Alix Shutello is second from the left. Photo taken at the 2012 Gulf Beach Half Marathon in Milford, CT.
I was very excited when this issue ended up being full of top-notch women from the fields of Olympic and professional racing.
I made an executive decision this time, after interviewing two amazing women who compete at the top of their fields to change my definition of endurance distances racing. Why? Because Lisa Buohler (Team USA duathlete) and Sarah Haskins (Olympian and nationally ranked sprint distance triathlete) are unique in their fields.
Lisa Buohler, for example, became a professional athlete when many of us are hanging up the towel. At 40, she became an elite masters runner and last year alone, competed in over 30 races competing against some of the best athletes in the country. She is also a Boston qualifier and has competed internationally. Further, she is racing on behalf of the USA in Spain this fall, and given Olympics this summer, I felt she would be an amazing addition to this magazine.
Sarah Haskins is an Olympic distance triathlete who competed in the Bejing Olympics and who is breaking course records. At the young age of 31, Haskins has been a professional athlete for the last 8 years….and she’s not slowing down any time soon. You see, endurance sports of any kind, is really any race beyond a sprint. While many of the people in the pages of this magazine may run only one or two really long endurance races or challenges, folks who compete in dozens or more races a year, running half marathons, Iron-distance races, marathons, or sprint duathlons or triathlons are testing their endurance another way. They are competing week after week. That in and of itself requires a lot of discipline and endurance. It also requires sturdy and very focused mental training so that these athletes can continue to compete at the top of their game week after week, month after month.
So in that light, I have featured five amazing female athletes (among others), in this issue of Endurance Racing Magazine. Missy Kuck, Caroline Brosius and Michele Santilhano are the amazing endurance athletes who were featured this month as well. Kuck, like Buohler, went pro later in life. She was an amateur athlete for 15 years before going pro last year in the triathlon at the age of 35.
Brosius is an endurance kayaker who’s competed globally and who is one of the world’s best known endurance racers in her field. Having competed in numerous races she continues to do well and inspire others.
Michele Santilhano is our mega distance athlete in this issue. Having competed in a DECA IRON distance race and having swam the English Channel, she is an inspiration for anyone wanting to go really long!
And while we didn’t do a full article on her, no one can deny Cheryl Zwarkowski as the queen of distance running. This summer she ran THREE Badwater 135-milers back to back, becoming the world record holder for running over 400 miles in the desert in her age group (over 50).
Other athletes who appear in this issue include David Heckman and Marshall Ulrich who were also busy after Badwater this past July. While Cheryl continued on after she finished Badwater onto her second leg, Heckman and Ulrich took a short break and prepared for the 400-mile plus journey around Death Valley. Ulrich and his wife, Karen, blogged and showed pictures on Facebook during the trip.
David DeNeire of Ontario will be running the NYC Marathon this fall. Why? Because he’s been running like a madman. So much so that his continuous streak of over 50 races this year caught the eyes of the NYC Marathon staff and they invited him to the Big Apple to do a little filming and become one of the NYC Marathon’s Clydesdale spokespeople.
Ghislain Marechal, the French super athlete who competes in double and triple IRON races around the globe slowed down enough to share some of his travels with me. Once of his crew members wrote a tale of Marechal’s Enduroman in Europe this summer. I look forward to potentially seeing him again as he makes his way to Lake Anna, VA to compete in the Triple IRON this October.
Shawn Burke, 51, was kind enough to do an advertorial and I’ve featured him on a product he uses called ASEA. He’s garnered tons of success since starting on the product this summer.
And a big thanks to my endurance couple, Brady and Dr. Shawna Wendtlant, who allowed us to talk to them about their lives as a married couple and ultra runners.
I was also happy to receive a submission from Dr. Frank Lieberman, ultra athlete, whose article, Mental Toughness, and book, It Has Nothing To Do With Age, debut will be a great read!
Read and enjoy!
Your friendly editor,
Alix Shutello
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Note: There was purposely no July/August issue. This issue, now the September/October issue is the 4th issue this year. The November/December issue and a Special Product issue will round out 6 issues for this year. Look for announcements on the Special Product issue online at EnduranceRacingMagazine.com and EnduranceRacingMagazine.co.uk.
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It’s not every day that the staff of the New York City Marathon calls you up and invites you to the next ING NYC Marathon, but DeNeire and three other athletes, all of whom had unique achievements in the world of running, were invited to come to NYC and while they were there, a photoshoot, and shot some videos in the Big Apple.
DeNeire started running last year to lose weight and get in shape. This year alone he’ll be running over 50 races, including a couple double marathon weekends (two races back to back).
DeNeire runs to benefit several charities and you can read more about his endeavors on his Run Like A Clydesdale Facebook page.
When it comes to training, DeNeire is practical.
“Typcially during the week I will rest on Monday and sometimes even Tuesday from running, however I do live on a lake so have the ability to get out for a morning swim regardless of how tired I may feel from my long run (sometimes 2) and the travel (sometimes Jetleg) on the weekend.”
DeNeire joined Steve Mackel’s Sole Runner’s Marathon Training program (http://marathontraining.tv/solerunners/) and is on schedule to perform well this fall.
DeNeire supports the following charities
Kids Fit Foundation (http://kidsfitfoundation.org)
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
(http://www.llscanada.org/)
Multiple Sclerosis Society
(http://mssociety.ca/en/)
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (http://www.ccfc.ca/site/c.ajIRK4NLLhJ0E/b.6319851/k.BDBF/Home.htm)
Susan G Komen (http://ww5.komen.org/)
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Sarah Haskins, 31, shows no sign of slowing down. On July 14, 2012, she won the Life Time Fitness Minneapolis Triathlon – beating the course record by 8 seconds and making this her 25th win in her 8-year career as a professional triathlete. This year, Haskins has a total of 11 races on her schedule – and has won 5 of the 7 in which she has already competed.
“I appreciate every win, and cannot ever take any win for granted,” she said.
Haskins completed her first Olympic distance triathlon just after graduating from college. She had a strong background in swimming and running, and wanted to try a sport that combined the two. Fortunately, Haskins was able to pick up on the cycling quickly, and was racing at the professional level one year after her first race.
“I remember watching the Sydney Olympics – when the triathlon made its first appearance – and secretly thinking that I could be there one day. In 2008, I competed in Beijing. Qualifying for the Olympics had been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, and to make that dream a reality was really special. I ended up finishing 11th and gave it all I had on that day.”
Haskins barely missed the 2012 London Olympics and ended up in the alternate position. “If I ever get the opportunity to make it to an Olympic start line again, I will be hungry to earn a medal for the USA,” she said.
Getting Sponsors
From the time she turned pro, Haskins started networking and working with some great sponsors. She has an agent who has helped her with contacts, but often its people she’s met at races who are interested in sponsoring athletes.
“I have found it’s important to be able to give back to your sponsors and help to promote their company. My sponsors take care of me, and I feel it’s important to take care of them as well. I do not feel it’s right to accept a sponsorship unless I am 100% behind the product,” she said.
Training
Haskins trains with her husband, Nate, who also happens to be her coach. Nate coaches three other athletes as well.
“Having my husband as my coach has helped me tremendously over the past three years in that he knows me better than any other coach I have had. He knows when to back off in training and when to keep pushing. Over time, I have learned more and more about my body and how to progress in training. I have been so fortunate to be sponsored by so many great companies that really take care of their athletes and are 100% supportive,” Haskins said.
So far, Haskins has competed in only Olympic distance triathlons (both draft-legal and non-drafting), but in the next couple of years, she’d like to progress to the 70.3 distance.
As a professional athlete, the triathlon is Haskins’ full-time job, with a routine segmented into hours of time for training and for other duties. She spends approximately 25 hours a week training, and another 5 hours working on stretching/massage/chiropractic appointments. Haskins also spends
10-12 hours a week doing administrative tasks, such as booking flights and responding to emails. Despite this demanding schedule, Haskins finds time to coach her dad and her brother, who both recently began participating in triathlons.
Mental Fortitude
When it comes to the mental side of training, Haskins reports that mental fortitude is just as important as physical training.
“Often, when it comes time for the race, mental factors can play more of a role than physical factors. It’s important to keep a positive attitude, even when illness and injury arise throughout the course of the season,” she said.
During competition, Haskins tries to stay focused on the “now” and not think too far ahead in the race. If something happens in a race, like a poor swim or a wrong turn on the bike, she’ll focus on getting back on track rather than getting down on herself.
“Never give up in a race until you cross that finish line!” she exclaimed.
Note: Just as we were going to press, Haskins had another epic win. Her post on Facebook:
“Very pleased to finish with my 4th win at the Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series—Race to the Toyota Cup Chicago Triathlon. Was not easy in the pouring rain and so glad I did not get too beat up crashing into T2. Thank you for all the support!”
- Sarah Haskins
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Lisa Buohler, the number 1 ranked female duathlete in the US, went out on her bike one day and didn’t come back. After being hit by an SUV traveling 60 MPH, Buohler woke up in the hospital with multiple spinal fractures, a lacerated liver, a fractured sternum, fractures in her foot, hand and knee, and a lung contusion. She had been literally stitched and stapled together – but despite this, Buohler asked when she could get up to go to the World Championships, only a few days away.
Lisa Buohler was a “gym rat”, but in 2006, at the age of 36, she ran a local 4-mile race. She had wondered if she could even run 4 miles without stopping; but not only did she finish the race, she came in first in her age group with a time of 30:27 (she would go on to drop that time to a personal best of 24:46).
Buohler began running more regularly and jumped into as many 5Ks as she could fit in her schedule, then started increasing the distance to the half marathon. By age 40, she had become an Elite Masters runner (because of the number times she placed at the top of her age group). From there, Buohler advanced to the marathon, and qualified for Boston after running her first marathon in Athens, Greece in November 2010.
Discovering the Duathlon
In 2009, competitive cyclist Angela King invited Buohler to start cycling. She went to the Trek store and purchased her first TT bike, a Guru Crono.
“My thoughts were to do a little cross training through the summer of 2009 and spice things up a bit,” she said.
In December, Buohler competed in her first sprint duathlon, in Pasco County, FL. She had so much fun, she went home and signed up for the Xxtera Caloosahatchee duathlon on the very next day. She finished as the first female in both events.
Next, she signed up for a series of duathlons around Florida and on April 15, 2010, Buohler traveled to Richmond, VA to compete in the National Duathlon Championships to try to qualify for Team USA.
It wasn’t meant to be, for a flat tire slowed her down and she didn’t make the qualifying time.
Despite not qualifying for Team USA that summer, 2010 had been an epic year for Buohler. She competed in 38 races: 8 half marathons, 10 duathlons, a 15K, a 10k, a 4-miler, a 5-miler, 15 x 5K’s and her first marathon in Athens, Greece, where she qualified for Boston. Buohler hit all her goals, which included winning the Multirace Publix Duathlon series championship, receiving her Road Runners of America running Coach certification, getting a sub 17.30 5K, PR in the half marathon, and running a full marathon in Greece and qualifying for Boston. What a year indeed.
Becoming a US Citizen
In 2011, Buohler’s English citizenship would create some controversy, as she was winning American races but wasn’t an American.
In the first couple of months of the year, Buohler competed in footraces of varying lengths almost every weekend, including the Masters Half Marathon Championships in Melbourne, FL in February. In May, Buohler competed in the USAT National Duathlon Championships in Tucson, AZ. By this time, she was the number 1 ranked female in the US. She didn’t need any more qualifying races to earn her a spot on Team USA, but because she was not officially an American citizen, there were rumblings about her status on any US team.
“I had pre-qualified for Worlds through USAT rankings, and I was still determined to go out to Nationals in Arizona to do what I had intended to do out in Virginia last year, to place top with a podium finish and qualify to be on Team USA and compete in Spain. I was almost not eligible for awards because of my British citizenship, which was suddenly an issue. So, in June 2011, I became a US citizen,” she explained.
The Accident
Buohler’s plan for the fall of 2011 was to compete in the ITU Duathlon World Championships in Gijon, Spain, and 6 weeks later compete in the NYC Marathon. But in early September, just days before she was to leave for in the World Championships, Buohler’s life changed.
“I was ready to leave for Spain in just two days for the Team USA, to compete against some of the top duathletes of the world. I had been training hard and consistently since the National Championships in Arizona,” Buohler described on her blog post of September 14, 2011, just 9 days after her devastating accident.
“During a 20-mile training ride I was struck from behind by an SUV going approximately 60 mph. The motor vehicle impacted my left glute, which took a laceration and severe bruising that is now lumps and knots of old blood and damaged nerves. My lumbar spine fractured in three places and my thoracic fractured in two, fractured sacrum, liver laceration, lung contusion and sternum fracture, bruising of the ribs and chest, a couple of staples to cover my exposed elbow cartilage, stitches to a deep penetrating laceration to my left calf, avulsion fracture of the foot and knee, torn shoulder, road rash, and a pretty bad head bruise,” she reported.
In total, Buohler’s recovery included a week in the hospital and three months in a back brace.
Once Buohler was out of her brace, she started training slowly. By now it was the winter of 2011 and the Disney Half Marathon was looming in the near future. This was a race she’d run for the past 5 years, and despite having pain when she inhaled deeply (due to the sternum fracture and lung bruising), in January 2012 she ran and finished the race.
And all was fine – until she couldn’t breathe.
“Then I was there. I had made it!! I finished! The beautiful Donald medal commemorating his 15 years of running was placed around my neck. Almost immediately after I stopped, I went to take a deep breath, but there was no air! I couldn’t breathe; it was like my lungs had decided to close up. My first thought was, What have I done? “
Buohler walked toward the medical tent and as she walked, her breathing improved and slowly became normal.
“How embarrassing that would have been to tell the medical crew that I was in ICU with five broken vertebrae and a lacerated liver, fractured sternum, knee foot, etc., 14 weeks ago, and I just jogged the half marathon and now I can’t breathe,” she said.
Buohler made it past this scare, enough so that she ran the 2012 Boston Marathon this April in a little over 3:30, averaging 8-minute miles.
“I was so close to qualifying again I could have pushed a little harder, but I wanted to take it easy,” she said.
Just seven months after a devastating accident, Buohler ran the Boston marathon with a top time in her age group and after having only run a couple of 6 mile runs before the race. She has been training again for the duathlon and looks forward to racing with Team USA in France; and, six weeks later – as she had planned last year before her tragic accident, Buohler will be running the NYC marathon.
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Endurance Racing Magazine asked for couples who both compete in endurance distance racing to tell their story. Brady and Dr. Shawna Wentlandt came forward. ERM asked just two basic questions. Here are their answers!
ERM: How did you juggle training schedules? Talk about when it both worked for and against you.
Brady: I train while at work only. I’m an active duty Marine and travel often so family time is a priority for me while I’m home. I like to run during lunch, and am able to run 4 to 5 times per week. There are weekends when we are not racing that I would like to run to the nearest city and have the family meet me for lunch, but it is hard to get going that early in the morning and not receive a medal.
Shawna: I work online, so I am able to train while the kids are in school. Years ago we were able to train together, but distance and kids’ needs have changed that. The biggest thing we have to juggle is racing or training on the weekends. Our daughter is only 5 and obviously still requires constant adult supervision. That means we have to take turns or beg for help from our friends.
ERM: Travel-was this done together or apart? Was there a time you missed each others races or had a memorable race because your spouse was there?
Brady: Shawna and I have raced together and raced at separate locations. This May I was on temporary duty in Washington State and ran the Tacoma City Marathon, during the same weekend Shawna ran the OC Marathon in Southern California. Shawna has supported my ultra running and crewed for me through my first over 26-mile training run and a 100-mile race (Rocky Road). Shawna and I were also fortunate enough to run our first 50-mile race (Leona Divide) together.
Shawna: I really like it when we can run races together. Brady helped pace me at Leona Divide and push me when I wasn’t ready to push myself. I do think it becomes a problem at a certain point. For example, during my first 24 hour race, (Nanny Goat) I think we leaned on each other and depended on each other too much. You know where the other one’s weaknesses are and it was hard not to focus on them in the wee hours when running was tough. If we had a fresh perspective from a pacer or other runner, that may have helped pull us out of the situation. I think we worry about the other one and their needs and focus less on our own. In long races like that it becomes too difficult to focus on yourself and another person, even when they are your partner.
ERM: What your greatest running achievement was. For example, Laura may want to talk about her success at Western States (for example).
Brady: My greatest running achievement has been the culmination of the past year (when my family’s endurance running began). I got to watch my wife complete her first of many marathons, my 11 year-old son complete his first of many half marathons, and my wife and I grow within the running community. If I had to define a specific race it would be the Summer 7 which we just completed—seven races in 7 days, for Shawna that meant 7 marathons, for me 6 marathons and a half marathon. We spent anywhere from 5 – 7 hours a day running together. Misery, joy, pain, sweat, blisters, hunger, GI issues, sun burns, exhaustion, and NO REGRETS! It was awesome and quite an adventure (together)!
Shawna: I agree with Brady. The Summer 7 was the hardest thing I have done in my short running career. Having him there to understand what I was going through was very helpful. I would argue that our marriage is stronger as a result of our running. For about 6 months in 2011 I was training for my first marathon and Brady wasn’t. I think he felt left out. Once he started increasing his distances and we achieved these milestones together, it brought us together.
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South African–born Michele Santilhano, who works as a Registered Nurse at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital in California and who has specialized in children’s cancer nursing, completed the Euroman Deca Ironman in 2012.
ERM: How do you have time to train and compete in these epic distance races?
Santilhano: My athletic endurance activities are done during my vacation time or on odd long weekends. I was introduced into endurance racing during my experiences with Outward Bound in South Africa during high school. The lesson of the tortoise and the hare was made very clear during this formative time. This lesson is what has gotten me to the finish line of my hardest events.
ERM: How did you get started in endurance racing?
Santilhano: What caused me to develop the ultra gene was when I recognized the missing sprint genes for top ten finishes. I also decided to get my money’s worth: if I was going to get hot and sweaty with effort, then I might as well do it for longer than a mere hour. Plus, my Outward Bound experiences had taught me techniques for outlasting faster and more agile, athletic friends. I even had this experience recently on a road bike race: I started last once the gun went off, but soon climbed up the field to finish in the top 3rd.
I ran my first marathon in my mid 20s, after I completed nursing school in the UK and returned to South Africa. Every town in South Africa has a run club, like every town in the US has a coffee shop (even if it is not a Starbucks). I completed my first Ironman in 2000 at age 30, with a Triple IRON distance race & Ultraman Hawaii in 2007, followed by a Quintuple IRON in 2008.
ERM: You were the 199th person to ever swim the English Channel?
Santilhano: Yes. I grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. After high school, I started attended nursing school in England. After completing my nursing education and doing some missionary work in West Africa, I returned to South Africa in the mid 1990s, where I specialized in children’s nursing.
I came to the US in early 1994 and found a swim coach to train me for the English Channel. It’s easy to find or Google either of the two organizations that help swimmers with escort boats and logistics. I was introduced to long distance ocean swimming by a nursing instructor on my children’s nursing specialization course.
ERM: How did you decide to do the Deca IRON, and who do you train with?
Santilhano: I always knew about the Deca Ironman, and the Enduroman dates fitted with my schedule. I thought I would like trail running more than a paved run, which the Enduroman race provides. I tried to do a lot of back-to-back marathons, bike rides, triathlons. I was hoping my previous events, such as Race across America in 2010 and Paris Brest Paris and Arch to Arc back-to-back in 2011, would be good training.
I currently train with Team Sheeper, a San Francisco Peninsula Triathlon team that has a very diverse population of athletes and training regimens. Tim Sheeper is the head coach, who still podiums in most events that he competes in. He is an inspiration and role model for any triathlete – how to race fiercely with true humility. The motto I developed for my solo non-wetsuit English Channel swim in 2006 was to “swim with gratitude”. I try to take this into every event.
ERM: Do you have any sponsors?
Santilhano: I have been fortunate to have equipment sponsors that have come alongside me during certain events over the years. They are too numerous to name, but in 2012 they have included Rock Tape brand of Kinesio tape and Stretch works for Resistance stretching before and after my Enduroman Deca IRON.
Hammer Nutrition was extremely helpful for my Solo Race across America, as was Sycip Bicycles, Sheila Moon and Black Bottom apparel. Vespa Power Products has been a partner during my 100-mile trail running career.
ERM: Where do you get the drive to race these great distances?
Santilhano: Mentally what drives me is the opportunity to see how my body reacts in a new environment. I see it as a human laboratory. Your body has to stay within certain physiological limits. Putting myself in extreme environments or situations to see where the breaking point happens – and how to get myself to the finish line after the breaking point – is where the growth happens. This year I think the growth continued through the 2-month recovery period after my Enduroman Deca IRON.
I still have space to grow in mental fortitude, in terms of not accepting “No” for an answer and being able to fight for one’s rights to continue racing or have someone with you who will help you fight for your rights to continue if it is safe. My crew did this on my second English Channel swim, on a very big spring tide in 2011. The swim was part of the Solo Arch to Arc triathlon from London to Paris.
ERM: Any tips about nutrition?
Santilhano: Know your calorie burn rate. In my next deca, I will have a calorie plan and sit down for my meal breaks.
ERM: What are your biggest learning points after reflecting on these races?
Santilhano: There are always more lessons that appear over time. Having a sports psychologist who can help complete the recovery process is helpful, especially when desired results were not achieved.
And in terms of injury, prevention is about listening to your body and working with it. In regards to healing, I will try the natural route first before seeking the Western medical approach. Restorative yoga and some of the Chinese medicine therapies are much less invasive with the body processes. I describe massage as the glue between good nutrition and good hydration.
ERM: What motivates you?
Santilhano: I don’t have children of my own, but will often dedicate my events to the children I work with. They give me songs that get played at certain check points, and I bring back stories or show them photos of the event. In Race across America, I found candy for them that was not available in California. The children I work with are my true inspiration.
ERM: Any final thoughts?
Santilhano: How I got to where I am today is by not accepting limits. Boundaries are to be expanded. Even in my last event of the Enduroman Deca IRON in England, I told myself: If I am breathing, then I still have energy.
Read more about Michele at: www.outdrmich.blogspot.com/
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Missy Kuck became a pro triathlete at the age of 35 after racing for 15 years as an amateur. Her motto, “Learn to race, not compete,” is what drives her in a new class of racing.
In 2011, Kuck’s first season as a pro athlete, she raced 13 races – 11 Olympic distance, 2 half Ironman distance – and ran the Columbus marathon with her sister. Kuck then chose to switch to shorter races so she could race more often, focus on speed, and get out of the long-distance rut.
“That was the biggest difference I saw in the pro versus age group divisions when you race as an amateur: The women are there to win, not just ‘have a good race.’ Every moment in the race is an opportunity to get ahead of your competitor. Personal records are no longer the focus; the goal is to win.”
With that type of competition, in 2012 Kuck has competed in four 70.3 Iron distance races, two Olympic distance races, and has qualified for the Vegas 70.3 World Championships to be held on September 9, 2012/
ERM caught up with Kuck between races to find out how she got to where she is today.
ERM: How did you get into racing?
Kuck: A friend challenged me to race an Olympic, half, and full distance triathlon in the summer of 2002. After that season, I saw the longer races as something to conquer and shorter races as stepping stones during training. I told myself I would follow a pattern of two seasons racing long distance (half and IM distance) followed by one season of shorter racing (Olympic and half distance). I kept that pattern through two cycles, but veered from it last year when our team decided to race the full Rev3 series.
After getting serious about triathlons, I never focused solely on the shorter races.
I think my first steps toward endurance sports started in college. I swam for Ohio State University and my coach, Jim Montrella, was all about quantity. For example, we did 100×100 freestyle as a morning workout…meaning we had an evening workout too. His workouts weren’t creative, but they tested your mental game and endurance. I found I was good at keeping a steady pace once I could dial in the right intensity. I tried my first triathlon after my freshman year in college. My brother and I decided one day to sign up, and we raced two days later. I did one short race a summer for the next 4-5 years while in college. After competitive swimming, I decided to run my first marathon and vowed never to do it again. That was in 1998.
Since then I’ve done seven Ironmans, a couple dozen half Ironmans, three marathons, 160-200 mile bike races, numerous of triathlons, and a mix of “other” races.
ERM: When did you decide to go pro?
Kuck: I didn’t get serious about triathlons until 2002, when a friend suggested we try an Ironman distance event. After that I began exploring races in the area and around Ohio. I began traveling for bigger races in 2005, and qualified for Kona on my first attempt at a WTC event. Ever since then, I’ve focused racing/training on longer distance events. In recent years I’ve revisited shorter races in an attempt to up my intensity of training and racing. It worked: I now know a new level of intensity, and challenge myself to reach new goals. I plan to return to the Ironman scene – I’ve taken the past 2 years to focus on some shorter racing…if you consider a 4.5-hour race short – but am enjoying the change of pace and hoping for good results.
ERM: So what is the biggest difference now that you’ve gone pro?
Kuck: Racing in the pro division is a privilege, but it takes racing to a whole new level! Most athletes eligible to race in the professional division are used to winning as an age grouper; when you race in the elite division you are suddenly a small fish in a big pond…everyone there is capable of incredible race splits. You may be racing faster than you ever have in your life….and get passed during the race like you’re standing still. It’s incredible to watch, but can be mentally deflating. The mental aspect during a race is so important.
ERM: What about the mental aspect of training?
Kuck: I think it’s one of the most important factors in this sport. It takes a certain personality to stick to a training regimen that has you up at o-dark-hundred nearly every day. You’ve got to be willing to put in the hours, even when you’re tired. During the race, you’ve got to have the mental focus to stay alert to the details around you, but “shut down” your mind so you’re not staring at the clock each passing minute and focusing on the pain. There’s nothing worse than watching the lines pass on the road, knowing how much better it would feel sitting down, looking at the clock and realizing it’s been only 3 minutes since you last looked. If you split the race into sections and give yourself mental breaks – and these can come in various forms – an endurance race can become more bearable. Coming up with mental strategies during training is key to a successful race.
Personally, I would love to train with headphones; but I know they are not allowed on race day, and therefore I don’t wear them (except in the off season). I have songs or quotes in my mind that I repeat over and over to help me stay alert and often keep a cadence. I know the “signs” when things are starting to change in terms of nutrition, mental focus, and so on, and I’ve come up with strategies to deal with these scenarios. For example, when I exhale long and slow, I know I am mentally bored and therefore will likely begin to slow down, even though my body is not necessarily worn down.
ERM: So how do you train?
Kuck: I typically train by myself. I try to make adjustments to this, knowing the benefits of being pushed by other athletes, but find it difficult. My schedule is tight with work, so I don’t have the luxury of sleeping in, getting key workouts in at optimal times, or planning my schedule to fit another’s timeline as many professional triathletes do. I have a couple hours in the morning and after work to get everything in. My race schedule is quite different these past couple years racing shorter races – I race more often and workouts are geared toward specific goals. In the pool, I know the pace at which I need to train to reach my target time in a race. I watch the clock and create workouts to meet those needs (yes, I train myself in the pool). As for the bike and run, I have had a couple people coach me to help get me out of my comfort zone. In endurance racing, it’s all too easy to settle into a pace. When training, it’s just as easy to settle into a pace, but without the adrenaline of other racers you go much slower. My recent coaches with Veritas Endurance Coaching and E2 have helped guide my bike and run workouts, including intervals, pacing, intensity and focused workout goals.
ERM: What role does nutrition play in your training and racing?
Kuck: I have never paid particular attention to my diet. Some nutrition basics I adhered to in the past seemed more like common sense to me rather than a “diet”: stay away from fast food, pop, processed foods and junk food as much as possible. I brought my lunch to work instead of buying from the cafeteria, to avoid unknown calories, ingredients and sodium. I’m not saying I avoided these foods completely – but this was my “diet”. Typically I would eat these “bad” foods when they were brought to work, during holidays, when I was traveling, if my fridge was empty, or when I was eating at someone else’s house.
Then I did some basic research and read articles outlining “essential vitamins/minerals for athletes” and “superfoods.” I tried new recipes, attempting to incorporate some of these foods. (Thankfully, I am part of a weekly dinner club where I can test my new creations.) I talked with other athletes and learned some of their habits to see if it would be something I could adopt. One athlete told me about chia seeds, and I spoke with representatives from MILA at a race expo. I gave their product a try, and it was easily added to many recipes – adding the benefits of omega-3, fiber, potassium, and magnesium to my diet.
Other than MILA, I stayed away from supplements and pre-made shakes. Just these minor adjustments made a huge difference. I feel more confident that I am fueling my body with foods richer in nutrients needed for performance and recovery than I was before.
Not only am I more aware of the nutrients in the foods I am ingesting, I feel different. I don’t have the food craving spikes that came with eating unbalanced meals. My taste buds have changed dramatically! I am trying new dishes all the time to keep things interesting. My “sweet tooth” has been recalibrated, meaning I can have significantly smaller portions of sweet foods and be satisfied. When I get busy and don’t plan ahead, I find myself slipping into old habits of “easy foods”; but if I plan ahead at the grocery store and take the extra 30 minutes to prepare a healthier meal, I can keep things in check.
ERM: Tell us about your recovery regimen.
Kuck: I am a firm believer in recovery and in listening to what your body is telling you. If I need a 30-minute nap before a workout, I take one. If I go to the grocery store and notice everything in my cart is liquid…I must be a little off in my hydration. If something hurts, I find out why – and take steps to fix it quickly! I see a massage therapist and chiropractor on a regular basis. Thankfully, my occupation as a therapist allows me insight to the body and to what may be going on (and proximity to another professional to run things by if need be). I am a firm believer in wearing compression gear after workouts, when traveling, and at work. (I chose 110% gear that combines compression and ice therapy…great stuff.)
ERM: You work full-time too, right?
Kuck: Yes. I have a full-time job as a pediatric occupational therapist. This job fits my personality: goal driven, focused on making small improvements, repetitive :
ERM: Do you have a budget you follow?
Kuck: I have to budget for races and gear. I get creative (in terms of making money, finding sponsors, and finding cheap ways to get things done). Triathlon is an expensive sport – you’ve got three sports to that require different types of gear, travel details, and race entry fees (not cheap). It adds up quickly! Many professional triathletes have chosen to forego their careers in pursuit of their athletic dreams. As I’ve learned, the majority (meaning 90%…not 60%) of professional triathletes do not make enough money each year to make a good “living” out of it. And even if they are making ends meet, they are working hard at securing sponsors for essential gear and using prize money to pay everyday bills. As for me, my full-time job pays for my “hobby” as a triathlete.
ERM: What’s next for you?
Kuck: I would like to make some adjustments and eventually return to my coaching roots, but for now will stick where I am until further opportunities arise.
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In his article, Mental Toughness, Dr. Lieberman, psychologist, provides a framework as well as an introduction into understanding the various components that addresses perseverance, persistence, success, and overcoming barriers. His principles can be applied and utilized by the non-athlete as well in order to assist in accomplishing the unthinkable in order to reach one’s potential.
Dr. Frank Lieberman was one of four individuals to have completed the Tevis Cup (100 mile endurance ride), the Swanton Pacific 100 mile Ride and Tie, and the Western States 100 mile ultra run and was the only one in his 60s to have completed these one-day events. His first book “It Has Nothing To Do With Age” illustrates his transformation into becoming an ultra-athlete as well as profiling seven other unique male and female competitors.
Over the past 15 years, I have competed in many different and unique ultra events: the Swanton Pacific 100-mile Ride and Tie, the Tevis Cup (a 100-mile horse race), the Western States 100-mile run. During these experiences, I have encountered male and female athletes who I considered mentally tough. My Western States training partner,
Linda, is the one I’d like to be in a foxhole with. There are some individuals who just seem to be able to tough it out with persistence and perseverance in spite of unforgiving circumstances or conditions.
I believe the following motivational or psychological principles contribute to mental toughness. These principles, I believe, allowed these remarkable athletes to be successful when competing. In this case, the sum of the parts is equal to – or greater than – the whole.
The framework of my performance model is essentially cognitive in nature. This means that the operational process that takes place is located in the space between our ears–it is our brain and thinking patterns that are important and that determine either success or failure.
Principle 1: Setting Goals
The goal must be concrete and easily defined (e.g., running the Western States 100 with its completion time limit). One either makes the cut-offs and gets a completion or doesn’t and gets pulled from the race. The goal must be realistic or attainable and under your own control or skill level (only you can complete the Western states; being carried across the finish line by your pacer in Auburn, CA would be DNF). The goal must have value that can be either positive or negative to the athlete and which does not leave room for ambivalence. The goal must fulfill some need within the individual’s personality. If and when these conditions are met, there is a greater likelihood of persistence and intensity related to accomplishing the goal. If, for example, the goal is to complete the Western States 100, and it is based on a belief that this accomplishment will result in great personal satisfaction or in satisfying or boosting self-esteem, mastery or status, that increases the likelihood that perseverance and goal behavior will be strong. Setting goals and expectations about goals are related to the future, which is very important and necessary for healthy living.
The lesson? Choose your goals wisely and make sure they are important to you.
Principle 2: Level of Aspiration or Expectancy
Simply put, one’s level of aspiration is related to feelings of pleasantness/success and unpleasantness/feelings of failure, and are derived based on one’s perception of behavior or performance. As a rule, success in meeting a goal generally raises the level of aspiration, and conversely, failure lowers one’s level of aspiration. In other words, one’s level of aspiration or expectations is based on probability and is influenced by the value of the goal, previous history and experience, as well as one’s feelings and thoughts about it. Returning to our Western States example, I expected to complete the Western States; therefore, my expectations were based on the amount of success experiences. These success experiences, in my case, were based on a number of ride and ties, one marathon, one 50 km, and a 50-mile Jed Smith qualifier. Also important to me was having clear and identifiable thoughts and feelings about the event along with the probability of my success.
Principle 3: Success History
Achieving successful goals is very important to this principle because it is based upon receiving rewards or reinforcements. Some rewards are immediate while others are more long-term. When I completed my first 50-miler, I received immediately my qualifying award. I instantly was satisfied, thrilled and very proud of my achievement. As far as running competitions is concerned, the higher the ratio of success experiences versus failure experiences leads to increased probability of success. Success can be defined in many ways: success could be completing the race without injury, it could be completing the distance within a certain time period, or it could be finishing it faster than John Doe. Ultimately, success is defined by one’s own perception or belief. An erratic or uneven success-to-failure ratio can lead to setting expectations either too high, unrealistic or therefore not attainable, or too low – and thus the individual is not able to feel good about completion (perceived lack of achievement). Michelangelo was once quoted as saying, “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim to high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”
Principle 4: Reframing
Reframing is simply replacing a word or idea with one that has a more positive connotation. Let me emphasize, the change has to be positive and uplifting. For instance, when I ran Western States and arrived at the aid station at Robinson Flat, I said, “I just completed one marathon” and “I covered that distance fast.” I didn’t focus on the fact that I had three more to go, or that now I had to deal with the heat and the difficult canyons coming up. I didn’t allow my thinking to place negativity or barriers in my mind. Another example of reframing my thinking was when I approached such difficult climbs as Goat Hill on the Way Too Cool 50km, or Devil’s Thumb on Western States. On those hills or climbs I told myself: “The hills are my friend.” I do not have the word “pain” in my vocabulary. Instead, I use the word “discomfort” when it comes to physical injury. Pay attention to your internal thoughts and be ready to reframe when necessary. Adjust your mental state or attitude by challenging and changing how you think. Remember Epictetus’s words: “Nothing is good or bad, thinking makes it so.”
Challenge irrational ideas by replacing them with positive thinking. This is necessary for whatever sport or activity you do. If you allow negative thoughts to “run” your life, you are on a road headed for disaster. Challenge and confront negative, irrational or self-defeating ideas by employing positive self talk and affirmations or mantras.
During Western States and my other ultras , I challenged the “I can’t” and instead inserted “I can”; I reminded myself to “put one foot in front of the other” over and over in order to continue under grueling circumstances. Change the “I do not feel like running today” into “I recognize that I will likely feel good or better after my run” or “Running is good for me” or “My feelings are likely to change during the run.” Get off the couch, and as Nike says, “Just do it.”
Principle 5 is Need Achievement
The need or desire to achieve, accomplish, and succeed with your goal is important, and related to and encompasses competitiveness (we can compete against self or against another). I had a will to complete the Western States 100. For me, that meant I engaged in activities (training runs in the hills or canyons, running at night on the Western States trail, running competitions, training in the heat, experimenting with different foods and hydration products, talking with and reading materials from other competitors, etc.) that were instrumental in goal attainment. My planning was serious, because I knew that I would have an emotional response upon my success or failure. There are different degrees and variances when it comes to both competitiveness and achievement; we do not put in the same effort, training or persistence to everything that we do.
I spend more time running than I do kayaking. This means that my need for achievement is greater for running than it is for kayaking. So, the more important the goal attainment, the greater the drive. For some, it is like a ripple effect: the more success we have achieving our goal, the more we want to achieve. Find your niche and use your competitiveness to your advantage. Successful accomplishment has been classified as a secondary drive; it is learned, and is certainly a significant component of the capitalistic, industrial and sport culture in our country. Look at the achievement, perseverance and persistence by this year’s athletes at the Summer Olympic Games in London. Did you witness the celebrations by the US women’s soccer and US men’s basketball teams when they beat Japan and Spain to win the gold? Find your need to achieve and go for the gold.
Principle 6: Affiliation
Connection is principle six and is important for both giving and receiving nurture and support. Being human and connected are important for well-being. Running with a group, club or friends (faster or slower) can be helpful in a number of ways. One generally does better with positive emotional support as well as being able to compare or compete with someone else (training techniques, education, information) than being totally isolated and on one’s own. How many Olympians train without a coach? How many times do you laugh out loud when you’re running by yourself compared with running with a friend?
Principle 7: Mindfulness
This means being in the present and being able to correctly label how you feel during your running. One way to do this is to pay attention to your breathing and scan your body for tightness, stiffness or discomfort. Start by scanning from the top of your head and work down your body to your toes while running. For instance, during my Western States run, I noticed my fingers and arms were tight and uncomfortable because of the manner in which I was holding my water bottles. I immediately focused on my breathing and worked on relaxing my fingers and arms in order to remove the tension. It works. You’ve heard the expression, “Run how you feel.” Chances are, if you feel good, you’re probably running well; and if you’re running well, you’re probably feeling good too.
When incorporating mindfulness, focus on your breathing; and if you’re familiar with yoga, utilize those principles as well. The more relaxed you are, the more aware you become of everything around you. Deep breathing and relaxation is good; body or limb tension is not. Relax – and enjoy.
Priniple 8: Being Future Oriented
This principle stresses direction in your life. I think of my running events as trainings so that I always have a future goal. In the short term, when I was running in the Western States (especially upon reaching Last Chance), I thought about running to the next tree, the next aid station or the next canyon. Having short-term, attainable goals or breaking up an ultra run into components can assist in achieving a more long-term goal. Planning ahead and thinking about the future – it works.
Principle 9: Finding Meaning and Passion
Find meaning and passion in what you are doing. Know why you’re doing what you’re doing; your reasons are important clues in understanding who you are and what your life is about. Having meaning in your activity translates into actually experiencing life firsthand, in flesh and blood. The more meaning and passion I have about my activity, the stronger my drive, energy and determination. With more drive and determination, the probability for success increases. In essence, meaning and passion allowed me to run 100 miles, overcome barriers, and strive to become the best I can be.
Use your brain to your advantage by incorporating these principles into your lifestyle – I guarantee you success in whatever you do. I’m not saying it’s easy; but why not apply these principles to your daily activities and see what happens?
Dr. Lieberman recently lectured at the Chautauqua Institute, UC Davis Cardiology Rehabilitation Department, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Fleet Feet Running Camp.
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Caroline Brosius is an internationally recognized distance kayaker who has competed in some of the world’s most epic global races. Her sports endeavors have taken her throughout the US and Hawaii as well as to Canada, Panama, New Zealand and China.
I grew up racing sailboats; my dad built kayaks for his Scout Troop when I was young. My uncle, John (Jack) Brosius, III, made the 1972 Olympic team for sprint kayaking; so the concept of pursuing a dream, and of being the best at something you did, was always there.
Before I was a kayaker, I was a runner. I started running in high school (Stadium High School in Tacoma, WA) and joined the cross-country team. I fell in love with the idea of running trails, and with the fact that running opened more territory to explore. I had always liked hiking and biking as well. One day, while out on the trails in Berkley, CA, I started running with a guy who asked me how far I was going. I responded, “50-60,” meaning minutes. He said he was running 50-60 as well that day – but he meant miles! That was the first time I heard of ultra-running, and I was fascinated.
I continued to run cross country and track in high school, and in my sophomore year in college I rowed with the Trinity College Boat Club at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. I coxed (steered) for the men’s novice team and learned how to row in singles, coached by a couple of the rowers on the team. After I moved back to Seattle, I rowed for my last two years in college. After college, I visited my uncle in Maryland. He took me out kayaking, and I fell in love with the sport. And so went my transition from rowing to sprint kayaking. Eventually, I would move up to the marathon canoe and outrigger, where I made a name for myself internationally.
By 1996 I qualified for the Olympic trials for the sprint kayak event by making the finals in the 1995 Nationals, which were held in Seattle. The Olympic trials were held in April of 1996 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. I drove out from DC and took 6 weeks off work for the trials; but in the end, I didn’t make the team.
I used that as an opportunity to finally train for and run a marathon, a long-term goal of mine. I chose the Marine Corps Marathon since by that time I was living in the DC area. My running partner, a fellow canoer named Mitch, was following a training schedule and we ran together 3-4 times a week, along with our paddling workouts. As I was training I also raced in sprint, kayaking, and won several medals at Nationals in August of 1996. I qualified for the National traveling team to go to the Champion Knock-out in Maine that fall. Champion Paper was a sponsor, and the Knock-out was 200-meter races held in a “drag race” style. That October, I ran the MCM in 3:56.
Endurance Kayaking – The General Clinton and Beyond
Up till 1996 I had been racing only 2000 meters in rowing, and my longest run was about 12K. From 1991 to 1996 I focused on short, sprint, 500-meter kayak races. Running the marathon changed that, as did my transition to endurance kayaking.
In the fall of 1996, my friend Cheryl, who belonged to the same canoe club I did, asked me if I wanted to be her partner for the General Clinton 70 Miler. This was a totally different type of race for me. The marathon C2 (double person boat) is a totally different style of paddling: canoe vs. kayak, endurance vs. sport (e.g., 10 x 500 meter sprints vs. 2 x 1 hour steady state) and the front seat requires learning steering strokes – which takes time, as the kayak has a rudder. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canoe_racing]
So in 1997 I competed in my first General Clinton race with Cheryl and finished second. It was a lot of fun and required entirely different planning than the sprint paddling events I had done; you had to figure out food and water and sustaining yourself over 7-8 hours. I have since competed in the General Clinton four more times, and I enjoy it every year. The different water conditions and the demands of the river make it challenging and fun at the same time.
Endurance Kayaking to Outrigger Racing to Adventure Racing
Outrigger racing was just beginning on the east coast in 1997, and one of the other members of my canoe club was putting together a team to go to Hawaii to compete in the Na Wahine oh Ke Kai (Women of the Sea) – an OC6 canoe with 6 people, open ocean outrigger race, one of the biggest outrigger events in the world. The race is approximately 40 miles from the island of Molokai, to Waikiki Beach on Oahu. So naturally, I also competed in my first OC6 Molokai to Oahu race.
While training for the Hawaii race, I befriended another person in the club who was into adventure racing – which, like outrigger racing in 1997, was not yet well-known…and finding people who participated on teams was difficult. I had heard about adventure racing and thought it sounded like fun, since you got to do a bunch of my favorite activities at the same time. She introduced me to some friends of hers, and I did my first race in the spring of 1998 – and I was hooked! I did another race up in Canada, and we came in second overall in that one. In 1999, I did the Beast of the East – which is how I first met the Odyssey Adventure Racing Group and Steve Kirby, who is the race director for the Tampa Double IRON and the Lake Anna Double and Triple IRON races.
Since 2000 I have alternated adventure racing and paddling, though I always paddled and raced with my team at WCC. I started racing OC1 (single person outrigger) in 2001, and my goal became racing in one of the between-the-island races in Hawaii. I was fortunate enough to become good friends with some folks in Hawaii, and I went over in the spring during the singles racing seasons in 2002, 2003 and 2005 to gain more ocean experience and to train with some local outrigger clubs on the big island of Hawaii. In 2006 I was introduced to someone from the island of Kaui, who told me I should enter the Maui to Molokai Challenge and come on over the following spring to visit; he would host me for a couple of weeks before the event. In April of 2007 I was on the starting line in Maui in an OC1, and ready to go! It was a great experience; I never knew a boat could go that fast!
I held my own with the locals, though my lack of downwind and surfing experience definitely made it a challenge. I will never forget meeting a sea turtle, swimming all by itself in the channel between the islands at a point in the race where I was completely alone and beginning to wonder if somehow I had missed the buoy I had been told to find. Within minutes of seeing the turtle just hanging out and enjoying the waves, I heard the bell and knew I was right on target. It’s moments like those that make the journey worthwhile. Each event usually has some sort of moment that reaffirms why you are out there. My moments usually seem to involve finding or saving turtles!
I raced OC1, OC2 and OC6 up and down the east coast, including the Blackburn Challenge Open Water race (20 miles) up in Gloucester, MA; I’ve won both OC1 and OC2 places in the Mayor’s Cup Race around Manhattan Island, NY. I have also raced marathon canoes in the General Clinton 70-miler and the Adirondack Ultra Challenge, a 3-day, 90-mile event in upstate New York.
I volunteered at a couple of adventure races for Odyssey Adventure Racing in the early 2000s, Primal Quest in Montana in 2008, and some ultra-triathlon events. I like to give back to the sport; it has allowed me to meet some amazing athletes, watch them compete and learn from them. I have also been able to network with people I’ve met, and enjoy training and/or competing with them later on.
Knowing Your Limits: Celiac Disease
Despite all my training, in 2006, after not feeling well for 2-3 years, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. It has taken an additional 3-4 years to recover fully, as well as to figure out how to train in endurance sports, and how to adjust my diet and overall training routine without getting run down.
I realized during this period that I was over-trained and had not allowed myself sufficient time to recover after a variety of injuries over the years. You know how it is – it’s just one thing, so you wait a little bit and start training again, then there’s another and another and before you know it, you start saying, “I have never had a serious injury except….”
I have been seeing a massage therapist the past couple of years; she has both put me back together and helped me find the balance between pushing hard and moving forward, and just pushing and getting nowhere. It has been key to my recovery. I see her at least twice a week, and I consider her to be integral to my overall and continuing success.
I have also taken up kickboxing – first one-on-one with coach Vivek Nakarmi, who was a national champion at his weight class, and now as part of a group at his gym. He focused on building and balancing my core strength, and I feel stronger and more fit than I have in years.
Training
My new motto: Train smarter, not so hard that you break yourself…again. (Better than my old motto: Queen of Overtraining, with which my chiropractor had crowned me.)
I train primarily with the women’s outrigger team at my canoe club here in Washington, DC. It’s a group of about a dozen women who range in age from 25-50 and who have varying levels of ability. The one thing we all share is the desire to train together and to make the canoes go as fast as possible. We do several races up and down the East Coast. I also train with a friend, Kelly Rhodes, who is the coach. She and I race in marathon C2, OC2 (outrigger C2) and individually in our OC1s. Kelly is my primary paddling partner; she coaches our outrigger team and is a mother of three. She and I are both driven to push ourselves to our limits and try new experiences – basically, a couple of Type A personalities who like to play hard.
There is a diverse group of members at the canoe club who also do endurance paddling, biking and running events, and a couple who have done 50K and 100-mile runs, and I train with them throughout the year as well. I have a couple of friends from adventure racing who have moved out of the area, but I visit and mix socializing with training events as well.
For clothing, I generally wear Patagonia mid-weight capilene and a variety of other technical gear received at races. I have more than I know what to do with sometimes! I like to layer in the cooler months, with a long-sleeve as a base and a short-sleeve over it. For our team uniform, our Outrigger Team participates in the Patagonia team offering.
I commute daily on my bike, and usually run, paddle, lift or do kickboxing as well. To limit the amount of gear I have to wear, I tend to wear tri-shorts (currently DeSoto and Zoot) as well as bike tights. For paddling in the outrigger, I wear Under Armour lycra shorts.
On Shore – About Caroline Off the Boat
I am currently single and living in DC with my cat, Rosencrantz, who unfortunately isn’t well-suited to be a real training partner – though he is wonderful to have waiting at home. He is always glad to see me when I return from an event.
One of my best training partners was my Jack Russell terrier, Gertrude, who was known at all the races for years. She passed away in 2008 at 16 years, after a full life of running and hiking with me day and night in all weather (her buff froze to her fur one night up on the Appalachian trail on a winter’s overnight training session with Chris Couldrey as we were training for the Endorphin Fix). She also went out in canoes and kayaks and rode in my backpack or in a basket on my bike.
My extended “family” consists of several close friends I have known from the canoe club for 15-20 years, as well as several long-distance friends I met through training and racing in various sports. I feel fortunate that each of my interests has generated a new group of friends with different interests.
When I am home, I enjoy reading and watching movies; I am a certified Netflix junkie. I have played guitar on and off and decided to start doing jigsaw puzzles as well.
I also like to volunteer when different opportunities arise at work, at the club or through friends, particularly when it includes the chance to get to know more about something I am interested in. I have been the host site coordinator for the annual Alice Ferguson Trash Clean-up, held every April within the Potomac Watershed, for the past 4 years and have partnered with the DC Surfrider Foundation for that event.
Work
I am an electrical designer and project manager at a consulting engineering firm located in Arlington, VA. We do electrical, mechanical and plumbing design for commercial office buildings, government buildings, and restaurants as well as a variety of other work throughout the DC/VA/MD areas. I have earned my LEED certification and primarily support senior engineers on large projects. I really like my job, and enjoy the challenges and learning opportunities that it presents.
My company has supported me in all my athletic endeavors, starting back in 1991 when I first moved here as a contract worker and continuing up to the present day. I always have considered them one of my primary sponsors.
I have been on sponsored teams, but I have never received direct individual sponsorship. As I would alternate my main focus year to year, from paddling to adventure racing and back, I never pursued any particular sponsors. I have considered the free entries or extra bit from a race director or friend within the sport to be my “sponsor”.
What drives me is the love of the outdoors, meeting new challenges and testing myself to see if I can achieve my goals. I also love to share the challenges with friends; when I am in an individual event, it is the thought of all the shared joys and pain and “learning experiences” – or, as my friend Chris and I would always say, “Plans B through G” – that would bring me through.
The continued ability to go and play with my friends and support teammates drives me, even though I do a lot of individual sports (running, biking, singles paddling) as well. I know I’m always just a phone call away from an awesome experience, as long as I am ready.
Financial Commitments to Sport
For years, I called my credit card my Dream Link. When I started racing, my budget was really tight; I would end up running up debt in the summer and working hard during the off-season to pay off the debt. My basic rule was that I had to have everything paid off before I could buy the next airline ticket! There were a few races that I would have loved to have done, but I didn’t have the funds available.
When I was training in sprint kayaking, I was working as a cashier and contracting at the engineering firm I now work for; but mostly I had low-paying jobs that offered great flexibility By 1996 I was in debt, and after trials I focused on paying that off while competing in what I could afford. I did not want to put myself in that position again, so I’ve balanced the desire for training, traveling and competing with the reality of finances. Basically, you have to find the comfort level you are willing to live with.
]]>Mare?chal, who competed in the Double Enduroman UK. The Double Enduroman consists of a 4.8-mile swim, a 232-mile cycle ride and a 52-mile run.
Ghislain Marechal was unknown to me until I learned he was competing in the inaugural Ultraman UK Triathlon (UMUK), held in Snowdonia, Wales, last September, 2011. Ghislain had the presence of a professional, and his support crew gave the same impression; I noticed that Ghislain and his team were very particular to every detail. My own well-organized support crew and I knew then that Ghislain’s team would have a lot of success in many Ultra-distance Triathlon events. Ghislain became a friend at this event, as well an excellent opponent.
It was early in 2012 when the phone rang; it was an unexpected but welcome call from Ghislain, offering me a “call to arms” and requesting my support for him to compete in the very first International Ultra Triathlon Association (IUTA) event, to be held in the UK at the Double Iron Distance at Enduroman. The friendly French Giant, which is what I call him, was planning another successful race on British soil. I immediately said yes; for it was an honor to be asked. I was aware Ghislain was collecting precious points with the IUTA series, having come in second in a Triple Iron distance event in the US – and breaking the bike record, to add to his growing profile – only 6 weeks after we competed in UMUK.
On collecting Ghislain at Cambridge, he looked professional and focused as ever. I was feeling nervous. Doing support crew on my own, I knew a lot of hard work would be ahead – and any mistakes on my behalf could be very costly, and I was determined not to let him down.
The pre-race evening was spent learning the specific mixtures and energy foods and sorting out clothing and equipment to be ready for all weather conditions.
Race morning was very relaxed; with the support tent and base set up after breakfast, bike and equipment in its transition and changing areas, Ghislain appeared to have no fear about the grueling hours ahead.
The lake appeared to be very small; however, this was to be an advantage, as no time would be lost having to navigate in the water. A swim time and personal best of 2:07 was evidence that this was the case. Ghislain came out of the water in 5th place and approximately 16 minutes behind the race leader. I was put into action, helping Ghislain get food and drink down while in and out of
transition.
It was then the part for which I had huge expectations and hopes: the 225-mile bike phase.
The potholed roads took a toll immediately, and Ghislain punctured his rear wheel after the first lap. I expected more wheel replacing due to the amount other athletes were also getting flats.
As Ghislain made his way round and round each lap of the bike course, time passed very quickly. Ghislain was very easy to support, and his instructions were minimal, simple and clear.
Ghislain is a man who knows what he wants, and does not make life complicated for himself or for his support team. With one additional puncture to follow and my mistake of not having spare batteries on hand for his lights during the night phase, Ghislain stormed into a 40-minute lead by the end of the bike stage.
The start of the run phase was in darkness. Ghislain still looked fresh and focused and, most notably, he was smiling! Taking no time for granted, a strong run was soon under way on the 48-lap cross-country route. As each lap was completed in the main race center, I witnessed fantastic support for Ghislain from other support crews. I was asked many questions about who this man was; some believed they were cheering on a possible winner and future world champion.
With the demanding course taking its toll, Ghislain was forced to take a short rest. Many were fearing the worst; as other athletes were catching up fast. I felt gutted as he dropped into second place; but I wasn’t panicking….yet, as I was aware that Ghislain had taken a rest in a previous race and still won it.
Ghislain got up from his 10-minute rest and with about 15 miles left, and I resorted to using my own verbal tactics and persuasion to motivate him. Ghislain pushed back into the lead with 7 miles to go, and it was full-on noisy encouragement from me. Ghislain was not going to be allowed to lose his lead again.
Crossing the finish line in just under 26 hours and 11 minutes ahead of his nearest rival, Ghislain was a well-deserved winner.
With maximum points, a possible lead in the IUTA world rankings, and some nice medals and trophies at the awards ceremony the following morning, I dropped Ghislain off at Southampton Railstation. This man had even survived my driving in one piece – a marvelous achievement in itself!
Marechal went on to compete in the triple IRON in Germany, where he had a bad race and DNFed. He then competed in the double IRON in Switzerland on
September 8, and will go back to defend his title in the double IRON in Lake Anna, VA on October 5.
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