FAST FIVE - APRIL 2020

Robbie Andrews 
Sunshine Coast, QLD
 
“Go hard. And when it starts hurting…go a little harder!”
 
Our April Fast Five athlete is Sunshine Coast based T:Zero stalwart Robbie Andrews. 

Robbie’s been competing in endurance and triathlon events for over 30 years and has been a T:Zero athlete in Coach Scotty’s stable since the very beginning. His last race was Ironman Cozumel 2019, where he posted a cracking time of 9:35 (his fastest ever; with his previous best being 9:38 at Forster in 2003), earning himself a coveted Ironman World Championships slot for 2020. 

Robbie balances his swim/bike/run training with sessions in the gym and says he doesn’t need any motivation to get out there - he just LOVES to train! In 2020 he’s focussed on preparing himself for the start line in Kona, and we’re all crossing our fingers and toes it will be going ahead. Until then, it’s head down, bum up and train on! 

Why and how did you get into triathlon/endurance/multisport? 
It was what I did to keep fit for AFL footy back in the 1990’s. 

Favourite distance? Why?
Ironman. I’m not a great swimmer so I need time to catch the front guys!

Proudest triathlon moment?
Third place at the Long Course World Championships in Penticton, BC, Canada in 2017.

What keeps you coming back time and again to compete in endurance events? 
I keep doing endurance events because I love to challenge myself. Most longer training is done by yourself and I'm happiest when I'm just training. Also I still want a 3.15 marathon off the bike!! So that drives me a little.

Best piece of advice for someone starting out in the sport? Or best advice you’ve received?
Go out the door every day for training, no questions asked! Even when you’re not feeling like it, if you still feel shit 30mins into it, you’re allowed to go home!

And one more for good measure (and a big head) …
 
Why do you love being part of the T:Zero Multisport team?
Coach Scotty. I could probably write my own training plans (been doing it long enough!!) but I like the accountability that I get from him, and we can chat about what I think about training and he listens to what I have to say.