Name: Mike Smith
Age: 43
Occupation: CPA/Healthcare Practice Consultant
Years doing triathlon? 5, but it feels like longer, ha ha
First Triathlon? Tri Mayberry in Mt. Airy. It’s one of those bike courses with “rewarding views.” You know what that means!
Your favorite triathlon? XTERRA Whitewater in Charlotte. I started mountain biking in college, so I love to combine the two sports. But it’s tough.
Meal the night before race? I’m not too picky, as long as it’s well balanced. Sometimes I do make it an excuse to eat pasta, since Natalie rarely allows carbs in the house.
Pre-Race Meal? Espresso and a small bowl of oatmeal with nuts and berries. I might have a Grab the Gold bar right before race start.
Race Nutrition? I’m a short-course guy, so I might carry a GU or two, but that’s about it.
Favorite motivational training song? I’ve been on a Latin kick lately. If you’re ready for something different, try “Carre de Fuego” by Orquesta Guayac´an or “Hablemos el Mismo Idioma” by Gloria Estefan. I don’t think you need to understand Spanish to enjoy.
Favorite mantra? When the going gets tough, I ask myself “What would you do on race day?” If I wouldn’t quit during a race, I won’t quit during a workout.
Key Workout? MTB Owl’s Roost, then run the Big Loop Trail.
Best Triathlon training or racing tip? It’s heartbreaking to DNF because of an equipment issue. So, I say get to know your equipment. Practice with it. Learn to fix it. And make a checklist, so you don’t forget it.
Triathlon literature or other sources of information? You mean besides Matt Clancy and Simon Cloutier? I read Triathlete Magazine, but mostly I just look at the pictures of bikes.
Who inspires you? You know those athletes who finish at the back of the pack? It’s tougher for them physically and mentally. And they manage to push/pull/drag it in every time. I have a lot of respect for that.
Future goal? It would be nice to improve my 10k split. But mostly I’m just trying to stay injury-free, so I can keep doing this for a long time. I try to do 5 or 6 short-course races a year.