very consistent. Uh he's he's he's a pro uh coming into race. So I mean, I've got a lot on him with with our conversation that we had, but what what do you want to say about Simon?

SPEAKER_02 31:32

Uh look, um Simon's really interesting. Uh he's obviously spent a lot of time around Carl Reed, um, two-time champion. So uh, and and Carl's a great communicator and a great understander of the human spirit. Um, and he's you know passed a lot on to Simon, uh, a lot of knowledge transfer there. So even though Simon hasn't raced the distance and raced here before, uh, he will be 100% prepared. Um, superb athlete, you know, 821. You know, I'm happy if I'm getting off the bike in 821, let's be honest. Um, and he's finishing the race. Uh so uh yeah, he's uh gonna be yeah, right there or thereabouts. So uh it's one of the cool things. Like I said, there's stories all the way through these races from start to end, um, first athlete to final athlete. Uh but when you've got people that are racing, like genuinely racing this distance, uh that's that's next level. Um I think um mere mortals, yeah. I think we we compete in these things and we compete with ourselves and our mind, and and maybe we pick someone else out on course that might be, you know, they're they're a bit of us, and and we we'd secretly like to maybe be in front of them. Um but to genuinely race the distance uh is next level stuff, and and he's he's a racer. Uh and yeah, it's gonna be really cool to see how that unfolds over the three days for sure.

Larry 33:03

And and I think one of the people that he will be looking to race against the awful in the stage category and also 38 years old is Richard Thompson. And uh I'm sure you can tell us quite a bit about Richard Thompson. He nearly two years ago stated that he wanted to race the 515 distance in sub-20 hours, and he's still looking to do that. So tell us a little bit about Richard Thompson's request on your your race course coming up.

SPEAKER_02 33:34

Look, um, when someone sets a goal in front of themselves, I love that. Um when someone sets a big goal in front of themselves, that's that's another tick. When someone sets a goal that's really hard to achieve, but then puts it out in the public eye, um you you paint a target on yourself for the knockers and whatever. Um Richard stayed true to that. He uh, you know, he he's realistic, you know. I watched some of his footage um after World Championships, um, where you know he had some tough time there. Uh and he's he's kind of um, you know, to me the underlying message was holy shit, I don't know if I can do this. But I made a promise to myself that I'd give it a crack and he's stuck with that. Um, you know, the last few days he's uh put some posts up, you know, he's heading for that paper time too. He's talked about his prep that he's he's ticked all his training boxes, he's got through without some injuries. Um we know 12 months ago he was battling a few little niggles. Um when when you have the training volume he has, I don't know how you don't end up with niggles, but um, he seems to be really positive about his physical space. Um getting the head right um before you hit that start line is is probably the final piece of that puzzle. Um he's got a really good crew behind him that have done a lot of racing with him in in support crew at you know um Ultraman World Championships and things, and and some guys that have raced alongside him at uh Ultra 355 Australia. So uh they know I guess they know his his stress points and behaviours a give it when he's he's pushing himself. Uh he had a particularly tough day uh one of the run days in Australia, um where yeah, had had a big struggle, he'd been unwell and and pushed pretty hard to to the point of of collapsing basically. Uh so and he had some guys racing on course that saw that. So uh having those people that know you intimately uh has got to help. Uh and yeah, look, more power to him. Um I think the fact that Simon's out there um and going to be pushing him, and and Carl Rees talked to me about this before, the difference in his races, uh, you know, 18 and 19, when he had people out there with you uh riding 280 Ks, you know, they're all doing it by themselves, but riding 280 Ks with no one around, I can't imagine what that does to you mentally. Um, Carl talks about the year that he had Jason Shields and Troy Gelch out there on the bike with him. Um, you know, just just seeing some other crews now and then, seeing some other people now and then, you know, you're not it's you're not too advanced, you're not rolling turns, but just knowing, even though you're in the middle of this this amazing course, really in the middle of nowhere some of the the back end of that that course uh down at Neus on the Sunshine Coast is seeing another crew, seeing that other rider, uh is gotta be good for the mindset. So I think um, yeah, having Simon and Richard there will be um it's gonna be epic for a genuine race this year. Uh it's gonna be something cool for everyone to see. Uh for you know, Richard sub 20 goal. Uh I think having Simon out there is only gonna help and add to that. Um so yeah, it's it's gonna be one of the the more interesting races at the pointy end uh of of this distance anywhere in the world, I think. So yeah, and it's gonna be quick. It's gonna be so quick.

Larry 37:03

Yeah. And and you've mentioned Carl now a couple of times, the the two-time winner at the race, and he was scheduled to be in your race this year, correct?

SPEAKER_02 37:15

Yeah, he was. Um, he he jumped on to the start line. Um Carl had a tough year last year. Um, you know, had had some injuries, um, had surgery on a hip that then um had uh look as a mechanic, I make a terrible doctor. Something about, you know, like blood clotty kind of things in his lungs. I know there's a cool name for him, I don't know what it is. Uh so yeah, he um he's he's a he's a tough competitor. Uh and you know, his his words to be when he when he called me to say he couldn't race was he could get around, he could do the distance. Um, but he he's he he really wants to compete and race. So um so he's looking after the body. You know, we we're still hopeful that we'll get Carl back again one day. But uh yeah, 23 isn't the year that we'll we'll see Carl um tear a course up again, unfortunately.

Larry 38:06

Yeah, because that that would have been one more to to keep that race running at the front.

SPEAKER_02 38:12

Yeah, yeah, it's um it's gonna be interesting. Uh you you mentioned Matt, there's another name that that I'm sure you're gonna mention shortly, and uh someone that's untested at the distance but has had some pretty serious pace on board. So there's definitely gonna be two guys there, but there's there's gonna be some other interesting things happen at at that that pointy end of the field, too.

Larry 38:32

Go go ahead and jump right into that. Who are we talking about?

SPEAKER_02 38:37

Well, uh uh Steve Ledger, uh who uh, you know, I I put the question point blank to him, you know, how fast are you gonna go? And you know, he's he's got some goals that he wants uh that are that are in uh let's call it in the ballpark of of Richard and Simon stuff, you know, by his own admission, he's probably not gonna be there. But having having someone go, you know, 21, 22 hours is still really quick, which is I think is is is where Steve's gonna be at. Um you know, someone like that that's done the prep, that has a good day, you know, they they nail everything right, they get that good sleep, the nutrition happens, and they're just you know, that that day you get out of bed on the right side, uh he he's gonna be there or thereabouts. Um, so that's that's really exciting for us to to have another person that might be up there playing around. Um, you know, I don't know. I don't know how much swim training James Scanlon's done, but dude can run. So on uh on runday day three, uh there's gonna be uh there's gonna be some speedy legs out there on that path from New Sudana Twin Waters. Uh yeah, I don't know um how James will go day one and two, but uh certainly, you know, day three, they all start together, and uh there's some some speedy legs out there. So uh day day three, just as a you know, call it a a a pure running race of a double marathon. Uh it's gonna be pretty exciting. Uh and I know uh James has you know got serious cred, you know, um ultra mean Florida run record from from memory this year already. So yeah, yeah, that's pretty cool.

Larry 40:18

Yeah, yeah. James did Florida this year already, where he set the run record and then he went on to Arizona. And in Arizona, he was running with Max Nezev for the first 50K. Um, he's the one who went on and you know bested the the record set by Richard by a few seconds, uh, partially helped by James Ganlin running along with him. And they were running like 430Ks right up to 50k. So yeah, he's he's got the run legs to go through that. And I I know Mac has actually uh called out um Richard a little bit to come to Hawaii this year so that they can go head to head. But I don't know how that's if that's going to work out. We'll have to see how Richard does in uh in your race to see where where he stands on uh who's got the best time after that and if he wants to go to Hawaii again.

SPEAKER_02 41:11

Yeah, be interesting. You know, those those things it takes such a big part of your life, and I know that kind of is Richard's life. Um he's been targeting this for for some time now. So um, yeah, with with no basis whatsoever, I I would have thought uh it wouldn't surprise me at all to see Richard, you know, take some time out and uh you know slow down a little bit, you know, not put in those massive training hours. But like I said, that's that's based in in nothing other than my gut feeling of knowing how hard he's worked for the last couple of years. So, but who knows? Maybe, maybe that carrot dangled in front of him might might get him over there again.

Larry 41:52

Yeah. Well, we kind of jumped around a little bit there. Uh James is in the 50 to 59 category because he's 54. Uh Steve is 42. Um, also in that 40 to 49 category is another racer who's raced previously with you three times and had an amazing video on Facebook, and that's Sean Perot.

SPEAKER_02 42:15

Sean, Sean Perrow. Uh Sean Sean Perrot uh he's he's a crowd favorite, and and the crew's not allowed to have favorites, but I think there's a few guys on crew that uh uh team Sean. Uh great guy. Look, uh he'll he'll win the prize for best spiral on course. Uh you know, this is this is why we put our time into these races, is is for everyone, but it's for people like that that just eat up that challenge um and do it all with a smile on their face and um and and stretch to hip hop like he doesn't like a good stretch video to hip hop, mate.

Larry 42:54

Yeah. Well, um, is there anybody else that you want to do?

SPEAKER_02 43:00

You'll have to go watch the Facebook video for that if you don't get that joke, people.

Larry 43:03

Yeah. Is there anybody else that you wanted to highlight?

SPEAKER_02 43:08

Um, so another really interesting person to watch will be Nathan Stewart. Uh so great athlete uh out of uh Newcastle, maybe Maitland, uh came up with a couple of guys last year. Um of uh I've got a little soft spot for Nathan because I watched him grow um pretty spectacularly over three days. Um he came fast by. Um I'm not actually sure what his expectations were last year. Oh, I know he was quick. Um couple people mentioned to me that he would go well. Um came out of a swim bursting with energy. Um, you know, it was ripped hair bust. I need to get on the bike, I need to get going. It was it was um yeah, it was epic to watch. He just seemed so Keen to get out there and and just do the absolute best time we could. Over the next couple of days, watching him have to manage the bike. That that day two bike, even for a good athlete, is a tough day out, and there's some tough terrain out on that UM Australia course. And then obviously day three, we had that run that uh the rain just made it something spectacular again. Now Nathan started as a rock hard competitor, a rock hard racer. Uh and I think over the three days epitomise what this distance is about, about realizing everyone around you gets you there. You lean on the people around you, they support each other, crews support each other, the race organizing team supports the crews, the crews support the race organizing team. Um and and Nathan, you know, it's a cliche, but he he was a changed human, I think, after those three days, and the race um deeply affected him. Um he's coming back for another crack. Now I I don't know what his goals are, I don't know how his training's been. Um he he's just a great guy, tough as nails, and he's an athlete. So yeah, I I I would have to say I've you know putting money on it, he's gonna go faster than he did last year. I haven't got his time for hand. As I said, not a numbers man. Um, but I guarantee you he's I I I would say he'll go faster, but I will guarantee he will have more fun this time around and embrace it right from that get-go. Uh like I said, I gotta spot for him because I watched him um change so much and embrace it. Uh and and really pitabines what this this racing is all about in what it can do for you and and your life and and your outlook on things. So yeah, he's he's gonna be a cool one to watch as well because he is he is he is speedy. He's a good he's a good athlete.

Larry 45:47

Yeah. I think that actually is a is a great segue into the the last athlete that we should be highlighting today, and and that's Shane Duffy, because I I witnessed him go through that as his crew member at Ultraman Arizona, where it just all flooded in all at once while he was out on the run day. And people from listening to the podcast know that this race for him is going to be his sixth 515 distance race in 12 months, starting and ending in Noosa, with Canada, Hawaii, Florida, and Arizona packed in between. And what what this guy is doing, he he sets himself up as the magician, as his occupation on your uh website. And and he certainly is a bit of a magician. Things when I was with him in Arizona were just falling into place for him from time to time. And uh he's he's an amazing athlete, an amazing man. Um, I'm happy to call him a friend now, and I I can't wait to spend more time with him in the future. And he's exactly one of those people that you're talking about when you say that they come into this race and it they get absorbed in it and and the way that the people um embrace one another. And he's he's he's all in. He's all in. And I'm so looking forward to watching him cross that finish line on on day three at your race. So what what's your been your experience with Shane and and what do you think the feeling's gonna be based on what's happening for him at this race?

SPEAKER_02 47:28

Look, yeah, it's another one where I sit here and I get goosebumps just thinking about it. You know, I was uh, you know, the the race last year, I was just the general crew member for for our UM Dream team that puts the event on. Uh so yeah, certainly I was aware of everyone going around and I was doing certain things, but um that was my first exposure of Shane and and wasn't aware of what he was setting himself up for. I'm not sure where where the planning was, whether he was always intending to do it when he hit that start line at NUSA, uh, or whether it was spawned, I actually I actually don't know, but I've certainly watched it grow and evolve since then. Uh I did listen to your podcast with him. Um, and he that that thing that I've talked about, that this this distance, you need a team. It's turned an individual sport into a team sport, which I love. You know, um his wife supporting him from 15,000 kilometres away, yeah. Uh that gets into that finish line, you know. Uh he would be the first to admit that that he did not get to that finish line alone. You know, you can get to the start line alone, maybe, but you certainly can't get to that finish line alone. And and realistically, you can't get to the start line alone, even. You still need people around you supporting you and and and all those things. So yeah, I I don't know. You might know, Steve might know uh if this has been done before, but six in one year to me has not been done before seems uh pretty epic. Um, you know, I love the uh the the bringing it all together, you know. As we said, book bookending, UM Australia, um with those four ultraman races in the middle. Um and and Shane, you know, in all my dealings with him, you know, very humble guy. I think he he's aware of what he's doing absolutely, but um I don't think he he's not an ego guy. He's not thinking he's something amazing for doing it. We all think he is, but but this is this is for him. And um I think that's that's pretty special. And yeah, looking forward to to spending a little bit of time with him down there. Um I know some of my my my crew talking about my crew that that helped Monrace. I know a lot of them have a lot of connection with Shane and know more about him than I do, and and that's the beauty of um the team that puts this race on. They all have their connections and and their things and and athletes click with different crew members and and and they're the go-to for help here and there. Um and and Shane's just been great now the couple of times we've reached out and and chatted or or messaged on email and things. Um, yeah, it's always been good and it's positive. And you know, he took some time out to spend with Timmy Franklin and across America, you know, he's staying with his challenge that he's put in front of himself, uh, and takes time out of his world uh to go and support um Tim in that challenge that Tim's put in front of himself, which is something amazing in itself from one of our family members, you know. Um and we're all we're all hurting. Tim was Tim was in a pretty bad place there at some time, and and to see Shane go and and do what we all wanted to do and spend some time with Tim. Um despite everything Shane was going through at that time, um, he found that time and energy and love to go and and look after Tim for a bit um and remind Tim of of this family that he's a part of and and and all the people that were behind him around the world. So that was that was very cool from Shane too.

Larry 50:57

Yeah, and I know Shane's got a few surprises uh to honor all the people that have been a part of this journey uh along the way that uh I'm sure you'll all find very touching uh down at your race.

SPEAKER_02 51:11

Yeah, it's um that's it, you know. And um we we talk about our tribe, the ultra tribe, um, which is is that thing that we're trying to foster that that Tony is big on. Um that we're all part of that family, you know. Um we're not uh it's it's about inclusivity. It's the people that feel that thing that these races do to people, whether it be 355 or 515. Um you're part of the tribe and and you support it, and and there's always someone in your tribe on your side there ready for you. Uh, and and we love that, and we're we're trying to build that feeling um because it's just it is so very special.

Larry 51:50

Well, you know, I I I think we need to uh wrap it up a little bit here, but I do want to find out just a couple more things. Uh for people that have been to your race before. Yep. Uh, are there any course changes this year? Are there any construction issues you're dealing with? Anything that would be out of the ordinary, or are you on the regular course?

SPEAKER_02 52:11

Look, on on the regular course, pretty much. Um yeah, much to uh much to Richard's sub-20 goal disgust. We've got some road works, unfortunately, uh on the bike course that they hit day one and day two. That despite bribery with cartons of beer, promises of um holidays in the Bahamas, I couldn't get the work crews to stop work for uh for the days we're racing. So there's some uh mobile traffic lights uh out on course um on both the day one and day two ride in a particular spot that's covered on both uh both spots, uh yeah, in a roundabout way are covered at some point on that that day one and day two course. So uh, you know, this is ultra racing. They may well catch a red light and and lose a few minutes there, which is a bit unfortunate. Uh we've had some some really heavy rain um earlier last year uh that's washed some roads yet that are underutilised roads, so they haven't been repaired. They're they're in their rideable condition, but there's a couple of uh 100 meter stretches of dirt that the team's gonna deal with. Uh we've got a very slightly different uh run start procedure to uh work with the council up here. So yeah, you know, we're talking moving a start line 300 metres just to um to appease some people, uh, which you know obviously the the distances work here bang on to the meter the same. Um we we're just moving a turn point at the other end. So uh yeah, give or take, it's uh literally the course it's been since uh Tony and Craig and Robbie and Wayne and Nick and all those guys designed right back at the start. Um it's that spectacular course, and it's really, really at the core of it hasn't changed. So uh yeah, a couple of little hiccups, but overall, yeah, it's it's the same course that everyone's been hitting for uh since 2015 for edition eight this year, all the years, minus one for COVID.

Larry 54:08

Right, yeah. So um what is going to be the best way for people to follow your race? Do you have any live or nearly live action for them? Facebook, Instagram, video feeds, what do you got?

SPEAKER_02 54:22

Uh so we will have very regular posts uh on on Facebook and Instagram. Uh we got two people looking after the socials. So, you know, we we endeavor to catch everyone out the swim, uh, everyone, everyone's finish each day. Uh we will have timing out there. Uh so we've got um live timing. We'll put a put a link up on the Facebook page at some stage. Uh oneTime.sport is uh the company that's supporting us with that. So uh look, we'll get obviously a swim split that'll that'll bang up live on the on the timing link. I think about one, two, three, four bike splits day one, uh and about six bike splits day two. Uh so those those those will update live. So people are going to be able to probably see see their person every one to two hours ping on a uh on a timing screen. Uh then run day we're looking, you know, round about every 10 to 15 kilometres, so every you know, six to ten miles, there'll be a uh a ping for them on the run course. And once again, videos, you know, Steve, Steve King will go and sit down at that uh that half marathon point, the marathon turn, and uh and and talk to the masses. Uh and uh and we'll we'll hear that and see that. Uh but yeah, the the socials, you know, Facebook and Instagram will be the place to see it. And like I mentioned, there there will be some live timing uh banging around there that we'll we'll make sure the the link's published and and everyone can see that so they can see everyone's timing live.

Larry 55:50

Excellent, excellent, very good. Well, I know you still have a lot of work to do to uh get everything lined up. And I thank you for taking the time out of your day to to come and be on the podcast and and give us this preview. And for the people that are listening to the podcast right now, the race is on. Go go to those uh Instagram, Facebook, and uh the website and check it out because uh if it if it's not on, it's starting very soon, depending on when you're listening to this. All right. So thank you very much. I I appreciate you coming on and uh give my best to Tony and to Steve because you'll see him before I will. And uh have the best race ever down there.

SPEAKER_02 56:32

Yeah, thanks for having us. We'll uh I'll definitely make sure we get uh Tony in in front of the microphone at some stage for you. I know he he is keen. There is just so much happens in his world. Uh being around him for that week in Cosmale reinforce that with me. And uh and mate, I will I will see you in Canada, you know, around July next year for Ultra 355 uh over in Penticton. So I know that uh we'll catch up with you then and uh and hopefully bring some some Aussies to race in in Canada and uh and have a good field there going around for that one.

Larry 57:05

Excellent. All right, well, thanks again, and we'll uh see you soon. Once again, I would like to thank you, listeners, for telling your friends to subscribe and do 550. Tell your friends to join the growing 515 off your podcast family. And remember, all the top episodes are available in the podcast library.

Athlete in Profile -- Simon Cochrane

Larry 57:57

My guest today has competed in 37 Iron Man events, including three times in Kona, with a PR of 821 at two different races in 2018. In that year, he also decided to go pro and has since set up a coaching business in addition to running his property management company. Recently, he has been taking on a lot more of the ultra running events. And in 2022, he was first at the Blue Lake 24 hour race, where he completed 201 kilometers. And he also topped the podium at Topo 100 Kilometer Ultra. Joining me from his home in Hamilton, New Zealand, this is Simon Cochrane. Welcome. Um as we're recording this, Simon, you are still a few weeks out from the Australia race, but it'll be broadcast just the day before. Um as a pro triathlete and as a as a coach and someone doing their first 515 event, can you tell me a little bit about how you have trained for this race?

SPEAKER_01 59:00

So yeah, it's been quite a busy season. Um so I guess everything's been leading up towards this as a as a goal race. Um so I mean I've had three ultra run races in the build-up. So that blue lake 24 hour where I ran 201 kilometers, the Telpo 100k, um, and there was three 70.3s in there um over the summer as well. And then I just did the Tarawara 100 mile Ultra in February, and then three weeks later was Iron Man New Zealand. So after I got through all of those, that was pretty much a big base building part of the season. And then I had a specific six weeks or so to yeah, get a few longer key sessions in towards Ultraman.

Larry 59:52

And and what sort of sessions were you doing for that at that time then?

SPEAKER_01 59:56

Um so say last weekend was the peak weekend, which was my biggest week in the build-up. Um so I did a a three-day simulation to yeah, try and see how how the body would handle some bigger days back to back. Um so on the Friday I did a uh 8.2 kilometer swim in the pool, um, most of it around race intensity. I had the wetsuit on just to get the feel, um, and did that as three by two kilometers at race effort, and then 10,200s quite hard at the end just to get a bit of back end strength and see how I'd feel in those longer swims. Um, that day also had a short ride and a bit of sauna work as well. Then the next day I did a 300-kilometer ride. So that was quite a long ride with a bit of elevation and it was horrendous weather here. It was raining, it was windy. So I got exactly what I wanted out of that day, which was just a long, hard day for body and mind. And then on the Sunday, I woke up feeling a little bit fatigued and tired, and then went out to do a key run session, which I had planned, which was a 60 kilometer run. So it was gonna be uh 50k is at around the pace that I'm hoping to hold for um the double marathon in the Ultraman, and then 10 kilometers a bit quicker to finish to see if I can once again have a bit of a stronger finish. Um and that those three days yeah, went as well as I could have hoped. Um got a few learnings out of it which I can yeah, take into the race.

Larry 1:01:45

And and how did your body hold up over those three days? Was there anything there that you learned about that you want to take over to your race?

SPEAKER_01 1:01:52

Um my body was pretty good, really. Um I seemed to be pretty resilient. Um, I mean, I've got a big endurance history, so um yeah, there's a there's a lot of I guess resilience there. Um, but it's probably just the things tailoring a bit more nutrition pacing um and dialing in some equipment choices, um, depending on what what wet suit and what wheels and yeah, that sort of thing.

Larry 1:02:19

Yeah, the nutritional plan is always a big part of a 515 race. You can't just go in and repeat your Iron Man race nutrition plan for three days. What sort of things have you been looking at and and working out for that?

SPEAKER_01 1:02:32

Well, I I think you can. Um, like even my 24-hour run, I I stick to my basic plan, which is tailwind nutrition, and it's pretty much two scoops an hour, and that does me very well. Um so I can do that from a race from two hours to 24, and I I'd do that if it was a longer race as well. So I'd say across the three days, I will be keeping it nice and simple. It'll pretty much be two scoops of tailwind per hour, and then topping up with a little bit of food if I feel the need, maybe Snickers bar and the odd red ball here and there as well. But no, keep it simple. Um, not too many solids because when you're on the go and you're you're pushing hard, um, you don't want to worry too much about uh digesting solids and you can just get uh everything in out of the the liquids, I feel.

Larry 1:03:21

Yeah. Well, it sounds like you've uh you put a lot of planning into this, obviously. You're you're a pro, you're not gonna come into this just to complete the race. You're you're probably looking to go out and do your best. Um there's gonna be some good competition there. I know that you've been training with someone who is a two-time winner at Ultraman Australia in Carl Reed. Can you tell me a little bit about maybe what he shared with you to to keep you near the top of the the the ranks here at the race?

SPEAKER_01 1:03:53

Yeah, I think we're both pretty similar in um I guess the way we approach the I guess just the no bullshit side of training. It's you got to put in the big days, the big weeks, and we've been putting in the hard work year after year. So it's not coming into it and I guess expecting more than um I guess going in and expecting to do well because I have the background and I do understand how the build-up has gone. Um and yeah, I've done plenty of training with Carl. Um, and I think that gives me the confidence to know that I'm on the right track as well. Um, but as you say, there's a few competitors there with a lot more experience over the Ultraman distance. Um but in saying that I'm confident in myself and excited for the challenge.

Larry 1:04:45

Yeah, one of those uh competitors is Richard Thompson, who's uh been very vocal about trying to go sub-20 in an Ultraman race. Um I'm not gonna ask you to tell me about exactly what you think he'll do on the race, but uh in general, do you think sub-20 is possible on the Ultraman Australia course?

SPEAKER_01 1:05:07

Oh, I think throwing times out there is a s a silly idea, really. Um not only because that every course is different, I mean the conditions are different. Um, if you get some sections of the road where there's road works that are different from other years, if the weather's up, um, you know, the swim can be 30 minutes slower if there's currents and waves. But I mean, hey, yeah, I'm aiming to go as quick as I can. And time-wise, I'm not too sure. I haven't really even looked at times or other people. Um I'll just go in and yeah, I'll go hard for three days and we'll we'll see how quick we can go.

Larry 1:05:42

So uh are you going in with the idea that you will be racing the field or are you gonna go in and run your race?

SPEAKER_01 1:05:51

Both. I think my strength is um having the confidence in just running my own race. And that will be competitive if I if I stick to my plans. I'm I'm confident that that will be a competitive race.

Larry 1:06:09

You know, one of the things that really makes a difference between the people that are out there struggling and those that are going out to complete and those that are going out to really compete is the mindset that they come in with and the way that they're able to overcome those things, like a a current or a road work or multiple flats or whatever it is. What sort of stuff do you do uh to get yourself in the right mindset for one of these long races?

SPEAKER_01 1:06:35

Yeah, I think um some of the hundred mile ultras and 24-hour ultras teach you mindset and staying positive very well. Um if you want to run a good hundred mile or 24 hours, you're gonna have to deal with a lot of I guess ups and downs throughout the day. So it's just having the confidence in having done that and overcoming a lot of situations in the past. Um, but then also in your longer training sessions, it is focusing on the race um and just thinking about what I guess what can go wrong, but um staying in the moment, you know, you can only control what's what's happening at the moment, and there's no point worrying about anyone else or anything that could happen. Um, but yeah.

Larry 1:07:23

And and we talked about Carl um uh before as well. Now I understand he's not going into the race now. He's had some setbacks or something, is that correct?

SPEAKER_01 1:07:33

Yeah, he's he's had a tough last year with a couple oper a couple of operations. Um and yeah, he's just getting back into things now. So I think he, I mean, I wouldn't doubt that he could finish it at the moment, but I think he wouldn't be happy if he's not racing it as well.

Larry 1:07:50

Right. And does that mean that maybe you might be able to convince him to come along and be part of your crew?

SPEAKER_01 1:07:55

Well, possibly, but I I think he's he's focusing on some other races maybe in the next few months. Um, but I've got a a good crew set up that are coming over, and um a few locals over there are joining in for day three.

Larry 1:08:10

Oh yeah. Tell us a little bit of who's on your crew.

SPEAKER_01 1:08:14

So I'm going over with my wife and two kids and my mum and dad. Um, so they'll be in in the car and helping out. Um yeah, day one, day two, and and day three as the aid stations. And um, yeah, hopefully making sure I don't get lost and just keeping an eye on keeping an eye on me and and everyone else as well to make sure it's a nice fair race. And then day three, um, I've got three people joining to run with me. So a good mate of mine, Matt Kerr, who's a professional triathlet as well. He'll be over in Sunshine Coast training for Iron Man Cairns. So he's going to yeah, run probably a 30 or 35k section with me when the pacers are allowed to jump in. And then Luke and Beth McKenzie, um, who are locals and um ex-pro triathletes as well, um, who own Win Republic, will be running the second half of the marathon with me, jumping in and out.

Larry 1:09:11

Oh, that's awesome. You're gonna have some good good pacers working with you.

SPEAKER_01 1:09:16

Yeah, yeah, exactly. So there'll be no there'll be no slacking there, that's for sure.

Larry 1:09:20

Now you've done a a little more ultra running recently. Um tell me about this um 24-hour Blue Lake event that you did um and and how it is that you ended up getting into that event. Because I understand it was more of an impromptu entry.

SPEAKER_01 1:09:37

Yeah, well, going back sort of about uh just over a year, I had a a pretty big bike accident and broke my collarbone in two places, shoulder blade in two places, and three ribs. Um so that put me out of the pool for nearly nine months. Um but strangely enough, I could I could run fairly quickly after that. It was just the swimming that, yeah, wasn't wasn't happening. So I thought, oh, it's a good chance over the winter to find a few longer ultra runs. Um I'd just started getting into yeah, some longer running. I'd done 100 Ks before and a couple of you know 60s, 70s. And hadn't heard of the Blue Lake 24 hour, but um somehow came across it and there was this elusive trophy called the claw um that no one had I think the longest run before I did it last year was around 170 Ks. Um, because it's quite a technical hilly six kilometer lap as well. I think there's like 110 meters or 330 feet of elevation per lap as well, and it's all trails.

Larry 1:10:42

Um where is this located?

SPEAKER_01 1:10:45

Rotorua, so central North Island. Um they have a huge turnout, like there was 500 people running um from anything from you can do lap an hour, you can do 50k's, 100k's, 100 miles, or there was about 15 guys that had entered to have a go at the 200Ks. Um and I worked it out on paper and went down and did quite a lot of training on the course and thought if I race smart and well, I'll have a good good crack at that. And yeah, it went pretty well. I actually got the 200ks done um with an hour and a half to spare. So I pulled it at that stage. I didn't feel like just carrying on running just for fun. I'd I'd got the 200ks in the trophy, so I was pretty happy with that.

Larry 1:11:30

Oh, that's awesome. And and what about that Tapo run as well? What what is that one? Where's that one?

SPEAKER_01 1:11:36

So that one is yeah, Central North Island as well. So Telpo region, where I Man New Zealand is. Um, just near there, there's a big trail network um which finishes in Kinlock, which is yeah, a really amazing race. It's a 100K, it's pretty much a point-to-point race. So it was that was quite amazing as well. And yeah, coming off the back of Blue Lake 24 hour, um, I thought I'd jump into another Ultra before the triflon season kicks back off. And yeah, it went went pretty well as well. There was um a decent field there. And I mean, 30Ks in, I was sitting in sixth place, about 40 minutes behind the leaders. Um, and then just slowly yeah, built into it and managed to finish fairly strong.

Larry 1:12:23

Excellent, excellent. Yeah, because I know um what these races you're describing, most of the people in North America are not gonna know anything about these ones, probably.

unknown 1:12:33

Yeah.

Larry 1:12:34

I'm guessing you get mostly the local crowd down there.

SPEAKER_01 1:12:38

Yeah, I'd say so. Yep, for that. And then the yeah, New Zealand summer season has its usual half Iron Man races and uh and then yeah, Iron Man New Zealand's sort of the big one for the uh for the end of summer.

Larry 1:12:51

Yeah, that's the one that I'm assuming that most people would travel down for. So you've raced uh at Kona three times, uh 2010 and 2011 as an age grouper, and then 2018 as a pro, if I got that correct.

SPEAKER_01 1:13:07

Yes, that's right.

Larry 1:13:09

Um how how did you see things change over the years in Kona? And like did racing it as a pro give you any change in your perspective or just the just the way it's changed in those years since you've started racing there?

SPEAKER_01 1:13:22

Um I mean, throughout the years I raced there. So I've I've been to Kona five times. Um I race uh my wife has raced two times as well. So I've been yeah, lucky enough to be there five times, um raced three times, and then the other two times were pretty much a training camp. So I know that island pretty well in the course. Um, I guess the first years back in 2010, it was it just felt a bit more hyped up over there. Um, it was a lot harder to qualify then as well. Um I think there were less spots or um usually you had to either win or come second in your age group as an age grouper. And then when I qualified as a pro in 2018, that was under the points system. So it's a bit different again as well. So that was, I think I had three three podiums um in Iron Man's in one year, so that gave me enough points to to qualify. Um and yeah, I mean that was a hell of an experience to go and race the guys that are naturally racing and training full-time.

Larry 1:14:24

Um and and what are your thoughts on on the new format?

SPEAKER_01 1:14:31

Oh, to be honest, it seems like it's a bit of a shambles. Um, yeah, it seems like they've lost a bit of the I don't know, the the aura of of the Kona um one-day race where everyone's together. Um I mean you can tell it is about money and it it is a business. So they've they've made some decisions, but it will be interesting to see in the next few years whether they backtrack it a little bit if the support drops. Or um, yeah, I guess I think I I like the old school one day. I mean, the years I raced as an age group, everyone started together. Like it was a mass start for pros, age groupers, everyone, which was the special part of the sport. Um, and now it just seems to be, yeah, splitting it up too much, you know, the pros here, the age group is here, the woman here, the men here. Um yeah, that's that's my thoughts anyway.

Larry 1:15:22

Yeah, yeah. Um, and do you do you think they would like take it back to the roots now, or do you think it's just gone beyond that as a business?

SPEAKER_01 1:15:30

And yeah, it's almost, yeah, I think they might be too big now to to go back to. I mean, they'd have to probably, you know, if they go back to one day the way it was in 2010, though they're only getting half the people there, probably. So as a business decision, I can't see that happening.

Larry 1:15:49

All right. Uh what I would like to do now is start our transition round. I'm just gonna fire off some quick questions. We just go back for two minutes and you give me some quick answers, and then uh we'll learn a little bit more about you personally on the other side. That's our that's our racing side of the of the interview, and then uh we'll go into the the more personal side after the transition round. You ready for that?

SPEAKER_01 1:16:09

Sounds good. Yep. All right. Let's do it.

Larry 1:16:11

Uh so we've been talking about some new events. Uh what's your favorite event?

SPEAKER_01 1:16:17

Oh, I reckon that would have been I Man Japan. Um did that back in 2017. Um, amazing calls like the the lake swimming, they only need to let people into that lake one day of the year, like a full clear beautiful water like the lake. And then you're riding, I think nearly 40,000 meters of elevation. And if it ride, uh do you have a bucket with a border of um the maybe even yes, we have to start yes, another negative. Um negative.

Larry 1:17:34

Um numbers, but then we get to move um last week because I think it's hours.

SPEAKER_01 1:17:44

I think it was just under 33 hours of training. For me, you know, working full-time as well is um a lot for them. But mileage, I think I'm I'm just more consistent week to week, so nothing's too crazy. Um well, it's still crazy, but I guess across. Um yeah, there's there's nothing that stands out hugely. I mean, my biggest bike week might have touched on 600ks. Um, biggest swim week is 20 to 25 Ks. And then the run week. I mean, I'm I'm pretty much for the last month run about 100 Ks a week, but the weekend run has been half that volume. So been getting in, I think, you know, 40 to 60k runs most weekends, and then just topping it up with enough during the week. Um, so only around that 100 to 120k a week, um, unless the weeks that you're doing a hundred mile race and you get some decent miles in.

Larry 1:18:39

Yeah. We've gone through the transition round, so we'll just find out a little bit more about your your personal life, if if you don't mind. Um what what is it about triathlon for you that that's drawn you in, that's now made you a pro, like that you do it daily. It's a part of your lifestyle. What's what's your reason for for training and racing? What's your what's your reward?

SPEAKER_01 1:19:04

Yeah, I mean, I think obviously the the training and general lifestyle is healthy and enjoyable. Um, getting to be out outdoors um and feel fit. And I guess it's the challenge that really gets me um, you know, pushing yourself and seeing the improvements and and working out different ways to improve. Um, there's so many different training philosophies and um ways to get to the same end goal, but I've I've found it, I guess, more enjoyable to find yeah, fun ways to get as fit as you can without being a yeah, boring triathlet.

Larry 1:19:43

And and you said your wife is also a competitive triathlete. Uh is she still racing as well?

SPEAKER_01 1:19:49

Yeah, so she she's raced 11 Ironmans and and did a couple as a pro. Um she she raced to, I think it was a nine hour 49 in Taupo. Um, so it's pretty solid. And yeah, I mean she's still fit and still doing a bit of racing. Um, just jumped back into a couple of half Ironmans this summer, actually. And now is looking to yeah, do a marathon in in another couple of months.

Larry 1:20:16

And and then how do you guys balance your family life with so much training going on in your family? You got two young kids. What what are their ages?

SPEAKER_01 1:20:23

Uh five and two. So we're up early, you know, we're up at 4:30 every morning. So, and one of us, so I'll go to swim squad on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Larissa will go to the gym in the morning on a Tuesday and Thursday, and then the other person will usually be doing a training session in the garage um at home. So it'll either be on the treadmill or zwift or or weights. Um, we've got a pretty good setup here at home. Um, we've got a sauna and an ice bath, and yeah, cool gym setup, really. So it's just, I guess, being organized to make the most of the situation.

Larry 1:21:01

Yeah. And then you you also have another job in addition to being a pro triathlete. Uh, tell us a little bit about that.

SPEAKER_01 1:21:10

So I run Athletic Peak, which is a yeah, an endurance coaching business, um, coaching uh a wide range of athletes from you know sprint triathletes through to um guys running 100 miles and people doing yeah, some other crazy stuff.

Larry 1:21:27

And what do you think you offer that would be different than another coach? You said you like to find unique ways and fun ways to get to that point of fitness that other people might get to as well. But what when you're talking to athletes, what do they say about your coaching that they enjoy?

SPEAKER_01 1:21:45

Yeah, I think it's just showing people that obviously one, that they can usually do a lot more than they they think, like whether it's um aiming for a certain time in a race or the the distance, um, and just treating it more of an adventure. There's a lot of coaches out there I feel that they're too strict and narrow-minded, and not letting people do other races or go on hikes or go on adventures. Um, but my theory is endurance is endurance, and it does cross over between different events. Um and the biggest thing is if you're enjoying it and seeing improvements, then that's you get the positive roll on from that.

Larry 1:22:24

Yeah, of course. And have you had any athletes that you would say have made you a better coach because of the way you've worked with them?

SPEAKER_01 1:22:33

I think so. Everyone's so different, and I I think um, yeah, it's it's so interesting to learn how everyone ticks and and what they enjoy doing, and it it might be two total different athletes, but at the end of the day, they're both enjoying it and improving. Um so there's no right or wrong, I guess. And that's the thing with endurance. Um yeah, there's I guess there's so many different ways to that end result that the fun is working it out, um, and letting them help work it out by guiding me, I guess, into what they enjoy and what they're improving on and yeah, their goals.

Larry 1:23:20

And right now, do you have any athletes that have recently done something that you think, oh, that's they finally got over that hump, or that have had a great race. Do you have any shout-outs you want to give out to any of your athletes for for doing some great stuff?

SPEAKER_01 1:23:34

Yeah, I mean, I mean, all of my athletes are doing very well. Um, there's there's a few that I mean, I've got four women that have qualified for Kona for this year. Um, so there's gonna be a good crew going over for that. And then quite a few ultra runners that are yeah, starting to really step it up and go well. Um, one of my athletes, Steven, just did a a backyard ultra and ran, I think 207 Ks and got third in that um a few weeks back. So that was 33 hours of the lap an hour. Um and then a lot that are I think after watching me do a few events, have some bigger goals and aspirations, which is which is quite cool. Um yeah.

Larry 1:24:16

Yeah. And and you also do some some other work as a as a property manager, is that right?

SPEAKER_01 1:24:23

Yeah, so I look after a bunch of apartments here in Hamilton, um, short-term accommodation stuff. So that's yeah, the other side of my business, which uh kind of like an Airbnb manager or something. Almost like that. Yep. It's more for for corporate um companies that are bringing staff into town for short-term contracts and that sort of thing. So it's it's more of just a yeah, probably a longer-term stay than an Airbnb. But um yeah.

Larry 1:24:49

And and that's something that you can work through your other coaching and training and everything else. Is like, is that a is that a full-time job for you as well?

SPEAKER_01 1:24:57

So all my work is is very flexible. So, you know, I can do most of it from the laptop at home, and then I can just be organized enough that I can fit training in around yeah, certain work um and meetings and that sort of thing. So yeah, it's busy, but it's balanced.

Larry 1:25:16

Now, um, just to get back to your family for a second, your your two daughters. Um, have you daughter and a son? Oh, daughter and a son, sorry. Okay, daughter and a son. Uh you said they're they're they're five and two, so their personalities are out by now. Um, what do you think? Are these kids going to be hardcore triathletes or are they looking to the arts or what what are we getting with those kids?

SPEAKER_01 1:25:40

Uh well, they both love the water, riding their bikes and running. So, I mean, we haven't haven't pushed them towards that, but I guess they see us doing a lot of that. And um, they both are very competitive by nature and and fairly strong-willed. So, yeah, it's gonna be interesting to see what sports they I guess navigate towards.

Larry 1:26:00

We'll watch them in the junior ranks shortly, then probably.

SPEAKER_01 1:26:04

Hopefully, yeah.

Larry 1:26:05

Yeah. Okay, well, hey, uh Simon, listen, I really appreciate you dropping in and doing this kind of athlete and profile that I like to do for the different races. And this episode has been dedicated in Australia. I know you're gonna be in tough with uh some great competition there. I'm gonna be following the race from over here in Vancouver. Uh, I wish you best of luck. Uh, I know you're gonna be one of the favorites, so uh have a good time out there and uh enjoy the race and thank you once again for coming in and introducing yourself to the listeners.