Pete Fry was relaxing with a copy of 220 Triathlon on the first day of his holiday in Florida when he read his own name as the winner of a place in the Outlaw Triathlon and a Blueseventy Helix wetsuit.
Pete, 44, works at GKN Aerospace in Yeovil, Somerset, and is a member of The Fantastic Wessex Wizards Triathlon Club. We caught up with him to find out more.
So do you enter many competitions?
“I enter every competition, and last year I won a pair of tyres for my bike from a cycling magazine. I received my 220 Triathlon through the post and put it straight into my suitcase as my wife and I were going to stay for a week with her cousin at Boca Raton, Florida. On the first morning of the holiday I got 220 out and was astonished to read my name under competition winners!!”
What attracted you to want to do the Outlaw?
“The attraction for me with the Outlaw is the iconic status it has and the amazing venue it’s held in. My original plan was to do the Outlaw next year after doing Wimbleball70.3 this year, but this has brought my plans forward and I am stepping up my training to become an Outlaw a year earlier.”
What are you most and least looking forward to?
“I am most looking forward to the swim as I love to swim and with a Blueseventy wetsuit it should be a whole lot better than the old cheapy I have now. The cycle is what I am least looking forward to as it’s a long time in one position. An armchair for a saddle might help...”
How did you get into triathlon?
“I used to compete in Enduros on motorcycles in the Vet Expert class but I ruptured my left Anterior Cruciate Ligament in my knee. I had to have a Ligament reconstruction in July 2011 where the surgeon took hamstring ligament and grafted it to replace the ACL. My Wife had competed in a few local Sprint Triathlons and I was really impressed with the friendly atmosphere and the running of the Events. I saw firsthand how she worked so hard to improve her fitness to compete in triathlon and this drove me after months of physio to want to do triathlon as well.
“I began running again, I have always cycled and I learnt to swim properly. I did my first sprint triathlons throughout last year and the bug has well and truly bitten me. Wessex Wizards coaching has been a massive help with lots of like minded people with vast experience to share.”
What’s your favourite item of triathlon kit?
“My favourite bit of kit is my Go Run Sketchers. They help me to mid/forefoot strike on the run which helps to look after my knees.”
What’s your aim in triathlon?
“My ambition is to one day in the future compete in a triathlon with my children, Ellie (10), Toby (5) and Jorja (5). I hope they all beat me!”
