Fred, “The Cube” Mehrer, is a 45-49 age-grouper from Newnan, GA who has been doing triathlon for six years. He has done events ranging from sprint to the half-ironman distance and he has become addicted to triathlon, like so many of us have. He determined it was time to toe the line at an Ironman, and in August 2011 he will do just that at Ironman Louisville.
TS: What got you interested in triathlon?
FM: When I turned 40, I wanted to try a sprint distance for my birthday. I ended up doing three that first summer and I have been hooked and 30lbs lighter, ever since. I’ve completed five 70.3 and half iron distance races. In 2008 I completed Ironman Florida 70.3 in 6:16. This followed up in 2008 by Ironman Florida 70.3 and Ironman August 70.3 in 5:57 and 5:29 respectively. Last season I competed in the Macon Rock-n-Rollman ½ in 5:49, and then bettered my Ironman 70.3 personal record in Augusta with a 5:10:16.
TS: What is your best discipline (swim/bike/run)?
FM: The bike is my strongest on my Argon E-114 baby!!
TS: Why do you want to do an Ironman?
FM: I said after my first 70.3…never! But after five 70.3’s, its time…I want that tat!!
TS: Why Ironman Louisville?
FM: It was between IMLOU or IMFL because of where I live. So I had to pick and I weighed my options: IMFL = cold/rough swim, windy cool/flat bike, flat run….or IMLOU = Swim with current in a smooth warm river, rolling bike (what I train on everyday) and a flat HOT run. Again what I train in everyday in Georgia in the summer….so Louisville it was.
TS: What do you expect to be greatest challenges in preparing for IMLOU?
FM: My biggest challenges will be finding a new coach if I lose mine with NTTC. Fitting in all the training around my work schedule (International Flight Attendant, train a lot in international cities), and having enough money in the bank to pay for it all!!
TS/NOTE: Fred has since found a new coach and is ready to rock.
TS: What would your best case scenario be on race day?
FM: I would like things go like “Just another training day” and I that finish standing and under 13hrs!!
TS: What is your most critical piece of equipment for each of the three disciplines?
FM: Swim = goggles; Bike = tires/tubes (no flats PLEASE); Run = shoes (love my Kswiss)
TS: What triathlon professional(s), if any, inspire you?
FM: Jessica Jacob. She’s on the Sport Beans/NTTC Team with my wife and I. We met her at Chat Waterfront in July. In October she was in Panama City training for IMFL when we were doing a local sprint. She invited us and a few teammates on a “easy” training ride on the IM course AFTER we just did a sprint (I took 7th overall out of 124 and ran 6:48 per mile in the 5k). Needless to say, it was not EASY as we averaged 23 mph for the 60 miles. Fortunately, we were able to hang/draft. We had to call a buddies wife to pick us up at a gas station, but Jess rode the whole course that day and went on to WIN IMFL three weeks later. Great person, so down to earth!
TS: Other than Ironman Hawaii, what is a major “bucket list” triathlon on your radar?
FM: 70.3 Pucon Chile, IMWI, IMFL (2012).
TS: Which would be a better triathlon rig, a classic Big Wheel or strap on roller skates with wooden wheels?
FM: Big Wheel, I had one and it started the cycling love that I have today.
TS: Which would be worse, losing your cycling shoes in T1 or your running shoes inT2?
FM: Hands down cycling shoes, because you’re done on the IMLOU bike course without cycling shoes (to hilly). You can always walk the run and wrap your feet with paper towels or something to get to the finish.
TS: Which is more important, the finisher’s t-shirt, or finisher’s medal?
FM: The finisher’s medal because t-shirts wear out, but medals don’t. Personally, I want them to go back to the horseshoe medal design…very cool.
TS: I'm with you on the medal design.
TS: What song or artist would you love to hear blaring at mile 20 in the Ironman run?
FM: George Thorogood’s,” Bad to the Bone” because at that point, you are six miles from being one M-F-ing Badass!!!
TS: Who will you contact first to let them know that you are an Ironman?(Given they are not in attendance)
FM: All my Facebook peeps!! And my Coach!!
Well, if I happen to catch a blur from a wicked cool Argon E-114 zipping by me on the ride in IMLOU, I just might know who it was. Good luck Fred, I'm confident you will reach your goals.
Great interview! Although I really hope Fred doesn't have to wrap his feet in paper towels to finish the run! :) If you do Fred, I would lend you my socks (assuming my shoes are too small), however...you are likely to be WAY ahead of me with your under 13 hour goal.
ReplyDeleteKeep Training!