Category: Athlete Profiles

A man on an Ironman mission. BUT don’t ever ignore his friend request, honk your horn in traffic, or run past him in an Ironman! Want to know what that’s all about?? Then read on…..

Name: Trav Hore

Nickname: The Big Horse (meet him and you will understand!)

Age / Age Group: 50-54

Lives: Echuca / Moama

Targeted Sport: Ironman

Years in the Sport: 4 years

How did you get started: : Fell in with a ‘bad bunch’ and it just descended from there.

Why I choose CPC: Because I’m on a mission of self improvement. I also once sent CPC a friend request on FB and wasn’t responded to / accepted in my golden rule time of 24 hrs so I retracted it, on reflection that may have been a bit harsh. :-p (got his sense of humor yet?!) 😉

What I ‘get’ from my sport: It is the greatest sport going around it grinds you to the ground where you think you cannot go on then sprinkles the littlest bit of self belief on you and the feeling of finishing is euphoric for weeks!

Ultimate Goal: Sub 12 Ironman – lofty but🤷‍♂️ hey why not !

What I couldn’t live without: My Garmin

Biggest love: My Wife – she puts up with a hell of a lot

Pet peeve!: People who honk their horns in traffic, seriously f*ck off !

Interesting fact about me: I have proven Viking DNA and when young blokes run past me in the run leg of an Ironman I normally ask them can they also bench press their own body weight. (honestly – I don’t know whether to believe him or not either?! you decide!) lol

An athlete who never knew she was one until she turned her life around from a pack a day smoker to podium finisher! What else is she capable of??!!…..

Name: Sharon Smith

Nickname: Scoota: (now let me explain…) A previous coach use to affectionately refer to a small group of his athletes as Pandas (like in the cartoon Kung fu). We just needed a little more attention and lots of encouragement. It was from there the adventures of Speedie (AKA Caroline) and Scoota started. Two pandas who love Triathalon and having fun together

Age / Age Group: 55-60

Lives: StKilda West, Melbourne

Targeted Sport: Triathlon

Years in the Sport: 7 years

How did you get started: :My now husband was starting his Ironman journey, he encouraged me and made believe anything is possible. I would come along to some of his training session and get pulled in. I won an entry to my first tri( so rigged) and there was no turning back!

Why I choose CPC: I met Sarah at a previous Triathalon club and years later I was really impressed by this bucket of energy who had totally reinvent herself. I loved her philosophy and her realistic smart approach to training.

What I ‘get’ from my sport: It can’t be measured, it keeps me sane, it’s helped me to became more organised. I have the most amazing friends associated with the sport. I love training, it helps me to be more balanced, happy , strong and to appreciate others around me.

Ultimate Goal: So many, ultimately an Ironman if the body is willing

What I couldn’t live without: Peter, my partner in life, my friends and a good coffee

Biggest love: My bike ( and Peter)

Pet peeve!: Cyclist who don’t follow the road rules and gives us all a bad name

Interesting fact about me: There was a time in my life when I was very overweight, I smoked a packet of cigarettes a day and my idea of exercise was swimming to a pool bar . I had never won anything until my 55th birthday – proof anything absolutely is possible ! !

• 

A humble guy from country Victoria, who can’t live without oxygen – or laughter! 😉 Relatively new to the sport but has made his way from riding an old repaired bike, to preparing for his first Ironman!

Name: Darren McKemmish

Nickname: Dazzler – I just am!

Age / Age Group: 52 years young

Lives: Echuca, northern Victoria

Targeted Sport: Triathlon

Years in the Sport: My first tri was a local country race in Cohuna March 2017, so that makes it just on 4 years !

How did you get started: : I found an old bike and repaired it then my mate Mick said why don’t you come riding we would go every Sunday 30 km loop I was terrible had to stop and rest. Only a couple of years later though and I now regularly ride 100+kms !

Why I choose CPC: I heard great reviews, I felt like I needed structure in my training, and helps that I’m a local too !

What I ‘get’ from my sport: I love the social side , being fit , challenged, sense of achievement, joy 🙂

Ultimate Goal: Ironman!

What I couldn’t live without: Oxygen…. sorry actually laughter 😉

Biggest love: Country Life

Pet peeve!: When technology doesn’t do what it should (I think we can all relate there!)

Interesting fact about me: I’ve seen a lyre bird. Did you know they have the ability to mimic almost any sound?! Fascinating birds!

• 

• 

A mum with a high work ethic and dedication to improving herself, she has raced from sprint through to Ironman, and gains so much more from her sport than just the finishers medal….

Name: Narelle Crooks

Nickname: Crooksie (no explanation required!)

Age / Age Group: Just moved up to 45-49.

Lives: Elwood Melbourne. Nice and close for riding Beach Rd!

Targeted Sport: Right now triathlon, although this might be changing in the near future…..

Years in the Sport: 11 on and off due to having Mitchell and managing injuries / the body.

How did you get started: : I had always wanted to “try a tri”, however I never swam and only rode a bike occasionally but had started to run, including doing Run 4 the Kids and the Melbourne Half Marathon. One day I mentioned this to a triathlete at work and he suggested joining Tri Alliance as they had a great beginners program. All went pretty well other than my first swim session where I felt so useless that I nearly didn’t go back. Lucky I did though, as there have been lots of great moments and friendships formed over the past 11 years. Including the most important one with Nathan (hubby!) 🙂

Why I choose CPC: Sarah was one of the coaches when I first started in the sport and when I moved to a personal program coming back from injury she always managed to get the best out of me. Over the years we have became good friends and when she moved on from the club I really missed her and her coaching style. Anyway fast forward a few years and I decided to change things up a bit so called Sarah to see if she would take me on again. The best bit about CPC and Sarah’s style is that she motivates and pushes you outside of your comfort zone but at the same time understands that you have a life outside of triathlon and plans around that.

What I ‘get’ from my sport: There are so many ways that sport benefits me but two that I want to share:

1. My sport is about me. When I am out training or racing I am not a someone’s leader or colleague, I am not someone’s partner or mother, I am just me out doing it for myself.  
2. All the people I have met through the sport and the amazing friends that I have made. I love being able to jump on the bike, meet up with friends and just go for a ride (and maybe a coffee too!).

Ultimate Goal: Continue to challenge myself but enjoy it at the same time.

What I couldn’t live without: My coffee machine!

Biggest love: My family (and maybe my coffee machine).

Pet peeve!: Men who cut in on me at traffic lights after I’ve passed them only to slow back down again once they get in front…I’m sorry but it happens way too often on Beach Rd!

Interesting fact about me: I signed up to do the my first (and only) Ironman when Mitchell was only 6 weeks old…crazy!!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

If there is a sport, Al has probably tried it! In her spare time she loves to train on two wheels, but during her working hours she’s a lover of 4 hooves. An accomplished athlete in so many ways overcoming many battles along the way she never ceases to amaze.

Name: Alison Faulkner

Nickname: Al

Age / Age Group: Under 30

Lives: Woodend, Vic

Targeted Sport: Ocean Swimming / Triathlon

Years in the Sport: 12

How I started: I did a ‘come and tri’ program at school, and have been in and out of the sport ever since.

Why I choose CPC: Followed Sarah for the past 11 years as she has coached me all those years through thick and thin

What I ‘get’ from my sport: It has created so many opportunities in my life and a lot of travel opportunities too !

Ultimate Goal: Make it back to a world champs in the near future!

What I couldn’t live without: My Pets!

Biggest love: Sport! It’s in my blood. 🙂

Pet peeve!: Injuries… :-/

Interesting fact about me: Horse riding is my life outside of triathlon

An athlete that continues to learn and grow and a pleasure to coach. Always striving to get the most from herself, and will happily pack her runners before heels when going away….

Name: Caroline Houston

Nickname: Feel free to suggest! (ok -! pocket rocket, speedy, krafty…) :-p

Age Group: Old ! (60+) (EDIT: we call ripe.) 😉

Lives: Melbourne

Targeted Sport: Triathlon

How I got started:  Water cooler chat at work and I was roped in to do the Corporate Tri ! Here I still am !

Why I choose CPC: I have been with a couple of groups (which I really enjoyed) and was looking for a more tailored program to suit my needs and capabilities to help me progress and achieve my goal of completing a full Ironman.

What I ‘get’ from my sport: For my sanity, and of those around me, my life has to involve actively participating in sport. It keeps me grounded by giving me focused thinking time and it keeps me challenged. The best part is the people that you meet and train with – they keep you honest, and, it’s great to make the journey together to celebrate their experiences too.

Ultimate Goal: Do a Tri when I am 70 ?!!? 😂😂. Actually, the goalposts keep shifting, so I am in ‘ move it or lose it’ mode right now !

What I couldn’t live without: Being active, my family (see next q), friends & maybe my bike !

Biggest love: My husband – sounds really squishy, been through thick and thin, and, he puts up with all my moaning and groaning but is still my rock.

Pet peeve!: If I forget my list

Interesting fact about me: It’s hard to find yourself interesting! My sporting wardrobe is always the first thing that goes in the bag when we go away, and, with 7 pairs of runners, 3 pairs of bike shoes (and the list goes on!) there is plenty of choice 👍

• 

• 

•