By Chloe Prince
WHEN the gym was no longer challenging enough for Callum DeMaria, he developed a passion for competing in triathlons.
In 2004, aged 16, Callum competed in his first triathlon and has since averaged at least two competitions per season.
“I needed a new challenge and wanted a goal to aim for, so the gym staff told me I should enter a triathlon and after I had completed my first one, I was hooked,” he said.
Intense training is required to prepare for a competition.
In summer Callum trains for five to six hours per day and even in the off-season still maintains one hour of daily training.
“Working in the PT industry means the hours fit in great with my training, I can work in the morning, go home and train during the day and then work again at night. Pretty much my day goes work-training-eat-sleep,” he said.
Callum’s training usually replicates the event order – if he starts with a bike ride then he’ll go into a run or starting with a swim means he then gets straight on the bike.
Often spotted on his bike, most of Callum’s training is done around Pakenham.
A good ride for Callum would involve cycling from Pakenham to Warragul or Gembrook. He has even ridden to Phillip Island from his Pakenham home.
“Most people think I’m mad, only the people I’ve met through the competitions understand the amount of training involved,” he said.
Callum is currently training for the December Ironman competition in Western Australia and this is a big event for him. Forty people that place in the Ironman event are awarded qualifying slots for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii 2010.
“I’m alright, I don’t think I’m good enough to qualify; I mainly compete so I can compare my results to previous events. If I qualified for Hawaii I’d love to go and compete,” he said.
Callum’s love for triathlons has now become a part of his life and so long as he remains injury free, he is hoping to still be competing at age 70 – like many of his fellow competitors.
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