Nick Conway has devoted his life to triathlon and is now reaping the rewards after qualifying for the under-25 World Triathlon Championships in Hamburg, Germany, in SeptemberBy Marc McGowan
NARRE Warren’s Nick Conway is not satisfied with dominating his Australian triathlon rivals – he is intent on achieving world glory.
Conway, 23, headed overseas this week to contest several World Cup events on the road to the under-25 World Triathlon Championships in Hamburg, Germany, on 2 September.
The Pakenham Secondary College physical education teacher and personal trainer qualified for the event by winning the 20-to-24 age group at the Australian Triathlon Series in Perth in February.
“I’ve put in a lot of hard work and Australia is one of the best countries worldwide, so I have a fair chance of winning – I’ll be doing everything I can to bring home gold,” the 188cm, 82kg star said.
“At the moment I have the fastest qualifying time, but in all honesty the qualifying time doesn’t mean that much because the course changes all the time.”
But Conway believes the Hamburg course will suit him better than any other competitor.
“Just with the way the course is set up, the bike leg is dead flat, so for such a tall triathlete like me, as soon as I get my legs moving on the bike no-one can stay with me,” he said.
Conway’s dedication to the sport sees him train between six and eight hours every day, which he somehow fits around his teaching and personal training commitments.
“Life is crazy busy and it’s really, really hard, but I love it so much,” he said.
“Triathlon is an absolute buzz and my whole life revolves around it now.
“I don’t know where I’d be without it. I tour Australia every single summer doing what I love and earning some money for it.”
However, Conway is quick to rebuke those who claim he enjoys an idyllic lifestyle.
“Everyone says I’m so lucky to do what I do, but when it boils down to it, I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am,” he said.
“If I didn’t put in the time or have the dedication and passion for the physically demanding eight-hours-a-day training on top of a full-time job, my social life and running my own business, I wouldn’t be here.”
The fact that Conway is now in a position to accomplish such a huge honour in triathlon has allowed him to reflect on the effort he has put in.
“It has made every single 4.15am alarm and every other sacrifice I’ve made worth it – I haven’t touched alcohol since I was 18,” he said.
“I’ve been pretty switched on in wanting to be an elite triathlete for a very long time and not drinking was just one of the many sacrifices I had to make.”
Conway had an unusual introduction to the sport following a decade-long representative basketball career that came to an end after he suffered a compound fracture in his left elbow.
“During year 12 as part of PE, we went to some fitness testing and the guy (Jeremy Oliver) that was operating the testing was the VIS (Victorian Institute of Sport) triathlon coach and he asked me to join up with him based on my results,” the former Dandenong Ranger said.
“I had above-average results for someone my age and actually had results that resembled professionals in triathlons.”
Conway initially targeted the 2012 Olympic Games, but has now decided to focus on long course triathlons and qualifying for the world’s most gruelling race – the Hawaiian Ironman – next year.
In the short-term, his eyes are firmly fixed on triumphing at the under-25 World Triathlon Championships.
“I honestly haven’t thought about what I would do at the finish line if I win – I’d be concentrating so hard on winning first,” Conway said.
“The support I have received from family, friends and sponsors has been absolutely phenomenal and I’d be nowhere near this without them.
“My first thought running down the finishing chute would be for them … it has been as much a journey for them as it has been for me.”
