North Adelaide basketball coach also ironman triathlete
BRENTON Johnston’s players wonder why aged 46 the new North Adelaide women’s basketball coach puts his body through torture in the name of fitness.
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BRENTON Johnston’s players think he is mad.
They wonder why, at age 46, the new North Adelaide women’s basketball coach puts his body through torture in the name of fitness.
Johnston competes in ironman triathlons, which comprise a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run.
This month he completed his fourth ironman – in Taupo, New Zealand – in 11 hours, 10 minutes and 34 seconds, placing him 36th in the 45-49 age group and 270th overall out of more than 1100 participants.
The Hillcrest resident enjoys the challenge of the sport and considers staying fit a stress relief.
“The players say I’m crazy, insane,” Johnston says.
“They ask ‘why would you do it?’
“Triathlon can take you to the highest highs and the lowest lows.
“But they are a real positive environment where the people you compete against still help you out and encourage each other.
“I love it.”
Johnston, a member of West Lakes Triathlon Club, has lost about 20kg since mates lured him into the sport in 2012.
These days he trains every day, riding 40km round trips to work twice a week, 100km each Saturday and swimming and running regularly
“It’s been pretty hectic with basketball and triathlon.
“You just try your best to squeeze it all in.”
Johnston, a Rockets life member and former Eastern Mavericks head coach, is returning to North after it won the women’s title last year.
His pre-season program has his players focusing on running in bursts and group exercises, rather than the endurance training associated with triathlon.
“If they’re not running hard I tell them I’ll give them a minute and if I catch them, they’re in trouble.”
Johnston hopes to lead the Rockets to back-to-back championships this season.
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