Team Running Free Athlete Profile: Roger Hospedales

Team: Team RF Markham

Sport: Triathlon

Age: 40

Occupation: H/S Teacher, Coach, Freelance Writer

Home: Markham for 31 years

About me: Read Triathlon Magazine Canada and visit MySportsShooter.com

Sports: Triathlon, Duathlon, Adv. Racing, Running, Road & Mountain biking, Tennis, Hockey, Badminton, Golf (real and the Tiger Woods version on XBOX 360).

Athletic Accomplishments: 15 Ironman Finishes, raced over 180 duathlon & triathlons, played University Tennis and Badminton, played against former World #1 - Ivan Lendl, High School Athlete of the Year, ate 17 slices of pizza in one sitting.

Athletic goals: Race safe, smart and successfully in 2009. After rupturing my left Achilles Tendon (May 29, 2008) I am just glad to be back and on both feet. Every race and training session is a celebration for me.

My most catastrophic racing experience was: Is there such a thing? I am just thankful to be out there doing what I love. It's all good.

My most memorable racing experience was: In 1995, the most I'd run was 10 km, but I always wanted to do a marathon (watching Bill Rodgers on TV). The new Niagara Marathon was announced and I entered it. The race went fairly well until 5 km to go. I picked up the pace to finish strong. Big mistake, my legs seized up big time and I could not move. A cop directing traffic asked if I needed assistance, I politely declined, and continued in tin-man like style. After 10 minutes, I was able to somewhat run again and finished in 3:50. Afterwards, I drove back to Toronto to teach tennis for 4 hours. I could not walk properly for 5 days. I will never forget how sore and stiff I was after that race. Who knew about the "wall", gels, lubing those sensitive areas, proper shoes, nutrition and actual training?

Favourite footwear, clothing, or equipment: Running Free team apparel, Litespeed Bikes (Saber & Siena), Rudy Project Sunglasses and Helmets, Mizuno Shoes (Elixir & Nirvana), Pyro Pedal Platforms, Polar HR Monitor, and my TP Massage Ball Kit to keep injuries at bay.

Favourite race: Ironman USA Lake Placid, and any HSBC Race

Favourite race food: Peets or Tim Horton's coffee in the morning, Cytomax Pre-formance (Chocolate Milk flavour), Infinit (custom formulation), Acid Zapper, Ice cold coke, chicken broth, and Sport Beans or Nerds late into the Ironman run.