Saturday, December 5, 2020

In the Mix! Interview with Gillian Micoli


Gillian Micoli is a relative newcomer to Utah, having moved here from New York a couple years ago, and is a force to be reckoned with on the local scene. She's been on our interview hit list for a while now, so we're glad to finally catch up with her.  Thanks for the time, Gillian!

Also make sure to scroll down to see prelim info on the Utah Triathlon Championship Series... let's come back strong in 2021!


Standard question: what’s your athletic background and how did you first get into triathlon? When was your first race?

I was a swimmer since age 9. My swim team did a triathlon for a few years in the fall. So my first tri was when I was ten. It consisted of 2 loops around a track, a loop around the neighborhood on my banana seat bike, and then a 500-yard swim.

There is a picture of me running with my cap on my head that is floating somewhere out there…you know, fast transitions.

found it!  aero and fast!

What brought you to Utah and what do you think of the place? How long have you lived here now?

I was recruited by Qualtrics to move out here. My first stop was Provo, so that I could be 0.5 mile from the office. I have since moved up to Draper and have been here about 18 months. Utah is absolutely gorgeous, and I love exploring new areas. I love the proximity to the mountains and how accessible good riding is here.

How would you compare/contrast the Utah tri scene to other places you’ve lived?

I have lived the majority of my life in upstate NY, and there are commonalities, as well as a lot of differences. Back in NY, I did a lot of my training by myself. I knew other triathletes, but there were very few sessions that I was able or willing to coordinate my training with.

The weather is a lot different here, the summers are hotter and there is less snow in the winter. Overall, I find myself outside a lot more here versus there.


There is nothing worse than a stormy Saturday that caused you to be indoor for a 4+ hour ride….and that happened a lot. However, OWS [open water swimming] was better back in NY. The area I lived was in the Finger Lakes, there were several pristine places that were safe and warmer than here. I also lived in SF, NYC, and Italy for a while….but I was a broke 20-something and never trained for triathlon while living there.

Have you felt welcomed by the local tri community and how have they helped with your continued progress?

My first race was the Utah Half. It was such a strange experience showing up to a race and not knowing a single person. It was a terribly cold day, and a great moment when I saw my Team Zoot and first tri-friend here, Mel Stratton, on the course. It was not until I met Andrew (Stasinos) that I really got involved with BAM/Intermountain. That has opened the door to meet so many people, both involved with BAM, as well as SLTC.


It has been great to meet athletes from all over the world, as well as have a small group to train with through the last year. We created a “quaranteam” to make sure we were being safe, while also staying sane.

My training became more structured and the volume increased under the guidance of Jess Perry last year. I gained a great deal of confidence, strength, and maybe some speed working with Jess, as well as Andrew and Wes Johnson.

Of the three disciplines, what’s your biggest strength and your relative “weakness”?

My swim has historically been my strength and my bike my weakness. I’m working on continuing to even that out and become a more well-rounded athlete.


We know you were the first female age grouper at the Bear Lake Brawl half, which is awesome! What did you think of that race, and were you able to do any other racing this season?

Yes, I like to say that I survived my way to 1st amateur! Haha. I thought it was amazing to see the pro field that came to that race. Bear Lake is beautiful, and I think I appreciated it more because it was my first time going there. The weather was probably the most challenging that I have faced in a race and I'm honestly so thankful that my bike did not fly off the road!

Gillian & 2018 State Champ Tracy Campbell
  at the Bear Lake Brawl 2020


That was my only tri this year, but I did a few road races, the Provo Haunted 5K and the Thankful 13.

Assuming racing with precautions can take place more consistently next year, what are your race plans and goals for 2021?

Right now, I am registered for Oceanside 70.3, St. George 70.3, and IM Coeur d’Alene.


Is St. George 70.3 Worlds on the tentative schedule?? What do you think it will take to qualify in your age group?

Yes, Worlds is on my radar. I competed in the WC in Chattanooga and actually qualified for the first time at St. George 70.3 back in 2017.

Qualifying will be tough for sure. And it all depends who shows up and how many slots your AG gets. With a larger pool of slots being given at SG, I think it will have an even larger pull to do the race. It will be fun to see how it all shakes out and who shows up to preview the course.


What local races have you heard the most about, and are you familiar with the Utah Triathlon Championship Series?

I have heard great things about Echo and Jordanelle. I am somewhat familiar with the Series. Depending on how things end up for next year, I think it would be great to be in the mix if my schedule allows.


*****Still preliminary, but below is what we know so far! More races may be added, and we'll update as we learn more. Check out this post if you need a refresher on how it all works. Thank you Trent Perry for being the title sponsor of the UTCS!*****




POPULAR LINKS


LATEST AGE GROUP RANKINGS --> HERE
CHAMPIONSHIP BELT HOLDERS --> HERE
MOST IMPROVED TRIATHLETES --> HERE
TOP LOCAL RACER AWARDS --> HERE
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 --> HERE
IMSG 2020 "COUNTY COMPETITION" --> HERE

UTAH TRIATHLON HISTORY 101 --> HERE


Sadly the 2020 Series Championship couldn't get off the ground, but have no fear!  We'll come back with a vengeance in 2021.





Thinking about Lasik or have other eye health needs?
Dr. Brice Williams is offering some incredible
deals for fellow Utah Tri Buzz readers
www.claysonwilliamseyecenter.com




Local triathlete Steve Monson has a stellar reputation
as one of Utah's finest financial advisors
www.edwardjones.com



www.trentperry.com



We started a Patreon account (link below) with the hope of raising a few bucks towards awards & swag for athletes of all abilities in our tri community. We've given out a lot over the past 3 years, but would like to continue to expand our offerings & the volume we can do.

If you enjoy Utah Tri Buzz and would like to pitch in, any amount would be greatly appreciated... (there may be something in it for you as well!)


We're also always grateful for talented people who contribute in terms of time... let us know if you'd like to be part of the Utah Tri Buzz team.



HISTORICAL U.T.B.
"BELT HOLDERS"


Interviews




























Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Rookie of the Year Award Winner - Mr. Zack Dent!


Although 2020 gave us a very limited number of races, we wanted to hand out at least one award for this strange year. Zack Dent somehow managed to squeeze delicious lemonade out of nasty covid lemons, participating at pretty much every possible race option this year.

Zack's a great dude that you'll wanna meet when you get the chance. At 6'8, he's probably Utah's tallest triathlete, and we dare you to find us a better beard. He did a couple pool swim tris a decade ago, but against all odds, 2020 was his first legit season.

We're very proud to anoint Zack the Utah Tri Buzz 2020 Rookie of the Year.

Standard question - what's your athletic background and how did you get into triathlon? What/when was your first race?

I was really not much of the athletic type - I never really competed in team sports, but I did a little bit of BMX racing when I was younger. In 2010 I was stationed in Jacksonville North Carolina, where I was introduced into mountain biking, which got me into cycling, which finally got me into triathlons. In 2010, I did two triathlons - the Wilmington Athletic Club and the Azalea Festival Tri.


What brought you to Utah and ultimately got you back in the triathlon game over the past year?

Utah brought me to Utah! The mountains, the views, the outdoor community. It was the ability to go to Moab, hike into the canyons or explore the Salt Flats in just a few hours. It even took my wife over a year to finally agree to the move - once she visited, she was obsessed.

As for my intro back into triathlons, it all started with my daughter and how I knew I wanted to be able to hike and enjoy the things Utah provides with her - and not struggle while doing so.
I hit my highest weight of 320lbs, and knew I had to make a change. In December of 2019, I started keto and dropped 50lbs prior to getting back into cycling. I did a few rides with Nat Harward and I knew him from Jeeps - not triathlons - so that made me even more interested in getting back to triathlons.


It was only a few months before my first one back, in Beaver. I don’t think that there was a better race to come back to, was Dough Boy. It was a ton of fun, no timing, so I had no idea what my times were - I was just happy to make it through it.

When we showed up to Beaver to race, I realized that I had forgotten my goggles (rookie move, I know), and that’s how I was introduced to the Salt Lake Tri Club, when I asked Mike Humphries and crew to borrow a pair of goggles. All of those guys have been imperative in making sure I’m meeting my goals for this year and next.


From your perspective, how would you compare the Utah scene to other places you've lived?

I think it’s great! There’s a ton of active people, clubs, and shops that make it all worthwhile. It’s upsetting that it took me three years to get back into it, but I’m so glad that it’s all worked out again. When I first got into cycling, I was living in Jacksonville, NC, it had an amazing cycling community because of the community's love for health and wellness, and the active lifestyle of the military.

I would feel like it’s quite similar, but there’s a whole lot more climbing in Utah then there is in Jacksonville. It’s definitely been a challenge, but one I’m working through, considering I’ve just climbed Emigration for the third time in 7 days.


From our records you made some serious lemonade this season, racing pretty much every option we had. What races did you do and how would you sum up this limited "season"?

I did Dough Boy in Beaver, UT; Cache Valley Sprint in Logan, UT; South Davis Labor Day Tri; and Bear Lake Brawl. The first three were sprint distances and I wanted to end the year with a challenge so I went with the olympic distance for Bear Lake, and boy did I get that challenge. Bear Lake Brawl by far was the most memorable.

Starting out freezing on the beach to swimming in 3 foot whitecaps, to getting poured on the bike, and not being able to feel my hands and feet in transition for the run. Overcoming the weather to achieve my goal was definitely the highlight of the season. Overall, the season was a huge success for the races that we were able to have. Covid sucks, but I was glad that I was able to participate in these triathlons and look forward to seeing how 2021 compares.


On that note we hear you have big plans for 2021 - what races are in the works for you as of now? What is most exciting to you looking ahead and what specifically is most intimidating?

2021 for me is going to be the hardest year of my life for my athleticism, as well as home life. We have our second daughter due to be born in February, so that will present some challenges. I’m looking at racing as many races as I can next year, with the highlights being the IM St George 70.3 and Ironman 140.6 Coeur d’Alene.

Coeur d’Alene is definitely the most intimidating race that I’ll see next year, with close to 7000’ of climbing on the bike course, it’s sure to be a challenge. I never imagined that I’d be back into triathlons or doing a 140.6 so soon. However, thanks to some amazing friends and supportive people around me, I feel that it is a very attainable goal.


Tell us more about your growing support crew - who do you have in your corner as you continue on this journey and how are they helping you?

I would say the biggest person in my corner who is motivating and abusing me right now is Casey Merrill. He forces me to push for constant improvement every single time that we work out. I can’t say that I’ve ever had a workout with him where I didn’t say “I hate you”, in the most loving way possible.

Having people like him and the Salt Like Tri Community has been huge, and something that I’m just so grateful for. Their constant support pushes me to always have the best and most productive workout I can.


What's atop your "podium" as the most memorable ride you've done in Utah?

Salt to Saint, for sure. Myself, Casey Merrill, Jake Burt, and Kolby Christensen decided to tackle the Salt to Saint Relay this year. That was by far the most mentally and physically taxing, as well as the most rewarding of the year. Having back to back weekends at Bear Lake and going straight into Salt to Saint was definitely a crazy experience.


I really started to question my sanity at 2:30am on one of my bike legs, doing nothing but climbing. It’s in those moments that you really realize what you’re capable of. Over the course of that event, I did about 105 miles and just under 5000’ of climbing. That’s the most that I had done, climbing wise, over the course of a “ride” for this year.

How does it feel to be (we believe) the tallest Utah triathlete at 6'8 while also possessing our community's most impressive beard? Isn't it being a little bit greedy to hold both of those titles?

LOL. Yeah, it definitely has a unique set of challenges, but at my height nothing comes easy if you don’t like team sports. I’m definitely happier to hold the beast beard, rather than being the tallest. Finding the right bike can be a real pain.


You've got a little one at home and one on the way (congrats!). What's your game plan to balance family/work/training?

I think it all starts with having an incredible support system. My wife and I have been married for almost 10 years, and had our first daughter last year, so we’re still adapting to life as parents. It was an even bigger shock the weekend of Dough Boy, when she told me that we were pregnant again on Fathers Day. Mind you, this is after two rounds of IVF to have our first.


My wife Kelly is really the one that makes this possible by never complaining about workouts, traveling, or the cost that triathlons bring. My work is also another huge factor with the ability to travel and a very supportive ownership team and staff that want their employees to succeed and be happy while at work, as well as outside of work. PS - if you need a great deal on a used car, hit me up! Triathlons aren’t cheap.

Anything else you'd like to share?

I’d like to say thanks to everyone who has worked out with me, inspired me, or given me the ability to race and crush some goals. Nat Harward for helping me get started, and Casey Merrill for always making sure I’m killing my goals. There’s a bunch of great people at Salt Lake Tri and Intermountain Tri that are always willing to train or offer words of encouragement to any athlete to see them become better. I really look forward to the 2021 season, and crushing some more goals!

Zack's the biggest boss that you've seen thus far:


Zack with 2 big time Utah triathlon ambassadors, Shawn Jaca of the Southern Utah Tri Club and Nat Harward of Intermountain Tri


POPULAR LINKS


LATEST AGE GROUP RANKINGS --> HERE
CHAMPIONSHIP BELT HOLDERS --> HERE
MOST IMPROVED TRIATHLETES --> HERE
TOP LOCAL RACER AWARDS --> HERE
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2019 --> HERE
IMSG 2020 "COUNTY COMPETITION" --> HERE

UTAH TRIATHLON HISTORY 101 --> HERE


Sadly the 2020 Series Championship couldn't get off the ground, but have no fear!  We'll come back with a vengeance in 2021. 





Thinking about Lasik or have other eye health needs?
Dr. Brice Williams is offering some incredible
deals for fellow Utah Tri Buzz readers
www.claysonwilliamseyecenter.com




Local triathlete Steve Monson has a stellar reputation
as one of Utah's finest financial advisors
www.edwardjones.com



www.trentperry.com



We started a Patreon account (link below) with the hope of raising a few bucks towards awards & swag for athletes of all abilities in our tri community. We've given out a lot over the past 3 years, but would like to continue to expand our offerings & the volume we can do.

If you enjoy Utah Tri Buzz and would like to pitch in, any amount would be greatly appreciated... (there may be something in it for you as well!)


We're also always grateful for talented people who contribute in terms of time... let us know if you'd like to be part of the Utah Tri Buzz team.



HISTORICAL U.T.B.
"BELT HOLDERS"


Interviews


























Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,
Location: Utah, USA
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)