Nature vs. Nuture

This week, the athletes of In the Arena have been given a questionnaire dealing with Nature v. Nurture in the development of expertise. I'm very interested to see how the answers of my fellow athletes compare to the ones that I've given. My answers are as follows:

1. What is the athletic background of your parents and family?
My parents and siblings are, and have always been, pretty active people. My father was a collegiate lacrosse player and still runs and relishes physical labor (moving boulders, landscaping etc.). My mother was a majorette (baton twirler) in college who took up running at the age of 40 and runs regularly. My brother and sister were very athletic growing up, playing soccer, swimming and running. They both participated in sports (Nordic skiing and rowing) in college and continue to be active.

2. When did you begin participating in your sport?
While I did my first triathlon in 1998, I didn't participate regularly in triathlon until 2004. From the age of 7, I was a competitive swimmer and ran competitively throughout middle and high school. However, adding the bike and doing all three sports in a row took a few years.

3. What were your early experiences with sport like?

My family was very supportive of my participation in sport, taking me to whatever games or meets that I had. It was a no-pressure situation, as they were more concerned that I enjoyed myself than with victory. I also grew up in a small town, where a kid could compete in many different sports and not worry about focusing on one sport. It was also easy to be successful in your sport (the classic “big fish, small pond” syndrome).

4. How instrumental were parents and coaches in the early part of your development as an athlete?

I would say that my parents and coaches were more important in my development in the role of emotional supporters than technical supporters. By the time that I started triathlon, the lessons of dedication and persistence had long been instilled in me.

5. How were you introduced to your sport and how many other sports did you seriously participate in?
While I knew vaguely of triathlon as a result of televised Ironman Hawaii, I decided that I would try a triathlon in high school, as I could already swim and run. My father drove with me from Upstate NY to Massachusetts in order to participate, as there were no races closer to our home. Although I competed in swimming in college, I wasn't ever part of a “serious” swimming program, so I would say that triathlon is the first sport in which I have participated seriously.

6. Is your success a product of nature or nurture?

Although nature plays a role in my ability to train and compete at a high level, I believe that nurture is 90% of the reason why I am successful. I don’t have the “ideal” build for the sport, but my stubborn persistence has proven to outweigh my natural limitations.

7. Are you an expert in your field? (by your own definition)
I feel that I will never be an expert in my field, as the sport is always evolving. I have picked up quite a bit along the way, but I still have so much left to learn!

Training Camp Survival Tips: How to Endure Three Weeks in a Male- Dominated Training Group

Prior to coming to Maui, my experience in training camps was limited to camps with Siri Lindley's all-girl squad. Here, however, Lauren Groves and I are the only women present at this camp. Needless to say, my introduction into the world of male triathlete training has been an eye-opening experience. While I've managed to survive the camp with body and spirits intact thus far, I've picked up some lessons on how to fit in with other testosterone-laden triathletes:

1. Eat lots of meat (aka “man food”), especially bacon. Vegetables are frowned upon and tofu is openly scorned.
2. Get a tattoo that reads “Don’t Worry- it is JANUARY”. Strangely enough, men get competitive with one another in workouts, even when said workouts take place in January. Since I’m not in a position to race anyone right now, let alone a dude, this phrase is very helpful to have on mental repeat.
3. Embrace your nickname. If I ever had any qualms about the nickname “Sausage”, I've learned to overcome them over the course of the camp. Even the coach, Notorious Joel Filliol (cue Biggie), hasn't slipped by on this one and is forced to listened to his new theme song on repeat.
4. On the bike, there are no photo-ops. Vistas normally are accompanied by hills. Use the opportunity to attack, not marvel at the view.
5. Show no weakness. If you complain, you will be subject to ridicule. While the boys have progressed beyond wedgies and swirlies (if only marginally), teasing is an acceptable form of abuse.
6. Don’t break the unspoken rules of conduct. For example, avoid sitting on and mistakenly tapping a training partner’s feet for the course of a 1.2 mile open water swim race. You may find yourself in an overly extended, heated debate with a strong-willed Olympic medalist.
7. Check the toilet seat. To avoid falling into the seat-less bowl and cracking your tailbone in the middle of the night, remember that some males (Dr. Jones!) frequently forget this small act of decency.
8. Non-training waking hours will be occupied with eating and the internets. I have no idea what they do online for hours, but I guess there are some cool forums and blogs out there that require constant vigilance. Maybe I’d understand if I had a hip Apple laptop like the rest of them, instead of my Toshiba tank.
9. Most importantly, bring your sense of humor. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you will be the target of increased jabs. Pre-emptive self-deprecation works quite well as a strategy.

In truth, I've really enjoyed training with this group in Maui and am a bit saddened by the prospect of returning to Colorado. While training with a group of guys has been very different from my previous training situations (alone or with all girls), I love the energy and intensity of the squad. That being said, I can’t wait to again have a bathroom that I don’t have to share with a herd of men!

Great article

With some courage, a love of working with kids and some patience, it is pretty incredible what one person can do in even the most difficult environments. Check out this article on an Australian starting a skateboarding school for Afgan kids.

Hanging out between sessions. Food, massage and email...

The Real Maui

Oh Maui... Land of Mai Tais and big wave surfers, luaus and friendly islanders. Prior to coming here, these were the images that occupied my imagination- basically, Gauguin's Tahiti meets Gidget. Although the rational side of me knew better, I definitely had a romantic concept of what Maui would be like. Like everything else in life, the reality is far more complicated and far more interesting.

While out riding our bikes, we've been able to get a fairly good sense of the "real" Maui. From the angry driving locals (one of the guys was even spit on!) to seeing the variability of the landscape (the western part of the island is anything but lush- the dry, windswept terrain is what I imagine Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, to be like), my idea of Maui has been altered a bit.

Likewise, I'm sure that my experience has been shaped by the fact that we aren't experiencing Maui in the typical, tourist way. Since we are here to train, we've avoided the sweet, umbrella drinks and hokey hula dancing. Much to my chagrin, not yet had any Hawaiian food, either. No roast pig, poi, poke, lomi lomi, haupia... *sigh* Fortunately, we do have Chez Jordan Rapp providing us with culinary deliciousness every night. While here, we eat, sleep and stretch when we aren't training. That also means that we aren't spending time at the beach between sessions, in the futile attempt to even out tan lines (I'm currently sporting a tiered effect of five shades of brown from different training garments). I'm secretly hoping that tomorrow I'll get to lie down at the beach for the first time, once we are done with our open water swim race. And I still have another week to meet my cute surfer...

While the reality might not mesh with my preconceived notions of Maui, I can't imagine a better way to experience the island. My only real complaint is that the locals shout and honk at us on our bikes and, frankly, that happens everywhere. To be honest, Maui is pretty darn incredible, even when experienced with a crazy bunch of Canucks...

Sometimes a picture says a thousand words...

Sarah's Complaint

Every year, upon days of starting a training camp, I will call home and have a long, drawn-out whinging session about the fact that I've put on too much weight and gotten too unfit during the off-season. I always get the same response about my need for patience and am reminded of the terrible weather conditions back in Upstate NY. For me, this time in the season is torture and every year I vow that the following year will be different and that I'll start the season lean, fit and ready to train hard- a vow that I invariably break.

Naturally, this year is no exception, as I am in the midst of a 3-week training camp in Maui with coach Joel Filliol's group of Canadians (I know- Maui. Life is hard, eh?) and was struck with the feeling of deja vu about three days into the camp. The other athletes are fit, tough and ready to train hard. I, on the other hand, am a complete cream puff at the moment and find that the only thing that I have in common with Joel's athletes is my pale, pasty complexion. I'm trying my hardest to limit my complaints to Lauren Groves, who is well-accustomed to my early season kvetching, my parents and to my coach, whose response is : "Yeah, of course you are out of shape. You are at a training camp to get your butt in gear". Thanks for the sympathy, Justin.

When Joel invited me along to Maui, I don't think that he realized what he was getting into with early-season Sarah (a very different beast from a fit, mid-season me). In the fear that I will be sent back to the mainland in shame or publicly shunned in front of his group of thoroughbreds, this Clydesdale is trying her hardest to keep her mouth shut and pretend that everything is hunky-dory. Of course, Joel is a smart guy and probably figured out that I am unfit upon 30 seconds of our reunion on Monday. In case I'm still tricking him and he is waiting for me to bust out an incredible session one of these days, I've outed myself in this blog to Joel, an avid blog reader. Please don't send me back, Joel!

By the end of the camp, I'm hoping to turn my soft self into a something a bit more representative of an elite athlete. While this may seem like I'm intending to carve David out of marshmallow, I'll be a lot closer with a little more patience, some more discipline and a steady stream of workouts. And if that doesn't work out, at least I'll head back to Colorado with a nice bronze glow.

Aloha,
Sarah

Springs Ranch Elementary

Last Friday, I had the honor and privilege to speak with the members of the Springs Ranch Elementary School (K-5) in Colorado Springs. A fellow triathlete, Tim O'Donnell were asked by the US Olympic Committee to speak about the "Golden Rule", respect, and how it plays a role in sport and in our lives. I was very impressed with how attentive and engaged the kids were during our talk, even when they were subject to some ad libbing on our part when we had technical difficulties. I always love being around kids, but working with children like the Springs Ranch Elementary group was a unique pleasure!

To Joe, on his 40th Birthday

When I went to my first World Cup in Madrid a few years ago, I didn't know a single person at the race, American or otherwise. I had only done a couple of domestic pro races prior to going and was acutely aware that I was in over my head. I remember being incredibly nervous, intimidated and overwhelmed (not surprising, considering my complete lack of experience in the sport). Before long, however, I was fortunate enough to meet a cheerful, outgoing American triathlete named Joe Umphenour, who took me under his wing.

Over time, Joe has served the role of mentor and friend to me, as well as being a source of inspiration. Joe turned 40 today and continues to perform incredibly well. While he might occasionally complain about age-related aches and pains, he keeps on bouncing along like the source of his nickname, Tigger. He even managed to finish his 2008 season with a win at the Singapore Continental Cup, soundly beating men half his age! While Joe is undoubtedly blessed with some serious talent, I can't help but be amazed by his drive and dedication. There is no job in the world that Joe would rather do and he continues to bring this passion for triathlon to his training, year after year.

Joe and I are extraordinarily lucky to be in a sport where you can continue racing at a high level into your late 30s and early 40s. There are few sports where 38 year old women race competitively against women still in their teens. I look to older athletes such as a Joe and Samantha Warriner, ranked #1 in the World Cup series at the age of 37 (after taking up the sport at 30!), as an indication of how long I can pursue triathlon. While I doubt that I will be racing professionally into my 40s, older athletes prove time and time again that we are capable of improvement despite the progression of time, as long as we maintain a Joe-like enthusiasm for the sport.

So here's to Joe on his 40th birthday! Thank you for being my mentor, my friend and, most importantly, proving that "Age ain't nothin' but a number".