Last Updated 23 May, 1999

This is the ongoing story of THE LIFE OF MARTIN...

My name: Martin Chandler

Place of Birth: Burton on Trent.

D.O.B.: 08/01/74

Status: Single

Club: Camel Valley Cycling Club

As you may have gathered by looking at my results for the last three years I have some good results, and some bad. Over the last ten years I have taken part in four separate sports. Triathlon, Running, Swimming and Mountain biking. Although never having a coach for any of these sports, I have had assistance from Joe Dixon (ex-Cornish County Coach, Swimming), Ivor Earl (1986 GB Triathlon Team). Through out this time I have won numerous titles which include:

2nd Junior National Middle Distance Triathlon Championships 1994.

Member GB Age Group Triathlon Team 1995 & 1997.

Cornwall County Junior 10km Champion 1990.

Cornwall County Schools Cross-Country Team 1990. 5th in County Championships (Senior)

Assortment of swimming trophies between 1993 and 1998, for Launceston Swimming Club.

Ambrosia Perpetual Trophy for Fastest Individual Medley, 1994, 97, 98.

South Devon Triathlon Club, Best Junior 5 Years in succession. 1990-94.

South Devon Triathlon Club, Best Performance and Triathlon Achievement Award 1994.

168 Podium positions (54.7%).

310 Races over 10 years with only 7 D.N.F. & 1 D.N.S.

I look towards the future where I feel that I can improve on these early awards.

Why do I like Triathlon? well the easiest way to answer that question would be to say that the skill is being good at three sports not one.

Which Triathletes do you idolise? Mark Allen and Luc Van Lierde are two of the best long distance Triathletes this decade. Mark for his ability to come from behind and win, and Luc for his awesome ability, any one that can go 7:50:27 for the Ironman must be idolised. Over the short distance it would have to be Simon Lessing & Greg Welch. Simon on a good day is unbeatable, his running fluency is just the best. Greg is a wonder to watch, with his all round ability to race both short and long distance within weeks of each other.

Do you ever see yourself going to the Olympics? Yes, but only as a supporter, never as a racer. The speed that you have to have to go to Sydney in the year 2000 would be hard to attain in such a short time. I can just see myself improving within the local area at the moment.

What is your strongest discipline? The swimming and the cycling must be my strongest disciplines out of the three. Over some of the local athletes I have an advantage in the swim and then in the past have been able to pull away from others to allow my weaker discipline of running to just hang in to place highly.

Why do you like mountain biking? I've always had this fascination with mountain bikes, not only owning them but racing them. I used to own a Cannondale Full suspension Mountain bike but that was stolen. Now I ride a GT Tequesta. This bike is used for training on in the winter months when the roads around my area become muddy and not good for a roddies wheels. Using mountain biking to tones up the muscles over the winter, also takes away some of the boredom that winter brings. 1999 brings the prospect of more mountain biking events that I might have a go at.

Where do you see yourself as regards to your swimming ability? My swimming has always being one of my stronger disciplines, and I try to exploit this when just taking part in swimming galas and county swimming competitions. It could be improved a bit more. Having just taken part in the Cornwall Master Championships bringing home 4 medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze) and Secondary Sprints (1 Bronze), this has given me renewed motivation to continue swimming.

What's going to happen in 1999, in terms of swimming? Well I start masters swimming and I hope that I will go as far as I have done in triathlon. For a start I should hopefully qualify for the CC A.S.A. sprints and age group championships and than in may I have the Western Counties. I look forward to staying competitive shape into my old age.

  P.B. for 100m Freestyle: 1 min 05.20 sec

What's you're running like? Not the strongest it could be but I am trying to improve. There will be a lot of training done throughout the winter months to improve my running.

Do you enjoy running? Yes I enjoy running, and like to take part in lots of fun runs throughout the year because they are unpredictable and you don't know who might make a move.

What can you see you future holding? 1999 bring a whole new dimension to my racing. With the move up in age group both in triathlon and swimming. The aim is to improve on last years personal best times and to continue to improve through out the year. Looking forward to maybe taking part in a few nation championship events if the cash is available. My aim is to do well at county level for the swimming, and to create opportunities for myself whilst racing to improve. Recently I have begun to start my 1999 training and hope to return to full fitness.

What are your plans, and how are they going to date? The season is already under way and I have already placed high in the few events I have taken part in. I have a few more non Triathlon events then its down to business. Look at the results pages to find out where I hape to compete, through 1999.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Driving my car, playing snooker, and playing computer games. I also enjoy watching sport like Golf, Football, Ice Hockey. I have also just begun my own business, so keep a look out for this logo. Who are Peddlers? I am the Importer of the TDP system (Three Dimensional Pedal). This concept allows a 3-d movement of the foot in addition to the lateral free float of the cleat. This allows the joints to align in their natural position increasing biomechanically efficiency and decreasing the chance of injury.

We also can supply custom made to measure Triathlon wetsuits, and also sell...

So look out for us at events near you.

Favourite Music: any type from Indie to Funk. (Garbage, Sash!, U2, Prodigy)

Triathlon

Running

Swimming