Our next interviewee is a Midwest girl turned professional triathlete. The competition can thank her grandfather for passing along the racing gene. Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome Terra Castro

 

KK: Terra where did you grow up?

TC: I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan.

 

KK: What was it like for you growing up in Michigan?

TC: It was good, as you can imagine my whole family lived with in three blocks of each other.

 

KK: What is it like living and training in Austin?

TC: It is good. There is a nice triathlon community. Austin is a nice sized city with a small town feel. We have high humidity, which is why triathletes like training here, especially when it’s time to get ready for Kona.

 

KK: What do like about racing the Ironman distance?

TC: I like the mental side of racing an Ironman, it give you a chance to get yourself out there. It may take you the whole seventeen hours, pro or age grouper, so you need to be ok with yourself.

 

KK: Have you ever had a bad day racing?

TC: Yes, when I was racing in Coeur D’Alene I had to walk during the marathon. I had a mantra of I am a fighter not a quitter. I was a hard day but I had to finish.

 

KK: Do you have another job besides racing triathlon?

TC: I have a background in message therapy. I take care of the University of Texas track team and I travel with the volleyball team.

 

KK: What was the first triathlon that you participated in?

TC: My first triathlon was the Clark Lake Triathlon in 1997. My grandfather and I raced it and from what I can remember he beat me in a sprint finish. I decided to do the race with my grandfather because I didn’t want to sit and watch him. I had a running background; I swam until I was 13 so I figured I could handle the swim, my grandfather got me on the bike. That is where it started and I haven’t stopped since.

 

TC: Grandfather was a career cyclist. He was an alternate for the 1956 Olympics.

 

KK: What kind of equipment did you have?

TC: I had an old steel six-speed bike, toe clips and a helmet that looked like it had a swim cap over it. While on the bike I could drink water because I was to scared to reach for the water bottle.

 

KK: When did you start racing the log course distances?

TC: In 2004 I realized that I needed to make a change; I needed to start doing things for me. When I was racing the short course stuff I felt like I was doing to get the Olympics and I felt like I was doing that more for my grandfather.

 

TC: My first long course was the Soma Half here I finished second place to Heather Fuhr. I took a chance doing this distance but felt my fitness was good after training and racing the Olympic distance. After completing that race I told myself I love this distance, it’s different it’s a different approach a different mind game and a different focus.

 

KK: What is the difference for you racing ITU versus long course?

TC: When I raced ITU it was race and travel all over the place. With long course the people are different. You and I can race the same course and then sit down over dinner and talk about the conditions, they aches ad pain and how brutal the course was. In ITU you don’t have the time to do that.

 

KK: What was your first Ironman race?

TC: Ironman Wisconsin 2005 and I finished in 7^th place.

KK: What has been your biggest hurdle while racing an Ironman.

TC: IN 2006 while racing Ironman Arizona I had three flats while on the bike. It was frustrating and it was a hard decision but I had to call it a day.

 

KK: In 2007 you raced in Kona. Where did you qualify for this race?

TC: At Ironman Arizona where I placed 5^th.

 

KK: How was your 2007 Ironman World Championship experience?

TC: It was hard, I was use to the heat but my nutrition was not right. I am not sure if it was the salt water or the things I was eating but I had to walk at least sixteen miles and I puked every mile. It was good experience because I learned a lot bout the race and I learned a lot about myself.

 

KK: What is the Team Luna Chix all about?

TC: They are awesome. The whole staff came to Kona and took care of us. We have a team mechanic, which even came with us to Ironman Coeur D’Alene. They really support and they support the lifestyle of sports.

 

KK: What do you like to do on your off time?

TC: I try to go back to Michigan and spend time with my family and friends along with spending time with my husband Zane and dog.

 

KK: What else do you want people to know about you?

TC: I am spiritual person who loves the sport of triathlon. I am approachable and easy to talk too.

 

Terra Castro Blog: http://terracastro.blogspot.com/

Zane Castro: http://www.unmatchedperformance.com

 

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