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West Highlands Ultra 2008 Competitor Profile
Competitor #2 Paul McGreal
From: Scottish Borders
Club: Borders Tri/Team Tri-UK
DOB: 23/05/1972
1. What’s your best previous race result? Think I managed a 6th in my school 25m swimming gala aged around 12. More recently, I really enjoyed and did OK (in my terms) at the Big Ben Nevis Tri last year.
2. Describe your racing style in three words.. Slow ‘n’ steady.
3. What’s your most exotic previous race (of any discipline)? Probably the ETU Tri Champs in Copenhagen last year. Alternatively, I competed in the 5-day Hebridean Challenge for 3 consecutive years – probably the most spectacular race location in Europe.
4. Longest distance event (any discipline) previously completed?IM France in 2005, assorted 24-hour MTB races (including a couple of attempts at the legendary Strathpuffer 24, held in the middle of winter, North of Inverness).
5. How much training do you do in an average week? Right now?.... about 8, normally aiming for something in the 12-18 range.
6. When was the last time you fell off your bike? Fall of my MTB just about every time I go out on it. If you don’t fall off, you’re not trying hard enough.
7. How long have you been training for the West Highlands Ultra (or how long will you have been training for..?) I’ve been trying to build for it for 6 months or so. However, I’ve found it really hard to keep focussing on something far away, and over a mind-boggling distance. How exactly do you train to ride a bike for 175 miles?.
8. How did you hear about the West Highlands Ultra? Post on the Tri Talk forum.
9. What are you looking forward to most about the event? The finish. The swim could well be interesting – the location will be fantastic.
10. Do you know anyone else taking part? Joel from Edinburgh Tri – I’ve run into him at a couple of loopy events previously.
11. How many years have you been taking part in triathlon for? 3.
12. How many years have you spent in multisport (including swimming/cycling/running etc)? 5 or 6 – started via Adventure Racing.
13. Do you have a message do you for any of the other competitors? Wave to me as you go past.
14. In terms of competitiveness, are you coming to Scotland to:
a. win? b. enjoy yourself? c. survive? d. other (please specify)
Definitely here to survive (and enjoy myself on the way) and get to the finish line if possible. No other objectives.
15. If you have them confirmed already, please provide the names of your support crew (and short (ie couple of words) description, if you wish)
Anne Campbell – long suffering partner.
16. Your favourite tri-related item?
I love my bikes – all of ‘em. .
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