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Mark Buckingham talks World Cups, wetsuits and what he gets up to outside of training...

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With the British Elite Duathlon in Rockingham on the horizon, we took time out to chat to Mark Buckingham, a member of the UK Sport Lottery Funded World-Class Performance Programme, as he aims to add to his trio of titles at the event.

Based in Leeds alongside a number of fellow members of the GB Squad, Mark has been able to lay down the foundations for what he hopes to be a successful 2015.

“I’d like to defend my British Triathlon title this year. The winter’s gone well – I’ve been lucky enough to get four two-week training camps in Spain under my belt in the lead up.”

The 29 year old started the groundwork for the year ahead early on and sets his sights on one goal in particular: “I’ve raced in one fell race, a very muddy cross-country and more recently the Brooks Alsager 5 Mile road race.

“I want to make sure I win another World Cup race so I can say I’ve won more than the England Football Team!”

Making impressive headway to his goal, Mark picked up silver at last weekend’s ETU Triathlon European Cup race in Quarteira, giving him a boost of confidence for his upcoming return to domestic action. His success could be down to recent changes he’s made in training.

“I now swim in a wetsuit once a week. After taking advice from Richard Varga, who says it would be good for weaker swimmers like me to train with a good body position where possible. So I stick it on part way through the swim and wear it for 2km.”

Absent from Rockingham last year, Phil Wylie took his chance to take the top podium spot and will be looking to retain his title on Sunday. Adam Bowden will also look to upset proceeding, having finished second to Mark in 2013.

“Adam’s both my good friend and my rival - he will be my biggest opposition. We’ve both ran under 8 minutes for 3km and it's likely that the race will come down to 2.5km foot race. There’s everything to play for.

“I've made the podium in all of the 4 championships I've done, so that's minimum criteria!”

Away from this weekend’s championships, Mark is also quick to mention further competition from his British teammates. “In terms of looking ahead races I’ll be competing in this year, there’s clearly lots of tough competition stemming within about 5 minutes of my house in Leeds! But I will say the British U23 guys will be developing and growing again this year. I know Gordon (Benson), Marc (Austin) & Grant (Sheldon) quite well and they're very talented and have their heads screwed on - I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the Top 10 in World Series races soon.”

With the season now getting into full swing, its unlikely Mark will be stopping any time soon, but he does have an eclectic mix of interests to pass the time.

“As well as coaching when I can, I’m a big athletics fan and watch a lot of races on Flotrack. I play Dobble and I’ve got a bird table – they keep me entertained!

“Triathlon is about juggling, travelling and performing – you need things to keep you sane”.

Read more about the British Elite Duathlon Championships this weekend in Rockingham here


 


 

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