The following means:

BHS: Barrhead-Scotland

SL: Simon Lessing

Here is what we asked him:


BHS: Hi Simon, Going back, way back to the beginning, what first made you get into Triathlon?

SL: I started swimming from the age of seven years old and running from the age of 11 years old. (x country) By the time I was 15 I heard about this new sport of triathlon from my swim coach who was competing successfully as a triathlete. He suggested I have a go at a local event as I already had a back round in swimming and running. I borrowed my brothers bicycle and thoroughly enjoyed the event. It was something completely different to what I had been doing, but it incorporated my swimming and running back round. I also managed to make a little pocket money on the side in the form of prize money. I was hooked!

BHS: Can you briefly run through a typical training week for us.

SL: I train between 25 to 30 hours a week. This incorporates 5 swimming sessions, 5 running sessions and 5 cycling sessions in a seven day period.
On average, I swim about 20 km per week, cycle about 350km a week and run about 70km per week. The training is quite complicated as we are knitting three sports into one. During the race season I do have specific days where I do higher intensity work outs on the track, in the pool etc.

BHS: Do you use turbo/roller trainers for cycling. If you do use trainers which type do you use and what type/duration of training do you do

SL: I must say that after years of doing turbo trainer I do not enjoy it that much. On days when it is whet and cold, ( which was quite often when I was living in Bath) I get to gather with a group of friends and do a joint session of approximately 1 hour. The session consists of about 15 min easy warm up and about 45 min of interval training. Time goes a lot quicker in a group with some loud music playing! I think there are some definite benefits to a turbo trainer session. Aside from the cardio vascular benefit , it does make your pedal stroke a lot smother and efficient. With out a doubt, it beats the rain!

BHS: How has your training regime changed with respect to intensity distance and frequency at present compared to when you first started out in Triathlon

SL: It has been a lot of trial and era over the years to finally balance my training and find out what works for me. I have found that as I have got older, it definitely takes me a little longer to recover from any high intensity work out. The frequent quotes of:
"Too little is better than too much" and "Listen to your body" are extremely valuable and also apply to athletes of my level..

BHS : Chris McCormack and Spencer Smith have moved up to Iron Man distances. Do you miss competing against them and will they still be doing sprint races?

SL : As the sport of triathlon has evolved it has become extremely competitive. It is no longer possible to be competitive at all the distances that the sport has to offer. This in mainly due to the fact the training is so different between short and long distance. The Olympic distance races are fast, and require a fair amount of anaerobic and threshold training, whilst the Ironman training is mainly endurance based and a lot slower.
I would like to try my hand at some longer races although it will not be before the Athens Olympics in 2004. I am sure that I will end up racing Spencer again on a new playing field!

BHS: What is you favorite part of the race, swim, bike or the run?

SL: There is never one discipline that I prefer over another because every race is different. Rarely do you feel good in all three disciplines. I generally enjoy the discipline that I feel strong and in control. This various from sport to sport, from race to race and course to course.

BHS: Is there any new Tri gear that you would be hoping to receive from Santa?

Answer: After years of triathlon I think I have enough triathlon gear to last me a life time. I would like a new Mini Cooper although sadly, I think our chimney is too small for even a Mini Cooper to fit down!

BHS: Finally, would there be any essential training tips for the users of Barrhead Sports center on how to improve their Triathlon?

SL: General advice would be Everything in moderation ,set yourself obtainable goals and have patience.
So often I see enthusiastic athletes who try to accomplish too much too soon. This leads to injury and frustration and training becomes a chaw.
Enjoy it!