Newport surf life saver Charlie Brooks learns valuable lessons in Nutri-Grain ironman debut
It was a baptism of fire - and water - young ironman Charlie Brooks is happy is to have behind him but has taught him a number of crucial lessons.
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Despite a massive bout of nerves and plenty of pain, Newport surf life saver Charlie Brooks still rates his debut in the Nutri-Grain ironman series last weekend as “very cool”.
The 21-year-old was a late call-up to the professional series older brother Max has raced for a number of years.
And while his end result - a 16th - in the opening round at Burleigh Heads last Sunday wasn’t what he wanted, it has prompted Brooks to overhaul his training ahead of round two at Bulli on December 1.
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“There were good lessons learned,” said the Newport Surf life saver.
“I’m definitely excited for the rest of the series. This has made me so hungry to get out there and race again.”
But before he does Brooks will amp up his on and off water training by around five hours a week to be better prepared in round two of the five-leg Nutri-Grain series.
“It was all right but definitely very tough. I had a good first half of the race then got swamped in the swim and was just hurting after that,” he said of his performance in the 40 minutes swim, board, ski race with long running transitions.
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“It was a very cool experience. It was all serious and professional.
“But I’m going to have to do more running.It was torture.
“I’m not going to miss any sessions at all either.
“I’ve been doing around 20 hours a week training which I will increase by about five hours now.
“I did a few things well but I now know this is all about fitness.”
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Brooks, who has come into the series as a replacement for injured defending champion Ali Day who has undergone surgery on both his wrists, said he is looking forward to the shorter racing in round two.