Nathan Teater is a lot of things, but one thing he is for certain is a prospective Ironman. He resides in Anchorage, Alaska, but is actually a True Southerner having been born in Mississippi, attended college in Kentucky, and spent his early 20’s in Atlanta, Georgia. So, for this 35-39, age-grouper, coming to Ironman Louisville will be a homecoming of sorts.
TS: How many years have you been doing triathlon?
NT: This is my third season, but the first season consisted of just about 12 weeks of training for a sprint triathlon.
TS: What got you interested in triathlon?
NT: On Memorial Day, 2009 I met a guy at a cookout who was training for an XTERRA triathlon. I was intrigued to say the least. As silly as it seems to me now, I didn't realize there were other triathlon distances than Ironman. He explained to me the different distance options and encouraged me to train and race a sprint distance at the end of the summer. I've always been a relatively fit guy, but exercise was boring to me until I switched from plain exercise to "triathlon training". Now I'm hooked!
TS: What is your best discipline (swim/bike/run)?
NT: The swim. I was a competitive swimmer between the ages of 5 and 18. I get bored with it easily now, but it is still my best. My next strongest is the run, followed by the bike----uugh. I grew up on a gravel road that was not conducive to bike riding. I am a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I didn't learn to ride a bike until the 5th grade. I quit riding my bike when I was in the 7th grade and didn't own another until I was 33 years old.
TS: Why do you want to do an Ironman?
NT: The challenge and dedication required to be prepared and to complete. I want to accomplish something that will make my 3-year-old son proud.
TS: Why Ironman Louisville?
NT: Mainly because I am familiar with the area. I will have friends and family in attendance which will be nice. Though it will be hot, I will have all summer to get my training in. Tri Club friends of mine here in Alaska that have done other Ironman races have to do the bulk of their big weeks of training inside due to the weather. I just couldn't imagine six hour trainer rides and 2.5 hour treadmill runs. Yuck!
TS: What do you expect to be greatest challenges in preparing for IMLOU?
NT: The heat will be the biggest challenge for me, but obviously not in my preparation. Time management and staying mentally strong will probably be the greatest challenges in preparation for the race.
TS: What would your best case scenario be on race day?
NT: I know I am not supposed to set time goals, being that this is my first Ironman, but I can't help it. I am not ready to announce my time goals, but I kinda’ have an idea of what I can expect. To achieve my goal, I need my nutrition to be spot on, my bike to be well tuned, and my mind to be in the right place.
TS: What is your most critical piece of equipment for each of the three disciplines?
NT: Swim--Goggles. Who needs a suit? Bike--Bike. Kidding. Probably the bike computer or watch. Run--Shoes and socks.
TS: What triathlon professional(s), if any, inspire you?
NT: Macca. I had the pleasure of meeting him when he came up to Alaska last summer for a clinic for our triathlon club. He is really a genuine guy even though he has the stigma of being cocky. His favorite sport is boxing, so most of what you read or see about him is really just gamesmanship that he picked up from following boxing all his life. He is inspirational in that he believes in himself and finds that extra motivation from within. He is a lot like Michael Jordan in that he will take anything negative said about him, and use that as a motivation even if it wasn't meant as a negative. For instance, he told us that after a DNF in Kona he went through many scientific tests and all the scientists told him that due to his body make up, he will never have the success at Iron distance races (especially in the heat) as he would HIM's and Olympic distance. That was all the motivation he needed. He has since won two Kona Ironman Championship races, plus a whole bunch of other Ironman races.
TS: Other than Ironman Hawaii, what is a major “bucket list” triathlon on your radar?
NT: Lavaman in Kona. It is an Olympic distance race, but one that each year is attended by over 90 members of my Tri Club. That's right; 90-100 Alaskans take over Kona and dominate. It would be a blast to join them one of these years.
TS: Which would be a better triathlon rig, a classic Big Wheel or strap on roller skates with wooden wheels?
NT: Big Wheel--I rocked that thing when I was a kid. Roller skates....not so much.
TS: Which would be worse, losing your cycling shoes in T1 or your running shoes inT2?
NT: Cycling shoes. I figure I could finish the race walking barefoot, but couldn't imagine being shoeless on the bike.
TS: Which is more important, the finisher’s t-shirt, or finisher’s medal?
NT: Toss up, but more conversations will be started by the shirt out in public than my medal on my wall or bookcase.
TS: What song or artist would you love to hear blaring at mile 20 in the Ironman run?
NT: The Road Goes On Forever, by Robert Earl Keen. Sure, the title sounds like torture, but the story within the song and the music really gets me going.
TS: Who will you contact first to let them know that you are an Ironman? (Given they are not in attendance) NT: Room Service....Get it? I had to end on a silly note.
Nathan, I expect you will have a great experience returning to your old stomping grounds of Kentucky. I hope Ironman is all that you are hoping it will be and more. Good luck!
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