Workout Wednesday with Geoff Gearing

by Erin Greene on 11 Feb, 2015 09:11 • Español

Geoff Gearing is the triathlete we all want to be - still rocking and rolling and swimming and biking and running even in his 80s. A longtime triathlete, Gearing finished second in the men’s 80-84 category sprint race at the Edmonton World Championships. Check out his favourite ways to stay fit and keep moving. 

Name: Geoff Gearing
Country: Great Britain
Age Group: 80-84
Profession: Teacher, Lecturer, Manager within various of Sport and Leisure including Education, Local Government, Commercial Management, Consultancy and Professional and International Sport. Now Retired.

How did you get involved in triathlon?
After a lifetime playing, teaching ,coaching, and managing in Sport I wanted to keep fit and continue participating with my peers and others in a sport that offered challenges to the mind and body for all ages. It was a no-brainer!

How often do you train? 
I have kept record of my training since starting with swim/runs in 1991. The highest weekly average for the year was 462 minutes when training for the World Champs in Perth in 2000. The lowest was 156 when I lost my wife to cancer in 2012 and triathlon/training took a back seat..My weekly average in 2014 up to racing in Edmonton was 300 minutes. My average over the past 24 years is 315 minutes per week. And I try to train 5 times per week.

What motivates you to race?
A love of “activity” fired by a competitive streak within and outgoing nature without.

Have you encountered any training obstacles? 
No. Only my inherent laziness has to be overcome.

What tips do you have for balancing relationships, work and training?
Never forget and always acknowledge the team supporting you. It can be a very long day at times.

Favourite swim workout:
Winter. (25m pool) 1-8 8-1 lengths with 1 length bs recovery. 2200m. Build up from 1-4 4-1.
Summer. Swimming intervals between the 150m buoys at Budleigh Salterton’s stoney beach in Devon (England)

Favourite bike workout: 
Hill climbs and fast descents. Various distances related to forthcoming races. Exeter in Devon is full of hills.

Favourite run work out:
Beach interval runs on the 800m beach in Prai du Luz Portugal. Winter sweating with my top off under the Portugese sun… heavenly!! Also works on Devon beaches if you choose the right day in Summer….occasionally!!

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