MEET YOUR-COACH

Lawrence Oldershaw

My Sporting Life

Formally of the RAF where I got hooked on sport. I competed at a reasonably high level at steeplechase and and X-country. Then after a stint in the Gulf war, where running in my RAF work boots gave me shin splints, I came back to the UK and took up Triathlon - my first time since a kid on a bike!!

All went fairly well and after a few years of hard work, I decided to try and race full time. After a couple of successful seasons I turned pro in 1996. I earned my place on the British Elite Olympic Distance Squad. All was going well until the ITU changed the rules, drafting became legal! As a runner I won my triathlons at the end, however, with the advent of drafting on the bike and my swim not being strong enough to get me out in time to be in the first bike pack my race plan was blown.

There was nothing else for it - Ironman. I struggled for funding to train full time, but muddled by with what I had. My best moment was the 9 hour effort that secured me British Long Course Champion in 2001 a title I defended and retained for the next year. A repetitive knee injury forced me to reconsider my sport and at the same time I set up a sports injury and massage clinic in the UK. Sporting wise I focused all my efforts on Cycling and more specifically cycle racing. I enjoyed the break from triathlon...for a while.

I moved with my Family to New Zealand in September 2007, we live in Rotorua which is like a triathletes playground and you've guessed it, I got 'the calling' again!! I have reluctantly faced up to the fact I am now a vet but I am still training and racing and won't go down without a fight! Managed to win my age group and secure a Kona slot at IMNZ 2010 so I guess there is still life in the old dog.

I have coached people in triathlon since the early 1990’s and in 2001 I formalised the business providing not only coaching but sports massage and injury treatment. What I wanted to establish was a business where I could help people exceed their expectations. Whether that be by relieving a muscular tension, helping rehabilitation from injuries, or coaching and aiding a sports person to achieve their personal goals. Many years down the line I feel I am achieving my objectives and through that others are achieving theirs.