Lauren Goss is getting ready for the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon and should feel reasonably confident after her second place at Rev3 Knoxville and the 4th place at the Nautica South Beach Triathlon in Miami. We had a few words with the Mt. Pleasant, SC native who currently resides in Clermont, FL.
Slowtwitch: Thanks for your time.
Lauren: Thank you for thinking of me.
ST: Are you ready for Philly?
Lauren: Yes, I am ready to do well in the race on Sunday. I have not raced in almost a month because I got sick and had to skip out on Rev3 Quassy. Considering that race had the biggest prize purse on my 2012 schedule, it was quite inconvenient. I am very familiar with my competition this weekend, and I have even trained with most of them.
ST: Have you raced that event before?
Lauren: No. This is my first year racing non-draft so it is also my first time competing in the Lifetime Series.
ST: Will you have time and the coach's permission to enjoy a cheese steak?
Lauren: I will have the time to enjoy most of the gems of Philadelphia. However, my coach is strict when it comes to weight, so I most likely will skip the cheese steak. Lame, I know.
ST: Do you want us to talk to your coach about an incentive along those lines? Cheese steak for third place, cheese steak with fried onions for second place and cheese steak with fried onions, mushrooms and extra cheese for the win.
Lauren: Haha, well I am sure if I podium he will have to let it slide. But I really hate mushrooms and onions…so will need to add something different. Maybe a bagel and Philadelphia cream cheese!!
ST: All kidding aside, what does your diet look like?
Lauren: I only eat things I have to cook. Well, minus yogurt. I would say 25% of my diet is Chobani Plain Greek Yogurt with homemade granola, 25% oatmeal and Smuckers all natural peanut butter, 40 % various combinations of chicken, veggies, and a starch, 5% avocados, and 5% froyo. I am looking forward to trying out Boom Yogurt this summer!
ST: Was Rev3 Knoxville the season highlight so far?
Lauren: That race was thrown in at the last minute. Sara McLarty, my training partner, found a really cheap flight, so we decided to give it a go. Result wise, yes, Knoxville was the highlight of the season. But to me, Miami was a breakthrough race for me mentally and perhaps led to my success at Knoxville.
ST: Miami had a strong field indeed and you finished fourth. What do you think made the difference there?
Lauren: This year I started doing motor pacing…behind a car, not a motor bike. My coach, Alec Rukosuev, is pretty crazy and I really have improved my bike handling skills because of this. The workout we do is 5x5mi. I know I am able to do this workout well, so I decided to split up the 40k into 10-minute intervals just like the workout I do. This helped me gain confidence and I was able to focus for the whole 40k.
ST: Kelly Williamson stalked you during the run in Knoxville and eventually passed you. Did you have any idea how close she was and did you think you could hold her off?
Lauren: Going into the race I screwed up and already decided if Kelly came off the bike with me then she would win. Off the bike she was there, and I raced like I normally would. When she caught me I did not even attempt to hang with her because of preconceived thoughts. Rookie mistake. This will never happen again.
ST: But you certainly had a big smile on your face in the finish chute.
Lauren: Yeah! Because Rev3 has awesome prize money!
ST: So does that mean that next time you are in that situation you will believe in yourself?
Lauren: Yes. I have come to the realization that at this level everyone is fast and fit. The ones that win only win because they are mentally stronger, not necessarily physically.
ST: After Philly, what is on the plan?
Lauren: I will “race” my first half in Portland at the Rev3 event. I "participated" in 2 half-distance events last year, but I did not properly train for these. So I am looking forward to it.
ST: What bike are you riding?
Lauren: Quintana Roo CD 0.1
ST: Anyone help you with your bike fit?
Lauren: Yep, Joe Santos from Davis Wheelworks came down to Florida and helped me set up my bike. He thinks outside of the box when it comes to making the bike faster, so it has been an ongoing process.
ST: Talk about your other sponsors.
Lauren: Timex Multisport, Newton Running, Champion Systems, and Davis Wheelworks have worked with me this year. This is my first year being on a team, and I really like the support system that comes with it. Also, of course, couldn’t do it without Mom and Dad :)
ST: Anything else we should know?
Lauren: My most exciting thing I do in Clermont is go to Zumba with my friend Taylor and her grandma "Gamgamz."
Also, my beer mile is 7:25.
ST: We would really like to know what kind of beer mile Gamgamz could do.
Lauren: Gamgamz would run the White Zinfandel mile…she would probably give Will Clarke a run for his money.
ST: One more thing Lauren. We would be remiss if we did not ask you about Tony the Dancing Machine. Who is he and how did you meet?
Lauren: Tony is the male version of Lady GaGa. He is an entertainer in Greenville, SC. I was lucky enough to meet him at the USA Cycling Nationals.
