A Celtic Tri'er Profile

Unlike transition you won't get DQ'd revealing all in the newest of articles to be published on Wales Largest Triathlon clubs website. Quite fitting that the first of our Members to go under the spot light should be one with a long and distinguished pedigree, I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I did.


(Difficult questions first)

Name? John Nicholls

Age? On the basis of counting down from reaching 50, I will be 40 this year. That feels about right.

Married? Gill for 27 years. My soul mate, team manager and No 1 Fan!

Job? Senior Specialist Exercise Instructor. I deliver exercise and fitness training for people with chronic illnesses ie. Cardiac and Stroke rehab, Falls Prevention and COPD. Triathlon Coach and Personal Trainer.

Interests (outside of Triathlon and work)? Gill and I enjoy escaping in our campervan. We both love good food and wine. Holidays are precious to us.

Triathon history? I have raced for 21 years, competing in over 150 triathlons and duathlons. During this time I have represented Wales in the Home Nations Team Championship in Ireland in 1994,and have raced for GB  as an age group athlete at the Worlds Standard Distance Tri Championships in Cancun 2002 and the European Long Course Tri Championships in Holland 2006. I have raced 5 Ironmen Triathlons, and this is my preferred race distance. My race style suits long distance and I hate sprints - they hurt!

Behind the scenes, I was Chairman of the Welsh Triathlon Association from 1994-1999 and race referee at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the ITU European Triathlon Champs in Swansea and Bryn Bach Park. As MSPro, I co-organised Pembrokeshire Triathlon for three years and the ITU European Duathlon Champs in Pontardawe 2004.

Favourite Training session? Anything on my bike in the sunshine.

Whats your favourite bit of Tri kit? 5 year old Red Specialized Allez pro racing bike. I feel good when I ride it, as everything about it is right.

Favourite Race? Austria Ironman 2004. A fantastic venue, with a well organised race and tremendous local support. Add this to everything going right on the day, and I came away with a PB of 11:30 hrs (I will improve on this time)

Best Tri Moment? There are many, but the finish at Austria still gives me a buzz!

Worst race? It had to happen at the World Champs in Cancun 2002. I punctured on the bike on a technical course and struggled from there on in 40 degree heat. Mind Games kicked in – do I continue and finish with a rubbish time? Or do I stop with a DNF? Only one answer for me – I was not going to pull out of the World Championships!

Having been around (the Tri scene) for so long whats your Weirdest moment? The Green Algae (think neon green coloured Pea Soup) at Almere in Holland, in the Long course Triathlon Championships. Oddly, no one went into the water prior to the race, partly due to the colour and also because of the stink! I pleased to report that everyone survived and didnt turn green!

What Motivates You? The love of Triathlon. I work and train to specific, measurable and achievable objectives. This can only be achieved with the unlimited support I get from Gill.

Sporting Heroes? Lance Armstrong, Steve Redgrave, Dai Richards (WWW.rugbyrelics.com) For those who don’t know, Dai is a Neath guy who has been there and done it, sporting wise, in many disciplines and continues to pass on that knowledge to others of all ages and abilities. Check out his profile on his website and be inspired.

In a nutshellAn enthusiastic, grinning and rather tall big kid! And before Triathlon……Well that’s another story.

Thanks John, Keep on Tri'ing