Congratulations to PARC member, Peter Dwyer, on placing 3rd at the recent International Triathlon Union Grand Final in Rotterdam, 75-79 age group. Peter trains in the gym 1-2 times a week and usually combines this with a treadmill run session and a swim session. The rest of his training is spent outside on the road.
We asked Peter to share more about his journey and what it takes to get where he is.
“In world championship events, competitors compete in five year age group cohorts. This is reasonably fair in that all things being equal you can expect to decline at around one percent per year. To be competitive in my age group you need to be able to swim at 3kph for 750m, change out of your wetsuit and then ride for 20 kilometres at 34-35kph and to finish off, get off the bike and run at 11.5-12kph. I have been competing for about 21 seasons and I have been a member of the Mornington Peninsula Triathlon Club for most of that time. In April 2012 I was diagnosed with coronary artery disease and this required open heart surgery for a coronary artery bypass. Medical and rehab staff were confident of my making a quick recovery as I was very fit and already had a strong habit of physical exercise. I was able to resume full training within 12 weeks of the procedure and competed at the world championships two months after that. It was good to snag a bronze medal after placing 4th on three occasions. Placings are nice but it is the goal setting and the regular commitment to exercise that are the most fulfilling aspects of endurance sport. I dread not being able to do it. The encouragement of staff and the facilities at PARC have been invaluable in my preparation for this event. PARC has been a great local resource and getting to my goal of exceeding my three previous 4th placings would have been much more challenging without it.”
