Mike Montoya M40-44

las cruces, new mexico

How long have you been competing in multi-sport races? Last year was my 18^th season of triathlons.

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com? bike goodies!

How did you get your start in Triathlons? I worked as a life guard in college and back then triathlons were a relatively new sport. I wanted to try one primarily to get in better shape and look like the people who were fast back in the day! I remember hearing about one in Mexico and how much fun it was, so naturally it sparked my interest. We used to travel with a caravan back then, I still try to make the annual trip to Rocky Point and still try to make it as fun as the first time we ever raced there.

What is your favorite workout? Right now, I would have to say my favorite workout is when I go from treadmill to trainer in a brick format for about 2 hours. That workout really wastes my legs

“When I’m not training/racing, I enjoy…” Lately it seems like I enjoy being the world’s biggest hermit! I would say hanging out with my family or my bros’ comes in first. I enjoy having a good bar-b-q no matter what time of year, and recently I have been training a blind girl (8^th grader and class pres. of the school I work at).  We are going to do a local triathlon during the first part of April. She is up to 2 miles on the run. We will ride a tandem (I just told her to hold on and we can blow by the field jk), and then I will just make sure she doesn’t bump into the walls (any ideas). She is a pretty decent swimmer, but still bumps her head quite a bit. Then, after the race, you guessed it… A big time bar-b-q!

If you could train for a week with one other triathlete who would it be and why? Actually after Leticia does her first triathlon she would be considered a triathlete right? It would have to be her. I totally enjoy the conversations we have while we are running around the track. How many times in life does one get the opportunity to describe in vivid detail what the sunset looks like… Well, it’s purple and yellow with a bit of blue and oh yeah, details, what is purple, well purple is like touching velvet. And yellow? Well that’s the feel of the sun hitting your cheeks and blue? Blue is like the sound that water makes against pebbles on the shore. Before I know it we are on our last straight away and she is telling me, “Okay it’s my turn to make you hurt”!

If you could do any triathlon in the World (regardless of monetary restrictions) which one would you do? Does anyone know if they have triathlons in Heaven? If so then that's where I would want race, so my dad could watch me again...Just like old times!

Describe your biggest race disaster. That would have to be last summer at my hometown race in Socorro, NM. I had just gotten a haircut and had been using gel. Well, I woke up race morning, took a shower, and proceeded to apply a gob of gel in my hair…to look cool, of course. The swim was serpentine and first. I wore a swim cap so the gel never really rinsed out, until the bike, right into my eyes! Keeping my eyes open was nearly impossible, so I either squinted quite hard or took turns opening one eye at a time. The course was a little technical which made it down right scary. That was actually one of the few times I was happy to be off the bike and on the run.

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? To tell the truth I usually fly by the seat of my pants before most races. If my family is with me then I get hugs and kisses from my wife and two kids, other then that I just roll with it :)

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don’t normally partake of)? There is a place here in Cruces formerly known as Scoopys now its Caliches, but the frozen custard Gizmo is the BOMB! After a good race or workout, I treat myself to that. 

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.) I did wreck in El Tour De Tucson a few years back that had me out for nearly a season. My bike and I were run over by a tandem. Luckily I had insurance on the bike.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had? Wow, that would be a toss up between my last assignment before my dad passed away and the behavior/emotional classroom I had last year. Both of those jobs were very emotionally taxing to say the least! Those jobs make me appreciate where I am now. Currently I am working with children with Downs Syndrome and MR, I guess you can say I traded cuss words for hugs! Highly recommended...

What adjective describes you best? This question sparked an educational idea. We went over adjectives just yesterday in class, so I decided to take a poll. I asked my students to give me one word (an adjective) that would describe me. The top answers were:

1. Fun  2. Nice  3. Funny 4. Tall  5. Big  6. Dorky 7. 8. Cool 9. Helpful and 10. Merry Christmas. Now based on those answers, I will go with nice as the adjective of choice.

Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition? Yes I do, based upon what just heard, I would tell any newbie... Don't believe everything you hear, I really am a NICE guy.