When did you (Shane Hegarty) do your first Triathlon? I did the Skerries Tri in June. It was a sprint distance in my home town so was the perfect way to start. I had a strong swim but went backwards from there. But I was hooked.

Author and journalist Shane Hegarty, who got hooked on Triathlon after completing the Skerries Tri

Before that, what sport(s) did you do? Like a lot of people, I dropped out of sport in my early 20s. I had been a decent sprinter when in my teens, and a bad rugby player, but apart from occasional bouts of jogging I did very little until I started swimming regularly a couple of years ago. That was the launch pad for the idea of doing a triathlon.

What was the weirdest thought that ever strayed into your mind during a big race? With running, I’m usually just battling the urge to stop and walk! I do a lot of sea swim races, though, and swimming through shoals of jellyfish can be a disconcerting experience even when you know they’re the non-stinging ones. It means that every time you touch a bit of seaweed you presume you’re under attack.

How long did it last? When the weather is warm in Skerries, the water is invaded. There have been 1,000m swims through what can only be described as a jellyfish soup!

What’s your favourite piece of running kit? An Aircast  ankle support with velcro straps that’s relatively easy to throw on in transition before the run. It adds a few seconds to my time, but I couldn’t run confidently without it.

What’s your oldest piece of running kit? I’m not at it long enough to have anything too antiquated, but the shorts and running tops have lasted a couple of years and look set to last a few years more. Aside from the shoes, I don’t spend much on running gear.

What’s your proudest achievement to date? Just watching the improvement in my placings through the three sprint triathlons I did this year. I’m never going to trouble the leaderboard, and I’m only really competing with myself, so it’s good to see the training pay off.

What’s your dream victory? In reality I’ll never be anything other than average, but in my head I’m sure I’ll qualify for London 2012!

What do you want to be when you grow up? Ben Johnson. I’m glad that didn’t work out.

Can you remember your most idyllic training run, if training can ever be said to be idyllic? Running along the strand on mid-summer evenings is pretty hard to beat.

Yoga or Pilates? Neither. I really don’t stretch enough. I can hardly touch my knees, let alone my toes.

Beef or Salmon? Beef, every time.

Rugby or soccer? Rugby. I pretty much grew up in the local club, and went to every international during the years when it was a form of toruture to do that.

Complete, in not more than 50 words. “I knew I loved Triathlon more than anything else when…” A triathlon friend of mine told me a joke: “How do you know a triathlete at a party? He’ll tell you!” I recognised myself too quickly in that.

Shane Hegarty is a journalist and editor with The Irish Times and has just written a book, The Irish (and Other Foreigners) which is a popular history of 10,000 years of migration to Ireland, from the first people to the Poles. Sportswise, he says he has achieved nothing of note to anyone but himself. “In my head, I’m an Olympic champion in waiting!” he adds hastily.

Front cover image of Shane Hegarty's new book Irish & Other Foreigners