A chat with Kyle Jones

August 16, 2011

Kyle Jones is currently the top ranked Canadian male ITU Pro, but he'll be the first to say that getting on the podium in the important races is what really matters. He had a few words with slowtwitch.

Slowtwitch: Where are you right now?

Kyle: I’m currently training at home in Victoria. I’ll be heading over to Kelowna this weekend for Canadian Nationals and then back here for the final prep before the World Championship Series Grand Final in Beijing.

ST: Looking back at the race in London, what first comes to mind?

Kyle: Mixed feelings. I was happy with the effort. I thought before the start if I could race the way I did it would translate into somewhere around a top 10 result, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. At this level everyone is so tightly bunched that even a 1% difference in performance can make a huge difference. I finished 19th but I was only 9 seconds from 13th and another 20 seconds to 8th place.

ST: Talk about your race.

Kyle: I had a great swim. I was in the top 10 to the first turn buoy and was able to maintain my position and swim comfortably for the rest of the swim. I made the front pack on the bike but after about 2 laps all the packs came together and the group was quite large. Once the rain started I was pretty cautious. There were crashes every lap so I just played it safe and focused on keeping the rubber side down. The start of the run was intense as usual. Guys went out really hard and I was bit further back than I would have liked. On the second half of the run I came back on a few guys and was able to finish strong. In hindsight I should have taken a few more risks early on.

ST: What was your goal going into the event?

Kyle: I wanted to be in a position to mix it up in the front group on the run. I was coming off a 12th place finish in Hamburg where I ran about 10-15 seconds behind that group. My training had gone very well in the 3 weeks before London and I figured if I could get myself into the group within the first 2 kilometers it would set me up well for a top finish.

ST: What would it have taken for you to grab a Canadian Olympic spot?

Kyle: The Olympic selection process actually has two components. In order to be eligible for an Olympic spot this year we needed to have a top 8 at a WCS race prior to June 1st in addition to coming top 8 in either the London or Beijing WCS races. So, Paula was the only Canadian that could have secured a spot last weekend and the same applies for Beijing. However, there is one discretionary spot up for grabs at the end of this year, so although no male has a previous top 8, a big performance in Beijing would certainly give you consideration.

ST: You are ranked as the top Canadian male right now. Does that matter to you?

Kyle: Not really. It has a nice ring to it but I’m not doing this to be top Canadian. My ultimate goal is to be fighting for a spot on the podium in 2012. When you’re ranked ahead of a guy like Simon it means you’re heading in the right direction but I’m certainly not content with that.

ST: Is it strange for you to be ahead of Simon?

Kyle: I’ve looked up to Simon for a long time. He’s been a great mentor for me. I first started training with him in 2004. I was only 19 at the time, fresh out of junior racing. He invited me to come train with him before the Athens Olympics and it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. It was an amazing experience. Shortly after, I made the decision to leave University and move out to Victoria and train with him full time. I’ve made small progressions each year and I’ve been able to inch my way closer and closer to him. It’s great to be at a point now where we can push each other. It’s taken a few years but there’s no question I made the right decision. I still can’t believe other young Canucks aren’t chomping at the bit to learn from the Olympic Champ.

ST: So what is the biggest lesson you have learned from Simon?

Kyle: If I had to pick just one lesson it’s to not be complacent. Our sport is unique in that it is still fairly new and is continually evolving. Simon is always learning about the newest concepts to improve performance and adapting his training to the current style of racing. He always challenges the team around us by continually asking 'what can we do better?' I think it’s that exact question that has made him so successful in the sport and at the same time, is what frustrates so many people around us. Finding a coach, support staff and training partners that share that same relentless pursuit of excellence and are willing to invest the same time and energy as him is his never ending battle.

You’ll also never see Simon show up to train or race without the best equipment available. I usually snoop around his room whenever we get to training camps or races to try and find the latest gadget that he might be hiding from me, even though he never really hides anything from me, at least I don’t think…

ST: With Paula doing so well, does that take pressure of the men's shoulders or does that raise expectations?

Kyle: Paula is definitely in the spotlight right now. She’s had amazing success and we (as a National Team) have benefitted from it, much like we benefitted from Simon’s two medals. Both Simon and Paula have raised the profile of our sport in Canada and with that comes a lot more media attention. Paula has rightfully been the center of the majority of media attention for the past year and in a way that has taken some pressure off of the men’s team and allowed us to put all of our energy into training. But as far as expectations of ourselves go, it doesn’t and shouldn’t change anything for anyone that is a member of the National team. Regardless of Paula’s or anyone’s results, the high expectations we set for ourselves day in and day out should always remain the same.

ST: She is currently dealing with injuries, is that something you are worried about for yourself?

Kyle: Aside from my surgery that I had in Vancouver in the fall I’ve never had to take time off from training for an injury. Even when I broke my hand earlier this year I was still able to continue riding and running, and even swimming with a custom cast. Triathlon Canada has been proactive in assembling a great support team for our squad, which includes a team doctor, physiotherapist and massage therapist. Whenever we travel, we always have a member of our medical team with us so if anyone has an issue it can be addressed immediately.

ST: What is realistic for you in terms of a 10k goal?

Kyle: I think I’m capable of dipping under the 30-minute barrier off the bike. By how much, I’m not sure yet. I’m very fortunate to be working with Jon Brown, who knows a thing or two about fast running and understands very well how to prepare for an Olympics. He was 4th at both the 2000 and 2004 Olympic marathons proving he could get the most out of himself on that one day when it mattered most. With his guidance over the next 12 months I’m confident we can find the seconds I need to be in contention. The other thing I have on my side is that I’m still only 9 months post surgery and I’m continuing to notice improvements in the strength of my left leg.

ST: Tell us about your sponsors.

Kyle: I have great support from Oakley, PowerBar, Nike, 7Systems, and Blue Seventy. I don’t have a bike sponsor at the moment. I’m currently riding a Cannondale from Fort Street Cycle here in Victoria but I’m really hoping to secure something for next year.

ST: Word has it that you are a chocolate milk man.

Kyle: Of course, who doesn’t love chocolate milk? ! It’s actually kind of funny because I can’t stand regular white milk. Andrew MacCartney can down it by the gallon and watching him actually makes me want to gag. But mix it up with some chocolate and I’m in, especially after a hard workout.

ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?

Kyle: I feel very lucky to be doing something that I love everyday. I’m very proud to be representing my country and I would love nothing more than to represent Canada in London. I’m also very fortunate to have a supportive wife and family behind me who have always encouraged me to follow my dreams.

twitter: @joneskyle
website: kylejones.ca