Curt Takes on Ironman Arizona

I met Curt in the volunteer registration line at IMAZ 2011. Here is his early season interview. He and Christine are two of the busiest triathletes I have met. Good Luck Curt!

1. I am a engineering “functional safety” consultant (we help refineries and chem plants to not explode by measuring their risk and applying shut-down systems and other protective measures). I support the Gulf Coast and other states & countries when needed. I have 2 sons in college and a 13 yr old daughter and have been married for 23 years.

2. Best part of being a IM AZ 2011 volunteer, timing the Pros and meeting you guys. Also, enjoyed going to the to the finish and helping motivate the last contestants until the midnight hour. I literally was walking and coaxing the grandma who finished only minutes late…L

3. The real training will start 36 weeks out. Until then, I’m working on equipment, base-loading, and developing lifestyle patterns that will work for the family, work, and fitness goals.

4. Major goal race in preparation for the IMAZ is the IM KY 12 weeks before. (Yeah, kinda nuts, but I felt it might take some of the pressure off AZ if I go a slower pace at KY) Outside of it, I’m doing a 10miler with my wife. Other than those, I’ll just have to see what fits the buildup regime.

5. Why? Closure. My two other attempts flopped due to strategy (2008 AZ) and under-preparation (2010 UT). Turning 50 one month after AZ and just want it “out of my system”!

6. Strengths? Flexibility. I’ve got discipline to run anywhere & anytime my work can take me. Getting the water and bike time in remote places is not so easy.

7. Weaknesses? Swimming. Was self taught until the last 3 months. I’ve improved technique using a former U of Tx swim coach and this should help considerably.

8. Interesting fact about me? I experience places with my running shoes. When I go, I look for the running trails and then make my hotel reservations. “Roach motel” or not. When I was in Singapore, I ran for 23 days straight and the day I was leaving, the lights to their botanical gardens were turning off at midnight as I was passing themJ.

9. Tri experience. Started about 7 years ago after moving to Austin and getting into Lance Armstrong. Had never swam a lap and or owned a road bike. All were laughing when I showed up on a $10 bike I had gotten in a garage saleJ

10. My coach is my Swim coach who has a good perspective and lots of experience with newbies. For example, last year he had a team of 30 go to Coeur d’Alene. In Austin, there’s many to choose from, but who will know me better after working with him for 3 months. And my problem is that I’m a moving target…

11. Hours? 8-10 hrs/wk while in my base period and starting 24 weeks out before IM KY ramping weekends until a 16-18 hr/wk climax. Results there may provide a basis for change before IM AZ.

Christine is Taking on IMAZ 2012!

I met my friend Christine while waiting in the volunteer registration line. We had lots of fun talking about training and racing. Here is her early season report and we will check in with her from time to time this season. If you are racing, please answer the questionnaire and I will post you.

Q: Tell us about what you do and who you are.

1) I am a physician and take care of cancer patients. I also am a mom to a seven year old daughter and an eleven year-old son.

Q: What was the best part of volunteering for IMAZ 2011?

2) The best part was making some new friends (Nina, Carlos, Russ, Curt) and catching up with some old ones (Jeff, Chris) who were racing.

Q: When are you going to start training for the race?

3) I am starting now, but it's hard to get back into the swing of things!

Q: What training races do you have scheduled this year?

4) The Portland Rev3 1/2 IM, The Black Diamond 1/2 IM in Enumclaw, WA and finally IM AZ.

Q: Why an Ironman? Are you Crazy?!

5) It's hard to resist the ultimate triathlon challenge...Having been a volunteer for IM CDA and IM WFC (medical) and now IM AZ, want to experience it as a racer.

Q: What strengths are you bringing to the table?

6) Mental toughness and a willingness to work hard and learn as a beginner....

Q: Where do you hope to improve?

7) Swimming technique and making the endurance jump from half IM to full...

Q: Tell us something interesting about you:

8) I was a complete couch potato until 2009 and had to learn how to swim that year to do my first triathlon...In Seattle, I used to be the Medical Editor and on-air broadcaster for the CBS station evening news, three times a week. At the same time, I also had a regular Webcast, "CancerTalk with Dr. Christine Cha" on RealAudio. Luckily, my broadcast days are over... :)

Q: When did you start doing triathlons?

9) I started doing sprint triathlons in 2009. Since then I have also done 2 Olys and 3 Half IMs, the last being Wildflower LONG in 2010. What a fun experience! Every triathlete needs to do WF once... :)

Q: Are you hiring a coach this year?

10) Yes! My second - Chris Ramsey - DPT and a true rockstar! He's done 15 IM races and gone to Kona 7 times. I'm grateful that he has taken me on as someone who wants to do their first IM.

Q: How many hours will you be averaging a week this year?

11) If all goes well 8-10 until summer then, it's going to be very tight because my kids will be out of school 5-7/wk , then in the Fall 8-10/wk again to get ready for the big race.

Good luck Christine! You will do great.