Athlete profile - Darren Thompson

Nick Name: Daz, Dazza, Thommo,

D.O.B: 13 july 1976

Place of Birth: Warrnambool

Debut Year: 2005

Strongest Leg: Unsure, possibly the run

Goals: To complete an Ironman on every continent

Interests: Other than swim, bike, run, which takes up a lot of my time. Food and Cooking, and travel

In 2003 I had a serious car accident and had back pain, with regular physio for 2 years after. At the time of accident I was average at most sports but smoked and drank heavily. Due to the crash I walked with a limp, could not get dressed myself and was told I would remain that way. I put on extra weight at topped out at 110kg about 6 months later.

I watched a local triathlon in Melb one day and said to a mate that I was going to do that next year. He laughed. That was Feb 2004. Nov 04, weighing 80kg I completed my first sprint distance race. 5 races later my first Half Ironman.

 Nov last year I was training for Ironman when I developed a heart condition which almost stopped me in my tracks. During a sprint distance race I could hardly breathe, gasping for air. My heart rate was 241bpm, on the bike, only 10 minutes into the 20k ride. I finished the race and the next day went to the doctor. I was soon diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation. Feb this year I had a procedure that put my heart back into rhythm since then I had to change my approach to training and I had made a slow but steady progress. Currently I am about 75% fit and improving week to week. Training for Ironman WA this year.