Episode 81 Featuring Agegroup Triathlete Thomas McManners

Agegroup Multisport Podcast (Triathlon,Duathlon,Aquabike,Aquathlon)

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Welcome back to AMP and its great to have on a younger member of our multisport community. Putting a slightly younger perspective on nutrition and training, as well as the usual, background story and journey into multisport.
Thomas was born in Finland and is Half Finnish on his Mothers side. He lived there up until he was around 14 when he moved to the UK.
He says he joined the Cross country skiing club in Finland between the ages of 10-11 yrs old, "not very quick",he stopped when he moved to UK

Through his Dad he started Orienteering at Berkshire Orienteers when he was 13-14 yrs old, stopped because of migraines and it was uncool.

Thomas started Rowing/sculling at Reading Rowing Club when he was 15-18 yrs old, crazy training but still not quick, stopped because of anaemia & adrenal fatigue.

When he went to Bath University he found Triathlon he enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the club his training was unstructured, but he did a lot of reading up on training and nutrition & getting healthy again.

He tried out short & middle distance, but liked the 'puzzle' of ironman (i.e. it's not just about who has the highest threshold). His first ironman was Outlaw age group win aged 19 in 2017.

Potent, low volume training 2018 helped him at the Denmark long distance worlds where he came 4th M20-24 & Ironman Wales 2nd M18-24. He then prioritised his education taking 2 years "off" as degree was getting tough, no spare time. Thomas continued with Sprint sessions only, but lost a lot of fitness.

as the Pandemic hit, while writing thesis, restarted training, new plan: only two training zones. Thomas won Hever Castle Bastion 2021 while working as an engineer.
Led 255 'ultra triathlon' but DNF'd, controversy around results. Did some more rowing in Bristol as he had unfinished business.

Thomas then moved to London for management consulting. He raced Outlaw again, coming 5th overall.
he then won Ironman Finland three weeks later, as he is half-Finnish, it felt amazing (but not appreciated by FinnTriathlon..) Spontaneously raced Challenge Almere three weeks after.

Thomas is currently balancing training and work, with little structure.He had a crack at 2023 Ibiza Long distance Worlds with an achilles injury, which turned out to be a bad idea.

He has now moved back to Bath, focusing on swim and run high-end speed, hoping to train with the elites. His job still comes first. hw wants to train smart but have fun and be flexible.
Thomas is looking to the 70.3 worlds this year and then Kona focus next year
as well as trying for his pro licence.

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