Portuguese Pro triathlete Sergio Marques is getting ready for the 2007 Ironman Florida and he shared some of his thoughts about racing and training with Slowtwitch.

ST: Sergio, can you tell us how you spent the day while the Ironman World Championships were going on?

Sergio: I watched the coverage live on the internet from the beginning, 6pm in Lisbon, till the end, around 2am. I had a run workout just after the start and a small break for dinner and that was it. It was a very hard day for me because I love that race and not being able to race really bummed me out.

ST: I believe Ironman Florida 2003 was your first big long course success, are you ready to go back to Florida and top it?

Sergio: Yes, Florida was my first Ironman race. I had a good first Ironman, since I got a top-10 placing. I learned a lot on that day, even though the race went pretty smoothly. Hopefully, I will have another smooth race there this year and get a good result. It has been a very difficult year for me but the past few months were very good, with solid training and strong race results.

ST: Do you consider yourself a disciplined in terms of training and nutrition?

Sergio: Definitely, you have to if you want results. I don’t think any top athlete can perform well with a lack of discipline in training and nutrition. Of course, I enjoy a little ice cream now and then. That sort of balance is also needed.

ST: How do you typically spend the off-season, or do you really not have one?

Sergio: I like to workout whether it’s the off-season or not. My off-season is usually very short, I take some time off at the end of the season and just do more normal things like spend more time with friends, eat a little more, and not train as much.

ST: Do you have any heroes in the sport of triathlon?

Sergio: I have always had great respect for Peter Reid. Probably because he was the guy winning Hawaii back when I started doing tris. At the time, it was just for fun. Mark Allen and Dave Scott are big names no matter what, but Peter is my role model in the sport.

ST: What is your favorite race and why?

Sergio: There is no doubt there. Like I said, watching Hawaii from home after two years of being there really made me realize how much I love competing there. Ironman World Championships, no doubt.

ST: Do you follow any other sports?

Sergio: Of course, I love sports, almost every kind! Biathlon is my favorite winter sport. I just love it, even though, there isn’t any snow around here to practice. Rugby, endurance sports in general, and of course, cycling. I spend a lot of time watching cycling during
the year.

ST: What sports did you take part when you were younger?

Sergio: I was a fat soccer goalkeeper until the age of 16 and then I was a rower until the age of 21. I then decided that I wanted to do triathlons, so I had to learn how to swim! You should have seen the look on my coach’s face when I told him I couldn’t swim at all! After that I completed my first sprint triathlon at 22 years old and my first Ironman was Florida in 2003.

ST: Do you have any regrets that you did not pursue any other sport?

Sergio: Not at all, I love triathlon and in particular Ironman. I always have the same smile on my face when I finish an Ironman, no matter what.

ST: What is your favorite food?

Sergio: Pizza. Some Slowtwitchers had the chance to visit my favorite pizza restaurant. It’s great food, especially the “low fat” version of pizza.

ST: Can you tell us a bit about all the things in your fridge?

Hmmmmm…plenty of fruits, vegetables, jam, dairy products, and ice cream.

ST: What is the last movie you saw?

Sergio: Oh boy, I don’t really remember. I’m pretty sure it was “Pearl Harbor”, while I was on the trainer a few weeks ago. I haven’t watched much TV or movies lately. I prefer to watch sports and documentaries.


ST: What about music, anything that you play the most on your i-pod?

Sergio: Zero7, Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada, Goldfrap, Royksopp (I’m listening to “Only This Moment” right now), Thievery Corporation, Jack Johnson. I have a lot of music and don’t really stick with any particular kind of music, but I guess I stay on the more “alternative” side.

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

Sergio: I’m a nice, quiet guy, with a brand new look :P