Coming from Lancaster, PA, the 40-44 age grouper who has only been in the sport of triathlon for two years, Thomas Troncoso will be battling his biggest rival at the 2011 edition of Ironman Louisville. A rival he can never escape…himself. After giving it a crack in 2010 he is back for more and he is on a mission to better his performance.
TS: What got you interested in triathlon?
TT: I got interested in triathlons when a buddy of mine told me he was doing triathlons. He told me I needed to try one. A week later I signed up for a sprint distance event, and the rest is history.
TS: What is your best discipline?
TT: My best discipline or at least the one that comes most naturally to me is the swim. Swimming was my first sport growing up. I like the other two, but I seem not to have any worries when it comes to swimming.
TS: Why do you want to do an Ironman?
TT: I want to do an Ironman because it is a constant challenge. A challenge in life, a challenge in pushing my body and myself and every single detail that goes along the way to make it happen.
TS: Why Ironman Louisville?
TT: Last year I competed in Ironman Louisville and I want to be able to compare my performance from last year.
TS: What do you expect to be greatest challenges in preparing for IMLOU?
TT: The greatest challenge in preparing for IMLOU is juggling family, work, and making the time for the workouts.
TS: What would your best case scenario be on race day in general?
TT: I would love a super hot day with exceeding heat index warnings, and a personal best for all three disciplines.
TS: What is your most critical piece of equipment for each of the three disciplines?
TT: The most critical piece of equipment for swimming would be the tri-suit(would not want to swim naked)- on a serious note, it would be my goggles because I wear contact lenses. For the bike I would say it is my hydration cages for the speed fill, and bottle cages on back of bike). The piece of equipment most critical for the run would be my Fuel Belt for the Infinit sports drink I need.
TS: What triathlon professional(s), if any, inspire you?
TT: I really don’t have a particular pro that I watch, but I like to see or follow those that excel in a particular discipline. Honestly, the athletes that really inspire me are the age-groupers that struggle and overcome the obstacles to finish an Ironman. I also draw inspiration from those with physical disabilities.
TS: Other than Ironman Hawaii, what is a major “bucket list” triathlon on your radar?
TT: New Zealand, Australia, Spain, flip a coin .
TS: Which would be worse, losing your cycling shoes in T1 or your running shoes inT2?
TT: I think it would be worse to lose my cycling shoe in T1. I don’t think I could handle biking on one shoe with clip-on’s for 112 miles. However, running barefoot/socks is doable for 26.2 miles.
TS: Which is more important, the finisher’s t-shirt, or finisher’s medal?
TT: Honestly, neither- it is the self accomplishment that means the most to me, but for posterity purposes, I would stick with the medal. The medal will last longer, and it is easier to display.
TS: What song or artist would you love to hear blaring at mile 20 in the Ironman run?
TT: Mama Said Knock You Out! (L.L. Cool J.).
TS: Who will you contact first to let them know that you are an Ironman?(Given they are not in attendance)
TT: My Mom.
Thomas will face his toughest competitor daily while training and ultimately in Louisville. I’m sure he will make his mom proud.
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