Glen Gore interview
February 2nd, 2007 by Nikola Tosic
Please write few sentences about you, an introduction…
I am 37 yrs old and have been doing triathlon since 1988. Married with 2 children and living in Durban at the moment, besides competing, I coach a squad of triathletes and am involved in schools coaching as well.
I have attached my sports CV to show you what I have achieved in triathlon over the last few years plus a little other info on other sports I have competed in.
Not sure what else there is to say??
I just love triathlon that’s is why I am still very involved in the sport, both as a coach and still as an elite triathlete.
Let me know what else I can answer (if you read the latest Go Multi Magazine [volume 10.6], it also has some interesting news on me that you could use for the website).
You have been doing triathlons for almost 20 years now. You have seen a lot of changes happen in the sport and in South Africa. Can you describe some of the changes in South Africa and triathlon during this period.
When I started in 1988, triathlon was still a new sport, it really only started in South Africa around 1983/85. So everything was new.
Time trial bars, tri suits, look pedals etc…
There were great events and a lot of people took up the sport. The growth was massive and we had plenty good sponsors and coverage in return. It kind of hit a peak in about 1994, after that triathlon hit a little downward trend until 2000 when Ironman South Africa came to our shores. 2000 and 2001 were great with IMSA down in CT, then we lost the race and once again, a little slump.
Overall since Ironman came back to PE, we have seen a growth in the longer events but the shorter distances have kept the same numbers. Prize money has definitely got less and the support for the elite SA triathletes to compete internationally is virtually non existent.
I hope we get our act together, there is no reason why triathlon should not be on the same level as cycling for instance. It does seem that we are getting a few more events on the calendar both road and off road, so that looks good for the future. If you want to be a pro triathlete, then you will have to go overseas and race there to earn a living. Locally the money and sponsorship will not be enough to keep you on fulltime.
What we need in triathlon is a big group of juniors that can come through the ranks and go into longer stuff eventually. It seems that once they reach a certain level, they stop and that’s bad for long term growth of the sport.
What we need to do is try and get big corporate sponsors on board, play the development game and start getting big money into all levels of the sport. Perhaps then, we can take a right full place alongside swimming and the other big olympic sports in SA.
How did you start triathlon? What was your first race you ever did?
I started as a lifeguard at one of the races, after that, I knew I wanted to start up triathlon.
My very first race was on 1988, the sun city triathlon sprint event.
As a swimmer, I smashed the boys in the swim but soon found myself wanting as the true triathlete killed me off on the bike and the run. Even the top 2 ladies beat me, that was it, I was hooked and ready for much much more, although I only took up triathlon seriously in 1993. Had to stop swimming and concentrate on becoming an all-round triathlete and not just a swimmer who could ride a bike a little and hobble on the run. The become a better triathlete, I had to become a weaker swimmer but it worked out well in the end until this day, 19yrs after my 1st one……………………..
What is your favourite triathlon experience? When did you feel strongest or at your best? Or when did you enjoy the sport the most?
I guess my very first individual race at sun city in 1988 was special, but I have many others over the last few years that were special.
1993 1st SA sprint title win at sun city as well
1996 1st SA long distance title in Durban
1997 All African title win in Mauritius
1998 1st SA Olympic distance title win in Durban
2001 my 1st international Ironman in Malaysia where I laced 2nd
There are many others that have been good to me, some have been bad, but overall, I enjoy racing, so that’s the best part for me, training is something I do, so I can race hard. I have also won races where I have felt bad but at the same time, placed in the top 3 feeling great. With triathlon, its hard to predict what’s going to happen in each race, that’s why the sport is so fascinating.
I have met all kinds of triathletes and some train because they love to race and some race so they have an excuse to train. Would you say that racing is your ultimate motivation? Or is there something else? You were already successful as a swimmer and you switched to triathlon to start over. And at a young age. What do you think is your ultimate motivator for being a triathlete?
I love to do both, train and race. training is part of my life on a daily basis, so I am happy when I can train all 3 disciplines per day, but racing is what ultimately keeps me focussed and disciplined. If I know a race is coming up, I train extra hard, if not, then I tend to train but with no real goals. racing allows me to set goals and focus on that, that is the secret to success. No body can carry on training at the right intensity without setting a goal. Racing also displays all your weaknesses and allows you to fix that up in training
As a good swimmer, I was able to make the transition into triathlon quite easily, I always knew how to run, so just needed to learn to ride a bike.
The ultimate motivator to being in triathlon, “you can never ever stop learning, even the best make mistakes and that’s why its so good. You can always improve on yesterdays result, maybe not time wise but certainly in other areas. The goal being to have the perfect race…….”
So what are your next goals? Is there a holy grail that you are trying to reach - the ultimate goal in triathlon or sports? What is your next race and what do you expect from it?
My only goals right now are to remain as competitive as I can, for as long as I can. I am 37yrs old, been racing as a pro for almost 13yrs now, so I am tired, but I still want to carry on. No holy grail, the only race I have left to do to complete my career is Hawaii, I have qualified 3 times and never went before, so now its time to go and get the t-shirt……………
Next race: Duel Half Ironman this weekend, what do I expect? Top 3……….
Wow! That must have been frustrating to miss out on it three times. Why did you not make it?
No, not frustrating at the time. I was a full time pro so it was just a question of money and earning a living.
I had 2 choices, go to Hawaii and pay 25/30k to get there and stand virtually no chance of earning anything back or go to another Ironman elsewhere, where my costs to get there were zero (sponsored) and I could earn some good money placing top 10.
Now its different, I would make a plan to collect the cash and go if I qualify again. I could opt for an age group slot and most probably would easily be able grab a slot and get there but I would still like to go as a pro.
You also work as a coach in Durban. South African triathletes are mostly white but last year at Ironman South Africa I met some young blacks that did the Ironman. I was amazed they did around 12h with limited training and resources. Also a some triathlon coaches I know outside Africa are always intrigued by triathlon potential of blacks. Do you see the sport growing outside the white community? What do you think are the potentials? Do you coach any blacks?
Yes, I coach a number of black athletes, last year at Ironman I had 5 guys I coached, one of them went under 12hrs and the other all finished well. This year I have about 6/7 of them I coach for free and help them with sponsorships.
They do have limited resources and do very well with what they have. In Durban we are lucky as most of these guys can swim (they work as lifeguards) so its really easy for them to make the transition to Ironman and triathlon. All I need is some big sponsors to put in some decent money for these guys but yes, triathlon is perceived as a white mans sports, so we do not get a lot of help via funds…….
You are not happy with the lack of sponsorship in South African triathlon but sponsors are very market driven, they will not invest in a sport unless they see the return. How do you think you can create value for sponsors?
we need to jack up our admin and then get marketing guys into assist. it won’t be easy in the new South Africa but somehow, if we work together, I reckon we could see a return. main problem here is that triathlon is actually too hard a sport, not enough CEO’s of companies do it. if they did, we would have millions invested in triathlon. that’s how the game works here…………..
What do you think people that read this interview can do immediately tomorrow to make a difference for South African triathlon?
we need more people at the races, even the tiny ones. if they know of corporate companies with a health fanatic as a CEO, they have got to jump on their backs and get him/her involved……….
Not sure what else to suggest?? its almost like we are fighting a loosing battle………but with Ironman growing in numbers, and some more half Ironman events already on the calendar, its looking promising at least……we have 3 more ultra events on the circuit as opposed to 2005/6 so that’s FANTASTIC, plus we will have another world cup race here in may……..hopefully that sets us up nicely for growth. we also need to milk the Olympics as a means to promote the sport big time………
How does your training week look like? What is your maximum mileage in each discipline? What is your VO2Max, resting heart rate and max heart rate? Give us as many numbers about your training as possible! 
I train MON - SUN (3 disciplines per day) except on SAT (brick- long bike with run) and then SUN (long run, short cycle).
It depends on what I am training for maximum mileage.
At my best I was doing about 25k swim, 650km bike, 100km run right now its more like 12k swim, 300/400km bike, 70km run.
But it does vary, I train according to what races I have planned.
height: 1.80m
body fat: not sure, its under 10 I think, was 6% at my best racing weight
which is 67kg………
VO2max??? was average when I was tested at the sport lab in CT, what is
that, about 62 + something???
resting heart rate: 40 - 50bpm
max: at my best: 201bpm, right now about 190+bpm
I believe in consistency ie if I run 70km per week, then I would rather run 10km per day than say, only do 3 days of running and split it 20,20,30 etc etc. I also try and stay fit year round so that it only takes me about 3/4 weeks max to get into peak shape for a race / Ironman is a little bit longer forget all the gadgets, heart rate monitors, fancy bike accessories etc etc, the bottom line is training, spending time on the road is the key,…………
There is not secret with me, just hard work and solid commitment. If you have a little talent, then training hard will make up the rest and you will reach your goals. Also, when you train, do not race all the time, you must have a separate mentality when approaching training!! And then a separate mentality for racing. Ie: I always have an extra gear available for a race whereas some guys can train hard and show they are strong but cannot do the same in the race. That’s the difference between being good and average.
And nutrition? How do you eat before, during and after racing and training? Any favourites?
I follow a pretty normal diet routine, everything in moderation eating before, during and after depends on the length of event. Basically simple foods before ie breads, cereals with no milk etc, during are the normal gels and energy bars and after, a good supplement to replace lost stores………..
I do have a favourite and that’s COKE, on the bike, on the run, taken at the right time, this is THE major boost you need to go hard and long………………
Otherwise, just plain and simple.
Yeah, sugar and caffeine make a nice mix. Do you have any advice or a message for South African triathletes reading this blog?
Yep. If they are reading this blog then they are just like me!! Triathlon is THE sport for us, you do not get better that’s why we trash ourselves everyday in training and racing (great fun), hopefully we can keep it growing……………
Anyway, over and out………..
