Mordieux Mathieu O’Halloran

April 11, 2008

The 2008 Ironman Malaysia was Mathieu O'Halloran's first experience at that distance and he was first out of the water and finished the race in fourth place. Relatively unknown until that day, he shared some of his thoughts with Slowtwitch.

ST: Mathieu, I must admit until early this year, I had not heard your name. Do you have a swimming background?

Mathieu: I began swimming, biking and running in 2000 at the age of 14. I credit my swim skills to a short and qualified list of swim coaches.

ST: You had a great Ironman Malaysia, are you happy how the race went?

Mathieu: Very satisfied, but my coach was the happiest! The word I'd use to describe my race would be "flawless" as nothing went wrong. Therefore I fulfilled my potential.

ST: What else is on schedule for you for 2008?

Mathieu: A bit of everything, Olympic Distance races, drafting and non-drafting and Halfs and Ironman events. Nothing is written in stone yet… The more the better, its time to get experience!

ST: Can you describe a typical mid season training week for you?

Mathieu: My coach puts together a simple, hard and all encompassing program, nothing real extreme. About 30 hours a week with the odd paramount session tossed in! My only quirk is that I ride the turbo trainer often, no matter what the weather…

ST: What is your favorite workout and why?

Mathieu: The Moneghetti set, because it's short and sweet!!!

ST: Can you talk to us about what you for recovery after races?

Mathieu: Having only done one Ironman, here's what we did, not even missing a beat. I did 30 minutes of each the day after the race and build from there, I was on the track oval a few days later running sub 30 seconds 200m with my short course training mates. I believe taking a break after any race is a great way to obstruct any improvement.

ST: When you don't feel like training, what do you do to motivate yourself?

Mathieu: I believe in eliminating whatever is hindering my motivation, not the other way around. Having only experienced that once in my life, the antidote found was a change of scenery.

ST: What or who inspired you to race triathlons?

Mathieu: Simon Whitfield and Peter Reid's simultaneous victories in the fall of 2000.

ST: What is your favorite race and why?

Mathieu: Any race organized by Mister Chan in Malaysia, only because he's crazier than I am

ST: What is going on for you in terms of sponsorships?

Mathieu: My title sponsor is The Bike Boutique, and they supply me with a Cervelo ride, Hed wheels and miscellaneous articles. Plans are currently under way for a proposition, to find a partner, inside or outside sport, who we can fully be committed to bring awareness to the power of sport in the development of young people.

ST: Do you follow any other sports?

Mathieu: Any sport done at its best entices my attention.

ST: What sports did you take part when you grew up?

Mathieu: Shoveling Snow, Skateboarding, Roller Blading, street and ice Hockey, snow ball throwing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, basket ball, volley ball, and the list goes on!!

ST: Tell us about your family.

Mathieu: I was an only child for 20 years, until I met my 3 half sisters that are old enough to be my mothers. My father passed away in my teens and mom and her family are still back home in Quebec doing their thing!

ST: What is your favorite and least favorite food?

Mathieu: I am a big cooker, whatever I make with time and enjoyment, is my favorite. On the flip side, I don't like anything that’s spicy. I have been residing in East Asia for 8 months and I gave the spicy food a go, but I still can't stand it!!!
For a last meal, I would have a pizza, I delivered the stuff for almost 4 years and I am an addict to it, only if I made it though…

ST: What about music, what do you like?

Mathieu: A song that brings back nostalgia. Example. Blink 182, Creed, Smashing Pumpkins, AudioSlave, Metallica, Offspring and some frenchy rap!

ST: What was the last book you read?

Mathieu: The Alchemist by Paolo Cuelo.

ST: Where do you think you'll be in 5 years?

Mathieu: How about in 4 years? Preparing for the London Olympics and Hawaii Ironman.

ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?

Mathieu: I skipped grade 10 in high school, which is credited to my remarkable memory.