Craig Sheckler, M35-39

macungie, pennsylvania

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com ? My Zipp ZedTech 99 wheelset. Ridiculously light and freakishly fast. 

How did you get your start in Triathlons? An issue of Triathlete Magazine caught my eye in 1993 in a convenience store near Penn’s campus in Philadelphia, where I was staying over the summer. I suggested to 2 fellow volleyball-playing buddies of mine that we should train for a triathlon. And we did. Unfortunately, one of them seriously re-injured his knee, the other had to leave town early to return to his own college for fall, and I – quite eager and without any knowledge of proper training techniques and mileage build-up – got a double stress fracture in my lower legs. So I started reading, learning and applying to my own training and racing all the information I could find, in a quest to fully understand the sport…and I’ve been injury-free ever since. 

What is your favorite workout?  Long, technical and hilly trail runs.

“When I’m not training/racing, I enjoy…” Oh, the usual…spending time with my wife, friends and family…a cup of good coffee…hiking and camping…going out to dinner…seeing a movie…having a beer.  Or two.

If you could train for a week with one other triathlete who would it be and why? Torbjorn Sindballe.  In every interview of him that I’ve read, he comes across as an intelligent, well-spoken and ethical pro. He seems quiet and lets his performance speak for itself. I admire his cycling ability and desire to prove his talent in the run.   I’d love the opportunity to spend time in Scandinavia. And how can you not be impressed by a guy whose name means “Thunderbear”?

If you could have one superhero power what would it be? To always live up to my own expectations. Of course, invisibility or teleportation would be cool, too.

Describe your biggest race disaster. My biggest disaster (besides my answer to the “have you ever accidentally destroyed a very expensive piece of gear?” question) is also a fond memory.  I was racing in the 1996 Fairmount Park Triathlon, a half-Ironman that had been held in Philadelphia. Only 3 or 4 miles into the bike, I somehow managed to crash on a straightaway and I was suddenly sliding across the pavement at 25mph. Back in the day, the racing outfit of choice for men was a padded Speedo and that’s all, so my back, hip, shoulder and elbow were deeply grated and bleeding.  After many people rode on by, one triathlete stopped to help: Sister Madonna Buder.  She poured water on me and waited – despite my encouragement for her to continue – until a motorcycle marshal arrived to assist with the damaged bike.  I managed to finish the race…and I got another chance to thank her 3 weeks later at Ironman Canada.

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? I have a large steak dinner the weekend before a major race, and for reasons I can’t exactly remember or explain, I always listen to the Fun Lovin’ Criminals song “The Fun Lovin’ Criminal” on the drive to the race site in the morning. 

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don’t normally partake of)? Pizza Hut Hawaiian Pan Pizza (I actually start daydreaming about this late in an Ironman marathon).

Have you ever accidentally destroyed a very expensive piece of gear? About 12 years ago, I drove into a hotel parking garage in Wilmington, DE the night before a duathlon, forgetting that my bike was mounted to my brand new roof rack. I managed to hook my saddle above the “Caution: Low Clearance” beam, pulling it off the ceiling on one side.  My roof rack had been yanked out of my car’s rain gutters and the fork-mount tray was mangled.  I worked on fixing my bike until 3 AM and raced on it that morning, although the frame had been twisted and the seatpost bent.  Sadly, the bike had to be laid to rest.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had? Since I became a professional multisport coach, every previous occupation seems equally uninspiring!

What adjective describes you best? Diligent.

Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition? Enjoy the process of becoming a triathlete.  It has the potential to be a life-changing course, and one which can benefit you for years or even decades. There is no pressure, no need to hurry into long distances.  If approached with patience and steady perseverance, with time allotted for your body AND mind to adapt, you will be rewarded with longevity in the sport.  Take the time to appreciate the simple fact that you are capable of doing these amazing things.

Recent Results: B&A Marathon, 4th AG; HAT 50K Trail Ultramarathon, 21st OA; Lifetime Fitness Indoor Triathlon, 2nd OA; Deuceman Half IM, 2nd AG; Chesapeake Bay 1 Mile Open Water Swim; Lake Placid Half-Marathon; Patriot Half IM Triathlon, 10th OA, 5th Elite; Anthracite Olympic Triathlon, 5th OA, 1st AG; Patriot’s Half-Lite Triathlon, 2nd OA; Beware of Barracuda Open Water Swims (200 yd / 500 yd / 2 mile), 2nd AG/ 1st AG/ 2nd AG.

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