Chris Sampley from Lexington, Kentucky is a 20-24 age-group entrant into the 2011 edition of Ironman Louisville. I would say ‘triathlete’ Chris Sampley, but he has yet to complete a triathlon! As told in the Ford credo, ‘Bold Moves Happen Every Day.’
TS: How many years have you been doing triathlon?
CS: Zero, I have never competed in a triathlon before, but I have swum, biked, and ran since high school. I have competed in XC and endurance mountain bike races for past two years. In fact, I won the 19-29 sports class in KY Mtn Bike Series, and figured I would give IM a shot.
TS: What got you interested in triathlon?
CS: I love endurance events. I have done 60 mile, 12 hr and 24 hr mountain bike races for past two years. I love pushing my body and riding that line, but not crossing it and bonking and passing out, which happened at my first 60 mile race as soon as I finished.
TS: What is your best discipline (swim/bike/run)?
CS: I am strong in my swim, but think that the bike will be my best discipline. I don’t have a tri bike yet, but I’m used to climbing and I trained a lot on hills when I was mountain biking.
TS: Why do you want to do an Ironman?
CS: It’s the toughest endurance race out there and I enjoy the lifestyle it causes you to live (discipline, work ethic, diet). I am in good shape, but this will put me in great shape to hopefully complete some other endurance events I want to do. For example, the Leadville 100 Mtn Bike Race.
TS: Why Ironman Louisville?
CS: I live in Lexington and doing any Ironman will be a challenge, so why not do one close by?
TS: What do you expect to be greatest challenges in preparing for IMLOU?
CS: Time Management, I work 8-5 M-F and involved in a high school ministry called Young Life which also takes up anywhere from 10-20 hrs a week. Life is full, but don’t want to miss out on everything between now and IMLOU.
TS: What would your best case scenario be on race day in general?
CS: Getting off the bike knowing I didn’t push it too hard on the bike, which will be my toughest mental battle. Food will be another challenge because I am hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and if that starts to fall, bad things can happen. I have a personal pride issue that if I start this race, I will have to pass out before I stop or remove myself from the race.
TS: What is your most critical piece of equipment for each of the three disciplines?
CS: For the swim-goggles. I’ve never done an open swim and I hope my goggles don’t get knocked off. On the bike-nutrition. If am not able to properly hydrate and take in nutrition, the run is going to be a bear. On the run- shoes. I never have been properly fitted for running shoes until I started training and they have made the world of difference.
TS: What triathlon professional(s), if any, inspire you, and why?
CS: Professionals don’t inspire me. It’s the 17 hr athletes, the athletes that fight through the pain, but grit through it to still finish in time. When I watched the Ironman World Championship on NBC this year, a woman with a boot and a man who wrecked in the bike section both finished.
TS: Other than Ironman Hawaii, what is a major “bucket list” triathlon on your radar?
CS: I don’t have any currently on my mind. Competing in just one out west would be a bucket list item. However, fighting through the altitude and mountains to complete an IM would be an incredible accomplishment.
TS: Which would be a better triathlon rig, a classic Big Wheel or strap on roller skates with wooden wheels?
CS: The Big Wheel because it’s more aero, and roller skates would kill my legs too early.
TS: Which would be worse, losing your cycling shoes in T1 or your running shoes inT2?
CS: Running shoes, I don’t even want to imagine running a marathon barefoot or in my road shoes.
TS: Which is more important, the finisher’s t-shirt, or finisher’s medal?
CS: The finisher medal because it’s something to display for myself. Pride has been a huge struggle throughout training so far. I am competing in this IM for myself, not for the sake to tell others for self-glorification.
TS: What song or artist would you love to hear blaring at mile 20 in the Ironman run?
CS: 500 miles.
TS: Who will you contact first to let them know that you are an Ironman?(Given they are not in attendance)
CS: My sister. She has been huge in encouraging me so far. Again, this goes back to personal pride and not being arrogant. I would only want to tell my family. I know my friends will hear about it, but I would only contact family.
Chris…good luck in Lou!
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