2x Ironman World Champion Tim DeBoom has a busy summer ahead of him and on his schedule are the Norseman Extreme Triathlon and the Alpe D'Huez Triathlon. Slowtwitch had a few words with him.
Slowtwitch: Thanks for the chat Tim.
Tim: No worries.
ST: What are you up to?
Tim: I always try to keep myself busy. Seems like I have more on my plate now than ever before though, which is probably a good thing. Keeps me from getting into trouble.
ST: It is now less than 3 months until the Norseman, are you starting to feel it?
Tim: I'm really looking forward to it, something new and exciting. I'm just starting to dial in all the equipment and my training for the next couple months.
ST: As you have heard, it could be quite cold there during the event despite it happening in early August. Do you think you like those conditions or at least will embrace them?
Tim: I have never had a problem with any type of weather. I've done well in both heat and cold. I am not a fan of cold water, however, so that's the one part I'm really having a hard time embracing. Do they allow double wetsuits? It's also quite a shift from my normal routine of training for the heat of Kona. I find myself really getting out after it on the cold rainy days here in the mountains of Colorado.
ST: In terms of difficulty, where do you think Norseman will rank?
Tim: I'm expecting it to probably be the hardest race I've done. I don't think I'll have the same intensity in my training as I would for something like Kona. With an event like this, I have to look at it as a nice long training day that I've rested for a bit before hand. It's not something I'm going to go out and attack from the start. I will be cautious.
ST: Do you think you’ll enjoy jumping from the ferry into the dark and cold fjord?
Tim: I actually practiced that this year down at the Kemah Triathlon in Texas. The swim started from the boat, so I got a little experience with that. Of course it was a non-wetsuit swim into 70-degree water, so I'm sure the Fjord will still be quite daunting. Just grab em and go I guess is all you can do.
ST: Have you already decided on your crew and who will be running up the mountain with you at the end?
Tim: Looks like my big brother, Tony, is going to be along for the ride. It's been a long time since we set out on this kind of adventure, so I'm really looking forward to it. I have to make sure he gets his butt in shape!
ST: You’ll be in Europe early and word has it that you are doing Embrunman too.
Tim: Actually, I'm doing the Alpe d'Huez tri. Embrunman would be great as well, but I've really wanted to do the race up the Alpe. Should be interesting couple weeks for me. I've never done 2 longer races like that 10 days apart. The Alpe d'Huez race is actually on a Wednesday, so it works out okay. I'll have 10 days to be ready for Norseman. This, of course, goes right along with both races having a longer training day feel instead of full on the gas races.
ST: Talking about full gas, currently Bjorn Andersson holds the Norseman record we believe and that was done in pretty miserable conditions. Do you see yourself cracking that one?
Tim: I'm really not even thinking about records. I never have. I'm going to have to practice what I preach with this one and focus on finishing. If it's something I have never done, then the first goal always has to be to finish, otherwise you look past it and stopping can seem real easy when things get tough.
ST: That sounds like some sound advice indeed and it looks like you have an interesting summer planned. Hopefully you’ll have some time to chill too.
Tim: I always have fun in the summer. This is quite a bit different for me. I'll actually be putting in my big training during the early/mid summer instead of late summer/ early fall. I'm looking forward to having the bigger events of my year done in early August, then I can focus on the other fun races to round out the year. It does sound fun when I get talking about it. Sure we'll get some good stories out of it.
ST: Your new race kit - is that the handy design of Tony?
Tim: Tony has done some great stuff and being a part of EC, I really wanted to showcase some of it on my kit. Pearl Izumi is unreal in what they can do for custom kits, so we took some art from a shirt Tony actually did for Pearl and put it on the back. Turned out really cool and we'll have more fun stuff planned for the year.
ST: We know you are an ambassador for Endurance Conspiracy, but are you otherwise involved too? Are there creative juices in you we have not yet heard about?
Tim: Tony and I both grew up with pencils and sketchbooks in our hands at all times. I think we spent more time doodling in class than studying. We also always did the designs for our swim team t-shirts growing up. T-shirts were all we ever wore and we each had our collection of favorites. Tony has really been able to manifest that talent into the business in recent years. I think he took the energy he had put into being an athlete and transferred it to this new passion. I have plenty of ideas of my own, but have not taken the time to get myself rolling with the whole computer art thing. So, for now, it's on Tony's shoulders.
ST: Is there news in terms of sponsorships?
Tim: I am still working with my core group of sponsors that I have been with for quite a while. As I describe them, it may seem like I'm gushing a bit about all of them, but honestly, I do not work with people or companies that I don't want to hang out with outside the race venue. I consider them all friends, and I'm pretty darn lucky to represent them. I also am pretty picky with my product choices and only represent what I truly, wholeheartedly believe in.
PowerBar is still the best nutrition available and I can't say enough about the crew of people I work with there. Great friends who I love spending time with. They do the research, they test it, and it works. Pearl Izumi has been amazing the past few years. Being a home town company has allowed me to be more involved than ever before with one of my sponsors. They have also been the first to really listen to the input from their athletes and that shows in the products that are coming to market for you guys. Again, I can't say enough good stuff about the people that work there. They have all become wonderful friends. As far as my bikes are concerned, I am convinced I'm on the best stuff out there. Felt has done amazing things and are always ahead of the game in the world of cycling. Whether I'm on my TT bike, my road bike, or my mountain bike, I couldn't be happier. Lastly, Jim Felt is the reason I wanted to be with Felt, and he is the reason I will be loyal to them forever. He is an incredible guy with an incredible story and he will be a life long friend.
Shimano has also been great to work with. Di2 has changed my life. You couldn't pay me to not ride it. It is that big of an advantage on the race course. I can't go back to mechanical shifting. And don't get me started on the new XTR. Really impressive. Oakley is still covering my eyes and will continue to do so as they are the best out there. They are another company that pushes the boundaries of fashion and safety. They have saved my eyes too many times to count. Fizik has kept me happy in the saddle for over a decade now. Don't know what I would do without my Aliante on the road bike. If they ever stop making it I'm in big trouble. Guess I better start hoarding them. One of the new companies I started working with right before Kona last year is Torhans hydration systems. They approached me and let me do some testing of their products. I also knew they had been doing some serious testing in the wind tunnel with Felt. I know there are all kinds of opinions and results on hydration systems for TT bikes. For me, in a long race, I like having the ability to have the bottle in my face and the ability to refill on the fly. Their testing gave me the confidence to use it in Kona. They're now making some other new products that I can't wait to get my hands on. As with my other sponsors, they are incredible guys to work with as well. Lastly, the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows has come into my life in a huge way. These guys are amazing. I started working with them last year and it has literally become a second family to Nicole and I over there on the Big Island. Bree, Brian, and the entire staff are incredible, and we just love it there. We know almost everyone by name, and the hospitality is second to none. It is, hands down, the best place on the island to stay. Just got back from there again actually, and I miss it already. Sorry to be long winded there, but I really couldn't be more proud to represent these companies. They stand by me and allow me to do what I love, and it's an honor to call them out anytime I can.
ST: Anything else we should know about you?
Tim: Gotta leave a little mystery out there. Otherwise, you may stop asking me to do these things!
