Dave Adams
Tell us about yourself
I’m 37 and I work for Dublin Fire Service as a firefighter & paramedic. I have a degree in leisure management and prior to joining the fire services I managed the gym at SPORTSCO in Ringsend for 7 years which is where Pulse had its first ever open day.
What are you passionate about?
Family, triathlon, football, sports in general, and helping people.
Where you into sports at College or School?
I played Gaelic Football and I was a member of the table tennis club in school. I tried every sport at some stage. One sports day I came home with 9 medals so I’ve always been quite competitive.
What got you into triathlon, what was your first race?
I saw an advertisement for a charity fundraiser for Crumlin children’s hospital at the Chicago triathlon. Couple of people in my class in school would have been members of a local triathlon club at the time so it was always in my head that I wanted to do one someday.
My first race was the Carrick-on-Suir sprint, I had bought my first road bike on a Saturday and the following weekend went to do the race. Then the following weekend, did another sprint in Kinsale and then 2 weeks later did the Chicago Olympic. From there I was hooked.
As one of the founders of Pulse how do you think the club has come on in the past 13 years?
When we were setting up the club, according to TI rules, the minimum number of members a club had to have was 5. I thought that, if in 3 or 4 years’ time, if there was still only 5 of us and we were still doing it and enjoying it, we had nothing to lose. To see that the club has grown to become one of the biggest, most competitive in the country and one of the most supportive clubs for people new to the sport is great. One of the proudest club moments for me was hosting the national sprint championship in 2015. For Pulse to host this event really highlights how far the club has come.
Did you think that the club would grow to what it is today?
It has grown hand in hand with the sport of triathlon. I had no limits to what I thought the club could become and still don’t. The ethos was always to make the sport of tri more accessible for people as it is a very expensive sport. I found the sport very hard to get into when I was starting out, trying to find and pay for bikes, wetsuits etc. was hard. Internet shopping wasn’t as prevalent as it is now so shopping for gear or researching races or training plans was a lot harder. At the start anyone that wanted to join the club rang me, we had a chat and then met up.
You are a coach to many of the clubs members, do you coach yourself?
I have been coached in the past and I learned a lot from him. It happened quite naturally where I was helping a few people in the club and others started approaching me. I had dome my Level 1 & 2 coaching courses with TI along with my background in leisure management it was just a natural progression to help others with their training.
I’m not sticking to a plan myself anymore and I have probably had the worst winters training as a result. Just down to bad time management and trying to get on with life and enjoy it. Realistically you should apply to yourself what you apply to others but it is a lot harder to do.
What is your least favourite part of the race?
I don’t really have a least favourite part of a tri but the bike would be where I’m not as strong as the swim or the run.
Favourite memory in triathlon?
It is hard to narrow this down, Pulse hosting the national sprint championships in 2015 is probably my favourite from a club perspective. Other moments that stand out are, representing Ireland at the age group world champs in Hamburg, my first long distance race – Challenge Barcelona, Winning my age group in the TI national series in 2008, I won the Irish firefighter champs twice and coming back from injury and doing my first race after a slipped disk in my back.
What is your favourite club session?
The Sunday Phoenix park run. This was the first ever club session, we met a few people at the first open day in SPORTSCO and arranged to meet in the park the following morning. It’s great that this session is still running and caters for all levels. Brick sessions and the sea swim are also good sessions that cater for all levels.
Do you have any favourite tri gear / equipment or some gear you wish you had?
My specialized Shiv bike with my Zipp 606. Even though I’m not getting on the bike enough at the moment. I have had some good moments on this bike.
Do you have any racing goals? – 2016 or beyond
I’m going over to the European championships at the end of May which I don’t feel very prepared for. I’m also hoping to do some national series races again this year.
Dublin marathon in 2015 was my first marathon, I picked up a bit of an injury before the race so I would like to give it a go again in 2016.
Do you have a favourite race or one you want to compete in?
It seems a bit mad but I heard about the North Pole marathon recently and the idea of it appeals to me. Unless I do a big charity fundraiser or win the lottery it’s a bit of an unrealistic one.
I have never had a good day in Kilkee but it it’s always a great weekend. My first race, Carrick-on-Suir would be a favourite along with the home race DCT. I have also done Chicago it 3 times but would like to do again as it’s definitely one of the best I have done
Where can we find you when you’re not training?
With family or friends, working, coaching or in the pub every now and again.
What gives you inspiration / keeps you motivated?
Seeing what other people do and how they overcome challenges. My first olympic in Chicago, I was full of nerves and I remember seeing another lad competing in the same race as me with both legs amputated below the knees with 2 prostatitis legs. I then told myself to cop on that I had very little to overcome compared to some people and to just get on with it. A similar thing happened in Hamburg, I was feeling sorry for myself on the bike and I saw another competitor with one leg overcoming his challenges and that pushed me to keep going. They still pop into my head sometimes.
Words of wisdom for first time athletes?
Remember why you are doing it, enjoy it and most of all remember to love this shit!
Do you have a favourite book or movie? What do you like about them?
Little Big Man with Dustin Hoffman, I remember watching it as a kid and it intrigued me. There was so much happening in it. It would still stand out as a favourite movie.
If you could have dinner with 3 people alive or dead who would they be?
Sir Alex Ferguson – I’m a huge Manchester United Fan and I think he has amazing people and management skills.
The Pope – I think he is interesting, His views of life seem to be more where you would imagine they should be and I would like to see if he is actually like that in person.
My Nanny – She passed away so I would like to have a chat with her again.
Do you have any favourite quotes?
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
“A Ship in Harbour Is Safe, But that Is Not What Ships Are Built For” – John A. Shedd / Grace Hopper
Do you have a guilty pleasure or a cheat meal?
Pint of Guinness or a glass of red wine.