Welcome to Training Spotlight. This area gives you the chance to find out some interesting facts about some of our training participants, as well as some of the things they've said about their experiences and goals.

Fred Boland started (like most of us did) on a heavy mountain bike chugging along the local bike trails thinking we were doing alright. When Fred started doing a bit of riding on the trails with his wife Lynn and another couple, he found he was forever lagging behind. Something had to change here! So Fred did what he does best, he went and gave a wad of cash to John Kennedy to build him a faster bike. A few weeks later Fred had his brand new lighter touring bike. Fred was proud as punch. He soon started to venture onto the roads. He found that it wasn’t as much fun on the road as it was on the trails. Why you ask? Fred was getting passed by every rider on the road.

In those 18 months, Fred dropped about 20kg and moved up through the grades . Today he is racing well in C grade. Fred is proof that if you are willing to put the time and effort in, you can turn your life around for the better.

Fred started training with Kathy Watt Cycling about 18 months ago. He started training with us for the World Masters Games. Since then he has also taken up track. Racing. At the track State Championships last summer, Fred did extremely well. He won bronze in the Scratch race, Time trial and Sprint. He got a silver in the pursuit, his more favoured event.

For someone riding track for the first time his results have been exceptional and his coach Carey believes that is because he is a quick learner and very dedicated. Fred is currently training with Kathy Watt Cycling for the national championships for both the road and track which will be held in September in Queensland.

We wish Fred all the best of luck in his upcoming races.

KWPT:
What is your favourite and least favourite cycling moment?
FRED:
Favourite: It would have to be winning the silver medal at the state championships.

Least favourite: When the track squad were doing the kilo, Sigrid beat me by .2 of a second. I thought I could beat her so I challenged her to another round. (this is very hard to do as the kilo is a very painful event) But to my surprise Sigrid beat me again. It was worsened by the fact that I had told everyone in the squad that I was not going to let a GIRL beat me. Sigrid was rewarded with a free pizza meal at Zac’s for her troubles.

KWPT:
What is your favourite pre race meal the night before an event?
FRED:
I am very lucky to have a partner that loves cycling and can put up with me. We normally have a pasta meal like fettuccini and seafood or a seafood risotto and fresh fruit ( perhaps a glass of red)! The night after the race we may have a protein meal eg meat or chicken.( perhaps a glass of red)!

KWPT:
What is the highlight of your sporting/cycling career so far?
FRED:
Winning silver at the State track titles in March this year. Before that I suppose it was the gradual progression through the grades at the Southern Vets.

KWPT:
What is the most hilarious/funny moment (even if it may be slightly embarrassing to look back now)?
FRED:
I collected my new bike from Kennedy's and took off feeling like Lance complete with the clipless pedals. All was going well until I stopped at a set of lights in front of several cars and cyclists. I successfully managed to extract my left foot from the pedal and flushed with that success I proceeded to lean right and end up sprawled on the road in front of the cars !! Its hard to make out that you actually knew what you were doing in that situation!

KWPT: You are always encouraging other riders to improve on their bikes and get into racing. Is the camaraderie one aspect you enjoy about cycling?
FRED: Without a doubt. I was fortunate to be introduced by John Kennedy to Max Read who eventually got me involved in racing and I have tried to encourage others to do the same. I owe a lot initially to those two gentlemen. I consider myself very fortunate to have met a large number of great people through cycling and have made what I hope will be lasting friendships, a lot of them through Kathy Watt Personal Training both on the road and at the track.

KWPT: Your body seems to have undergone a complete transformation since you first started cycling-is this due to the endurance cycling , weight training or a combination of all the training?
FRED: Actually it is the combination of the long endurance rides, the sprint training at the track, the exercise & weight sessions at the gym. Carey is quick to observe how you are going and adjust the routine accordingly. As I have said before it’s the positive atmosphere at training and the continual advice that keeps me going. I find that the structured program helps, although I'm not too good at the recovery sessions. You need to ask Sigrid about those.
(Ed’s note: It is hard to get Fred to rest up even before a race-but he is starting to see the benefits).

KWPT:You are strong mentally, well prepared and committed to your goals. Do you think that by achieving in business as a pharmacist has taught you about perseverance and determination? Are there any parallels between achieving in business and sport?
FRED:Yes. Being in business certainly has taught me to keep trying even if you make a few mistakes and things arena’t going the best. I think in business as in family life it gives you a determination (some may say obsession) to succeed. Actually cycling does become obsessive doesn't it?
I believe the path to individual success, whatever that may be, comes in small increments - you just have to endure long enough to put all those increments together. That's a bit deep!

KWPT: At the World Masters Games you were the first person to race from the crowd to help the women who crashed in the criterium. Were the competitors alright and what encouragement did you give to get them back on their bikes by the time the bunch came around again?
FRED: “What are you doing there! There's a race to be won get back on your bike!!!”

KWPT: What is you’re ultimate goal in cycling?
FRED: To win a medal at The World Masters at Edmonton, Canada in 2005.

KWPT: What aspect do you like the most about cycling?
FRED: Stopping for a French tart and latte in Mt Martha on the Arthur’s Seat training ride.

KWPT: What do you like the most about training with Kathy Watt Cycling?
FRED: It is a really positive environment and there are some really great people in the group. Kath and Carey are always helping me to keep motivated and have given me invaluable experiences.

Matt | Louisa