D3 Multisport is proud to announce that our Athlete of the Month for December 2009 is Jay Lochhead. Jay recently raced Ironman Cozumel, and finished 9th in his AG, while setting a 46 minute PR. Jay's work ethic is second to none, and quite routinely his coach had to remind him to back off so we wouldn't overdo it. Jay set a PR in every distance he raced this year from Half marathon, marathon, Half Ironman, Ironman, Sprint and Olympic distance races. His true love is in the long stuff and being a relative newbie, his star is on the rise. I hope you enjoy reading about Jay - one of the nicest and most dedicated guys you'll meet in our sport.

D3: Can you tell us a little bit about your sports background? Which sports did you do as a kid and as you got older?
JL: As a child I was not athletic at all. I was fat and it was all I could do to run for Pop Warner football. As I became too small for football, I started playing high school soccer. Coordination was an issue so I started ski team. After college I started running and ran 4 marathons. Then I took some time off.

D3:What was your motivation to get started in triathlon?
After I started running again in 2003 I was running quite a bit. I did a couple marathons and lots of halfs. A friend who was a better swimmer and BMX cyclist as a kid but couldn’t run suggested a triathlon and I thought “That might be fun”. We dared each other to sign up.

D3:Did you have any interesting jobs as a teenager or early 20’s?
I worked for my uncle from when I was 14 until I was 17. As part of the job there were free beers for working hard. Work hard, play hard! I later started a company with a buddy of mine. We did roofing, decks, painting, landscaping, etc. for vacation homes in northern NH. Talk about a scam!

D3:Your better half is involved in your training as well – tell us how that works and how you keep each other motivated.
Having someone who knows what a triathlon is and who is supportive of the hours involved is critical to a successful relationship. We don’t compete against each other either, which is kind of nice. If she took it more seriously it might be better.

D3:What is your current job and what do you do?
Director of Manufacturing. I handle the Production support activities for Amgen. It is a great job that gives me a lot of responsibility in conjunction with good pay and benefits and some flexibility to train.

D3:What is your dream job?
I would love a flexible job with responsibility, high pay and good benefits that allows me to train mid day when the weather is nice. Hey! That sounds like my current job!!!

D3:This season you started racing with Power – can you tell us how that changed your approach to cycling (if it did) and did it help you?
Training with power was a little odd at first. Once I understood the power zones and reasons for using power, the power file became my main tool to measure. I love watching other athletes crush hills, only to fall apart at the top or later in the race.

D3:Have you done any races that you’d traveled for?
? Yes, Boston Marathon, Kona, Coeur d’Alene, LakePlacid, Timberman, Eagleman, Mooseman, Cozumel, SOMA. I love destination races.

D3:Best Triathlon moment?
My favorite race was IM Cozumel. I raced fast, was mentally ready, and felt strong nearly the entire race. Playa del Carmen has great scenery for post race recovery also.

D3:What is your favorite race and why?

D3:What are your long term goals in triathlon?
Continue to improve, PRs, Qualify for Clearwater or Kona.

D3:If you could spend a day training with anyone, who would it be? Crowie or Samantha McGlone

D3:What’s in your race future?
Marathons (AZ and Boston), Half IMs (Boise, Boulder, others.). My only “A” race coming up is Ironman Arizona.

D3:What’s your favorite workout?
Hard Brick (Really it is the best race prep).

D3:What your least favorite workout
Swimming inside with multiple people in the lane. Give me open water any day!

D3:Tell us something interesting about you!
I volunteer for two HOAs, have a great dog, still have Patriots tickets in Foxborough,. One time a couple years ago I broke my hand playing basketball and did a triathlon 3 weeks later. It helps to have to be motivated.

D3:Thanks Jay!