D3: Can you tell us a little bit about your sports background?
Todd: I started running about 8 years ago to get into shape. I was working with a personal trainer at the time who convinced me to give triathlon a try.

D3: Which sports did you do as a kid and as you got older?
Todd: I played little league baseball when I was young. However, as I grew older participation in sports of any kind was relatively minimal. As a result, I was pretty out of shape until my late 30’s when I decided enough was enough!

D3: What is your current job and what do you do?
Todd: I’m Director of Sales for an Environmental, Health and Safety and Human Resource consulting firm based in Lafayette, CO. We work with transportation and manufacturing businesses to promote safe and effective working environments for employees and clients.

D3: When and where was your first race?
Todd: My first race was a sprint race in PA in 2007. It was a small race near my parents’ home and I almost bonked! Live and learn.

D3: You just raced your 1st Iroman, IM CDA, how did the day go for you?
Todd: Overall, the day went off without a hitch! It was an amazing experience. Coeur d’Alene is beautiful and I did the race with two very good friends who were also completing their first Ironman competition. Having them there made the experience so much more enjoyable and much less stressful. The swim was a little choppy but manageable. The bike and run courses are gorgeous and the fan support is incredible. I highly recommend this race! I finished in 12:36 under my goal time of 12:45. I really feel like I can get under 12 hours and that is now my goal.

D3: What workout really helped during your IM preparation?
Todd: I would say the run intervals helped me the most. My coach had me doing intervals in all three disciplines weekly and it definitely made the difference on race day. I could not believe how strong my run was at the end of the day! Also, the climbing rides into Estes Park and Ward were extremely helpful although I was cursing my coach near the summit of those training rides, for sure!

D3: You also just moved out to Colorado from D.C. how did that effect your training and what do you think of Co. so far?
Todd: I love Clorado! I moved here in early 2009 and I bought a home in Denver in March of this year. The adjustment to altitude took about 6 months when I first moved here. Now I don’t notice it unless I head to the big mountains for a little skiing. Training at altitude has certainly helped when doing races at sea level, for sure.

D3: What tips would you give other 1st time IM athletes?
Todd: Try to do something every day. I travel a lot for work, so finding time for 1-2 workouts on the road can be challenging. A pair of sneakers means the ability to workout. Also, I followed the training plan and the race (perfect day for me in a lot of ways!) went off without a hitch. I never felt like I was not going to finish and it was much, dare I say “easier”, than I expected it to be. Follow the plan and the race will handle itself.

D3: What’s on your schedule for the rest of 2010?
Todd: I am considering doing the Rattlesnake Olympic race in CO in August. I have signed up for a 70.3 race in Myrtle Beach in early October. After that, I may take a few months to enjoy some “down” time!

D3: What are your long term goals for endurance races?
Todd: Well, I seem to be hooked. My buddies and I are deciding which Ironman to do for 2011 and all signs are pointing to Lake Placid. We’d like to plan an International Ironman location in either Australia or Europe for 2012. I will continue to focus on Olympic and Half-Iron distances in the near term.

D3: If you could spend a day training with anyone, who would it be?
Todd: My two buddies. One lives in NY and the other in DC. We did not spend any time training together. We’d have a lot of fun!

D3: What’s your favorite workout?
Todd: Running intervals, by far! They break up the monotony of a long workout.

D3: What your least favorite workout?
Todd: The long 4000+ swim workouts near the end of training were the worst for me! I dreaded those hours in the pool. However, since the swim is my weak link, I foresee more time there in the future.

Thanks and congratulations to Todd!