Matthew McGoey is a 28-year-old athlete who has been competing in triathlons for five years. A former collegiate swimmer, Matthew transitioned to competing in triathlons during the pandemic before earning his pro-card in 2022. From humble beginnings on the Merritt Swim Team to punching tickets to international competitions, Matthew has spent his life honing his craft and discovering what it takes to compete with the best of the best.
How did you first get into competing in triathlons?
When I was at home during quarantine, I was just trying to be outside, riding my bike, running, and was looking for something to fill the void after swimming ended, so I signed up for the first available triathlon which was in Baltimore in October of 2020. Ever since then I just kept doing more and more to see what I’m capable of.
Tell us about your sporting background. How has that athletic experience contributed to your success as a triathlete today?
Many people know me as a swimmer, but before that I was a BMX rider and student of cycling since I was six. I swam after I broke my collarbone when I was eleven. I’ve been biking since I was a little kid and swimming since I was eleven, and just always enjoyed being active and outside. Running was more of a quarantine hobby, and the three just came together and that was that.
Most of your experience is with sprint or “Olympic distance” triathlons, but you recently competed in two half-Ironmans that are over double the distance of the Olympic length.
What stood out to you during your first half-Ironman compared to the sprint races?
They’re not as long as they might seem; the swim is only a little longer. The big difference comes in the last part of the run when you’ve been out there for 3+ hours. You just notice a little bit more heavy legs, and your nutrition during the race matters a lot more. You need to replenish your glycogen and stay on top of your electrolytes. It’s less about the physical– how athletic and how fast you are– and more about the mental: sticking to your strategy, pacing, and being more diligent with fueling and hydration. It’s a scientific procedure you have to follow.
How does your training differ from your typical regime to when you started training for these longer races?
My training really hasn’t changed that much, you just have to do a couple of longer “brick” sessions and simulation rides. It’s still the majority the same: consistent doubles every day, but the long bike ride on the weekend needs to have more consistent long intervals, and you need to run after the long bike workout. The total hours doesn’t change too much, it’s still just as aerobic.
What tips do you have for people who are looking to try their hand at triathlon racing?
Find, first and foremost, a swim team, masters team, or a triathlon team if you’re just getting started. It’s hard to do it on your own, or even with just a personal trainer. You need someone to do it with you. You’re gonna be on your own a lot, but if you have someone to do it with you– no matter what level you’re at– it’ll help.
Other tips: You’re not doing this to lose weight or look good. If your goal is to look good on Instagram, your performance will suffer. Be okay with looking different as you progress with your training, and don’t skip out on dessert. Finally, start swimming as soon as you can, and remember that you can train anywhere. You don’t have to live in the perfect environment.
What races do you have coming up, and where can we find you online?
Coming up I have the SuperTri (formerly SuperLeague) Grand Final in Jersey, UK on September 6th, which is a triple super-sprint (three back-to-back super-sprint triathlons). The following weekend I have the Half-Ironman World Championships in Nice, France on September 13th. They’ll both be livestreamed on YouTube! You can follow me on Instagram @mrmcgoey as well.
What’s one exercise and one food that are underrated for triathlon performance?
I think bananas are underrated. You can eat multiple bananas a day, and they’re good for you and you won’t cramp. Hanging knee raises and the “lunge matrix” (side, curtsy, back, forward) are definitely two underrated exercises.
Shannon McGoey is a trainer Merritt Clubs Eldersburg.
