Triathlon Coaching
Personal Information about Bobby
Personal
| Name: | Bobby Behan |
| Address: | Tierhogar, Portarlington, County Laois, Ireland |
| Nationality: | Irish |
| Date of Birth | 8th August 1975 |
| Education: | Leaving Certificate: Gormanston College, Co. Meath BSc Honours Sports Science: Bedford, England |
| Relationship Status: | Single |
| Height: | 1m97 (6ft 5inch) |
| Weight: | Race weight when doing triathlon was 83kg. I am now 93kg! |
| Hobbies: |
Cars - I have collected car magazine for nearing 15 years! Cinema I like the simple things in life like going to my brothers coffee shop in Killenard, having a coffee and reading the paper (maybe I am getting old!) Sport is now a hobby! I aim to do something most days. Sport is and always will be a big part of my life. I like to watch sport too, especially international rugby (France V New Zealand = what a game) |
| Favourite Food: | A steak (well done!) |
| Music: | Too varied to say. Known to sing Frank Sinatra when I have had a few! |
| Strengths: | Loyal friend, hard working, committed and can have the craic! |
| Favourite Places: | Ireland of course Stellenbosch, South Africa (“my home away from home”) |
| Best athletic experience: |
Hmmm. I would have to say training with friends. It is such a cool thing to meet such great friends and people from all corners of the world because of sport. No need to mention names as they all know who they are. Sport for me is now, not about performing and racing, but it is a way of life, because when all the hard work of racing is over, that is what is left. Other proud moments were every time I represented Ireland. I am very proud of where I come from and of our great little country! |
| And worst: |
Breaking my collarbone in 1999 at the start of the USA Season. Then the day before my first race back after breaking my collarbone to end up breaking my wrist (long story!). But in away I will never forget the wrist because I was so mad, I did the race and won! Stopping triathlon in 2006 was tough too. |
| Best coaching experiences: |
Working in my early years in a voluntary capacity with the young swimmers in County Laois. That was very satisfying. Being asked to look after triathlon at the Craftsbury Summer Camps in 1999 in Vermont, USA. I was helping age group athletes of all levels and I gained a lot of satisfaction seeing them improve. At the other end of the spectrum it is a privilege and I feel very honoured to work with such great athletes at Specialized. I hope the three medals our riders produced at The Olympic Games Test Event in September 2007 can be carried forward to Beijing in 2008! |
| Funny Moments: |
The Caveman, my shoes, ice cream and his ability or lack of when catching horses …. Too many funny times with the caveman to list! (The Caveman = Conrad Stoltz) … Susi and his love for cats. Just chatting to “Big Al The Power Davies”, what a character. Big Al and his wrestling moment. Benno and I go wild in Schladming, China and …. Goose, what a lunatic …. Wintle the pint glass and Norfolk in London …. The New Year’s ride in South Africa … Some of the funniest moments I have had were through sport and all of the colourful characters I mention above, I met through sport … they were and are all great athletes but more importantly also know how to have the craic |
| Quotes: |
“success breeds success” “don’t show me fitness, build me fitness” Two of the many sayings that I have heard from Ernie “the genius” Gruhn a great friend and mentor over the years. “the glass is always half full, never half empty” – I heard a friend of mine’s dad say that! |
On the start line with Wang from China and Lene from Norway before the Saint Felicien World Cup in Canada (maybe it is the spirited Irish psych up chat that has Lene smiling!!)