Haley Chura is likely going to be the first female out of the water, but unlike in previous years she is now a Pro and many more eyes and cameras will be on that fast Team Dynamo Atlanta super fish.
Slowtwitch: Haley, I guess it is on.
Haley Chura: Yeah it’s on! I’m going to Hawaii to race as a professional in the Ironman World Championship! Someone pinch me because my life is too cool to be real right now!
ST: It is real for sure and we are happy for you.
Haley: Thanks so much Herbert! It has been a fun journey and I always appreciate the support I get from the Slowtwitch community.
ST: How much stress was it for you sitting on that KPR bubble?
Haley: For me, it wasn’t stressful at all! I knew I’d be close this year and after Ironman Mont Tremblant my coach, Matthew Rose, sent me a text message that said “Happy New Year!” and encouraged me to start planning for 2014. I think Matthew was still secretly hoping I’d get into Kona, so he was probably stressed, but I was too busy signing up for other races!
ST: When were you finally able to actually focus on Kona?
Haley: By the time I hit submit on my race registration on August 30th, I was laser focused on Kona. My entire athletic career my parents have been adamant about seizing opportunities and racing anytime I qualified for a championship event, even if the timing wasn’t convenient. Thanks to some quick help from both them and my coach, I had my entire trip planned and training schedule adjusted within a few hours of getting the news.
ST: Your flight to Kona is when?
Haley: I’m flying out of Atlanta tomorrow morning, with a quick layover in Los Angeles before landing on the Big Island that evening. I think that gives me just enough time to acclimatize and enjoy race week while still keeping an early to bed, early to rise East Coast schedule. If I could get myself to go to bed at 7pm and wake up at 3am year round, I would! I love early mornings.
ST: A couple years ago we met on the trip to Kona and you, Matthew and I had lunch at a Mexican place at the LAX airport. So what will be the culinary delight at that layover place this time?
Haley: You know what? I think the Mexican place is gone! It’s probably for the best since I don’t remember it being particularly tasty, but I definitely had some good memories of that joint! This year I’ll probably be hitting up “Lemonade.” I think they call it “Southern California Comfort Food” which I believe is much healthier than the Southern Comfort Food I’m used to. I’ll have to save the mac and cheese for post-race!
ST: You aren't new to Kona, but this will be your first Pro experience. In your mind is it the same or very different?
Haley: It’s very different! I’m a big fan of the sport and I’ve spent my past four trips to Kona playing paparazzi and snapping photos of the pros and triathlon legends as they trained and made appearances around town. I’m totally the age grouper rubber necking on the Queen K, trying to figure out who’s leading the pro race. But this year I get to be in the pro race. I know that racing the best in the world will only bring out my best, and I’m excited to see what I can do!
ST: I know you worked on your cycling and running, but did that hurt your swim speed?
Haley: It’s hard to undo 24 years of work! I’m also built for swimming with a long torso and flexible knees and elbows. The pool is where I learned to race and where my racing instincts are strongest. I may spend more time training on dry land these days, but I’ll always be at home in the water.
ST: Last year in Kona you swam 53:45 and that was the fastest overall female split, but you started with the age groupers. This year you will be in the front bunch and with many eyes on you. Do you feel pressure?
Haley: I feel the excitement! As much as I love mass starts, I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do with a little less full contact swimming. The age group start is beautiful, but it’s also super aggressive. With a bit less beating, I’m hoping I can put together a faster swim time this year.
ST: What is possible in your mind in terms of a swim time there?
Haley: Swim times are hard to predict because water conditions and currents can affect times so drastically. Kona is a swimmer’s course: non-wetsuit, definitely a full 2.4 miles, and it can be choppy. My perfect Kona swim would probably come on a day with very rough conditions. I might come out in 55 minutes, but if the majority of the women’s pro field swims more than an hour, I’ll still be in a good place.
ST: But do you really need to show all your cards in the swim or could it not be a more relaxed effort in the water that would leave you more power for the bike?
Haley: An easy swim? Not on my watch. Tactics are tactics, but this year especially, I know my biggest impact on the race will come in the water. I love swimming too much and more than anything, I want the swim to matter.
ST: Who will be the toughest challengers in the swim?
Haley: Amanda Stevens, Meredith Kessler, and Liz Blatchford have all been close to me in the water at races this year. And I know Rachel Joyce and Jodie Swallow are tremendous swimmers as well. Crazy things happen in Kona and it’s always anyone’s race. If I weren’t there, I definitely wouldn’t get to lead, so I’m grateful for the chance to see where I stack up with such strong competitors.
ST: Do you think folks will look where you line up in the water?
Haley: I would be honored! I think I’m pretty good at finding fast lines in the water, but it’s always nice if others agree! Though I imagine some of the more experienced women already know their favorite start positions. It’s hard to change what works.
ST: Is there sponsor pressure to be first out of the water and on the bike?
Haley: More like sponsor opportunity! My swim sponsor, TYR, has shown me nothing but love all year and I’ve really enjoyed working with them and using their products. I’m lucky to have relationships with some great companies and while I will give everything to represent them at the front of the race, I believe they will be cheering for me regardless of my position coming out of the water. Besides, it is the finish line that really counts!
ST: But aren't there little victories along the way? I recall you and Matt having big pier arrival contests.
Haley: Oh no! I’m never going to live it down. In three consecutive races at Kona, Matthew beat me to the pier ONCE. I tripped and he passed me on the steps. And yes, I am still humiliated! I think he would count that as a BIG victory! In recent years we’ve taken to making tattoo bets. Yes, real tattoos. What kind of coach does that? I’m happy to report I’m still ink free!
ST: You may be ink free, but you seem to recall each of those 3 arrivals at the pier. So I guess it is a contest not just to the finish line - even if just in humor.
Haley: It is true - swim bragging rights don’t come easy around the Dynamo pool deck. The place is crawling with fast swimmers! That is probably the real reason Matthew isn’t racing this year. He knew his reputation couldn’t handle another big loss!
ST: Oh, such fighting words. All joking aside, the Dynamo crew Atlanta seems to have been a great support system for you. Is that a fair statement?
Haley: I think that’s an understatement! Dynamo is much more than just a support system, it’s family! The Dynamo Swim Club has a 50-year tradition of excellence and the Masters Swimming and Multisport programs have shown to be equally committed to homegrown success. When I first stumbled onto the Dynamo pool deck five years ago I had no idea that the women in my lane would become life long friends, or that the guy one lane over would be the coach who taught me how to dream big. People don’t think of Atlanta as a triathlon hotbed, but the triathlon community here is strong and growing stronger every year. I am so thankful for everyone’s support and so proud to represent Atlanta and Dynamo at races across the globe!
ST: Anything else we should know?
Haley: Watch out for Betty Janelle in the age group swim race this year! She may be the same age as the Dynamo Swim Club, but I’ve done more than a few swim workouts with her hot on my heels! Betty swam for my college coaches at the University of Georgia before I did. She’s one of my biggest supporters and best training partners, and I’m so excited she’s racing in Kona this year. It means I’ll probably still be rubber necking on the Queen K, this time trying to figure out who’s leading the age group race!
The twitter handle of Haley Chura is @haleychura
Haley also sent us a doodle as to what really matters in Kona next week.
