Name: Cheryl Scott
Age: 52
Years doing triathlon?
I’ve been having a blast either participating, volunteering, training or dreaming about triathlons for 11 years now!
First Triathlon?
May of 2010. Dixie Diva Sprint Tri for women at North East Park in Greensboro. My local YMCA offered a 12 week training plan and group. The race has since been retired but was such a terrific fundraiser put on by Ron Booker for Team Erica.
Your favorite triathlon?
Hmmm, it’s super hard to pick out a favorite because
I truly love them all!! I train more often than I race
due to travel constraints and being support crew for others in my family. I guess if I have to pick … a list haha, it would probably be all the firsts for each of the distances in my earlier days of tri: Dixie Diva Sprint, Lake Jordan Women’s Only, Kerr Lake International, Try Charleston Half and Beach to Battleship IM. I especially love the laid back vibe of those triathlons where camping is encouraged with tents, campers, lots of cow bell and the start of race is right outside your tent or cabin door!! Both Try Charleston Half and Moomaw Madness Tri at Lake Moomaw in Warm Springs VA. both had the camping as options right at the race course. Sadly, all those races aren’t around anymore due to various reasons.
Meal the night before race?
I’m usually pretty nervous the night before, so it’s generally something plain, bland and easy on the stomach. Chicken or Salmon, brown rice or sweet potatoes, cucumbers (helps for hydration) with maybe a dill yogurt dip.
Pre-Race Meal?
Peanut butter and sliced banana on bagel, coffee, and pre- race drink.
Race Nutrition?
This varies a lot depending on race length or food mood! Ha!
I’m fortunate in that I don’t cramp up and can tolerate most electrolyte drinks, carb drinks, bars etc. So I just try to focus on staying on top of calorie intake and hydrational needs.
Clif Blok Chews for run and bike of sprint and international distance and any electrolyte drink mix that I may have on hand, not too picky about that.
Right before a race, I’ll eat half to whole cliff bar or banana to top off my tank depending on how long I have to wait for start of race. I’ve found for the long distance races, on the bike I like to carry both liquid nutrition (carbs and protein mix) like Hammer Perpetuem in Caffe-Latte flavor as well as some sort of solid nutrition bar like a Cliff bar or a Bonk Breaker Bar. I’ve found over the years during the run, on long courses, I can pretty much take down any “on course” nutrition and hydration except for oranges and coke type drinks. Somehow by the end of a long race, I always end up with a package of those neon orange peanut butter crackers in hand that I pack in my special needs bag and I’m not even particularly fond of them. By that point, just so glad not to see one more Blok chew or sugary thing (well except for cookies I can always eat those)!!
Favorite motivational training song?
I’ll forever love to hear the iconic song associated with Ironman, Till I Collapse by Eminem and love watching the video Triathlon Ironman-Till I collapse on Youtube by Romain Riviere to get pumped up the week of an event.
Favorite mantra?
I have a favorite wrist band that my daughter gave to me for my first Half Iron distance that says, Don’t Stop Believing.
Key Workout?
I really love cycling the best, so I would say any distance bike to run brick.
Best Triathlon training or racing tip?
Push yourself out of your comfort zone as that is where your growth comes from.
If you put in the training, you WILL be ready for the race even if you’re doubting yourself… You ARE Ready!! Stay positive and visualize how you will attack the day.
If swimming is your weakest leg of the tri, like it is for me, try to relax as much as possible during the swim portion, don’t feel the need to go out as hard as possible so you save energy and set yourself up for a great bike and run!!
Triathlon literature or other sources of information?
I’m a tri info junkie! Got rid of cable TV years ago so I like to fill my time with quick newsletters like Slowtwitch, or tri magazines, watch sport specific Youtube videos, books, blogs, race reports. All of it really. Lately have really enjoyed listening to various podcasts of coaches, pro triathletes and age groupers. Tower 26 has been on
my podcast list, MX Endurance, The Triathlete Hour, Purple Patch with Matt Dixon and anything Josh Amberger is highly recommended for the humor and entertainment value. Breakfast with Bob are always fun short YT videos to watch during Kona buildup or any time of the year. Of course, last but certainly not least, insight from other tri-team members, coaches etc helps immensely. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Who inspires you?
I would be incredibly remiss if I didn’t mention that a huge source of my strength and inspiration comes from my faith in The Lord and my family. Without their support, I wouldn’t have had the courage to take on any of these events and distances.
As far as triathlon personalities goes, one of my favorites, even though she has since retired, was Chrissie Wellington when I first started back in 2010. I really admired her determination, and endless positive spirit. Not to mention her bigger than life smile. Most recently, I’ve enjoyed following Lucy Charles, equally positive, determined, with an indomitable spirit. Plus she loves dogs!
Future goal or bucket list race?
I have a deferral from the canceled 2020 Blue Ridge Virginia 70.3 race so hopefully that will take place this year. Would love also to do another Full IM when the time feels right.