Local Dentist Takes Half Iron Man Challenge

Dave Mantle is off to Canada for gruelling triathlon

Chiswick dentist Dave Mantle is to take part in the World Championship Half Iron Man event in Canada. Dave, from Smile care dentists, qualified for the gruelling triathlon in Luxembourg recently.

Never a natural athlete as a boy, Dave had dabbled a bit in cross country running at school but was always the 'middle of the pack kid', and never really tried or enjoyed it, until his latter school years.

In 1996 he had been in general dental practice for four years and fancied a bit of adventure so headed to South Africa.

"I spent three months in Capetown and I partied and ate like it was the last three months of my life. It was only after I returned that Rachel, my girlfriend, now long suffering wife, politely remarked that iId put on some timber. I decided to dabble with jogging and found that I quite enjoyed the solitude and it was the perfect antidote to the dental job that I'd adopted in Chiswick."

Dave decided to enter the London Marathon in 1998 and 'winged it' having no knowledge of how to prepare for the event. It was followed by (better prepared) six painful marathons later and a few triathlons. Advice came from coach Don Fink, an Ironman age group world champion.

"We have been working together now for many years and through his advice and experience I’ve managed to do ok at a number of events. When my youngest daughter was asked at school who was your sporting hero, I was presumptuous in thinking it would be me, but no, it was Don Fink!!!

This year Dave has been selected to represent Great Britain as part of the Age Group team to race in Switzerland this coming September at the World Duathlon championships.

Although delighted to be selected, his dilemma began last month when he also qualified for the Half Ironman World Championships in Canada, but the race dates clash. However the Canadian event has won out.

"My endurance pursuits seem to have rubbed off on others, my wife is running a 100k race the following Saturday after I return from Canada and if not too sore, I hope to join her. I also have many friends in Chiswick whom I have dragged out for running/ swimming/cycling company and many have also caught the bug and gone on to successfully complete marathons and other events which is great.

"The triathlon season comes to a close for me in September, but the adventure doesn’t stop there. In a bit of a pub bet, I’m planning to hire a Boris Bike, attempt to ride Alp’ D’Huez, one of the Tour de France climbs ,and return the bike back to London within 24hrs to avoid a £150 fine. No doubt i will try and raise some money for this one, and Ithink it could be the toughest challenge of all."

http://www.smilecarechiswickdentists.co.uk/

You can watch an interview with Dave at:

http://www.smilecarechiswickdentists.co.uk/our-team.html

http://eu.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman-70.3/world-championship.aspx#axzz35fGGSCYz

July 11, 2014