Try Hard, Train Well, Go Faster

Graham has been a member of the Milton Dambusters Swim Team since he was nine and ran cross country for two years before he completed his first triathlon. To Graham, his involvement in both swimming and running seemed to naturally progress into triathlons. Graham completed his first triathlon after a family friend had sent an email about an upcoming race. He completed the first triathlon and has never looked back.

During Grahams’ main training period, he completes five swims per week; 4-6 runs per week and 3-5 bikes per week. In addition to training for the three events, Graham also goes to the gym for cross-training and endurance work-outs and also does technique training, intervals and anything else he thinks might help to make him faster. Graham is largely self-trained, but this year has gone to Halifax to train on several occasions. For the most part, Graham makes up his own practice and training schedules. In the course of a year, Graham competes in 4-5 triathlons. There are not many triathlons during the summer (which is good) because Graham both swims with, and coaches, the Milton Dambusters Swim Team, which takes up the majority of his time and weekends.

Graham’s first goal for this year was to qualify for Junior Nationals. The Navy Trident meet in Shearwater on June 1st was his chance to secure his spot. Graham had a strong race and initially didn’t think that he had qualified. Following the race, the times were revised because the distances raced were longer than they were supposed to be. After his time was revised, he was informed that he had met the time standard and had secured his spot at the Junior Nationals in Gatineau, Quebec in July.

Graham’s goals for Nationals are simple: “don’t get lapped, finish under my personal best of 1:16 and have a good race.” Graham has always trained and competed by his motto, “try hard, train well and go faster.” His future goals are to compete in, and finish, an Ironman triathlon, which consists of a 3.8km swim, an 180km bike and a 42.2km run. Graham also looks forward to competing in different length races, most of which he is not allowed to compete in yet because of his young age.

Congratulations on your accomplishments so far! Good luck in Gatineau; we will all look forward to watching your results.