Angela Naeth – giving it all
The win at Ironman 70.3 Panama allowed Canadian Pro Angela Naeth to start the 2012 season with a bang. Naeth then went straight to the wind tunnel with Pearl Izumi and now is getting ready for the Abu Dhabi Triathlon.
Slowtwitch: Congrats on the nice win in Panama, are you still smiling?
Angela: Of course, I learned that one from Natascha. Win, lose or draw: smile.
ST: What does this win mean, and how does to compare to the Boulder one?
Angela: Honestly, I don't place a ton of emphasis on race results, so long as I gave it my all. I've been way back and had some of my happiest finishes. And comparing races or victories, well, that's hard for me. I have to say though that racing outside of the US adds a new element of excitement: there are big crowds and they aren't shy!
ST: Are you shy?
Angela: No, just quiet. I'm better at listening and observing than I am at speaking!
ST: Surely by now all these 2nd places won't be hovering in your mind, or do they still?
Angela: During the race I thought, "no way am I getting second again!" but again, if it was my best effort that day, no matter what the day might allow, then I'm content. It's the effort I try to train, because it never gets any easier!
ST: Does anything in life get easier?
Angela: Not that I’m aware of.
ST: Were you surprised at all by all that interest in the event?
Angela: Not with that Tour de France guy in the race, no. But I think I’ll be visiting Panama from here on out. The interest in Lance that we all see here was shared for all the competitors down there. Panama knows how to host a party!
ST: Did you have any words with that Tour de France before or after the race?
Angela: He asked a few things about how I might help him get faster on the bike, but those secrets, I assured him, weren't leaving my mouth!
ST: He had no other questions or comments?
Angela: None that I would remember.
ST: Did Leanda shake your hand? 🙂
Angela: Of course, Leanda is the consummate professional, a neighbor and a friend. Maybe it was a role reversal, but unlike the men's finish line behavior, the top women all hugged and chatted.
ST: Right after the event you headed to San Diego for wind tunnel time courtesy of Pearl Izumi. Was that your first time in the tunnel?
Angela: Yes, and what a neat experience. Turns out though that I was already pretty aero!
ST: Was your seat to high?
Angela: Nope! Retul and my coaches took care of that a long time ago.
ST: So nothing was tweaked?
Angela: Well, things were removed from my bike to be put on Caitlin Snow's and that's the only time it got tweaked!
ST: Anything you learned beyond Pearl being a good sponsor?
Angela: ‘Good’ doesn’t do it, they are great. What other clothing company would take you to a wind tunnel? That's how serious they are about their clothing design, and helping their athletes.
ST: What is next for you?
Angela: Abu Dhabi. All sights are locked on that. I'm excited for the longer ride, but I wish the city had mountains surrounding it and not just sand dunes!
ST: Any lessons you learned last year in Abu Dhabi?
Angela: I learned a lot but mainly that I still have a lot to learn about longer events!
ST: Do you have any non-race activities planned while you are there?
Angela: Not really. I just plan to hang out with my sister and hopefully celebrate my effort!
ST: Anything else we should know?
Angela: Yes, Natascha Badmann is a complete badass and a true champion. She didn't just win races, she did so (and still does) in style…before, during and after. I have a new hero, that's for sure.
