Trust Your Instincts: An Interview With Triathlete Tom Bishop

A short course mainstay for over a decade, Tom Bishop (GBR), has a slew of impressive results including a WTCS medal, and podiums at Junior and U23 World Championships.

Tom recently made a successful switch to long-course racing, finishing 4th at Clash Daytona. We reflect with him on lessons from a long career, when he said "f&%K it" to his previous path, and what most people don't know about him.

Hey Tom thanks for checking in with us. Looking back on your short course career, any specific race that sticks out for you?

The obvious one for me is Abu Dhabi 2017 when I finished second to Javier Gomez. I never expected that result, I was just going for some solid points but found myself in a battle with Javier until 2 km to go.

Any advice you'd give yourself ten years ago?

Train hard, eat well and give yourself a few more days off. Don’t give up all the social and non-triathlon interests, they’re what keep you sane when it gets serious.

When you switched from short-course to long-course, was there a specific moment that made you change?

Yes, there was actually. My federation (GBR) didn’t want to enter me into Karlovy Vary World Cup after already agreeing with them it would be the best race for me to secure points. It doesn’t sound like much but I’d already changed my season around enough and made sacrifices with other races, I just thought fuck it, I’m not doing this anymore, I didn’t want to feel like I was going back to chase points of an Olympic spot they were never going to give me.

Any difference between your short-course and long-course training?

I’ve not done loads of long course training, the only real block was in the build to Daytona where I spent a lot of time getting efficient at race pace and in position. Likewise, for the run, it was just time spent at race pace for that block. This winter will look quite different compared to a short course winter with much more focus on the bike and strength running.

Any advice for those looking to make the move to longer races?

Give yourself some time, for some the transition is easy and it clicks, for others, it takes a bit of time and practice. I feel I’m in the latter group, it’s taken a while to really figure out my racing, and still not quite there yet.

Highlight from last season?

Daytona finishing 4th was definitely the best feeling I’ve had racing. In a way it’s saved my triathlon career, I’m confident again and excited to race people. Over the past four years I have had a feeling of ennui, I trained hard and raced hard but I didn’t really care who I was racing or beating. The race in Daytona brought back all the emotions behind why I got into this sport.

Biggest learning from last season?

Trust your instincts, train what you think will make you better, not what others think you need to do.

What are you working on for next season?

Bike strength work, hills and some focused vo2 before dialing into race pace. Similar to running, I need the mechanics to be really sound before I bring in the physiology, that focus will go way into spring.

Biggest race in 2023?

I want to race the PTO open races but need to improve my points so the only definite race I want to hit hard is the Challenge Championship in May.

What equipment do you love right now?

I’m really loving my Huub winter cycling kit at the moment, the weather is grim this time of year in the UK so that's saving me. Likewise, the On Cloudultra is saving me from falling on my arse in the muddy trails this time of year.

Favourite race?

The Holten continental cup is probably the most I’ve had fun racing. I came back to it this year as one of my last short course races and finished 3rd, it was a great laugh. Racing the WTCS in Leeds has always been special for me too.

Advice for overcoming mentally tough moments in racing and training?

Stoicism. Reduce the emotions around tough training, just make it something you have to do like going to work. When it becomes more about mental health and tough times, it’s important to be around people who lift you up and give you confidence be that friends or family. Belief in yourself is key to success, and I’ve had to deal with a low sense of belief quite a few times in my career.

Something about you people might not know?

I’m a massive geek about epic fantasy and love reading that genre and listening to them on audiobook. I also love drinking beer and probably consume more than I should as an elite athlete.