James Hadley

Profile written by James himself for TalkTriathlon

DOB: 21/01/1980

Nickname: I have loads, take your pick…Hadmeister, Hadders, Jimbo, Jimlad, Hammer, Arab, Fiddy cent (I like gold jewellery), Big man, Studley, The best (just kiddin’).

Coach: No coach yet. I was recently coached by Simon Lessing at the latter part of last year but now I’m working with Chris Lang from the Gold Coast of Aus and training with some awesome athletes whist I’m here in Boulder such as Brad “Sticksey” Kahlefeldt (I call him blade though), Leon Griffin (duathlon World Champ 2006), Michael Lovato, Simon Lessing (6 times World Champ), Craig Alexander (Hawaii Ironman and 70.3 Ironman World Champ), Joe Gambles, Simon Thompson and many others. I plan on being coached by Chris Lang when I return to the Gold Coast of Aus in November.

Hometown: A little town that’s 100miles west of London called Weston-Super-Mare. It used to be a summer week-end getaway town but eventually ended up being a rough little place for the drug addicted to get re-hab lol! It’s a bit different than living with the pot loving hippies in Boulder Col though, the guys in Weston aren’t the peaceful type.

Current town of residence: That’s a tough one. Legally I’m English, and my hometown is Weston. But I live in Boulder Col for six months of the year, and the Gold Coast of Aus for five months of the year…somewhere I’ll try to fit in a visit back home to see my family. But I stay away from the British weather as much as possible whilst I still can…live the dream ha ha! I need to find me an Aussie or American misses so I can stay permanently lol.

Height: 6ft 2ins…not really, I’m 5ft 8ins, but I’m ok with that lol!

Sponsors: No sponsors just yet as I had to go back to work last year. But I’m building up a new resume this year and I’m counting on getting things sorted for next year. If anyone wants to sponsor me then let me know.

Training sessions per week: I’ll always try and do at least 5 x of each discipline. So a minimum of 15 sessions. For the swim I’ll add in a distance set, a threshold set and a VO2 max session. The other two days can be easy to recover for the key sessions on the three other days. The same applies to running and cycling. But for the cycle I’ll add in a hill workout, a time trial, motor pacing if possible and a long ride of about 5 hours. Then an easy ride somewhere in there to recover. For running I’ll do a speed session, fartlec session, a build run and a long run of two hours. That’s four key sessions for running and the fifth run will be an easy 5min/ km pace for recovery. I will try to add in double run days so it works out that I’ll run seven times in a week once I get rid of any injuries and I’m conditioned to handle it.

Years in triathlon: I started training more seriously for triathlon pretty late. I used to be a swimmer and runner until 1997. I took six years off whilst working and starting my own business. In 2003 I realised my mistake and signed up for a Uni course in Bath England where I could join Team Bath Triathlon team whilst I studied. So I guess I’ve been back for five long years. I didn’t start training with athletes such as Craig “Crowie” Alexander until 2006. He was really awesome to let me train with him. He didn’t know me much at all, but I managed to get his number and send him a text to ask if I could come to Sydney. He was so helpful and agreed to let me train with him. He was in my opinion the key to the start of my true professional triathlon career. He showed me what it takes to be a true athlete, and what I need to do to be the best that I can. He was the most consistent, determined, hard working and grounded guy I had met in triathlon at that time. I admired his approach to training, racing and his moralistic attitude towards his family. He is a real inspiration to me and I’m ever thankful for his help at that time. He welcomed me and introduced me to a lot of people.

Favourite discipline: Well, once I am fit I love running. I actually haven’t managed to string along more than 3 months of running yet without getting injured. I actually enjoy the whole package to be honest. I enjoy doing triathlon as it’s so interesting to me to change disciplines from one training session to the next.

Sporting Idols: Well there are way to many to just pick one. I have different sporting heroes for different reasons. Lance Armstrong is always up there though. I think the amount of grit and determination it takes to win 7 Tour de france comps is astounding. Being a triathlete though I can really appreciate the amount of training, psychological training, determination and pain that athletes such as Dave Scott and Mark Allen had to endure to win 6 Hawaii World titles each! Also having been able to train with Craig Alexander I was able to see what work had to be done in order to win the Hawaii World Champs. He was unbelievably focused on his goal. The training was near impossible and can really only be done by a small number of athletes world wide. I also admire other athletes such as Michael Lovato for being an awesome athlete, but for also being one the most personable, kindest guys I’ve met. He’s friendly and helpful to all athletes, age groupers and all people in general.

Simon Lessing has pure class. He’s an out and out professional that was the worlds best athlete throughout the nineties. I admire Chris McCormack for being an awesome athlete, but also for his charisma. He’s clever, great at marketing and really knows how to express a professional image for triathlon. He looks good and the media love it.
I was training with Brad Kahlefeldt on the Gold Coast, and he was just unreal. The running training he was able to complete whilst being totally fatigued was fantastic to see. He is an all round mans man. Extremely friendly, helpful, generous and the chicks love him. So how can you not admire that?
I admire Leon Griffin because no matter how sick or injured he’s been…he races. He’s the most confident athlete I know. He will take anyone on, and if he loses he brushes off the dirt and looks forward to next race where he’ll try his damned hardest to crack them there. He’s a tough bastard.
But the most influential for me was Bruce Lee. From a young age I would admire his ability, his confidence, his charisma and his philosophy. He has inspired people from all over the world in all different areas from businessmen, to sports men. He has been in my opinion a fantastic martial artist, but also an extremely influential mentor and guru for billions of people world wide.
So there you go, there’s so many attributes that I admire in so many different athletes. There’s even more than this but just too much to write about.

Favourite food: This is tough because I go through fads. At one time I was into salmon on toast with tomatoes, avocado and cheese. But that one has been done to the death. Now I’m into boiled potatoes and bolognaise. One thing I never get fed up of is my fry up down at my local cafe in England (bacon and eggs, sausage toast, tomatoes and beans)…beautiful!

Favourite band: Easy…I love Nirvana. But a band that is still together then I would say Tenacious D, Foo Fighters, Prodigy (not together but still awesome). I was actually into Aerosmith for a while ha ha!

Favourite movie: Oh so many again! Rock and Rolla, Braveheart, Matrix, Faceoff and ALL of Bruce Lees films!

Non-Sporting qualifications: HND in sports performance, fitness instructor diploma, Personal trainer diploma.

Sporting achievements to date: Well, I have loads of these from when I was a boy. But recent ones have been few and far between. I am still in working progress on these. I suppose qualifying and racing in the World Championships 70.3 as a pro has been a achievement of some kind, but there’s not been a specific achievement that I’m extremely proud of yet…it’s coming. I think it’s good to not feel satisfied in order to keep that hunger for racing burning inside.

Sporting ambitions: The ultimate….World Champion!!! I would like to become the best triathlete that I possibly can be. I also want to be rich from it!!! Ha ha!

Advice to age groupers: It’s not always about how well you perform against others, just concentrate on racing and fighting to your absolute best of your ability at all times. Then you’ll always be happy with your race. Happiness isn’t based on well you did against others and how they judge you, it’s based on how well you judge yourself. Fight…Fight…Fight!!!! Then nothing will get in your way.

Upcoming race schedule: At the moment I have a few on the horizon, then I’ll re-group and discuss with my team on what to focus on. I might race Buffalo triathlon in Minneapolis, Kansas 70.3, Buffalo springs 70.3, Timberman 70.3, Dallas Toyota US open, World Championships 70.3, Phuket triathlon…and many more to think about.

James’s Blog:hadmeistergeneral.blogspot.com