10 Questions with….John Wallnutt

He’sbeen the DCT race director for the past two years, has been part of the organising team for the John Davis run, dealt with all the membership issues for the past year, is fond of a captain morgans or two and sent me the largest photo of himself I’ve ever seen! (thank god for cropping!)…….esteemed piranhas (or tuna’s as GTC like to call us)……..I present to you John Wallnutt…..

So John…

1.How did you get into triathlon?

After a long playing career in Rugby I retired with many injuries and took to Eating, drinking and smoking. 8 years later and nearing 40, I decided to run a marathon for a few reasons….1 Because I had given up smoking. 2 Because I was over weight and unfit. 3 Because I hated running so it was more than a challenge and finally 4. To raise a few quid along the way for Crumlin Hospital .

A couple of years later Simon Sheahan ( who was also an ex Rugby player ) started training with me to run a marathon and we went on to run the New York marathon in 2007. It was on his suggestion that I try a triathlon the following year and even though I had run 6 marathons at that stage the idea of doing a triathlon scared the shit out of me !! I started swimming in the 25m pool in Portmarnock and bought an racer for €50 and 6 months later I completed the Fingal Sprint Triathlon at the NAC. I was hooked. I followed it up by doing the Triathy sprint and I can still remember doing the breast stroke in the swim after a big panic attack. I decided Triathlon was much more fun than Marathons and joined Piranha in late 2008.

2. What’s your favourite training session?

My Favourite session during any year of training is usually the long stuff. I love the 20 mile runs during Marathon training as the feeling of achievement after is fantastic and the guilt free full Irish breakfast is so worth it.

3. What training session do you dread the most?

Anything that involves running fast ………as much as I would like to do these sessions I just feel at any moment my hammers / calf / Achilles could go bing!

4. When not training, how do you like to relax?

This is a very confusing question, how can you relax when not training ?? I find running is great for relaxing, clearing the head etc. I do not sit still for very long but when I do it is usually to watch a good movie. I am also a tidy freak and like to rearrange stuff just because there is always a better system.

5. What was the last book you read and was it any good?

I am mildly dyslexic ( thank god for spell checker) so I am not a fast reader and lose interest or concentration quickly, so I don’t read too much but if I do read a book it is usually a sporting Bio and the last one was about Dean Karnazes the ultra Runner. I was also bought the latest Tom Clancy, Locked On which is a follow on in the Jack Ryan series. Its got 700 pages so it will take a long time.

6. What has been your biggest improvement during winter training?

Each year I try to concentrate on one disapline and try to improve. For winter training 2011 / 2012 it was Swimming and I was very happy with the results in the pool but not so in open water where I seem to lose time compared to pool. This winter it will be all about running. Getting my legs strong and clear of injuries

7. Favorite karaoke song? And who would you drag on stage with you?

Easy BAT OUT OF HELL Meat Loaf ………No one gets near the stage this has to be solo, you have to own that stage !!!

8. Whats your favourite triathlon and why?

DCT ……….because you can really influence how much people are going to enjoy it especially if they are newbies. As a competitor I really like doing Athy

9. Best triathlon related moment?

Winning the National championships Age Group ( 45-49) middle distance ( lost sheep ) in 2009

10. Any advice for anyone new to triathlon?

Race , Race, Race………..no point in doing all this training if you are not going to enter races and compete. I when I say compete I mean at whatever level works for you. If that means just completing the course so be it , but put yourself out there and reap the rewards of all your training as there is no better feeling than crossing the finish line…..ANY FINISH LINE!!