From a young age, Jan Venca Francke was interested in athletics, but ironically, it was his lack of interest in swimming that led him to become a triathlete.
"I was quite good at swimming, but I found it quite boring," he said of his formative years in the Czech Republic. "It was just laps, back and forth and back and forth. My father was a track athlete and he suggested I try combining running events with swimming in triathlons and I became quite successful."
Francke began competing in triathlons at the age of 15, and when he won his first ever event, he was hooked. He joined the Czech Republic national team and represented his country at a number of races around the globe.
Arriving to 麻豆社国产via Australia just four months ago, Francke has made an immediate impact in the local running scene.
He placed second in the recent 麻豆社国产triathlon on July 11, and since then has won two other triathlons, including the B.C. championships, which allowed him to qualify for the national championships in Kelowna Monday (Aug. 23).
There he'll be racing against top triathletes, such as Olympic silver and gold medalist Simon Whitfield, and hopes to have a top three finish.
Francke said although swimming is still not his favourite part of the sport, it's usually his strongest.
"I'm comfortable with swimming," he said. "The only thing I don't like about it is that it's difficult to see how you're doing while racing. Unlike biking and running, you can't really see the other competitors when you're in the water, which I find annoying."
During the 麻豆社国产Triathlon, Francke lost ground in the bike portion of the race, but doesn't foresee that being a problem again.
"It was because I was using my girlfriend's bike," he said. "It was a lot shorter than what I was used to. I won't be using it again in the future."
His girlfriend, Gretel Fortmann, is another local runner, and she's no slouch either. Fortmann recently placed second in her division in the 125-kilometre Canadian Death Race in Grande Cache, Alberta.
Francke said the duo motivate each other to stay in shape and work hard.
"We always support each other. There are a lot of times when I get home from work and I don't want to train but she kicks my ass and makes me do it," he said with a laugh.
As any elite athlete would attest, Francke said training is a huge part of life that he usually steps up even further before a big race.
"I usually swim for one and a half hours a day and run for five kilometres," he said. "But a few weeks before the race, I usually train more, usually running 10 kilometres a day."
Francke said he's on his way to living his ideal athletic life, but he doesn't want to get ahead of himself.
"I'd really like to keep training here in 麻豆社国产- it's so beautiful here - and then compete as a Canadian. But I need to take it one race at a time."
Francke follows the nationals with another big race, the Xterra Canadian Championship in Whistler on Sept. 15. A good finish at that event will see him qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii in December.
To follow Francke's progress in Kelowna, visit www.appletriathlon.com.
