Craig Sheckler, M40-44

macungie, pennsylvania

Describe your athletic background. My involvement in triathlon would come as a shock to anyone who hasn’t been in touch with me since high school. Aside from the typical baseball and soccer leagues as a child, I did not participate in any organized athletics until college, when I took up indoor and beach volleyball and dabbled (not so successfully) in lacrosse.  I became drawn to the individual nature of endurance sports, and I realized (in typical goal-driven fashion) that it would be much more interesting to TRAIN for something as opposed to simply working out.  Someone who had been on the track team convinced me to try running, and the snowball started to roll. 

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com? My Zipp ZedTech 99 wheelset. Sweet. And on the other end of the price spectrum, the TriSports.com water bottles are seriously the best, most durable and leakproof ones out there.

How did you get your start in Triathlons? An issue of Triathlete Magazine caught my eye in 1992 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. Now, after all these years in the sport, I’m thrilled to be able to share this knowledge and experience with the athletes I coach.   

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.  I’ve never met him, but 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.   Plus, I’d love the opportunity to spend time in Scandinavia.

If you could do any triathlon in the World (regardless of monetary restrictions) which one would you do? I gravitate toward the most difficult events, so on top of my to-do list would be the Inferno Triathlon in Switzerland, the Norseman Extreme Triathlon in Norway, Ultraman Canada, or – if I’ve qualified – the Hawaii Ironman World Championship.

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. And maybe a powdered doughnut  or fries dipped in a Wendy’s Frosty (if that sounds weird, you have to try it).

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.) About 13 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.

Visit Craig’s Website