Alex Waters, M20-24

tucson,arizona

How long have you been competing in multi-sport races? This is my fifth year in the sport, but only 2 of them were training properly.

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com? Definitely chocolate flavor Endurox. That stuff is magical.

How did you get your start in Triathlons? I came to the U of A without a chance of making the CC or track team, and heard about the TriCats. They were so much fun to train with and be around, and after a couple months of training with them I got roped into doing the Tinfoilman. One sprint distance and God-awful race time later, I was hooked.

What is your favorite workout? If by favorite you mean least favorite (those lines often blur in this sport) then it’s got to be brickervals. The workout is simple: Take your trainer to a track and do 5 minutes at 85% on the bike, followed by a mile between 5K an 10K race pace. The only rest you get is the time it takes to get shoes on/off. Repeat 5 times or until your legs fall off, whichever happens first.

“When I’m not training/racing, I enjoy…” not…training…? I don’t understand.

If you could train for a week with one other triathlete who would it be and why? I’d love to see what Javier Gomez does for his run workouts, or someone else who runs 30 minute 10ks off the bike.

If you could do any triathlon in the World (regardless of monetary restrictions) which one would you do? There’s a half Ironman in Tahiti that I have always wanted to do. I would definitely need to stay a week afterwards to relax on the beach though.

Describe your biggest race disaster. Definitely Soma 2008. It was one of 2 A races for the year, and I was in great position out of the water. I barely made it out of transition before getting my first flat, long story short I ended up getting five that day before DNFing (my first ever). Fortunately for me I managed to stave off a Norman Stadleresk meltdown until I got home (if you’re unfamiliar with this reference, see Kona 2005)

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? Nope, I have enough to worry about on race day without a ritual to tack on.

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don’t normally partake of)?  In-N-Out Burger and sometimes beer, but only after big races.

Have you ever accidentally destroyed a very expensive piece of gear? (For example, have you driven into the garage with a bike on the roof, run over race wheels, etc.) Fortunately no, however I almost threw a pair of races wheels into Tempe Town Lake once (see “Biggest Race Disaster” question).

What is the worst job you’ve ever had? I worked at a supermarket once, 8 hours a day of standing. Not fun.

Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition?  Find a group, get involved, have a blast.  And if you go to the U of A, check out the TriCats.