Ian Mikelson, M25-29

manhattan beach, ca

Describe your athletic background. Surfing and Snowboarding were my primary sports interests growing up. I continue to do both today. In high school I played football and it wasn’t until Law School that I began running. Soon after I graduated, I ventured into Triathlon.

 How long have you been competing in multi-sport races? 2 years

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com? Favorite = Bikes; Most purchased = apparel

How did you get your start in Triathlons? Prompting from a friend after a local 10K

What is your favorite workout? A roughly 60mi ride with a training partner of mine that starts with some hills and ends with an “all out” session on the parkway near LAX; followed by a hard 6-8mi run on the beach.

“When I’m not training/racing, I enjoy…” : EATING, snowboarding, beach volleyball, cooking, surfing, watching sports on TV and hanging out with my friends.

If you could train for a week with one other triathlete who would it be and why? Andy Potts. I have always been impressed with the way Andy carries himself and with his gracious and humble attitude. The guy is an incredible athlete and I think he will prove himself to be one of, if not THE best triathlete in history by the time he calls it quits.

If you could do any triathlon in the World (regardless of monetary restrictions) which one would you do?   KONA… hands down

Describe your biggest race disaster. Scott Tinley’s on-road Olympic triathlon in 2008: It was raining pretty steady and in my haste while rushing to set up my bike in transition, I forgot to clamp the quick releases on my brakes after putting my wheels on.  So coming down the first steep, hill, without my feet in my shoes yet, I realized I had NO brakes! I had to put one foot in, un-clip and stick my cleat into the dirt on the side of the hill to stop.  After clamping the releases and rolling down the barrels I was off, only to realize a couple miles later that I had rolled my back brake barrel too far and had been rubbing my rim the whole way.  Needless to say, not my best bike split.

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? Power Bar

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don’t normally partake of)?  CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING!!!

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.) Not yet, knock on wood.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had? Fortunately I haven’t had a bad one yet.

What adjective describes you best? Goal orientated, driven, or stubborn. Aren’t the first two just euphemisms for the third? 

 Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition?  Don’t take it too seriously. In my mind, the beauty of Triathlon, and all endurance sports for that matter, is that it is an internal battle.  It is not you and your team against another team, you against another competitor, nor even you against the clock. At their essence, these sports are simply you against you. How hard are you willing to push?  How much pain will you put yourself through?  Take pride in the fact that you gave your all, and let the awards, placements and PRs fall where they may.

 Recent Results:  Vineman 70.3, 1st AG, 2nd OA Amateur.

http://tri-mikelsonian.blogspot.com/