Introducing Nicole Kelleher
Nicole Kelleher is a professional triathlete who until recently was in medical school at the University of Virginia. She has won 2009 collegiate nationals, finished 3rd at 2010 Pro Nationals and now sits 6th in the 5150 series & 3rd in the Lifetime Fitness series.
Slowtwitch: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Nicole.
Nicole Kelleher: Thank you Sal! I am a big Slowtwitch fan and it is quite an honor to get an interview with you!
ST: For those who aren't too familiar with you, explain what you were doing 3 years ago.
Nicole: I was just starting medical school at the University of Virginia and recovering from a major knee surgery. My surgeon told me that I wouldn’t be able to run again so focusing on school was easy. I just studied all day long, scarfing down Snickers and Coke to keep myself awake. It was hardly the lifestyle of a triathlete; I certainly had no aspirations of being an elite athlete again.
ST: So you rose from no triathlon experience to pro triathlete pretty quickly.
Nicole: Haha, yes. The first race I trained for was the 2009 Nation’s Triathlon. I won that race and then won USAT Collegiate Nationals, all while working 60-80 hours a week in the hospital. Barb Lindquist contacted me then and pushed me to get my pro card. I never dreamed I could race at that level. Philly was my first pro race last year and I finished 3rd. I have been on or right near the podium since then – which still shocks me sometimes.
ST: What was the catalyst in your decision to jump from med school to triathlete?
Nicole: I grew up swimming and had a decent Division I collegiate running career. I also won a State cycling championship during a casual year on the UVA cycling team. In 2009, Bob Wilder, a sports doc at UVA, told me I could attempt running again. I decided to try triathlon but never thought it would become a legitimate career option. After a string of podiums and a runner-up finish to Sarah Haskins at South Beach this year, I decided to give triathlon a real shot.
ST: What will your medical degree be in and has that been put on hold for the time being?
Nicole: I am going to specialize in Sports Medicine. This year I decided to put medical school on hold and focus on triathlon. The Medical School Dean and the Sports Medicine Department Chair were both totally supportive. UVA is an amazing school. I have passed my board exams and I just have one year left.
ST: And now the million dollar question. What’s your dream job? Pro triathlete or doctor?
Nicole: Haha. Can you answer that question for me? Kidding aside, I think I can do both. Amanda Stevens (a seasoned doc/pro triathlete) has given me some great advice on juggling triathlon and medicine. With some thoughtful planning, I think it is possible to do both things well.
ST: It turns out you ran with Jarrod Shoemaker at Dartmouth University. Any crazy college stories about the Olympian?
Nicole: I do have a hazy memory of a team party after Jarrod and the men won the conference XC championship. Jarrod was crowd surfing, soaked in champagne, screaming along to the lyrics of George Michaels, “Freedom” and God knows what he was wearing. He certainly wasn’t the only one though. Don’t tell him I told you that.
ST: What have you been racing this season?
Nicole: Mostly the 5150 series and the Lifetime Fitness Race to the Toyota Cup
ST: Currently you sit 6th in the 5150 series. What are your goals for the Hy-Vee 5150 Championships?
Nicole: My goal is definitely a top 10 finish. There are 5 invitational spots that will go to some real rock stars and I am not very familiar with the European athletes. I think top 10 is a reasonable and achievable goal.
ST: Hy-Vee reserves the right to invite 5 pros of their choice, so aside from the 20 pros who have already qualified, you could be going up against some of the ITU stars or even Chrissie Wellington.
Nicole: Hy-Vee and 5150 have done some really progressive things in the sport this year. It would be incredible to see something like Paula Findlay and Chrissie Wellington on the same start line. The prize purse at this race has really brought the sport to a new level professionally; it is exciting to be a part of it.
ST: I understand you’re coached by Greg Mueller of Innovative Endurance. How did you get hooked up with Greg?
Nicole: I met Greg at an Olympic Training Center camp last year. I could tell he had a unique relationship and friendship with his athlete, Kaleb VanOrt. Greg has his athletes’ best interests in mind and not just his own- this is rarer than one would think at the elite coaching level. I wanted a coach like that.
ST: What makes Greg a special coach?
Nicole: Greg responds to his athletes’ feedback and really understands the importance of rest and recovery. With my injury history, I doubt there are many people in the country that could coach me successfully. I never even think about my knee anymore. Greg sees the long-term vision of how to produce happy and successful athletes.
ST: You live in Charlottesville, Virginia while Greg is based out of South Bend, Indiana so how does that work?
Nicole: Yes, I call or email Greg almost every day. He gives me a workout, I do it and then give him feedback on how I am feeling. He uses that information to devise the workout for the next day or week. It works really well.
ST: Do you have any advice for athletes who are coached remotely?
Nicole: Find someone that is a good communicator. Communication becomes more important in a long-distance coaching situation.
ST: Your husband Wes is very involved with triathlon albeit more in the business side. Having a spouse who understands and supports your own dreams must mean a lot.
Nicole: Yes! Wes is awesome! He coached me during my transition into professional racing and he coaches a lot of local athletes. He also owns a triathlon store trilifegear.com, and is very passionate about the sport. He has been a triathlete for over a decade and was e support you receive from the sponsors who believe in you must mean a lot too.
ST: The support you receive from the sponsors who believe in you must mean a lot too.
Nicole: I am so fortunate! Profile Design has been incredible- I get to wear the fastest speedsuit and wetsuit on the planet. Rudy Project, Champion Systems, Hammer, Quarq, Ragged Mt. Running and Cville Bike & Tri have all been amazing sponsors. I will start riding a CD01 Quintana Roo this month and I am really excited about having a super fast bike now! The Olympic development running team of Mark Lorenzoni and Dana Thiele, Ragged Mountain Racing, has also been especially supportive.
ST: What are your goals in the future?
Nicole: My big goals for the future center around 70.3 racing. My strengths have always been longer distance racing and I think having a longer bike and run with a relatively shorter swim will suit me well. I can tell you that my goals are quite bold with what I am expecting from myself at this distance. My first 70.3 is planned for the end of 2011. We will see…
ST: Where will you be racing next?
Nicole: I am doing the Giant Eagle Triathlon next weekend in Ohio- then New York, Chicago, Hy-Vee, LA and the US Open in Dallas.
ST: Thanks for the time.
Nicole: Thank you Sal! For anyone interested, you can check out my site nicolekelleher.com. I use my medical research background to write stuff on controversial topics in science, sport and physiology- like the true effectiveness of altitude tents and compression wear. Stuff that Slowtwitch readers love to tear apart…have at it. Thanks so much again for the chat Sal!
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