When did you start running and at what stage did you realise you had a real talent for the sport?

I started running when I was 9 years old to get in shape for hockey season. The further I ran, I realized I wasn’t getting tired.

Tell us about your first ultramarathon and how did it go?

I ran my first Ultramarathon when I was 17 years old. It was 50 miles.1989, no GPS, no nutrition plan – apples, bananas, oranges, water and 2 Gatorade (couldn’t afford more). I was very naive, the furthest I ran previously is 21.1 km. “How hard could it be ?!” I lost 23 lbs. The winner of the race was Al Howie, he drove out to me to run 20 km with me. The last km, he patted me on the back and said, “Congratulations, you did it, you’ve earned it, now finish it off.” My time was 10:36:12.

What other ultramarathons have you competed in and what are your biggest achievements in the sport so far?

I wasn’t able to travel to races, so I did the Al Howie Ultramarathon Classic, The Great Lake Walk, 12 hr races, 24 hr races -both on a track. My biggest achievement was finishing my first Ultramarathon when I was 17, I set a Canadian record for youngest to finish an ultramarathon.

You enjoy competing in races that require more than pure physical strength. Races where you possess immense mental capacity, can you tell us more about this?

I believe my mental game is my strength. I train hard, I train till it hurts, then keep going. “You can control the hurt, or you can stop. One hurts more”…

Tell us more about your training regime

For, my training for Ultraman Canada and Ultraman World Championships I made a “Redneck Sauna”. I hung plastic poly from my ceiling, surrounding my bike, I wore 2 long sleeve shirts (one was a turtleneck) and I had a space heater set on high to simulate the heat and humidity I would have to endure. I also run dragging a tire that I named ‘Shadow’. The furthest I’ve run with him is 22.32km.

Tim running with ‘Shadow’ in tow.

You compete in Ultra Endurance triathlons, which of the three disciplines do you find the hardest?

Swimming, I find this is most difficult to me, spend lots of time doing it with the least amount of gains. I really enjoy cycling, it’s relaxing to me. 

How do you find the motivation to keep working towards your goals and do you have any further ambitions within the sport?

My motivation “My mind controls the body”. I made the decision to do it, then I do what I feel is necessary…not what I can.  My next goal is a Deca. It is the equivalent of 10 Iron distance triathlons. Swim 38 km, Bike 1,800 km, Run 422 km

Are there any athletes or sportsmen/women in running or other sports who you admire?

Athletes I admire Shanda Hill, Terry Fox, Al Howie.

Are you currently training for an event and what projects and plans do you have for the rest of the year and beyond?

Currently training for a 24 hr run on a track for charity in August. 

You are a published author, can you tell us more about this please?

I had just finished the Ultraman World Championships in Hawaii. Finishers were called up on stage to tell their story. When I was 9, I was watching Ironman in Hawaii with my Dad, I said to him, “How cool would it be to race there ?!” My Dad responded with 3 words. “Someday Tim, someday…” Fast forward to 2004 when my Dad was in the hospital, sick. I said to him, “You have to fight, you have to get better, so you can watch me race in Hawaii (keep in mind I didn’t have a race there…yet). He responded the same way he did 23 years earlier, “Someday, Tim, someday.” When I got home, I was contacted to tell my story in a book with other inspirational athletes.

Tim finishing the Ultra man World Championships in Hawaii.

Tell us about the charities which you have raised money for

SPCA, Terry Fox Foundation, Kidsport Nanaimo, Nanaimo/Ladysmith School Foundation, Fresh Start: Back to School, Charleigh’s Journey, and I also donate blood regularly. 

What advice would you give to young people looking to get involved in ultra running and triathlon and how would you encourage them to keep at it once they embark on the sport?

Do it for fun, don’t overspend for equipment, don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. 

I’ve run many distances on my treadmill, including marathons, 50km, 60km, 70km, 80km, and 2- 100km 

I’ve done 2- Ironmans, 2- Ultramans, 2- Double Anvils, 1 Quintuple Anvil

Ultraman is 3 day stage race. 

Day 1 swim 10 km, ride 145 km

Day 2 ride 275 km

Day 3 run 84.4 km (2 marathons)

Double Anvil is the equivalent to 2 Iron distance triathlons.

Swim 7.6 km

Bike 360 km

Run 84.4 km

Quintuple Anvil is the equivalent to 5 Iron distance triathlons.

Swim 19 km

Bike 900 km

Run 211 km

Thanks to Tim for being featured on Limitless Pursuits, to find out more him follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sirsufferkingkos/