ATHLETE OF THE MONTH – DECEMBER 2017

GLENN TOREPE

Congratulations to Glenn Torepe, AOTM for December 2017.

1.           Red Dog AOTM, how do you feel about that?

Honoured. There are plenty of athletes in the club doing awesome things. On a personal note, I’d like to thank everyone in the club for motivating me to train and to try harder – especially at that running caper.

2.        What attracted you to the club?

I started with the club purely for the lunchtime swimming sessions. There are great swimmers at the club and the pace swum at those sessions along with the sets and coaching was enough to keep me coming back. I was focused on swimming for surf lifesaving competition and the timeslot fitted family and work commitments at that time.

3.        How much training do you do at the moment?

Per week - I’m swimming three sessions, running two sessions, bike commuter 35K per day 5 days per week, and two longer rides per week.

4.        Least favourite session and why?

Any swim or run session that I do on my own. I can find all sorts of excuses to put the session off until tomorrow. I’m also pretty terrible at pushing myself when I’m on my own and will plod along. Bands – need I say more?

5.        If you had one wish, what would it be?

Everyone who learns to drive a vehicle should spend time on the road on a bike first (and those on bikes doing the wrong thing – you're stuffing it up for the rest of us).

6.        Favourite motivational quote?

Don’t really have one but in my earlier swimming days, this one was mentioned a lot “The tough get going when the going gets tough”.

7.        The one bit of advice I’d give to a newbie is…

Enter a race so that you have a goal to strive for. Train with others and ask everyone about triathlon – you’d be surprised at how many people have had some contact with the sport and the advice (good and bad) that they will offer you.

8.        My next race is…

Robina Olympic and then heading to Christchurch over Australia day weekend for the Corsair Classic Olympic - described as “Old school triathlon providing a good honest course … run over a testing course with plenty of hills on the bike/run”. It also doubles as the NZ Nationals and qualifying race for NZ team ITU World champs.

9.        I couldn’t do what I do without…

The support of my family. They allow me to creep around the house at ungodly hours of the morning preparing for a training session or a race before heading out for the day, and then see me come home late in the day eat something and falling asleep. Weekend time at home is special.  

10.      What do you do outside of triathlons?

I am an active patrolling member of the Kurrawa Surf Life Saving club on the Gold Coast in my 14^th season of patrol – my current role in the club is Patrol captain meaning I’m the one in charge of the beach when on patrol. My rostered patrol rolls around every 3 to 4 weeks and our patrol runs for 4 to 5 hours depending on school holidays. I also do the odd patrol by jetski patrolling between South Stradbroke island and Burleigh Heads and spend time in the communications centre on the radios. I compete for Kurrawa in the Masters division at the Summer Australian titles (swimming and 2km beach run), pool rescue championships, and IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) racing. Surf lifesaving world titles are in Adelaide in November 2018 which I’m considering competing at.

11.      What’s your one guilty pleasure?

The annual boys trip to the snow – South Island NZ ….. and any other bonus snow trip I can somehow get onto. Oh ok – Beer, potato chips and dip, and watching a NRL game on the box (as long as the game is going the same way as my tipping). Steak and Cheese pie from the Darfield bakery.