Lanzarote Information

In the Lanzarote tradition of knowing locals by their first name and their trade / business we normally know Daz as Darren the “palm tree” man, from Saturday 22nd May he will become Daz The Ironman.

Darren Blockley has been living in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote for 12 years with his wife Sally and children, he is the Palm Tree Specialist and can normally be found scaling the dizzy heights of a palm tree somewhere around the island. Having bumped into Daz recently at the Volcano Triathlon we asked him a few questions about training and his reasons for participating in his first ever Ironman competition.

What made you enter the Ironman event, have you completed any triathlon events before?

Ironman is a challenge and it was for my Father who was diagnosed with cancer just over a year ago. The Volcano Triathlon was my first triathlon, I had completed a Duathlon in Costa Teguise 2 weeks before in April and 2 half marathons previously, all Lanzarote events.

When did you start training for the 2010 Ironman, are you a member of a local triathlon or sports club here?

I started training in January and its not been too difficult. My back and knee joints have hurt after long distances, and otherwise just a few aches and pains along the way. Yes, I’m with the Costa Teguise Triathlon Club.

How have you fit your training in around work and family life? 

I have only really trained when I have had the time and energy during the week as work is quite tough in itself, a swim and a run maybe.  On Sundays I go out with the club on the bikes, followed by a run and a swim. It’s hard to put in all the hours that some people say you have to, but I think I found a point in between to still see my family and work and train.

What's the one bit of the race that you're not looking forward to? 

The swim is a bit mental, but if you have some nice clean water then it’s comfortable, the bike is O.K. and the run, well we shall see!

Have you had specialist advice and or a diet to follow?

No I haven’t had a specialist diet, I’ve was given advice from people who have completed the Ironman, all of who will tell you a different story and I haven’t drank since the 1st of January!

Who will be shouting you on during the race?

My family and friends will be cheering me on, and I think "Uncle Jonny" will have a drive around on the day to shout abuse at me as he has finished 3 Lanzarote Ironman races.

What do you like about Lanzarote?

Up until I started training not much really, I had grown bored of the island, but now I enjoy it and get to see much more of it by biking and running.  I would encourage others who could be in the same predicament and suffering from “island fever” as its referred to locally to do the same.

What's your favourite place to eat out?

My favourite restaurant used to be "La Provence" in Costa Teguise, but it closed down during the recession, now it seems to be a "Chinese Buffet" wherever that may be.

Would you like to tell us anything else?

I think more could be done to promote sport on the island, but of course the people in power have no idea about anything. I have recently become friends with some really nice people who are starting to organise extreme events on the island such as double Ironman, triple Ironman and deca Ironman (10 x Ironman). For anyone who wants to start training ready for them their webpage is Enduroman.

¡Buena Suerte! Daz we’ll be routing for you at the Ironman Lanzarote!