ATHLETE OF THE MONTH – FEBRUARY 2018
LAURENCE HARDING
Congratulations to Laurence Harding, AOTM for February 2018.
Laurence wins the award for his outstanding 20km bike time trial at Nundah where he took top honours with an average speed of 46.2km/h. Well done!
A big thank you to our sponsors All Hose and Valves, Aqua Shop, the Brow Bar, Shoes Feet Gear and AvantiPlus The Valley for donating this month’s prizes.
1. Red Dog AOTM, how do you feel about that?
I am not worthy - so many high achieving members of the club getting amazing results not sure I deserve an award for just a TT and not having done a triathlon for about 10 years.
2. What attracted you to the club?
The swim sessions at the Valley pool are awesome and the high standard of athletes and the numbers that the club has attracted is very motivating. The variety and amount of training sessions on offer is amazing compared to UK triathlon clubs. Having dragged myself out of bed for the TT I could not believe how many Red Dogs were riding around Nundah track in the dark at 5am!
3. How much training do you do at the moment?
The lunchtime sessions at the Valley Pool, a long bike ride each week and a few indoor bike sessions at home.
4. Least favourite session and why?
Anything involving running (see below for why) also the races at the end of the Friday swim sessions. As an adult onset swimmer I have never dived - it is absolutely terrifying standing so high on starting blocks and landing on your belly is very painful and slow
5. If you had one wish, what would it be?
All those years ago each time I badly went over on my ankles playing squash (and once falling downs the stairs drunk at a night club) I wish I had seen a physio and done some rehabilitation. Having just had an MRI scan on my left ankle and finding out that two of my ankle ligaments are "virtually non-existent" explains my struggles with running/running injuries over the years.
6. Favourite motivational quote?
Ride your bike, Ride your Bike, Ride your Bike (Fausto Coppi on how to get better at bike riding)
7. The one bit of advice I’d give to a newbie is…
Hard work and consistent training can take you a long way. Also wearing very dodgy/ super tight/ see through,10 year old skin suits is the secret to faster time trials - apologies to anyone who got too close - at least you did not have to help me squeeze into it at 4.30am - thanks Fiona!
8. My next race is…
Mooloolaba Olympic distance but just the swim and the bike until I have sorted out my ankle.
9. I couldn’t do what I do without…
My wife.
10. What do you do outside of triathlons?
Whatever my wife tells me to do plus trying to keep the kids entertained and making sure that they learn how to swim and dive.
11. What’s your one guilty pleasure?
Gallons of ice cold diet coke.
12. Who’s your favourite sparring partner in the squad and why?
I enjoy desperately trying to hang onto Kirk's and Dimsey's feet on the Monday pull buoy sessions and then crushing them in the 1km time trial (just kidding!). I also like trying and failing to keep up with the real swimmers zooming past in the lane above and wondering how and why they effortlessly go so much faster than me.
A list of all AOTM recipients can be found here