Introducing Mark Evans of Acme Multisports

This week we hear from our friend Mark Evans of Acme Multisports. Mark is a very knowledgeable guy when it comes to everything triathlon – oh, and we suppose he has a lot of other useful knowledge as well. This week he gives us some history and some useful tips whether you’re new to triathlon or have been racing for several season. Enjoy!

I remember it like it was yesterday, although it was more than ten years ago: I decided to try a triathlon. At that time, I thought Ironman was the only tri distance! I was a runner. Didn’t swim. Didn’t even own a bike. What was I thinking? Mainly that I didn’t want my kids growing up with a fat dad!

So I bought my first bike. I started running more. And I found a place to start swimming. Back in 1998-1999, Hendersonville wasn’t exactly rife with triathletes. I was training alone and didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I remember one time in particular asking a lifeguard to help me with my swim stroke. I was struggling just to get across the 25 yard expanse. He sort of shook his head and said, absolutely deadpan, “You just need to swim more.” Thanks.

In 1999, six months after I started training, I put it all together at Memphis in May, an Olympic distance triathlon. Nervous, anxious, and slightly nauseous, I filed up to the interval swim start where a volunteer was chanting: “The water smells like roses. The water smells like roses.” They must grow some absolutely rancid roses in Memphis. Even several yards from the start, the smell of rotting fish hung in the warm air.

But I ran into the murky water, put my head down, and started swimming. Then I started panicking. This was my first swim in open water, and things look much, well, more open, when you’re 200 yards away from shore. I finally got myself settled and made it through the swim in around 54 minutes. Slow? Sure, but it was a monumental achievement for me.

Somehow I made it though transition and onto my Trek 1200. Sailing along at a mind-numbing 14 mph, I felt like one cool triathlete. Until the slightly chubby-looking fellow on a futuristic bike blew past me. Then there was the older woman on her mountain bike. And then…I decided to just have fun…because I was! This was my first race and it was a blast.

When I finally hit the run, I felt like I was truly back in my element. I don’t consider myself especially fast, but at that time in my life I was very consistent and relatively quick. I felt good to catch – and pass – a bunch of those hotshots from the bike leg.

All in all it was a good experience. It must have been because here I am ten seasons later, still racing and still having a blast. To date, I’ve competed in more than 80 triathlons, ranging from the sprint distance all the way up to the Ironman distance (three IM finishes).

Today, when I talk with people thinking about giving our sport a try, I remember what it was like when I first started. Back then I didn’t even know what questions to ask – let alone, how to answer the few questions I had. The good news is: if you have even the slightest interest in trying a triathlon today, there are many knowledgeable and friendly individuals, coaches, and clubs available to help you get started on the right foot.

Here are a few things that will help you in your quest to be the best triathlete you can be:

1. Get started! Find some other people participating in the sport and start asking questions. No question is stupid. In many towns there are local triathlon groups. Go to the USAT website and search for a triathlon team in your area and get involved. If there is not one, check with the local health clubs to see if one is organized.
   
   
2. Set realistic goals. Interested in an Ironman? First, spend a season or two building your base endurance and getting race experience in the shorter races. With three disciplines to master, it takes some time to get it right – and accumulate the equipment. In the southeast region, Team Magic has some great beginner-friendly races. Try one of those.
   
   
3. Get a bike that fits! A properly sized and expertly fitted bike can mean the difference between enjoying your new sport – or dreading every ride. Find a reputable dealer who can help make sure your bike investment goes the distance. Also, having a tri-specific bike is not critical out of the gate.
   
   
4. Ride with experienced cyclists. Your learning curve will be much, much shorter riding with an experienced group. Most areas have regular cycling groups catering to all levels and abilities. Just ask your local bike dealer how to get started.
   
   
5. Find a swim class or swim coach. Swimming is the first discipline in most triathlons. For many people, it’s also the toughest portion of the race. Finding someone to help you swim, teach you proper technique will enable you to be a better cyclist and runner too.
   
   
6. Run as often as you can. Find a group to run with occasionally. It is important to build relationships while you are training. Plus, it really helps pass the time on those long runs. Watch your running technique.
   
   
7. Run for at least ten minutes after every bike ride. I picked this little tidbit up from someone years ago and it works for me. Also, if you’re doing triathlons, you will be running after swimming, so practice that, too.
   
   
8. Stretch, Lift and work on your core. Sure, it’s hard enough to cram all those swims, rides, and runs into your busy schedule. But you’ll never see the full value of all those workouts unless you’re staying limber, developing lean muscle mass, and strengthening your core. Believe me, IT IS IMPORTANT!
   
   
9. Rest. Not active recovery. Rest. Don’t feel guilty if you need to take a few days off. Training places a great deal of stress on your body – and it needs time to recover. In fact, if you simply keep piling on the training without rest, your body will not adapt properly to the workloads – and you will plateau.
   
   
10. HAVE FUN! Why else are we doing this? Yeah, we want to prove we’re still young, agile, specimens of health. But if you’re not having fun, you might as well be at work. Smile as you race. Thank the volunteers, the race officials, and everyone else who helps put on your event. Bring others in to the sport. Let them know how much fun they can have too.

Mark