ATHLETE OF THE MONTH – JANUARY 2021
TOM HEFFERNAN

 

Congratulations to Tom on being selected as Red Dog’s Athlete of the Month January 2021.
Tom wins this month's award for his commitment to training, ticking off all but one of his programmed sessions this month. Well done!
1. Red Dog AOTM, how do you feel about that?
Pretty stoked to be honest, it just goes to show what happens when you listen to the advice and consistently turn up.
 
2. What attracted you to the club?
Late 2014 I came home from 2 years in Europe a little heavier than when I left.  I signed up to Noosa Tri as a goal to lose some weight and became a little scared I wouldn't survive the swim.  A friend told me about Red Dog and then I found myself in a beginners course not long after.
                                                                                                                                                                                 
3. How much training do you do at the moment?
It seems to be a lot at the moment, around 14-15 hours a week.  Usually 2 Swims, 3-4 Rides, 3 Runs, a gym session and a massage/physio (this can count as training)
 
4. What’s your favourite RDTT session and why?
Saturday rides, good chance for a social ride with everyone and a couple of coffees after.
 
5. If you had one wish, what would it be?
At the moment probably for my lawn to look perfect everyday.
 
6. Who would be your ideal training partners and why? 
Depends what I'm training for.  I've been caught up in Trent's vortex plenty of times and he is handy for training for after parties.  Swim/Bike/run training partners are everywhere in the squad at the moment.  They say that shared pain is lessened so I'd say those currently in ironman build are my ideal training partners.
  
7. The one bit of advice I’d give to a newbie is?
Try not to compare yourself to anyone else, I find this can quickly suck the joy out of the sport.  And get yourself to whatever the next social occasion the club is having.  Gundi Bus, Christmas Party, Cairns after party, Rumble after party, all great fun and the best way to meet everyone, that is if you can remember the following day.
 
8. Tell us in 20 words or less about your experience resetting after Ironman Port Macquarie 2020 was cancelled?
After a few niggles in my 2020 build I spent some time in the gym after it got cancelled.  Seems to have paid off so far as I am certainly more resilient and in a much better place than where I was this time last year.
 
9. What do you do outside of triathlons?
Spend time looking after my new lawn, walking the dog (soon to be dogs) that I eventually gave into getting and being social when I feel like it (which can be very rare).
 
10. What’s your one guilty pleasure?
Connoisseur Ice Cream.  Cookies and Cream or Mint with Cookies Flavour.  Can be individual ice creams or the tub, I'm not overly fussy.


 

A list of all AOTM recipients can be found here