What is a Triathlon…
…a triathlon is a multisport race with three continuous & sequential endurance races. The word is of Greek origin, from τρεῖς or treis & ἆθλος or athlos. While variations of the sport exist, the most common form includes swimming, cycling, & running over various distances.
Bio
Age: 22
Height: 178cm
Weight: 68kg (ish dependent on time of year!)
Hometown: York
Equipment -
Wetsuit: Roka Maverick X
Bike: Orbea Orca Aero 2018
Bike Kit: Langdale Lightweights
Running Kit: Asics
Long Distance Shoe: GT-2000
Tempo Shoe: Dynaflyte
Race Shoe: HyperTri 3
Next Season Goal - Swim well enough to come out front bike pack consistently!
Winter Goal - Work on running strength with my coach.
SWIM
CYCLE
RUN
Q&A with Tom -
JR. What made you want to take up Triathlon?
TD. “I have always been into sport, I started off swimming, & then began team sports such as; Rugby, Hockey & Cricket when I was younger. I was probably better at Hockey than any other sport. I made it to county level & was delighted to have achieved that! However, I also liked running & won the York Schools cross-country about 7 years ago now. All that was left to do was get a bike, & after watching the 2012 Olympics race in Hyde Park- I asked for a bike for Christmas.”
JR. Do you have a sporting role model?
TD. “Yes, but it is difficult to pin just one role model. I would say I have 3 sporting people I look up to.
The first person I remember looking up to is Jonny Wilkinson. I met him at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst prior to the England team travelling out to the 2003 World Cup. I have district memories of drop kicking a ball to him after their training session.
Bradley Wiggins is the second person. I really like how laid back he is, or appears to be when interacting with the media & supporters. Obviously, there is a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes but on the face of it he produces results & looks good doing it!
The third person is my younger brother- Sam Dickinson. This is the simplest one to explain as he has achieved in this sport, & still looks to achieve more. This year he won the U23 European Aquathlon Championships & a Silver at U23 World Triathlon Championships. Watching his success shows me that it is achievable.”
JR. How do you balance University with Training?
TD. “With some serious time-management! Sometimes it can get difficult saying no to things but, a ‘normal student life’ doesn’t feel like enough for me. I don’t want to aim for normal. I aim to do extraordinary things- such as race around the world, & when you look at it like that it makes the saying no to the occasional ‘spoons’ trip easier.”
JR. Have you been Injured?
TD. “Yes, & currently I am returning from a stress fracture in my ankle. It happens in this sport as training sometimes as much as 28 hours p/w takes a toll on the body. However, with the facilities available to me at Solent University I can speed up the rehab process. Also, working closely with my coach, Steve Phillips, he ensures I don’t get carried away when coming back from injury.”
JR. Does your family get involved in Triathlon?
TD. “Yes, other than Sam, as I said earlier. My Dad travels to every race he can for both my brother & me. For me it’s mostly national races, & for Sam it’s international. My mum also watches races & has twitter feeds & live streams of races sorted down to a ‘T’”
