Out of nowhere – Dan Stubleski
In 2012 Dan Stubleski was the top age grouper at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas but he was pretty much an unknown. Since then the Michigan native has shown that the Vegas result wasn't a fluke.
Slowtwitch: Thanks for your time and man you have come a long way.
Dan Stubleski: No problem and thank you for the interview. I guess I have come a bit of a ways haven't I? It is still a bit crazy to me what I have accomplished.
ST: What are you still doing in Hawaii?
Dan: I think you may be asking me this question because my Facebook page says I am living in Hawaii. I'm really not. I had changed it while we were there to get a rise out of family and friends! I have reluctantly changed it back to Michigan again.
ST: So are you shoveling snow already?
Dan: No not yet, it's just been freezing cold. I am sure the snow is coming though.
ST: Your name was actually batted around the ST forum late in September of 2012 because you were the top age grouper at 70.3 Worlds and folks did not know you. Were your ears ringing?
Dan: Ha ha, yes maybe a little ear ringing was going on. I did read some of the stuff on ST about me. I don't remember if I chimed in at the time or not.
ST: I believe you did sign up for the forum around the same time.
Dan: I had been lurking on the forum for a while before the race because I was so new to triathlon I was just trying to take it all in. I signed up after the race because I was wondering how I could get sponsors.
ST: A local Michigan newspaper had written about you in 2012 and it sounded like you stumbled accidentally on triathlon while on vacation in Maui. Is that an accurate description?
Dan: I don't remember exactly what the article said, but I do think it was slightly inaccurate. The correct story is my wife and I had planned a trip to Hawaii and at the time I was just really into road cycling. I ran some and did not swim at all unless it was in the pool with the kids. I wanted to take my bike with me because I had heard that the roads are nice to ride on there and the environment is nothing like I would ride in here in Michigan. Once I decided I was for sure taking my bike I started looking into possible races. All I came across was the South Maui Tri. I have always been athletic and thought why not give it a try. This was probably about 8 months before our trip. I started swimming at the high school pool, which did not go so well in the beginning! I also obviously worked on my running too.
ST: Which bike did you bring?
Dan: I was riding a Specialized Tarmac road bike at the time. The same one I rode in my first 70.3.
ST: You ended up doing very well. Were you surprised?
Dan: Well I went into the race with no expectations. I just wanted to see if I would like it or not. So yeah, I guess I was surprised!
ST: Was there something you had not counted on or prepared for?
Dan: Looking back on it I was not prepared at all! I did not swim in my tri top, which made it impossible to put on after the swim. I did not have a race belt, I think I actually used safety pins. The only nutrition I had was Gatorade. It was also the first time I had swam in open water.
ST: What tickled you to want to race 70.3 Worlds in Vegas and eventually the Kona Ironman World Championships?
Dan: I did some research into triathlon racing and discovered that there was a championship race in Vegas and that became my goal to qualify. I am very competitive when it comes to sports. The World Championship in Kona at first was more of a dream I guess. Whenever I would see it on TV or read about it I would think maybe someday. Then when I really started racing I realized that I could probably make that dream happen.
ST: What were your expectations going into Las Vegas with the 2nd place Maui in your back pocket?
Dan: Well there were a few races with pretty good finishes between Maui and Vegas so I knew I could compete well, but I really didn't expect to be 1st overall amateur!
ST: What bike were you racing and did anyone help you with the fit and setup?
Dan: I raced with a Specialized Transition. It's the same bike I am racing with now, but with a few upgrades. I had help from Fraser Bicycle in Fraser, Michigan. Most of the help comes from Ron S. He has helped me out a lot with my bike whether it's adjustments, upgrades, or just questions he's always there to help. I will just throw this in for the fun of it–I would love to switch to riding a Specialized Shiv, but of course they are a lot of money so if anyone want to send one my way feel free!
ST: Once done with Vegas did you do any racing or were you taking time off until the spring?
Dan: I took time off. My next race was Ironman Texas in May.
ST: I believe you stamped your 2013 Kona ticket with a 9:12:21 time at Ironman Texas.
Dan: I did qualify for Kona in Texas and that is the correct time. I obviously was happy with my finish, 1st place, especially being my first full distance Ironman. But, man it was a tough day!
ST: With the golden ticket in hand what were you up to until the big dance?
Dan: Lots of training and racing. I raced an Olympic distance Best of the US race in Indiana in June, Racine 70.3 in July, Steelhead 70.3 in August, and the 70.3 World Championship in Vegas in September again.
ST: Was there a race this season leading up to Kona you were especially proud of?
Dan: Yes, Steelhead 70.3. It is one of my favorite races and this year I went under 4 hours for the first time. My finish time was 3:58:39.
ST: Were you happy with your swim and bike in Kona?
Dan: Yes. My swim was about what I had expected. The bike I like the best. I rode the course when we first got to Hawaii so I would know what I was getting in to. On race day it went by really fast.
ST: I believe Sam Gyde caught you relatively late during the run. Were you aware he was coming?
Dan: No, I did not know he was coming. At the time he caught me I was not feeling all that great!
ST: How long did you hold on to him?
Dan: I tried to hold on to him for a while, but he was going pretty fast so I got dropped.
ST: Did you or he say anything?
Dan: No neither of us did. We were both working pretty hard by then.
ST: I assume you were pleased with you Kona outing.
Dan: Yes. As I look back on it I am happy with my results. As always though, I am looking to improve.
ST: What kind of improvements do you think are possible?
Dan: I would like to improve my bike and run times.
ST: Is there anything else we should know?
Dan: I want to say thank you to my wife, Stephanie, and my kids, Makenna and Brett for putting up with me when all I do is train and before races when I get stressed out. A big thank you to my parents too because they are the ones who watch the kids when Stephanie is working and I am training. Also, a huge thank you to Specialized for getting me the part for my bike that was lost during shipping to Hawaii. It was not a stock part that I could just go to the store and buy. Someone actually brought it over from the mainland with them so that I would have it before the race. They are the best! So for now I am back to training and getting ready for Texas again in May. My goal is to qualify again for Kona so I can go back to the place that I love!
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