An athlete and an academic
Nathan conducts his research in the Monash Wind Tunnel.
While most people would find completing a PhD challenging enough, Nathan Barry has also found time to take home the silver medal at this year’s Triathlon World Championships in Auckland.
Nathan, who is currently completing his doctorate in aerodynamic interactions between cyclists, raced in the 20-24 age group and was the fastest Australian athlete, clocking the fourth fastest time on the day.
“I had been training for this event for 18 months and I was determined to claim a podium position this year,” Nathan said.
The competition is the standard Olympic distance comprising of a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run.
“It was a great feeling to reach my goal,” Nathan said.
In preparing for the World Championships Nathan trained 20 hours a week swimming 10km, cycling 200km and running 40km a week.
When asked how he designates time for training and PhD research, Nathan described it as a “balancing act”.
“I honestly don’t know how I do it sometimes. I love triathlons and pursuing my best possible performance, but without sacrificing other important things in my life, especially my research. I’ve always been trying to fit training in around everything else, so not sleeping in is standard,” Nathan said.
Since completing his first triathlon when he was only 12, he attributed the love for the sport to his father who first introduced him to it.
“I had just completed the Great Victorian Bike Ride and was a fairly decent swimmer so Dad took me along to a race one day figuring running was easy enough. I did three races that summer and haven’t looked back. It’s always interesting; it’s never boring, because you have all three sports to concentrate on. It’s a lifestyle, not a hobby,” Nathan said.
Nathan has been a part of the Monash Elite Athlete Program since 2007.
“I would like to thank Monash Sport for the support I have had over the past five years,” Nathan said.