A chat with Aaron Farlow
Aaron Farlow is the 2012 Challenge Wanaka champion and in 2011 took the win at Ironman UK in course record time. But the fast Aussie is quite aware that he will need to do more than "just" winning a few races. With a rapidly growing family there is quite a bit more pressure to actually earn a living.
Slowtwitch: Challenge Wanaka champion Aaron Farlow doesn't sound too shabby, right?
Aaron: Yeah that does sound pretty good, but I’m not getting too hung up on that at the moment. There is a lot of improvement to be made and not much time. This was just one of the steps in the process.
ST: So what is the next step?
Aaron: The next step is being able to support my family through my racing. When I can successfully do that I’ll start to target the bigger races such as Hawaii.
ST: Several folks pegged you to take Wanaka. Where you confident?
Aaron: I knew I had a good chance if I could get everything right on the day as my preparation had been great just coming off a 3 week training camp in Thredbo, but there were 10 other guys who could all pull off a good performance. I think most people thought one of the more seasoned guys would run away with it, so it was satisfying to win.
ST: But you did deliver the goods.
Aaron: Plenty of times in the past I have made simple little mistakes that have ruined my race. Ironman brings you crashing down to earth pretty quickly if you don’t get the little things right. I never brag about how good form I’m in or if I think I can win the race simply because one of those little mistakes can have a big impact on your result.
ST: So when did you think Wanaka was yours for the taking?
Aaron: Not until I crossed the finish line. I knew if I could run well there was every chance it was mine but over a marathon anything can happen and I had too much respect for the guys behind me to claim it early. At about the 25km mark on the run I thought if I could keep a 5-minute lead into the finish straight I would walk the last 200m and enjoy the atmosphere but I was so paranoid about being caught that I just kept running even though I had a 10-minute lead. Funny what being caught and beaten in the last 200m of an Ironman can do to you! (Ironman Wales 2011)
ST: Do you think that will always hang over your head?
Aaron: Yeah that sort of thing really hurts but I use that as motivation going in to all my races now. It has made me want to win even more. I don’t just want to win races now, I want to walk all over second place.
ST: Along those lines, was there a bit of extra satisfaction as an Aussie to go to New Zealand and take a win there or is a win a win no matter where you are competing?
Aaron: Are you suggesting there is some sort of rivalry between Australia and New Zealand!? No, a win is a win no matter where I am but it feels better against some good competition, which the Kiwis are.
ST: You took charge on the bike and added a bit more cushion on the run. Is that the way to do it?
Aaron: I guess it was the way to race that race and it’s the way that suits me, so it fell into my hands. Lots of other races that strategy wouldn’t work, such as on a flat course where groups form but no matter what happens on the bike if you want to win races you have to run well, so I always prepare for a fast run (although it doesn’t always work out!)
ST: At Wanaka you ran just a bit over 3 hours, but at Ironman UK last summer you clocked a 2:41:25 marathon time. What do you think is possible for you on the run?
Aaron: Realistically the run in UK was a little short and Wanaka was undulating in extreme winds and on trails. I think in the future over an honest course I will be aiming for 2.40 or below but for now I am aiming for 2.45-2.50. So much of the run has to do with your nutrition leading up to and during the marathon, I’m still tweaking that a little every race. Hopefully when I get that perfect and some more experience in the legs I can run with the big boys.
ST: Whom do you consider the big boys?
Aaron: Guys that I have a lot of respect for and have proven themselves with their results. Crowie, Timo Bracht and the Raelert brothers.
ST: How did your two wins compare?
Aaron: Wanaka was the first time I felt like I actually raced the whole race. Even though I won IM UK the last couple of km on the run were simply survival. I was lucky I had a good lead by that point. Both wins felt amazing. Bolton because it was my first win, and Wanaka because I raced so well over the entire distance. Both races were very similar over a tough course, rough roads and cooler weather but I regard Wanaka as my better result.
ST: So what is next for you?
Aaron: The last week has just been a bit of time with the family while I recover and get over some light training. I’ll head into a training camp with the rest of the team in mid February on the sunshine coast before we decide if I will head down to Melbourne. Hopefully with a reasonable race there I will be able to consolidate my Hawaii slot so I’ll have that option later in the year.
ST: You are a married man, is that correct?
Aaron: Yeah we got married just before I left for Europe last year. Danielle is a very understanding wife that lets me train and travel whenever I need to.
Danielle used to do quite a bit of triathlon as well, so she understands to a large degree what I am about.
ST: Tell us about your family.
Aaron: We got married just before I left for Europe last year. Danielle is a very understanding wife that lets me train and travel whenever I need to. Danielle used to do quite a bit of triathlon as well, so she understands to a large degree what I am about. We had our first child in August 2010. A little boy called Tyler and we are expecting our second early in July of this year. It’s been a massive change and keeps me busy when I’m home. Tyler found his feet a few months ago so everything has become a game from climbing up and down the stairs to pulling the cupboards to pieces. It is very satisfying helping him develop.
I think that’s had a lot to do with my improvement over the last year. If I’m not getting results I need to go back to work. So every race has become desperation just to stay in the sport as a professional.
ST: It is indeed a bit different when you have to support several hungry mouths. But does it also make it a lot harder to be away?
Aaron: For sure. It makes a lot more work and head aches for Danielle and I miss the time with them but that was a decision we made, to have children while we are still young. This year will be a little different and I don’t think I will be spending a huge block away like last year maybe just 1-4 week blocks at a time.
ST: Rumor has it that you have a Black Forest Cake fascination. Not difficult for me to understand because I grew up nearby, but you grew up as far away from there as you possibly could.
Aaron: Black forest cake is awesome! I’ve got quite a sweet tooth so I enjoy a bit of a splurge every now and then. Just by coincidence I raced for a team in Germany for 3 years that was close to the black forest, who were the first to inform me that was actually where it originated from. The family I lived with made a great Black Forest cake! And cooked me a treat every time I won a race.
ST: That sounds like quite the good inspiration.
Aaron: Yeah it seemed to work well!
ST: Any other special food likes or dislikes?
Aaron: There are not many things I don’t eat and I tend to eat a lot. Danielle likes it when I am away as the weekly grocery bills is 1/5 of the cost. I grew up on a farm so I really enjoy great tasting meat over a BBQ. I’m still training myself to eat healthier and to enjoy the foods that are good for me.
ST: Anything else we should know?
Aaron: I love the sport!
