Former All Black, New Zealand Maori, New Zealand Sevens captain and Canterbury rugby forward Dallas Seymour is stepping into new territory on Sunday as he participates for the first time in a triathlon – as the runner in a team at the Contact Tri Series event at Pegasus, competing in a sprint race over 750m swim, 20km bike and a 5km run.
The 43 year old is feeling the pressure though; he will run for Triathlon New Zealand elite athlete Tony Dodds – runner up at the Contact Tri Series in Wanaka a fortnight ago. He is however in pretty good shape as he prepares for the Speights Coast to Coast in February.
"I'm training and preparing for the Coast to Coast two day event – running, biking, kayaking with cross training and weights as well. It is very different from rugby in demands on different energy systems and re-learning endurance based skills. But at least with the experience of some legendary Gordon Tietjens training sessions over a number of years, I sort of feel ready for it!
"I've managed to shed a few kilos over the last 10 months, which is great – less to carry over the course. I'm enjoying the fresh challenges training for the Coast to Coast brings. There are long, arduous days, but there's always a great feeling of accomplishment that follows those long workouts. While some of it can be painful, I figure the more it hurts in training the less it will on race day. That's the theory anyway – ask me at the end!"
Seymour has never been part of a triathlon before, let alone a team with an athlete the quality of Tony Dodds.
"No I've never done this before but there is a first time for everything. It's daunting to be in a team with an elite athlete of this calibre and hopefully I won't be caned on the run by too many greyhounds! As long as I don't disappoint Tony and do my best to keep whatever lead off he can give our team!
Seymour didn't hesitate to say yes when asked by Tim Brazier, part of the Tri NZ High Performance coaching team.
"It was partly the challenge of trying something new. I'm a hopeless swimmer, so the running role is great for me. Just being part of the environment and seeing firsthand what goes on in the race area will be cool and it will add value to my preparation for the Coast to Coast learning a few tips by being in amongst it.
"I'm tapering off for the Coast to Coast and this will be a great opportunity to do some race pace training, also, I've admired our top athletes like Hamish Carter, Debbie Tanner, Andrea Hewitt, Kris Gemmell (to name a few) and seeing them in action does inspire me to get out and do more and get smarter in training. It's also something that has always intrigued me to have a go."
The biggest reason for the training and competing though is those he hopes to influence by taking part. Seymour is these days married to former netball and track star Julie Seymour and has a family to think about.
"First and foremost I am doing this for my children – absolutely. I want them to see Dad (and Mum who isn't too shabby in the fitness stakes as well) going out and competing in all sorts of things so they see it as normal. I want to inspire them to lead healthy lives and follow their dreams as well. I want them to experience different sports. If my pursuing sport and recreation goals inspires others, that's fantastic. But it is also for my own sense of satisfaction, and finding new challenges as well."
Seymour will certainly be doing that for all watching on Sunday morning, and that challenge is still open to all-comers who might want to join Seymour on the start line with entries open online at www.triseries.co.nz or late entries are accepted at House of Travel Victoria Street on Saturday from 3pm to 5pm.
