Runners,
Firstly, Andy's small fan base is any of you that support him, as nobody in triathlon knows who is he.....yet! His heart will never leave his true love, running.
As far as his entry to triathlon, he did his first bike ride on December 4th, 3. months ago. On this ride, his attire was Nike running tights with boxer shorts underneath. It was cute, to say the least. On top, he didn't have a cycling jersey, but an Oregon Project long sleeve tech tee! Classic. He was an age group swimmer between grade school and high school. He started running as junior in high school, track season.
Who am I? I am a former runner. I competed air Jesuit High School in Sacramento, then at the University of Arkansas. This was some 35 years ago. I spent a few years at the top of the duathlon world (yes, that used to be a sport!) Fast forward to age 41, I started racing bikes on the road and Leadville on the MTB. I am a cat 1 cyclist, where I have won a few handfuls of Az State Championships in the p/1/2 category between Road Race, Crit and TT. there....done with that.
When Andy had a bit of success that junior track season, he was directed my way to get a bit of an idea on what he can do in running. We both lived in Tucson. During this meet up, he gave me his athletic history, including soccer and his age group swimming. Once I heard this, I told him after he has done everything in running, more than likely, can become a top Olympic (draft legal) triathlete. With drafting allowed, a triathlete doesn't really need to be a powerhouse on the bike. By the end of the conversation, I predicted on what his 16/32 would be at the end of his senior year. We wrote them down: Tooting my own horn, I was off by .22 seconds, as we found out June of his senior year. He ran 4:08 and 8:51....the same times I ran in 1987. This was kind of a trust builder.
Andy called me this past November to let me know he was ready to make the leap to triathlon, after suffering running injuries for the past 2 years running for Nike. While Andy has been prone to injury the duration of his short running career, triathlon was a good fit, as 90mi weeks are not required. There we have it, Andy is now a triathlete.
Andy has started with a very sensible approach to triathlon. Running has obviously been a part of his routine, but with more emphasis on the swimming and more importantly, the bike. Learning the physics/tactics of bike riding is equally as important as having big watts. While he is no longer seeks national marks as a runner, running will be his weapon in triathlon. His 20-40 weeks are a bit soft to the reader, but needed to develop the other skills needed to become a well rounded Olympic, Draft Legal, multi-sporter. At some point he will also be capable of 13:40/28:30 on the track. But not now.
For those who know Andy, they know that he is level headed without an ego. He is a true student of the sport, allowing himself to learn. Anyone that wants to make this transition needs to start with a blank piece of paper, knowing this is just as much of an art form just as it is horse power, especially with the drafting on the swim and bike. (yes, the swim is similar to the bike, where if you swim in the correct relationship to another swimmer, there is a huge advantage). Andy seems to be one of the best learners I have seen on the bike, wether if it is runner turned cyclist, or just one new to cycling.
This past weekend: I read a few of the comments. I have already answered a few comments with my above words. One of the comments inquired why a 13:21 guy could only run 16:40 for his final leg in Clermont. Remembering that he had to race the same distance 26 hours later, it made no sense to run 14:30, only to have stiff legs the next day. After all, this was his first triathlon ever. It didn't matter if he won the race by 1 second or 2 min. Not even knowing if he would win, there was plan if he did. Just win by a few seconds, saving some energy for day 2! An interesting note to this race, when he mounted the bike coming out of transition 1, his saddle broke off from the seat post. He rode the entire 20k out of the saddle. We all need to give him an "atta boy" for not withdrawing. 25mph without being able to sit down, and having the skill to stay in the draft is superb! In the end, his legs were on the fatigued side going into day 2. Fast forward, he was 2nd place (results were incorrect showing him 3rd.)
I hope this gives a good picture of our former NAU NCAA Champ. He is about as humble as they come, making it easy for anyone giving help to him, including myself. He is a guy that would happily go for a run with anyone on this forum. I hope there is many more accomplishments for young Andy. He won't be the one showcasing his talents, so I guess that is what I am doing.
Now.....I can't wait to watch Newbury Park this weekend in the 4x1mile.
Paul Thomas
LRC Note. WE changed the title of the thread to let people know his coach was writing this. It was initially entitled "Andy Truard (sic) in triathlon"
