He has been kind enough to give us a brief interview about his passion for the sport, training, personal life and most importantly being in Lanzarote for Ironman 2015 from where he actually started this sport:
You have been a successful European Triathlete from Lanzarote, that is a great achievement, what motivated you to become an athlete?
Well, I have fought my way through since very young. I was inspired by watching IM Lanzarote every year since very young, and then later was inspired by my older brother participating at the yearly high school triathlon, volunteering, participating in smaller races in Lanzarote until I decided to do my first Ironman in 2002, and that´s where it all kicked off. A long and enjoyable journey where I have made lots of friends, enjoyed many great experiences and made some good race results I am pleased about.
You have competed in many International Triathlon competitions, how different are those from Ironman Lanzarote?
Every race is special and unique in some way, but I enjoy most racing at events that have been going on for many years and have some special atmosphere and feeling going on around them. IM Hawaii is the biggest and very special, but for me Ironman Lanzarote will always be number one! The entire buzz going around, the involvement of the entire Island and the local people, the great personality of race director Kenneth Gasque and the extreme heat, wind and volcano conditions are unique.
Are you participating in Ironman Lanzarote 2015?
Yes. I think this will be my 10th time starting (I didn't finish in 2008 and 2013) and if I succeed it will be my 8th finished one.
How has training been going on for Ironman Lanzarote 2015?
2015 has been a very different year for me. I decided to take a different approach to my life and prioritize pursuing a Marketing Management degree, together with part time work (coaching and being a waiter) which does not leave much time for proper Ironman training. The last months I only managed to find enough time and energy to train about 7-9 hours a week (where I used to train 25-30). The last 3 weeks before Ironman I got a grip with 12 and 16 hour training weeks and then a bit of recovery and easy training for race week.
What are your expectations from Ironman 2015?
As I said I had to take a different approach this year and I will not be competing as a Professional and will be racing in Age Group 30-34. Don´t know what to expect, but I am confident with the level of fitness I have maintained the last months in swimming and running but lack plenty of bike training. I have a very competitive mentality so will try to do my best and hope for a good placing in my age group.
How difficult do you think the course could be?
It is always difficult! Luckily local government have been putting a good effort on putting new asphalt on many roads so they are now smoother and help for quicker riding (still some very nasty-bumpy sections) and then the wind and the heat always make it complicated, but that's what makes Ironman Lanzarote so special! If it be easier they would call it “IM Light”.
What advice would you give to an amateur to prepare for the Ironman Competitions?
Get some good professional advice and if you want to be successful and competitive it helps a lot to enjoy the journey and the training, also get prepared for changing your lifestyle for a better and healthier one and most important, get the entire support from your family.
How would you describe Lanzarote as a training place for anyone who wants to participate in Ironman?
I think it is the best place in the world!! There are many great hotels and places to stay and make the perfect training camp. Good routes and infrastructures for training, many great events and the awareness and involvement of so many local people and businesses to support this new boom of sports tourism.
After the Ironman Lanzarote, what are your next goals?
Celebrate with my close friends and family and then straight back to Denmark for a busy month of school exams. Race wise I don't have many plans but for sure will return to Silkeborg half IM distance race in August in Denmark where I finished 3rd last year and maybe some more in September-October but will find out what fits with school, work and my wife.
Also, we know that this sport is sacrificed financially, who has been your greatest support in this regard?
From the beginning I have always had unconditional support and understanding from my wife and family. That is always number one! But to make the big step into professional racing I had to quit work and rely on support from many sponsorship endorsements, local businesses and sports clubs and further on from International sport companies, an international IT company and the British triathlon Federation. There has been so many people supporting me over the years I can simply not name them all! But to be more specific, I have to say that the support from Sands Beach Active and General Manager Juan Carlos Albuixech has been an outstanding part of my achievements. Sands Beach Active supported me from 2009 and onwards and helped me achieve my sports results at the same time they developed to become a reference in the Canary Islands as a great sports destination and event organizer.
These are some of the Highlight stats of Nicholas’s career:
- 14 x IM distance finisher( 7x Top 10 + 2 x IM Hawaii)
- 11th ITU European Champs
- 13th ITU World Champs
- Countless 70.3 and Half Distance races with many podium (top 3 finishes)
Finish times/results Ironman Lanzarote
- 2014 9h 20 minutes place 12
- 2011 9h 02 minutes place 5
- 2010 8h 58 minutes place 6
- 2009 9h 22 minutes place 13
- 2007 10h 06 minutes place 44
- 2006 10h 16 minutes place 42
- 2002 11h 11 minutes place 156
We hope that Nicholas wins the competition and we wish him the very best for the same. Let’s all be at the Ironman Lanzarote 2015 to cheer Nicholas!!!!
Why not try your own Ironman Gear Get 10% Off Race Gear at IRONMAN Store! Use coupon code RACEGEAR during checkout. Expires 06/30/2016.
