This week’s interviewee is not a triathlete, but I think he may still qualify as an “athlete” so at least he has part of the title right. Chris Thompson is a swimming Olympic medalist, and a former American Record holder for the 1500, and World Record holder for the 1000.

Laura: Any chance you could answer 6 questions for me?
Chris: depends on the 6 questions…go ahead
LT: what is the scariest animal you have ever seen while swimming open water?
CT: I’ve never seen anything creepy, probably just jellyfish because of the stings. I’ve never seen sharks or anything
LT: scariest workout you have ever done?
CT: scariest? don’t know if I’ve been scared of a workout
LT: hardest?
CT: 3×800 @ 8:20, 3×500 @ 5:05, 3×400 @ 4:00, 3×300 @ 3:00, 3×200 @ 1:55, 6×100 @ 1:00
LT: Dang. Have you ever used the line, “yeah, well I am an Olympian”?
CT: maybe in jest, but not that I recall in everyday conversation
LT: Riiiight. What is the secret to becoming an Olympian?
CT: There is no one single thing, it is a combination of a lot of things… hard work, dedication, talent, coaching, family, luck
LT: What is the secret to surviving a Michigan winter?
CT: Warm clothing
LT: worst nickname anyone has ever given you?
CT: in high school it was ‘fish’… which is totally unoriginal (a swimmer nicknamed fish).. it toally lacks any sort of creativity, totally
LT: yep…here is your last question, have you ever been arrested?
CT: You already asked 6 questions

LT: This is the bonus round, there is always a bonus round. Have you ever been arrested? feel free to elaborate 

CT: I’ve never even gotten a speeding ticket
LT: have you ever cried to get out of a speeding ticket?
CT: No, but I know you have

 LT: and that concludes our interview

Well, I’ve become a whimp.  When the temp falls below 40 and I put on my amphibs (only Tim, Alex, and the Canadians probably know what these are), double-layer Craft shirt and lobster gloves… friends say, “Didn’t you grow up in Chicago?” 

I’ve tried to acclimate by trying ‘cold water’ swims, racing in the cold… and I just get hypothermia.

Why then on Sunday was I out racing a duathlon in 26-degree weather? 

I can’t say no.  I like a challenge.  I told my friend Michelle that I’d be there.  The prize was a cute mug.  The TREK hadn’t had a ride since Kona.  It was a TRAIL run.  I’ve never raced in a duathlon.  It’s sunny!  Blah Blah Blah

My plan was to change my shirt, gloves, and hat in every transition so I’d be dry and warm.  That went to h$%^ in a handbasket, as the saying goes.  My hands were just too frozen.  I put on an extra vest to get on the bike, and I managed to get my cycling shoes on.  I laughed at myself, which keeps it light and fun.  Thank goodness the bike was only 21 miles, because the cold started getting to me in a ‘delirious’ way around mile 15.  Then again, the TREK section is my favorite– my bike split looked pretty good for the conditions (fastest woman).  

It was a fun day, and I took home a mug!  Wow!  My mom, who was visiting from Chicago, snagged the race sweatshirt.  I was 2nd female overall behind speedy short-distance pro Amy Marsh.

Happy Winter.

If you’re like me, you find her interviews hilarious. I thought it was time the tables were turned and she became butt of the scrutiny….

CS: Let’s get the most important question out of the way first, while in Boulder, have you ever run over a prairie dog with your bike?

LT: No, but I have slayed three (!!!) snakes while riding my bike. I really feel like it is my duty in Boulder County to protect the masses from snakes. However, I am yet to slay a prairie dog.

CS: Your loyal supporters are hoping you have recovered fully from your recent accident on the bike. How many swear words came out of your mouth at the person driving the car? Any obscene finger gestures?

LT: No, I was too unconscious for that. By the time I came to, I was immobilized on a board thingy. All I saw of the woman who hit me was that she was wearing patterned wool socks and crocs, and I remember thinking, “oh dear, she needs a little help with her style!” As for hitting me, driving accidents can happen to anyone.

CS: Are you a natural blond?

LT: Nah, my mom is Native American and my dad is Swedish, which left me with redish hair- go figure. I have been dying it since, oh, elementary school.

CS: When attending the “speed sessions” led by Simon Lessing, have you ever wanted to trip him?

LT: Oh sure, the thought crossed my mind. He had enough injury problems that I didnt want to be responsible for the one that did him in, hee hee. I did however enjoy running next to Marek Dvorak, another pro in Boulder, and when we would run past bushes or trees I would try to body check him off the trail into the nature. As for Simon, I occasionally got in his lane before swim workouts started and would swim the opposite directions, like the aussies. This usually ended when he would dive in and swim straight down the middle with his 10 foot wingspan, it was such a helpless feeling because I had no where to go. This usually ended with a “geez, watch where you are going!!!”

CS: The “Beer Mile” has become a highly reported event in Boulder. What are your feelings on such an event, and do you plan to train & compete in the next one?

LT: Yes, I plan on attending. In 2006 I participated in a beer-olympics in Kentucky. It was basically an obstacle course with a Keystone between each event, there were 7 events…I placed 11th out of 11 competitors, even though I resorted to pouring the last 2 beers on me, instead of in me.

CS: When was the last time you went skinny dipping? Feel free to elaborate.

LT: 2005, I am pretty sure if I give any more details, the police will be knocking on my door before I can put the (.) on the end of my sentence.

CS: Anything else you would like to add?

LT: Oh yes, last night I was at work and I folded all of the clothes on six different tables, this took a long time, and then I took a 15 minute break. When I came back all of the clothes were EVERYWHERE, all over the floor, hanging from racks, everywhere. Apparently a man was looking for a wallet. If that man is reading this, THANKS A FREAKING LOT, MISTER!!! Other than that, I would like to say I am a very thankful for where I am in life. I have super supportive parents, really fun friends, a coach with a hard exterior and a big heart, and a sponsor (TIMEX) who goes the extra mile for me, regardless.

We are now well into the colder months here in the northern hemisphere, or what some call the “off season.” It provides an opportunity to work on our weaknesses, which for a lot of us is swimming.

Ok, that gets us to the next question; How do I improve my swimming? Do I just do drills? Do I swim long….or hard? Do I swim more frequently? Which one is it coach?

You will talk to some who will tell you that swimming is 70%+ technique and 30% pure fitness, so most of your time should be spent perfecting your technique……ok.

Then there are those that like the phrase “more is more.” They will tell you that if you want to swim faster, you have to swim MORE. More meaning; longer, faster, more often…….ok

So which one is it? BOTH

I argue that to swim faster, you need to do both. You need to include drills at the beginning of your workouts, you need to swim hard during your main-sets and you need to swim more often.

You hear it all the time: “The best way to swim faster is to swim like a pure swimmer.”

Do you see swimmers excluding drills from their training?….no. Do you see them just out there drilling and swimming steady?…..no. They do both.

Here are a few ideas for you:

1) Swim as often as your schedule allows, but don’t forget about riding, running and your strength work. Keep these other disciplines in maintenance mode.

2) Structure your week around 2-4 key swim workouts, these workouts should have a warm-up with drills, a transition set(prepare you for main-set), a main-set and maybe a pull-set.

3) In your key workouts, ALWAYS include drills in your warm-up. Then focus on speed and strength. This includes HARD intervals(sprinting), pulling and paddle work.

4) Focus on drilling and aerobic sets during any extra swims that you add each week.

5) Get your stroke looked at every few weeks by a GOOD swim coach. When you are swimming easy, at race pace and fast (sprinting). Most people’s form changes significantly.

So if you are looking to bump up your swim this coming season, you need to keep the drills mixed in, but you also need to JFT…or SWIM HARD!

Off to the pool…

 BB

James Hadley: Pretty face, popular bachelor, serenader with an accent…but wait, there is more. This British triathlete placed in the top ten at St. Croix, Muskoka and Timberman in 2007. Recently, Hadley finished 6th overall at the Laguna Phuket Triathlon.

LT: Let’s get the most important question out of the way first, while in Boulder, did you ever run over a prairie dog with your bike?

 JH:  No I have never ran over a prairie dog. They are really cute.

LT: What is more important when it comes to being a “ladies man” aftershave, or skin tight shirts?

JH: I think the most important thing to being a ladies man is the skin tight shirts. If a guy wears a shirt it has to be fitted to the body shape, and if he wears a t-shirt it has to be body hugging and not blue in colour. Black is the best. Although a good aftershave is almost equally important.

LT: Do you follow the “no swimming with in 30 minutes of eating” rule?

JH: No I don’t follow the “no swimming within 30 minutes of eating” rule. I often swim with a bloated full stomach. So now I have tried the protein shake before I swim with a red bull. That works way better.

LT: You were recently in Thailand…anything you would like to share?

JH: Haha. Yes I was in Thailand. What are you thinking I would like to share???
The women are hot, and the people were extremely friendly. I think it was the best race I have ever been to. Sorry there isn’t any more. I hope you weren’t wanting some seedy  gossip! haha.

LT: What is the worst nickname you have ever been give?

JH:  My worst nickname??? I don’t think I have had a bad one. I suppose being called “Badboy” or “player” doesn’t seem to go down too well with the women, but I have been fortunate that if people have had bad nicknames for me, they have done well to hide it from me.

LT: On a scale from 1-10, how bummed are you that the Island 80 triathlon won’t happen this year?

JH: I wasn’t aware that Island 80 isn’t on anymore…I am well bummed about it though, as I was planning on racing it! So a 10 for that!