Interview

Hi guys! I just recently got an e-mail from Sara Landolt, who is from http://www.ironmakeover.blogspot.com. She writes encouragements from triathletes on her blog, and she is also working on a non-fiction book. Ms. Sara was nice enough to ask me if she could ask me (haha double ask me) a few questions. I of course said yes, and I thought that this would be a cool way to get back into blogging. So here we go. I will try not to be to boring!

Here are some questions just for me..

Question #1

Have most/many of your friends heard of triathlon? What do they think? Would they try it or have they? Even a relay to start? If not, what do you think is holding people back?

I think most of my friends have heard of triathlons, mostly because down here on the panhandle we have a TON of races, from the IronMan Florida to the Crab Trap race. I think most of them think I am crazy for doing these races, but I also think most of them are willing to try one. Off the top of my head I can think of two friends that did a tri. They really enjoyed it, but I think that the swim freaks them out. I also think that the swim holds most people back. Also, I think the thought of training for the different race at one time scares some of my friends away.

Question #2

As a teen triathlete, what's the greatest need you see in triathlon-related youth/teen resources? What would you like to know more about etc? The youth/teen tri market is a huge area of growth right now!

As a teen triathletes the greatest need I see in triathlon-related kids resources would have to be that there is not enough advertising. I mean seriously, have you ever seen a kids’ ad in a triathlon magazine? I think not. I think some kids think that these races are just for adults, which really disappoints me especially with the obesity problem. I think that more races should be made for just teens or for just kids that are more than just one or two laps in the pool, 2-mile bike, and .5 mile run. There really aren’t enough. Last year I did the NYC Tri, and I was in a 24-an under age group. As a 13 year-old. What is the possibility of me placing in something like that? I would like to know more about what I should eat before and during races, besides reading a 200 page book about Triathlons for Idiots.. ;)

Question #3

Do you think you'll keep doing triathlons post High School, College, in the future?

If so, why?

For sure, I definitely don’t think that I will stop doing triathlons. If you love something, then why stop?

Question #4

Do you know any teen celebrities that do triathlons?

Ha if anyone does puh-lease let me know, but I think all those Hollywood people are afraid to break a nail, or break a sweat.

Normal Questions.

Question #5

How has training impacted your life?

Training has helped keep me in shape, as well as in shape for other sports. Like training fro cross-country helped keep me in shape for swimming. It also gets my endorphins going so that I am in a better mood, and more focused.

Question #6

How do your friends or family members support you during training and on race day.

My parents actually train with me, so there is no backing down; they also do the races with me. It usually turns out to be a competition. Competitive family, right?

Question #7

Describe as openly as possible a low moment in training or racing and then please describe one of the high/best moments in training or racing.

My lowest moment in racing would definitely have to be the first race that I didn’t finish. It was IronGirl race, and I was so excited to be a part of it. There were actually other girls in my age group which was a big plus. I think I ate something bad the day before the race, and my stomach was a big mess. I had to stop on mile 18 of the bike, and I tried to call my dad (but being him, didn’t answer) a van came to pick me up, and brought me back to the hotel room to recover. I unfortunately had to drop out of the race.

The best moments of racing would have to be when I did the NYC triathlon. I was the youngest person to ever complete the race. The whole time I was thinking I HAD to finish or else any other person under a certain age wouldn’t be allowed to enter the race. So the whole time I kept saying I have to finish I have to finish. So when I did finish I felt so good!

Question #8

Please share your top 3 tips for a triathlete in training.

Please describe something technical (a skill or workout etc) that confused you when you were new to triathlon.

OK, my number one tip is to wake up an hour or so before the race that morning and go to the bathroom (you know what I mean ;) ). There is nothing worse than standing in line for the porta-potties when you are already nervouse, and also need to set up your transition area. If it helps you, then eat an apple at lunch time the day before the race!

I guess I am just doing helpful hints for the race day, I hope that works for the question!

Number two would have to be that you have trained in what you are going to wear on race day. Getting chafed is absolutely the worst thing! Make sure is doesn’t happen to you!

Number three, make sure your brakes are not on before you start biking! One of my mom’s friends just couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t going the speed she normally was going. Later that day she found you that her brakes were pressing down on her tire the whole entire race… she was doing an IronMan too!!

Question #9

Define the word athlete. Are you one? Describe your strengths as an athlete.

Athlete- somebody who loves the sport they are doing, and does it often.

I would have to say that most of the time I am , but I can’t say that I do triathlons often. I usually take a break somewhere in the year..

My strengths as an athlete would have to be that I only do I sport if I love it, if I don’t then I don’t do it.. which helps me to be an athlete.

Question #10

How do you preserve and document your training and race-day experience?

Ex: Good luck cards? Race day signs? Group t-shirts? Do you write a race report, write a blog post, facebook update, or create a scrapbook page? What tips make your post-race report/documentation most useful or meaningful?

I keep evey single one of the trophies that I get, and also the necklaces with the medal on them. I also like to get pictures that mean a lot to me. I also keep all the race shirts that I get, and write a blog post!

Question #11

Training and race photos: Describe your satisfaction with professional race-day photos and family/friend photos from training or race-day events. What’s the photo you wish you had from training or racing? What tips do you have to improve your training/racing photo memories?

I once got a picture of me surrounded by huge buff men coming out of the water, and that is my favorite picture that I have ever gotten! I really don’t like having pictures with just me in them, I think what makes a race is having all the support from the other racers, so I do like to see them in my pictures. When I got out of Lake Ponchentrain (spelling?) in New Orleans, I had green gunk all over my face. My mom and I were doing a realy, and she refused to kiss my good luck because my face was too gross. I wsh I had a picture of her face and my face J.

That’s it for now! Thanks for reading. I hope I didn’t bore you guys to death ;)