Everyone in the Minnesota Multisport scene knows of Cathy Yndestad. She's been named Minnesota Triathlete of the Year THREE TIMES. She’s been the Age Group National Champion (30-34) at the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship two years in a row (2nd and 3rd overall). And she's won the Elite Amateur division of the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis 5 times!
Now she's stepping up her game. Just last month, she turned PRO. She's getting ready to race her first Ironman as a PRO this weekend in Wisconsin.
I had a number of questions about what it REALLY means to be a pro triathlete, and Yndestad was kind enough to take some time for an e-mail interview with me. So I sent her a few questions, and this is what she had to say:
1. I talked with you about a year ago, and you mentioned slowing things down for 2010 - we threw around the idea of teaming up as a relay for a duathlon (or something fun like that). The next thing I know, I hear you're going pro! What changed? Why now?
Originally I had every intention of pulling back a little in 2010. I was admittedly burnt out on the expectations and pressure that came with prior results/awards, and wanted to get back to the primary reasons I race – to have fun and be healthy. Endurance training has always been (and I sure hope it always will be) a significant part of my life, so continuing to train and find other racing outlets was natural. After received a coveted entry into the Leadvile 100 MTB race, which was to be the focus for 2010, I simply entered TRI’s for the great speed/threshold workout. Surprisingly, this racing turned out better than expected, and I was quickly reminded just how much I LOVE the sport.
Thankfully I was able to remove the pressure, and I felt better than ever. After racing the LTF triathlon for the 9th straight year, and picking up my 5th consecutive Elite amateur victory, I came to the conclusion that it was time for another new challenge. I earned the opportunity to race as a PRO as a result of my prior race results, and although I currently don’t consider myself PRO caliber, I’m excited to work hard, to race with the best and see what happens.
…And of course, I’m still very interested in a teaming up for a relay!
2. What does going pro REALLY mean?
In my opinion is doesn’t mean that much. It’s simply a classification, which grants qualified athletes the opportunity to race for money in a specific PRO wave. The current USAT rules state that only those athletes holding a PRO card, have the opportunity to win prize money when the prize purse is greater than 5K. Amateurs however, are only allowed to enter the Elite/open wave and earn money when the prize purse is less than 5K. I certainly do not consider myself a ‘professional’ triathlete by definition of Professional (meaning making a living). I’m very realistic about where I expect to rank against the true Professionals, and therefore I’m not making this change for the money. In contrast however, I do look forward to additional opportunities to enter closed races, receive priority start times, transition location, and most importantly for me, the chance to race side by side with the best triathletes in the world.
3. Compared to being an age-grouper (or even an elite amateur), how does being a professional triathlete change your…
3a. … training?
I’m still trying to figure out my goals for 2011. Although I’ve seen more success as an amateur at the Olympic distance, I’m considering shifting my focus to the 70.3 or full Ironman (Although this could change after Ironman Wisconsin). In prior years, I’ve frequently adjusted my plans and race schedule mid stream and have rarely establish true goals for the season. I was notorious for doing whatever workouts ‘the group’ was doing, and changing race plans at the last minute. Going forward, once I commit to my goals, I will focus my training accordingly. I will work with a coach to design a plan with very specific objectives and performance markers to ensure I’m making progress along the way. This sort of focus and feedback will be new for me.
3b. … racing?
Once I get through Ironman Wisconsin, I will make decisions about what type of racing I will do in 2011. Ironman Wisconsin will only be my 4th career ironman (over the course of the last 5 years), with the 2008 Ironman World championship in Kona being the most recent. I have A LOT to learn at that distance, yet drawn to challenge nonetheless. I still plan to race all my favorite local races. There’s no reason to give that up and spend extra money and time traveling, however I do expect a few more 70.3 races on my schedule.
3c. … overall daily life?
I really don’t expect this to change much at all. Again, my primary reason for racing and training is to have fun and be healthy. If I sacrifice too much life balance in an attempt to squeeze in more training or racing, then I’m moving away from my mission. I will keep my full time job, and continue to find cleaver ways to maximize my day.
(page 1 of 2)
The interview is continued on page 2 of this article. Yndestad talks about her day job, her income as a pro, and makes interesting points about the difference between racing amateur vs PRO.
Continue to PAGE 2 of the interview >>>
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