I caught up with Phil Graves
August 11th, 2009 by Will
Firstly, Ironman UK and Half Ironman UK Champion, 20years old! They make them tough up in Yorkshire… Everyone is scratching their nuts how you did it! Enlighten us?!
Well, i just swam for a bit, bike pretty hard and ran as fast as could in the hope it would get me across the finishing line first!
How did it feel getting off after a 112mile bike ride and realising you have a marathon still to go?
It was really demoralizing! I just took each part individually and tried to put the fact out of my head that I had done all that swimming and cycling beforehand and just concentrated on running.
How did you manage your nutrition in the Ironman?
I just ate and drank anything i could get my hands on, i must have had about 2 energy bars, 2 packets of  ride shots and about 20 gels throughout the race all washed down with litres of Gatorade.
You said earlier in the year you want to race Hawaii…What are you looking for in you first year? It must be exciting being probably the youngest in the race!
I am just going to Hawaii for experience, I’m looking forward to racing out there with all the big boys, so hopefully in the next few years I know what to aim for when I go again.
How are you preparing for Hawaii? Doing anything different?
I am going to do a few bits and bobs in the heat chamber but mostly keep things the way they have been.. it’s all worked up to now!
You worked for Alistair in the Euro Championships…
Yea, I went as a domestique to help Alistair win, I played my part, I rode hard and helped us establish a break and hold the gap. Â It was fun mixing it up with the ITU boys, drafting racing is fun to do.
Where are you right now and what are you doing?
I’m back in York just recovering really, mostly playing the Wii fit… will take a couple more weeks and then I will start back doing some specific stuff for Hawaii.
Your training group in Leeds is fantastic, with Alistair, Johnny, yourself and many others all moving through the ranks FAST…describe the set up a little for us and the group.
Well I don’t actually train with the Leeds group at all, i live in York which is 30 miles away so do most of my running and cycling by myself though I do train with the local swimming club which is good for a bit of variety.
How much training are you racking up during the winter months?
Well I’m at Uni at the same time so not huge amounts, the weather also makes it quite hard to go out and ride, especially when its icey and really cold.
Can you give us a top training tip for our readers?
Ignore all the graphs and silly training aids and just get out and hammer yourself!
A top racing tip for Ironman?
Eat, eat and eat again!
| One week since London Triathlon | London Calling… |
