An Interview with Peter Robertson.

How long have you been doing triathlon?
10 years.

How did you get interested in Triathlon?
A few mates from high school and I decided to do a junior race. I enjoyed it so I retired from cricket and took up triathlon.

What was your first triathlon and when did you realize you had the gift for success?
In my first triathlon back in November 1992, I was beaten by a girl! At this point I didn't feel like I was going to be a future world champion, but I really enjoyed it so stuck at it. It wasn't long after this that I believed to could be the best, although it took a few years to show any real result to back up my beliefs.

What would you say is the most important aspect to triathlon success?
To be successful in triathlon (or most things in life) is to be consistent and believe in yourself and set yourself goals. Don't listen to other people who will try and drag you down. If you believe you can achieve it, go out and do everything possible to do exactly that.

What's your favourite aspect of the sport?
I enjoy the traveling to different countries and I also take more time off than most! Most years I will have about 12 weeks off through out the year.

What's your weekly training schedule like?
5 swims, 6-7 bikes, 5-6 runs. (2 gym sessions in the off season).

What's the main motivating factor in your career?
I am motivated to be the best triathlete ever. The fastest and the most successful.

Drafting, for or against?
I could go on for ages, but I do both and love both. In my eyes, I don't believe there is any difference between them.

Tell us the theory behind the 'Robbo' sticks.
The 'Robbo' sticks have helped with my technique and keep me concentrating during the race and training.

What are your long-term goals?
Win gold in Athens. Win another 3 world titles.

Do you have any aspirations to go Long Course - Ironman?
It's not out of the question, but at this stage I'm focused on winning Athens. After that I'll re-access my goals.

Tell us about the run battle you had with Ivan Rana at ITU worlds in Cancun, he came up on you and you fought back.
On the day Ivan was in super shape. we also had another battle earlier in the year in Japan. that day I was able to run away from him with ease, in Cancun the tables reversed. He was ready for the battle, and I slightly underestimated him.

You've been on the podium for ITU World Champs for the past 3 years with two second places and one win - what do you put this consistency down to?
I put this down to preparation. I have an excellent coach (Mark Newton) who knows how to prepare me properly. We know how to get me in peak shape and have eliminated the guesswork out of training/taper etc.

You must have been be disappointed with your Commonwealth Games result?
The Commonwealth Games was disappointing. I was in great physical shape, but wasn't hungry enough for the win.

What did you think of the race?
It was a great race and I'm sure the 100,000 spectators enjoyed it. Simon Whitfield was awesome and totally deserved to win on that day.

Who do you feel are your main competitors are at the moment and who do you really rate?
The only athlete I rate is Simon Whitfield. He has 2 races that I wanted to win, Olympics and Commonwealth Games. He also knows how to prepare for the important races. I admire that.

If you could change one thing in triathlon what would it be?
Nothing needs changing.

You've been at the very top of the triathlon tree for a few years now, do the dizzy heights ever become stressful?
I'm not dizzy yet! Still have plenty more climbing up that tree. Loving being at the top and plan to stay there for years to come.

Who are your sporting heroes in and out of the sport of triathlon?
I don't have any sporting heroes, never have.

Turbo training, love it or loathe it?
I threw out my turbo years ago.

Swimming, drills or intervals?
You need to do both. Fitness is important, but you can only get so fit? Then your technique needs to be excellent to improve.

When do you think we'll see a sub 30mins run of the bike and do you think you'll be one?
I know I'll be the first to run sub 30mins in a triathlon and I know when! You'll just have to wait though before I unleash it!

What else do you do beside triathlon?
I love ten-pin bowling and have aspirations to compete at the next Commonwealth Games in triathlon and ten-pin bowling. I also love bocce, golf, dining out and love a great bottle of red over dinner.

You're racing in tropical waters and you see a large dark shape below, do you - A. Push your nearest competitor in its direction? B. Dive down and attack like Tarzan? C. Swim faster?
B

Finish this sentence : I've got 21 seconds to go, I got 21 seconds to go...
...before I cross the line in Athens as the new Olympic gold medallist.

What was the last book you read and CD you bought?
Book - the story of Babylon
CD - The Eels.

Kylie Minogue or Natalie Imruglia?
They're both great Aussie's

Who would be your ideal bike turbo training date be, bearing in mind the room is small and very hot?
I threw out my turbo! But I'd still go in a small/hot room with ...

Triathletes, ego conscious masochists or nirvana searching motivators?
Definitely ego conscious masochists.

Peter Robertson's tip for today is ...
Cheers