Potentially the Best..?

Interview with Adam Horder (March 2002)

Australian Adam Horder burst onto the crosstraining scene when he finished 4th on his debut at Ultra-Fit 2000. He is the first to admit that he lacks the discipline of his key rivals, yet he remains at the top of the sport. 

What were doing before Ultra fit 2000?

I'd been in the country a while doing the back-packing thing and in about January/February time of that year I heard about the competition from a few guys and from reading Ultra-Fit magazine. I trained a bit and got a great result.

And what events  have you done since?

I did about 3 individual events in 200 and then the Dream Team which was good fun. 

What sports did you do prior to crosstraining? 

Wide and varied. Played competitive golf and squash and reached quite a high level at boxing. Did a variety of sports and maybe because of that I built the all-round strength and fitness I need to enjoy the crosstraining events.

Is there any crosstraining back in Oz?

Not that I know of. I never got involved in it when I was back there. I guess they must have gym comps and that but I didn't take part back home. Anyway, I've got a four year visa for England and I've been here for just over two now, so I'll be around for a while yet.

Lee Rankin highlighted you as his main rival in the race to beat Hywel Davies. What do you reckon?

That was a pretty nice statement wasn't it. I don't know how far I'll go in the sport. I can't commit. I'm not one for diets, I love copious amounts of beer and going out and I'm a very social guy. I train when I can and want to, although I do train regularly. I don't do any specific training for the crosstraining events and only compete because they're great fun and they keep me sharp. Hip flexors, sprint starts and box jumps are not the type of thing I do in the gym. I just try and do lots of compound exercises when I train and I enjoy running, rowing and cycling. 


So you don't give up beer in the run-up to a big competition?

No, I don't ever do anything different all year round. I'll do exactly the same training tomorrow as I'll do two days before the X-zone. How good I become will depend on me committing, but at this stage I'm happy just plodding along, entering the comps and giving them hell. I only do sport for fun and I've got a great group of friends in crosstraining. Last year I trained for the Ultra-Fit and had a bit of a negative experience which really set me back in the sport. I'm not serious enough about it to have that sort of experience. It's a good event but there are real negatives to it. In particular they need to sort their judging out. The inconsistencies have been criticised by many competitors and I know a lot of the top guys share these opinions. I don't really want to get into it but it left a sour taste in my mouth. I compete because I enjoy it. If I don't enjoy an event I wont compete in it, so I'll never do the Ultra-Fit again.

What's the hardest crosstraining event you've done?

X-zone. I came 5th in 2001 but I came 5th on heart. I didn't really have the fitness as I wasn't planning to do it. But after the Ultra-Fit debacle, my good mate Steve Quick said 'Come on, don't be a poof, come and do it', so I did and I was stoked with the result. X-zone is a really long event and I don't do any long work in training. I don't have diets, I don't commit like the other guys, I just go for it and love it and that's what brings me back. The thrill of the kill. 

You've had some great races with Steve Quick.

Yeah, he's a great mate and great training partner. Most competitive guy in the world Quickie. Very mild mannered but when you get him training he loves it, goes for it and trains well. He's 38 years of age and doesn't stop. I admire him because he trains like he fights. He goes there and commits and I suppose he's taught me to have that same tenacity. His mental edge is what keeps him there. I enjoy training with him and he is competitive....in everything I think I'm 3-2 over him at the moment. Having said that, Lee Rankin has knocked me off about 4 times this year. I don't mind losing to a top boy like him though. His nickname's Swim Rankin now after his 3 lengths in the Dream Team. Said he was going to swim a blinder but died big time and had a mare so we all wind him up about it. But with crosstraining, it's the top guys like Lee and Hywel Davies that keep me coming back to these events. You just never know when they'll have a bad day.

I understand you've been back to Oz for Christmas.

Yep, courtesy of the Dream Team. I'd just like to thank Roscoe Nash for organising our team and a lot of other events this year. He's also been a good mate and been great supporting me. Incidentally, I believe he can become very good again but he needs to be mentally up for it. It's all about want.

So what's your greatest sporting achievement to date?

Well I'd have to say a round of golf I had at Richmond Park. 1 over par. That was good.

Ok, anything else to add?

Yeah, one of the things I should say is that the crosstraining guys have more excuses than I've ever heard in my life. From colds to injuries, even though they perform well they still aren't happy. They've got to relax and be content with how healthy and fit they are and know that people look up to them because they are good at so many things. If they're beaten, they're beaten by a better man. It's no shame losing to these fellows because they really are good. Their commitment is inspiring and I wish them the best. Crosstraining is a great sport. Whatever level you are, it keeps you sharp and stops you getting stale. I love it!

To contact Adam for tips or training advice email us at enquiries@dbmax.co,uk and we'll pass your messages and questions on.