 Mark Richardson(Photo: Tri NZ / Darryl Carey; click to enlarge) |
Mark Richardson can count many things on his CV. International cricketer, broadcaster, commentator, reality show host, and a champion of the skin-suit onesie long before 'onesie's became a popular addition to the wardrobe.
Now the man who brought 'The Block' into Kiwi homes and broadcasts daily to sports-mad audiences in his breakfast and TV 'Crowd Goes Wild' shows has a new challenge. Mark Richardson wants to represent New Zealand in triathlon and has the 2015 ITU Chicago World Championships penciled in his diary.
He will start on the road to representing New Zealand in age group racing in Chicago by taking part in his first Duathlon later this month when he lines up at the .kiwi New Zealand Duathlon Championships in Taupo, and he is challenging others to join him.
"I've never done a Duathlon and I like the idea from a success perspective of not swimming (I am stink at swimming). However my coach Rob Dallimore of Foot Traffic told me that Duathlon hurts like no other. Run as hard as you can – ride even harder – and see what's left for the hardest 5k of your life... I can't wait!
"Seriously though I am very much looking forward to it and want to see as many others out there too, I can't think of a better way to kick start into spring and motivate yourself to be that much fitter and ready for a summer of triathlon racing."
The long term goal is however Chicago, with Richardson looking for yet more to add to his burgeoning CV.
"The goal is to make qualification for the age group world champs next year in Chicago...this is so I can call myself a 'double international'...they are very rare nowadays... ha!
"Really I have just found the sport highly enjoyable and as a physical pursuit later in life a real good one. I'm quite goal orientated and after getting fixated on running a sub three hour marathon at Auckland I found I was wrecking my body. However triathlon, especially standard distance, is much easier and do-able for old bones, muscles and tendons. Saying that though I love competing and so I have to push myself and so age group qualification in the very competitive 40-45 age group is a nice challenge."
For someone who was so structured in his approach to cricket, Richardson says it was a lack of discipline in his approach to sport after cricket that led him to triathlons, where he says he can simply hammer himself.
"Getting a bit chubby drove me to trail running, and getting out in the bush on your own is really therapeutic however the minute I swam, rode and ran I was hooked. Tri is so stimulating and I love the 'racing aspect'. Distance running is still racing yes but it involves too much pacing and I, unlike in cricket, have no discipline. In standard distance tri you just go for it from start to finish. I thought the other day I should start working on my golf...but then I thought... 'I want to keep fit.' Fitness is very addictive."
Back to Taupo then and the immediate goal of racing well at the .kiwi National Duathlon Champs, a date that is not penciled in like Chicago, but rather written in ink on the 31st August at Taupo Motorsport Park.
"I definitely will be a long way from my peak come the Duathlon champs but they are a training exercise for me. At the moment I am just trying to churn out some miles in the pool, on the bike and on my feet. It's a little frustrating because between breakfast radio, The Block NZ shooting and CGW TV in the evening I have very little time and am missing plenty of trainings day....this makes me grumpy.
"The other thing I find with my work commitments is I know because I've got to train three disciplines I am probably underselling all three but saying that I think I'm making progress. My swimming is abysmal but Andy Mackay of Boost my Swim is kindly helping me with technique and I think I am making a little progress. Swimming is definitely my weakness and puts me back in the field immediately. I'd love to be able to ride longer but it is impossible so I try to make riding and running as quality focused as possible. I have a do-able-ish programme from Rob Dallimore of Foot traffic and I try to do as much of it as possible. Rob is a real Triathlon aficionado and of great help to me."
You can join Rigor in Taupo at the .kiwi National Duathlon Champs; entries are open now for the event which sees entrants run and ride the majority of their race on the smooth and safe Taupo Motorsport Park circuit and surrounds.
There are race categories for all ages (the event includes National Schools Duathlon Championships) with race distances to suit all abilities from short ('have a go') to sprint and standard, with team racing also an option on the day.
All entrants receive a race pack that includes two for one vouchers at popular de Brett's Thermal Pools and the chance to win a brand new Suzuki Swift at the end of the 2014/15 summer of racing – and that includes all ages, kids might not be able to drive the car, but they can still win a Suzuki Swift for the family just by entering a .kiwi event this summer.
Click here for information on the Tri NZ National Duathlon Championships, Taupo, August 31 2014.
