Chris Thomas was the top age-grouper at the inaugural Calgary 70.3 Half Ironman. Chris was recently elected the 2009 USA Triathlon’s Age Group Athlete of the Year.
PB: Chris, thanks for doing this interview. For our readers, please tell us a little about your athletic background.
I was one of those kids that had a lot of energy. My parents tried to expose me to almost every sport out there in hopes of wearing me out. I played Ice Hockey from a very young age up through college. My father was really into running back in the late 70s, early 80s and I started running at age 6. I ran at a pretty competitive level until my sophomore year in High School, when I switched over to Ice Hockey full time. I was getting my butt kicked in hockey and I needed to hit the weights and put on more weight. I did not run again for over 12 years. I got back into running the fall of 1999 and I competed in my first sprint triathlon in the summer of 2000. I was hooked immediately and I have been living the dream ever since.
PB: You recently made the switch from working on Wall Street to owning and operating your gym, fitness studio and coaching service. How has this changed your life?
Oh boy, this has been a huge change. I am now working seven days a week as I focus on getting my businesses up and running. I am currently coaching for Lifesport (www.lifesportcoaching.com). I love to coach and I also love to train people one on one. I get a tremendous satisfaction out of helping people. It’s such a different environment compared to my old line of business.
PB: How many times did you race last year?
I raced in 11 triathlon events last year.
PB: What was your best race of 2009?
Well 70.3 Calgary of course… No, seriously I think the 70.3 World Championship was my best race. I was really peaked for that race and I was able to ride by myself the entire day. It all came together that day.
PB: Please tell us a little about your Calgary 70.3 experience.
I really enjoyed 70.3 Calgary. It was my first trip up there. I got to visit and hang out with my teammates, Lisa Mensink and Kyle Marcotte. The race was beautiful and the level of competition was very high as well.
PB: What races are intended races for 2010?
This year I am trying to be very selective on my races. I am trying to stay closer to home this year. However, I have the urge to go back to Kona this year. So, I think I’m going to try to qualify somewhere. As of right now, my tentative schedule is:
REV 3 ½ IM, 70.3 Buffalo Springs, 70.3 Rhode Island, 70.3 Timberman, hopefully Kona and a few local races.
PB: How do you balance family life, a career and triathlon?
I try to be very creative. I find that the busier I am, the more I get done. I just schedule everything very thoroughly. My family is extremely supportive as well.
PB: Who are your 2010 sponsors?
I have been fortunate enough to be a member of the Timex Multi-sport team for 8 years now. Each year we have a team of extremely high quality sponsors. They are:
Timex, Aqua Sphere, ART, ARX, Finish Line, Gaiam, Genuine Innovations, Headsweats, Nathan, Nuun, Orbea, Powerbar, Powerbreathe, PRO, SBR, Shimano, Sugoi, Thule, Training Peaks, TriggerPoint, Standard Process, K-Swiss
Christopher Thomas
christhomastri.blogspot.com
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