Meet World Champion Andy Potts
Andy Potts had some great results in 2007 but none more impressive than his victory at the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, FL. He talked to Slowtwitch about the event, racing, training and his upcoming schedule.
ST: Andy, tell us about your 2007 season. It would seem hard to imagine that anything could top your 70.3 World Champion title.
Andy: My 70.3 World Champion title was certainly the highlight of a year filled with gratifying performances. Putting my name on the list of gold medalists for the United States at the Pan American Games was another career achievement. The thing that makes winning special for me is it that is gives credence to all of the hard work that I put into my training. To have it show through on race day is why I put in such long and hard hours.
ST: Did you actually have a race/performance in 2007 you were not happy about?
Andy: There are always things that I want to improve on in both my racing and my training. I look at disappointing races as a big motivator for me. There were a few races where I would have liked to have placed better, but I always give my best effort so I can have no regrets. One of the biggest challenges in the sport of triathlon is trying to improve on three different sports and put them together on the day that matters, race day. It also happens to be one of most appealing things about triathlon at the same time as well.
ST: Would you describe for us how you recover from a longer distance event?
Andy: I let my body tell me when I’m ready to get back into hard training. I usually just put in some miles the days following an event and take it from there. I have gotten better with my recovery as I have matured into the sport as well. It used to take me seven to ten days after any race before I could put in a hard workout. Now, I’m pretty much ready to train hard three to four days after a half-Ironman race. I think that speaks more to my preparation than anything else.
ST: What is on schedule for you for 2008?
Andy: The main focus for me is to get onto the US Olympic Team and then, hopefully, race to my potential at the Olympics. After the Games I plan on going to Kona to race in the Ironman World Championships and start the second phase of my career, longer races.
ST: Can you describe a typical mid season training week for you?
Andy: Well I don’t want to give away any secrets but it involves about 25,000 meters of swimming, 300 miles of biking, and 50 miles of running. However, it is not what you do but how you do it that matters!
ST: Do you train with anyone on a regular basis?
Andy: I swim with Colorado Springs Swim Team (CSST), which is run by my coach, Mike Doane. Even if I’m doing something different from the rest of the team it is always nice to swim with other people. It is always good to swim with some youngsters because they keep me humble too. I don’t have the speed I used to have in the water and some of the high school kids really challenge me on the shorter swims.
Otherwise, I pretty much ride and run by myself. It is hard to find training partners who want to do exactly what I’m doing when I’m doing it.
ST: Do you consider yourself a disciplined in terms of training and nutrition?
Andy: The way I figure it, I have a limited time to take advantage of this great opportunity to be a professional triathlete. I want to make the most of this window to be the best I can be. I try to approach each training session as a chance to improve. With that said, I eat very smart but also enjoy a good cookie or brownie if I come across one.
As for my training, Mike writes workouts where I can be successful everyday no matter what I’m trying to accomplish. The only thing that I ask of myself is that I give an honest effort in my training. That is the one thing that I can control, my effort.
ST: Can you tell us about your family and how being a dad has changed your life? Could you also let us know how you juggle dad responsibilities with training and racing?
Andy: My wife Lisa gave birth to our son, Boston, in May. Having a kid certainly puts sports into perspective on a daily basis. If I have a disappointing day or a bad race all I have to do is hold my boy and it all goes away. He has no idea that I am a triathlete. All he cares about is that I make him smile.
ST: How do you typically spend the off-season?
Andy: Off-season? What is that? Seriously though, I took about a week off after the 70.3 World Championships and then I was back at it. I take the time during the winter to try and improve any weakness that I may have. There is always something to improve. For instance, this year I want to improve my overall power so I will focus on resistance training on top of my other training.
ST: What or who inspired you to race triathlons?
Andy: I’m not really sure how I got into this sport. I was always told that I would make a good triathlete ever since I was little. However, it took me until I was 25 years old to attempt my first race. I guess that I was not happy with my position in the corporate world at the time and I wanted to get back into sports. Once triathlon became a viable option for me, I was compelled to make it work for me.
Once I did my first race I was hooked. There was just so much about the sport that appealed to my mentality. The fact that I enjoy self inflicted pain is a good thing because triathlon is a hard sport.
ST: What is your favorite race and why?
Andy: I think that my favorite race would be the Escape From Alcatraz. It has a great setting and a great community that supports the race as well, plus it attracts a world-class field each year. The fact that it happens to be on of the hardest races out there is just a bonus.
ST: What is going on for you in terms of sponsorships?
Andy: I have been fortunate to be blessed with great relationships when it comes to sponsors. Ever since my first sponsor started supporting my dreams, Speedo, I have worked with the best companies in the sport; Speedo, ASICS, Felt Bicycles, Zipp, Blue Seventy, and Rudy Project to name a few. These companies not only put out the best products available but they allow me to reach my potential by supporting me.
ST: Do you follow any other sports?
Andy: I am a huge sports fan. I follow all sports all year long. Anything Michigan is always a source of pride for me as well. Fall is the best time of year for me because it is the start of college football! GO BLUE!
ST: What sports did you take part when you grew up?
Andy: I did a little of everything to try to find what I really enjoyed. My parents supported me in everything that I tried. Luckily, not only did I find a sport that I loved, swimming, but that I was good at too. Around 7th grade I started swimming exclusively. I took swimming as far as I could and was really proud of my swimming career.
ST: What is your favorite and least favorite food?
Andy: My wife is a fantastic cook. I used to use a ton of condiments before I got married. Now, not only do I not use as much ketchup, mayo and mustard as before but she has turned me onto the great taste of vegetables. Ultimately though, favorite food has to be anything with chocolate; chocolate chip pancakes, chocolate chip muffins, chocolate chip waffles, or just straight up chocolate.
ST: What about music, anything that you play the most on your i-pod?
Andy: David Gray is my favorite artist. He puts out original inspirational music that is good for any occasion.
ST: Where do you think you’ll be in 5 years?
Andy: I will probably still be racing. I have a lot of great years ahead of me and I want to parlay this gig as long as I can. It is a great life and one that has provided my family and me with wonderful opportunities. However, when I am done competing then I will probably go into coaching.
ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?
Andy: Not to take anything away from swimming, I had a great career in swimming. But I am very, very happy that I have found the sport of triathlon.
