Mark Brace, M35-39

kennett square, pa

How long have you been competing in multi-sport races? 2009 will be my 5^th year. I did my first triathlon in 2005, and have been hooked ever since.    

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com? I love shopping in the “Complete Bikes and Frame Closeouts” section; I have been waiting for the right road bike to come along!

How did you get your start in Triathlons?  After college, I started running to stay in shape and stay competitive.  Five years ago, I decided to try a sprint triathlon at the beach.  The ocean swim nearly killed me and I rode a mountain bike, but I haven’t looked back since. I couldn’t get over how friendly everyone was in the transition area, especially to an obvious rookie.

What is your favorite workout? My favorite workout is a 6 mile tempo run I do at the beach in the summers.  I love pushing the pace and ending with a dip in the cold ocean.

“When I’m not training/racing, I enjoy…” When I am not training/racing, I enjoy wrestling with my 4 year old son.  We have so much fun roughhousing, that my wife occasionally needs to remind me that I am his dad, and not his big brother.

If you could train for a week with one other triathlete who would it be and why? Simon Whitfield from Canada.  I am very impressed with the resolve it took to win medals in the 2000 and 2008 Olympics, despite not placing in 2004.  I would love the chance to pick his brain on training and balancing life as a husband and parent. 

If you could do any triathlon in the World (regardless of monetary restrictions) which one would you do? The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. Swimming is my weakest discipline. When I gain enough confidence in the swim, I would like to challenge myself to do this race. 

Describe your biggest race disaster. The 2008 Philadelphia Olympic Triathlon is one I could forget. I had my strongest swim ever and capped that off with a strong ride.  I ran three strong miles and then I bonked. I struggled across the finish line and just managed to avoid passing out.  Not a day I would like to repeat. 

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? I like to wake up a couple hours before the race, have a cup of coffee, and read a good book. Getting this quiet time is rare in my life and I cherish these early mornings. 

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don’t normally partake of)? Vanilla cream filled donut.

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.)   Ironically, this occurred on the same day as my worst race experience (Philly Olympic Triathlon).  On the way home, I was riding to where I was staying, when my race bag unhooked from my shoulder, swung around the front, and upset my balance.  I went right over the handlebars with a somersault and landed on my back still clipped in.  I managed not to bend my race wheels, but the front end of my race bike needed some work.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had? I was a busboy at a high-end restaurant for a summer. There was so much good food around, I gained weight until I quit the job. 

What adjective describes you best? Enthusiastic. (In most things in life I am one step below fanatical.)

Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition?  Don’t be intimated by your first race. There are always people there to give you good advice and help you through your first experience. 

Race Results:

Tri for Our Veterans: Sea Isle City’s Triathlon, May 23, 2009 (1/4 mile swim, 12.3 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) – 1:00:35, 4th place OA, 1st place AG 35-39.

Harrisburg Triathlon, June 21, 2009 (.8 mile swim, 14 mile bike, 3 mile run) – 1:06:22, 8th place OA, 3rd place AG 35-39.

Avalon Islandman Triathlon, July 5, 2009 (1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) – 1:01:34, 5^th place OA, 1^st place AG 35-39.

Philadelphia Insurance Sprint Triathlon, June 27, 2009 (.9k swim, 24k bike, 5k run) – 1:18:43, 10^th place OA, 1^st place AG 35-39

Stone Harbor Triathlon, July 19, 2009 (1/4 mile swim, 11.4 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) – 57:06, 8^th place OA, 1^st place AG 35-39.

West Point Triathlon, August 16, 2009 (800 meter swim, 25k bike, 5k run) – 1:16:02, 9^th place OA, 1^st place AG 35-39.

Wildwood Triathlon, August 22, 2009 (Course adjusted due to Hurricane Bill: Swim replaced with 1.9 mile run, 10 mile bike, 5K replaced with 1.9 mile run due to tides.) -  48:15, 6^th place OA, 1^st place AG 35-39