Mervyn McDowell

Tell us about yourself?

My name is Mervyn, I’m 29 years old. I’m a teacher from Donegal. I’m married to Amy and I have a dog called lola.

What brought you to Dublin?

I came to Dublin to train as a primary school teacher. Then I got a job here and stuck around after that.

Where do you teach?

I teach 5th and 6 class in Zion National School.

Where did you go to college?

CICE Rathmines.

Where you into sports at College or School?

I’ve always been in to sports since I was very young. My dad is a PE teacher, so I think it just passed on from him. He had a big love of watersports and my brother and sisters would have a big interest in sports too.

What are you passionate about? (work, personally, sports, at home – anything!)

Sport would be a big passion of mine. Either taking part in or watching all sorts of sport. I enjoy all aspects of it, from the competition to taking part to the social side of it!

Why did you take up triathlon? How did you end up here?

It’s a strange one – My wife was shopping in Kilkenny and she was back a bit late so I ended up going into a shop and picking up a book about triathlon. It kind of kicked off from there – I thought it might be interesting and a bit of craic.

Why did you choose Pulse?

I had mentioned to one of the other teachers in school that I was thinking about taking up triathlon, and I was teaching Rachel Eager’s child at the time. The other teacher said I should talk to Rachel about it. I was thinking about joining Belpark at the time because it was the closest club to me, but Rachel got her hands on me and lured me in to Pulse! The year was 2013(?)

What is your favourite club session?

My favourite session would be the brick, I love the variety of it and it’s always a bit of craic running around and having a bit of competition with others as we go around the track.

What is your favourite and least favourite part of the race?

My favourite part of the race is definitely getting over the finish line and being able to enjoy it afterwards. Least favourite – I’m least confident about my run, so normally it would be the start of the run. But my run is starting to come on a bit so I dislike it less nowadays!

What is your favourite sport out of the three?

I come from a swimming background, so I would have had a big love of swimming beforehand. But this year I have put a lot of work in to my biking and I definitely enjoy that a lot more now.

What is your favourite tri gear / equipment?

Probably the trisuit. That’s all I really use when racing I – find it handy enough and easy to get on and not have to fiddle around with it during the race.

Where can we find you when you’re not training?

When I’m not training I’m usually doing 3 or 4 different things – either at work, eating sleeping or watching something on TV.

What do you watch?

Quite a bit of sport or comedy, or I’d watch a lot of films as well!

Greatest achievement in/out of sport?

Out of sport it would be getting married and growing up finally! In sport, I suppose this year I have taken triathlon a lot more seriously and just improving at each of the different disciplines. Some of my results recently have been much better than they were before.

Do you have any goals?

This year was based around Dublin 70.3 – the goal is to finish it in a pretty decent time. And then also I am going to try do as well as I can in the National Series.

Favourite race?

Favourite race. so far, has to be Hell of The West. It’s great craic. There is more than just the race because so many club members go down and the support is great. And of course the after party and everybody going out after is great!

Greatest indulgence? What would be impossible for you to give up?

Probably anything that involves chocolate… Chocolate in any sort of food always goes down well!

What gives you inspiration / keeps you motivated?

Training with very like-minded people and hearing their goals and seeing other people doing Ironman and great big races. Seeing other people doing [and achieving their goals] would spur me on as well. And my wife of course!

Favourite website?

Facebook!

Words of wisdom for first time athletes?

I remember in my first year, I felt like a sponge because I was trying to absorb something from everybody. So as a first-timer, if you’re unsure about anything I’d suggest to ask everybody else. Pulse is definately a great club where everybody is more than happy to share ideas and experiences that they have. And there is so much experience in the club nowadays that you can always get pretty good answers.

Anything else you’d like to tell people about?

Nope.

Who would you like to see interviewed next?

Chris D or David Adams.