Matt Winn-Smith

  D.O.B: 31/5/1979
E-mail: mattwinnsmith@hotmail.com

Date started running:2003-ish

Events: Tri, track, trail, xc, fell, road & ultra!!

Short biog: I am a triathlete that can run a bit. From time to time I forget that I need to train my swimming and cycling as much as, if not more than, my running! Unfortunately there are only 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. At present I am riding the improvement curve hard and hope that it does not flatten out too much too soon. I like to dabble and am keen to try every distance and event.

Personal bests:
A selection . . . .
3,000 - 9.22 (June 07)
5,000 - 16.22 (June 07)
10k - 34.36 (Sep 08)
10m - 57.38 (March 08)
Marathon - 2.44.22 (Sep 08)
Oly. distance tri - 2.10.35 (June 07)
Half Ironman - 4.33 (Jun 08)
Ironman - 10.00 (Jul 08)

Favourite race and why: The Borrowdale fell race. This is a very VERY hard race but it has everything that a fell race can offer. Grass, peat bog, scree, boulder fields, river crossings, a slate mine and some monster hills. The first time I had gone up Bessyboot, Scafell Pike, Great Gable and then Dale Head my legs were in a world of pain like nothing ever experienced before. After 30mins on my back at the end of the race trying to will the pain to subside and wondering if I would ever be able to walk again I began to convince myself that I had enjoyed the stunning views and had been uplifted by the seemingly near-death experience. Several hours later, 7 or 8 sandwiches on and by about the 4th pint my delusion was complete. This was the best and hardest race I had ever done. I have been back several times now but success is elusive. One day I'll get it right and take apart Mark Newell's club record.

Career highlights: 2nd in the Tring 2 Town 40m trail / tow path race. Achieving sub 2 hours in the Ben Nevis fell race. The celebrations in Amsterdam after the club trip there for the marathon! The best is yet to come.

Injuries: I have worked my way through Achilles tendonitis, ITB syndrome, runner's knee, mild plantar fasciitis, a grade 2 acromio-clavicular joint separation (when knocked off my bike), thumb fractures (Ben Nevis descent) and a puncture wound down to the shin bone (Borrowdale). What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

Career ambition Complete the Bob Graham round in 2009 (or failing that, some other year). Complete one of the classic 100m trail races in the USA. Do a sub 2 hour olympic distance triathlon, a sub 2.30 marathon and a sub 9 hour Ironman.To be fulfilled as an athlete for many years to come.