Thomas Taylor, MPRO

scottsdale, arizona

Occupation: Field Supervisor for the Nielsen TV Ratings…  I watch people, who are watching people, who are watching TV.

Educational Background: Environmental sciences… Rocks and Maps.  But I couldn’t tell you a thing about them now… I’m too busy watching TV.

Where did you grow up?  Richmond, VA  Where do you live now? Phoenix, AZ

How long have you been competing in multi-sport races? I think this is year 10 of racing, but it should be noted this is year 4 of properly training.

What is your favorite product available at TriSports.com? The entire retail store, if I can touch it, see it, smell it, and drool on it, then I’ll love it and want it.

How did you get your start in Triathlons?  Usually with the swim… but seriously.  I ran track and CC in college, was an ocean lifeguard, and one day a bike shop found out my 5k times and told me to get on their $5000 bike and wear their jersey and ride like hell.  Next thing you know I was in the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my life, and walking a half mile in the run, and yet 30 minutes later I was wondering when the next race was.  A moron (I mean triathete) was born.

What is your favorite workout?  If we’re not counting rest days, I’d have to say 20x400m on the track… Oh yeah, you read that right… 20x400.  It’ll make you want to kill yourself if the workout doesn’t do it for you.  Did I mention the 400 cool down in between each hard 400…?  Do the math again…

“When I’m not training/racing, I enjoy…” Gutting kitchens, bathrooms, and remodeling my house so I can live in complete disarray for months on end and literally never have a second of free time.

If you could train for a week with one other triathlete who would it be and why? You can keep your IM champs and slog fests, give me some short course sick fast runner, like Bevan Docherty or someone that drops 30 minute 10K’s off the bike.  I’d like to see and suffer with his training regime.  I don’t think you can appreciate how fast and hard that is to do off the bike unless you’re a runner also.

If you could have one superhero power what would it be? Read minds… duh (oh you must not have that ability either)

Describe your biggest race disaster.  USAT Nationals 2006… Oh that’ wasn’t my disaster, it was USAT’s !!!!  I know let’s qualify everyone for World’s and have no champion…. WHAT !!!  At least they ponied up with a refund… oh wait… never mind !    (Hold a grudge much?)

Do you have a non-negotiable pre-race ritual? Relax… ok try to relax, then try some more, and then just say screw it and try to focus.

What culinary indulgence do you allow yourself after a big race (that you don’t normally partake of)? Dairy Queen Blizzard, BK whopper (although it’s been a while since I’ve indulged that much).

Have you ever accidentally destroyed a very expensive piece of gear?  I’ve broken 2 SRM’s in less than 6 months due to stupidity.  One last week after which two girls at the top of South Mountain got to witness the complete melt down of a guy holding a bike upside down yelling profanities at himself for 5 solid minutes.  Not my proudest moment… but you can descend like a champion with that much adrenaline flowing.

What is the worst job you’ve ever had? Covering 6 states, 13 reps, traveling 4 weeks a month and trying to train/race as an elite triathlete… hold on, that’s what I do now and on Friday I head to Hawaii for 10 days…. Ahh never mind then, all of my jobs have rocked.

What adjective describes you best? Believe me there is no one word.  It all depends on the day, the time, and how much training I’ve done.  Ask the staff at TriSports.com and I bet you get 10 different answers, ranging from “Pain in the ass to hottest man alive.  Crazy fast to average triathlete.  And a few of- Who?”  In fact I’d love to know how the polling goes.

Finally, do you have any advice for athletes new to multi-sport competition? If you’re really fit here is your race strategy:  Balls out on the swim, drop the hammer on the bike, and then run like all hell.  You’ll have a blast.  Worry about pacing next race, cause you’ll be hooked.