• What got you started in endurance/ multisport?
• I was watching the 2012 Olympics with my Cousin who used to be a triathlete when he was younger. We saw an advert for the triathlon the following day and he suggest that I should give it a go. He knew I had attempted  to run the Cardiff half in 2011 and also knew I could swim  He offered to lend me his road bike. I signed up to the Slateman 2013 and I was hooked.
• How long have you been with Whittlefit?
• Since 2013. I contacted Mark the day after the Slateman to sign up.
• Tell us about your home and work life?
• I am very lucky to have a great balance between work and home life. I am married with 3 kids (who are 9,8 and 3) and work part time as an Optician (as does my wife Tanya). This gives us a really good appreciation of what the other one is going through on their "day off" at home. I train 6 days a week but will often take the kids to Parkrun on Saturday (usually my rest day). This is the highlight of my week. I never know what to expect from them. Some weeks they are up for going for a P.B others we just jog around and enjoy it.
• What was your first race?
• My first race was the Cardiff Half in 2011 which was a disaster. I developed a tibial stress fracture within a week of starting to run. I missed 8 weeks training and ended up walking from mile 10. My first Tri was the Slateman in 2013. This is a brilliant event and is one of my favourite races to date.
•  How many races have you done?
• I race about four/five times a season. Olympic and 70.3 distance triathlons and I always do the Cardiff Half as it is on the doorstep.
• What advice would you give someone starting out in triathlon?
• If you are time crunched get a coach. This allows each session to be quality and not just junk milage.
• Also remind yourself why you are doing it. For me it is fitness and fun. I've been guilty of taking it all too seriously at times. Fortunately Tanya is always there to tell me I'm not the next Javier Gomez.
• Set up a secret bank account. You are going to need it to buy all the tri kit you think will make you faster.
• Finally, don't sign up for an Ironman without fully discussing it with your partner. I learnt that the hard way!
• What is the most rewarding part of your journey racing in endurance or multisport?
• It has to be seeing the positive impact it has had on the family. We regularly run together as a family at Parkrun. Even my mum comes with us. The boys both did a junior triathlon and aquathlon early this year which was amazing to watch.
• What is your biggest accomplishment so far?
• Finishing Challenge Paguerra (70.3). It wasn't a P.B and in fact it was my slowest 70.3 to date. The conditions were hot and at 2 km into the run I knew I was in trouble. The mental strength it took to push on to end was something I didn't know I had.

Thanks to James for checking in with us! James has some BIG challenges lined up for 2016, including Ironman Wales. Keep checking back here as we'll be adding a new WhittleFit Athlete Spotlight article every month and some guest posts from single sport endurance athletes!!!