Ross Sutherland head coach set to tackle triathlon challenge
After months of training and preparation, John Mann will finally take on the challenge of completing seven triathlons in seven days.
The Ross Sutherland rugby development officer is undertaking the challenge to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Scotland and the club.
Mann is feeling confident about his chances of making it through the week, having done seven half-distance triathlons in a week’s span at the start of last month.
Really, if anything, he is slightly over-confident – by his own admission.
“I think that was the problem, that week gave me too much confidence,” Mann explained.
“I did seven in-a-row over the half distance, and I felt fine. I was able to crack on the day after and get back into training, but it does add up when you do double the distance every day.
“I think I’m probably overly-confident. In my head I feel like it will be quite easy. I guarantee I will be wrong, but I’ve done everything I can.”
Mann has eased off his training regiment recently to ensure he is in peak condition, but has continued to stay active through rugby training with the Stags.
The aspect of the triathlon he is most concerned about is swimming, admitting from the start that was his weakest discipline, but he believes that if the weather is fine, he will be too.
As he racks up the miles, he will also be keeping one eye on his fundraising total, which earlier this week moved into four figures. He added: “I think that’s a big milestone to hit. I really haven’t pushed too hard, it has been a difficult start to the year for most people, and there has been a lot of fundraising going on. Hopefully once people see me doing it, they will think it’s worth £20 here or there.”