I had hoped this would run on the main page, but since it didn't, here it is...
An Interview with Josh Beck[/center]
Josh Beck is known to many Slowtwitchers for his slow swims and self described "glacier like" transitions that are then followed up with sometimes pro-like bike and run splits. He's an interesting guy, who's worn many hats, everything from professional cyclist to business owner. So I was excited when he decided to take an afternoon off from his standard swim training of splitting wood to sit down and talk.
Slowtwitch : Josh thanks for taking the time today.
Josh Beck : Thank you! It's an honor to be interviewed, I hope it's worthwhile!
ST: Josh a lot of slowtwitchers know you from threads like Josh Beck can't swim but you have an interesting history.
JB : Ha, I guess everyone is known for something! I remember seeing that thread and couldn't believe that people actually cared about my race, let alone my splits, so it was humbling to hear their thoughts on my performance. I still don't like to swim though.
My history...well, it has been interesting to say the least. I love endurance sports and I love to train. It really is just a sweet spot for me, to be running or riding and enjoying the experience. But along the way I've been able to tick off a few cool race experiences too. Professional cyclist, I won a duathlon world championship, finished Powerman Zofingen 8 times, won the overall age group title at Lake Placid. I've kinda been all over the map as far as what I've done but if it involves pedaling and running I'm happy. Actually, my favorite accomplishment was pushing a friend with ALS in a marathon. THAT was pretty awesome and an experience I will always remember.
ST : So, you first get on a road bike in 1997 and by 2000 you are interning with Chris Carmichael? Walk me through that fast transition.
JB : So, I've always been an active guy. I always ran, always rode a bike around. As a matter of fact I broke my pelvis in a downhill mountain bike race when I was 14. I went to college thinking I would play soccer but switched into cross country for two years. When I bought my first road bike, a used Trek 1200 with the very 90's flouro yellow/black splatter paint job in the spring of 1998 everything changed. I showed up for a group ride in Umbro soccer short and a t-shirt and set off with the "A" group because...well just because! I had never ridden that far or fast before and I could barely walk the next day but I was hooked. That was truly life changing, from the relationships made to my work ethic to how much I just love riding a bike.
One of those riders that put up with my early rides saw to it that I had a better ride for the next spring and summer. Now I was getting super serious! I did collegiate cycling the next two years and loved that. I was a one man team in those races but I made a mark. I trained by myself all over western PA, which is not known for its kind cycling climate in the winter months but I really didn't know any better. I often joke that college was the best thing that happened to my cycling career as I went to class, trained, slept, and ate. That was about it!
By the spring of 2000 I had to do an internship to graduate. At the time cycling was Lance Armstrong and I saw an ad in a magazine about Carmichael Training Systems. I called and asked if they would take an intern. A few phone calls and a visit to Colorado Springs had me lined up as their first intern. I went with the expectation that maybe this would lead to a career in professional cycling and that maybe I could live out there for good but it didn't turn out that way. It worked even better than I could have planned; it just took a few twists and turns along the way.
ST: You also went on to ride professionally for sports book. What was that like?
JB : Ah, Sportsbook. Another chapter of my life that has many stories! At the end of 2002 I was being a "Josh of all trades" and jumping between cycling and duathlon. I was racing as a Cat 1 cyclist and won my age group at duathlon worlds. I was also happily married that year! So Jan and I traveled as much as we could to whatever races and in November I got a call. Would I be interested in joining a small pro team for the next year? I had heard promises about pro teams before and been burnt by promises but this sounded like the real deal. Initially I felt like I shouldn't do it and turned it down. But on a Monday in January the phone rang again and I had a second chance to join this first year team.
We were small. We had a tiny budget. We had equipment that was...interesting and teammates that were even more interesting! We didn't have really anything to lose in the peloton and while there were some crazy good riders in the domestic peloton in those days I was just thankful to have a place. I loved doing the USPro race in Philly in front of my friends and family and completed all 156 miles of that. We also did the Milk Ras in Ireland and while I had a very hot/cold race there I loved, loved, loved that style of racing. I got in two breakaways, rode one day in every bunch on the road, and our team sprinter Adam Myerson, won the last stage.
Being pack fodder in the domestic peloton isn't all that great though and the year took its toll on me as I needed to work when at home to pay the bills and quite honestly, I really only liked to go to races with Jan. We're a team and we do life really well together. I just couldn't see myself traveling mega days just to hang on to wheels in crits. So while I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity I decided to head back into multisport stuff.
ST: You mentioned running a marathon with your friend that had ALS as being one of your favorite accomplishments, I can only imagine that had to be extremely emotional. How does something like that effect a person going forward?
JB : Running with our friend Donna was life changing. For both her and me! Her health had been heading south for quite some time and by the time she received the diagnosis of ALS she only had use of one hand. There were a lot of friends and things that lined up to make this happen but in May we had a running stroller and a plan to run consistently throughout her remaining days and hopefully get to a marathon. Well, I could write a book about all of our time together on those runs but as I trained for Lake Placid and then Kona she was right there with me. She had done Kona back in the 80's and RAAM and countless other big time events. She truly was a pioneer and endurance sports gave her a lot of joy. Here I was pushing her so she could get her endorphin fix! I was learning a lot about living life from a woman that was dying and while she could have given up, complained, or become something other than her sweet self she didn't do anything other than be Donna. We did a few races here and there but those training runs were special. It was life changing to use some gifts I had like strong legs to serve someone else and it created a mini movement in my business and life.
We chose the Harrisburg Marathon as our big day. Silly me; I thought we would do a parade of sorts and it would be a long day but easy as we would be chatting and enjoying the scene. Boy was I wrong! I was a few weeks off of Kona, our Golden Retriever had passed the day before, and I was really on fumes emotionally. But this day was entirely about Donna, we started off and she had a big grin. We rolled through the half way point in one hour and 33 minutes; it was then she leaned back and asked if could go under 3 hours! So any of my excuses went out the window and it was game on. You simply can't tell a woman that's dying that you're hurting. Besides, she would do the same if the roles had been reversed. So we ran faster. Her grin grew larger. I downed a Coke and she even took a gel for good measure. She was in the game and committed and I just tried to not let her down.
We crossed the line in 2:59 and change. She smiled and smiled and smiled. I did too. We did it.
A few months later on a Monday in January we ran together again. It was just warm enough to be out for her and we did a familiar loop among pastures and farm fields. We both were quiet, with just the hum of the stroller tires and the tapping of my feet. That was the last day Donna ran on this earth. She passed that Friday and she did so as an amazing human and aspiring, and inspiring, endurance athlete. It was an honor to be the legs for her those few months. I even used our time to run Boston in 2015 with my wife so that day in Harrisburg with Donna had some lasting effects!
ST : So, you won Duathlon World's, placed high at Powerman. Why not turn it into a career?
JB : A "career" is a funny word. If you mean full-time, revenue producing, sponsorship-obtaining career well...I don't know that I'm entirely cut in that mold. During those years I worked as much as I could, trained as much as I could, and I had some amazing friends help me in my pursuits. Those were amazing people that just wanted to see me do my thing at the highest level I could get to and they didn't want anything in return. I have always said that running and cycling give me joy; it's something I have always loved to do and making the switch to a possibly more stressful setup wouldn't necessarily be a good thing. I've ridden $250 bikes and $10k bikes and you still have to pedal both! Plus, I have a hard time actually resting and doing nothing. If all I did was train, race, sleep, and eat I think I would go bonkers.
I admit I'm not a self promoter. I really enjoyed owning the shoe stores and promoting the team and our vision...when it comes to me I'd rather just let my legs do the talking and stay humble. I've had some great days and some epic fails along the way!
ST : Until recently you owned a couple of running shoe stores. What's that industry like?
JB : I did create a running shoe store back in 2008. Talk about a learning experience! The running shoe industry changed quite a bit in the 10 years I owned the stores. We started with 6 shoes on the wall and a hope that our town would support our mission. While a lot of fads came and went through those 10 years what sustained us was that we accepted and appreciated every customer that walked in. While we were runners it was the non runners that supported the store. For every pair of awesome, technology laden kicks we would sell we pushed 10 pair of Brooks Dyads out the door. Those are what fit the feet that came in! We always said that the shoes we carried were tools in the toolbox; we just had to sort through it and make sure the shoe was the proper tool for the wearer. So I think in our case it was important to have our vendors not forget the "normal" people that came in the door that wanted great functioning shoes that they could chase the grandkids in and wear with jeans. I loved talking running as much as the next guy but we knew that our most profitable customer was the 60 year-old woman. SHE would bring in her whole family for shoes if we accepted, inspired, and encouraged her. A store elsewhere might have a totally different customer come in; all that matters is that they know who that is!
So the industry isn't easy and I see a lot of things being tossed against the wall to see what sticks. Lots of special color ways, limited edition stuff, and new models in the lines that seem redundant. But it's a different climate in retail now and you can buy things at your kitchen table in your pj's and mail it back free if you don't like it. There's a battle of convenience vs. culture. It's the same product being sold but in two vastly different ways. But in my heart I still think a properly run brick and mortar store can survive if they have a culture people want to be a part of. I just hope the vendors see it that way.
I don't miss the retail grind. I have had to grieve leaving that store because it was a huge part of me for 10 years. I miss leading the staff that willingly worked there, I miss the banter with customers, I miss the problem-solving part of my job. I don't miss the financial talk or partnerships. So I'm off doing a lot of random fun stuff and we'll see where that goes!
ST : As we are here talking you're actually getting text messages from people about needing new shoes. Is that normal? Did it bother you that people could just get a hold of you whenever they wanted?
JB : I'm a server. I want to help people and I thrive when I get the chance. I hope that the way I ran my business showed that. I guess it's a compliment that people still reach out; I think they value the relationship as much as anything. I enjoy helping and serving but have also learned it's important to have a "gate" for people to access me. I tend to work extremely hard at helping others. That's admirable, I guess, but there is only one Josh!
Jan and I did learn that there is a cost to serving everyone and it's very important to keep what's most important as the primary thing. Keeping our relationship healthy and our family going has been the priority. My family gets the best of me now not just what's left after a day of running the stores. Thank goodness I have Jan as she understands my personality and what lights me up but also keeps me in line so I don't self destruct!
ST: You just recently qualified for Kona at Lake Placid and yet again you have people talking about that swim and those transitions. Help us understand what in the world is going on.
JB : I did qualify! It's pretty cool as Jan and I went in 2013 but this time we get to take the boys along. They are old enough to remember it and we are all looking forward to it. I believe it's my 5th or 6th time qualifying but my second time that I took a slot. After the roller coaster year I've had I'm happy, even if my swim is painfully slow and my transitions are glacier like! Plus Lake Placid was only my third race of the year total and my longest swim before it was 15 minutes so there's that! I just did my thing and I slid into a slot. I think that at 41 I'm thankful that I can still do this, even if the competitive fire isn't quite as intense as it once was.
Here's the thing with transitions; because of my swim I get to see a part of the race the fast guys don't. There's people snapping pictures with their families out of the water, people are walking, and I'm right there in it with them! It's pretty cool to see that side of it. Now of course I wouldn't be fast even if I had the joint to myself...that transition is my chance to recharge and get things right. Plus the volunteers in the tent are so nice. I mean, who wants to spend their Sunday afternoon seeing what they see?! So I make sure to talk to them, thank them, and since I'm a former shoe guy I can't help but look at their shoes. But when it gets down to it I almost think that if I took 5 minutes off my transition I'd go more than 5 minutes slower out on the course. But that's just me, other guys might argue that point forever and have data points and charts and all of that. I just know my body and how it works and I can usually get away with it with these longer races.
ST : I'm looking forward to following your race at Kona on the tracker. Are there any races coming up before that where our readers can witness your "glacier-like" swims and transitions first hand?
JB : Between now and then I'll dabble in something I'm sure. Definitely Savageman as I need to keep my streak of conquering the wall going. I think there's 3 or 4 of us left that have done it every year and I'm pretty committed to always going back. I just love that race and I try to get everyone to do it, at least once. It just has a great feel to it and to me it's a very honest race. You either have it or you don't! As for other races I really doubt I'll want to take the time. August and September are back to school time for our boys and Jan so our household routine changes pretty drastically and that always takes a few weeks to get into a good groove. So Savageman and just crush some runs and rides in south central Pennsylvania to get ready. Of course there's all my wood splitting to get ready for winter and for swim training, haha!
ST : And finally, switching gears towards the future, with the sale of the shoe stores, do you have any ideas on what industry you'd like to land in next?
JB : You know, I have learned so much about myself in this transition from small business owner to whatever is next. I have applied to a position in the cycling industry and didn't get it. I've applied for manual labor in a town near me and didn't get that. I've heard "no" from what seemed like slam dunk jobs. So I've taken what I have available right now and I've spent the last few months turning wrenches and restoring/repairing Jeeps. So I'm not real picky about the industry I guess. I'm pretty versatile as a Josh of All Trades. As long as I am making a difference I'm extremely happy! Shoes were the widget that got me in front of people where I could encourage and inspire them but I could easily see myself in another realm doing the same thing. I loved getting alongside of the customers and staff and leading them by being a servant. My faith isn't rocked through this process, I know it will work out. It's just like my transitions in triathlon. It takes longer than some think it should! I'm just working on my endurance in a different way.
There's another thing that keeps bubbling up in my mind and that's a book. I'd really like to give that a try and help the endurance athlete maintain healthy relationships while they pursue their dreams and goals. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive but if you read the signs and shirts and listen to the conversations at an Ironman you will see they have become that way. You can do both but it takes a lot of work. So maybe I'll go down that road and see what happens with that!
ST : Josh, thank you again for taking the time and good luck at Kona!
JB : Thanks for all the great questions and the chance to share my story. I appreciate it more than you know!
An Interview with Josh Beck[/center]
Josh Beck is known to many Slowtwitchers for his slow swims and self described "glacier like" transitions that are then followed up with sometimes pro-like bike and run splits. He's an interesting guy, who's worn many hats, everything from professional cyclist to business owner. So I was excited when he decided to take an afternoon off from his standard swim training of splitting wood to sit down and talk.
Slowtwitch : Josh thanks for taking the time today.
Josh Beck : Thank you! It's an honor to be interviewed, I hope it's worthwhile!
ST: Josh a lot of slowtwitchers know you from threads like Josh Beck can't swim but you have an interesting history.
JB : Ha, I guess everyone is known for something! I remember seeing that thread and couldn't believe that people actually cared about my race, let alone my splits, so it was humbling to hear their thoughts on my performance. I still don't like to swim though.
My history...well, it has been interesting to say the least. I love endurance sports and I love to train. It really is just a sweet spot for me, to be running or riding and enjoying the experience. But along the way I've been able to tick off a few cool race experiences too. Professional cyclist, I won a duathlon world championship, finished Powerman Zofingen 8 times, won the overall age group title at Lake Placid. I've kinda been all over the map as far as what I've done but if it involves pedaling and running I'm happy. Actually, my favorite accomplishment was pushing a friend with ALS in a marathon. THAT was pretty awesome and an experience I will always remember.
ST : So, you first get on a road bike in 1997 and by 2000 you are interning with Chris Carmichael? Walk me through that fast transition.
JB : So, I've always been an active guy. I always ran, always rode a bike around. As a matter of fact I broke my pelvis in a downhill mountain bike race when I was 14. I went to college thinking I would play soccer but switched into cross country for two years. When I bought my first road bike, a used Trek 1200 with the very 90's flouro yellow/black splatter paint job in the spring of 1998 everything changed. I showed up for a group ride in Umbro soccer short and a t-shirt and set off with the "A" group because...well just because! I had never ridden that far or fast before and I could barely walk the next day but I was hooked. That was truly life changing, from the relationships made to my work ethic to how much I just love riding a bike.
One of those riders that put up with my early rides saw to it that I had a better ride for the next spring and summer. Now I was getting super serious! I did collegiate cycling the next two years and loved that. I was a one man team in those races but I made a mark. I trained by myself all over western PA, which is not known for its kind cycling climate in the winter months but I really didn't know any better. I often joke that college was the best thing that happened to my cycling career as I went to class, trained, slept, and ate. That was about it!
By the spring of 2000 I had to do an internship to graduate. At the time cycling was Lance Armstrong and I saw an ad in a magazine about Carmichael Training Systems. I called and asked if they would take an intern. A few phone calls and a visit to Colorado Springs had me lined up as their first intern. I went with the expectation that maybe this would lead to a career in professional cycling and that maybe I could live out there for good but it didn't turn out that way. It worked even better than I could have planned; it just took a few twists and turns along the way.
ST: You also went on to ride professionally for sports book. What was that like?
JB : Ah, Sportsbook. Another chapter of my life that has many stories! At the end of 2002 I was being a "Josh of all trades" and jumping between cycling and duathlon. I was racing as a Cat 1 cyclist and won my age group at duathlon worlds. I was also happily married that year! So Jan and I traveled as much as we could to whatever races and in November I got a call. Would I be interested in joining a small pro team for the next year? I had heard promises about pro teams before and been burnt by promises but this sounded like the real deal. Initially I felt like I shouldn't do it and turned it down. But on a Monday in January the phone rang again and I had a second chance to join this first year team.
We were small. We had a tiny budget. We had equipment that was...interesting and teammates that were even more interesting! We didn't have really anything to lose in the peloton and while there were some crazy good riders in the domestic peloton in those days I was just thankful to have a place. I loved doing the USPro race in Philly in front of my friends and family and completed all 156 miles of that. We also did the Milk Ras in Ireland and while I had a very hot/cold race there I loved, loved, loved that style of racing. I got in two breakaways, rode one day in every bunch on the road, and our team sprinter Adam Myerson, won the last stage.
Being pack fodder in the domestic peloton isn't all that great though and the year took its toll on me as I needed to work when at home to pay the bills and quite honestly, I really only liked to go to races with Jan. We're a team and we do life really well together. I just couldn't see myself traveling mega days just to hang on to wheels in crits. So while I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity I decided to head back into multisport stuff.
ST: You mentioned running a marathon with your friend that had ALS as being one of your favorite accomplishments, I can only imagine that had to be extremely emotional. How does something like that effect a person going forward?
JB : Running with our friend Donna was life changing. For both her and me! Her health had been heading south for quite some time and by the time she received the diagnosis of ALS she only had use of one hand. There were a lot of friends and things that lined up to make this happen but in May we had a running stroller and a plan to run consistently throughout her remaining days and hopefully get to a marathon. Well, I could write a book about all of our time together on those runs but as I trained for Lake Placid and then Kona she was right there with me. She had done Kona back in the 80's and RAAM and countless other big time events. She truly was a pioneer and endurance sports gave her a lot of joy. Here I was pushing her so she could get her endorphin fix! I was learning a lot about living life from a woman that was dying and while she could have given up, complained, or become something other than her sweet self she didn't do anything other than be Donna. We did a few races here and there but those training runs were special. It was life changing to use some gifts I had like strong legs to serve someone else and it created a mini movement in my business and life.
We chose the Harrisburg Marathon as our big day. Silly me; I thought we would do a parade of sorts and it would be a long day but easy as we would be chatting and enjoying the scene. Boy was I wrong! I was a few weeks off of Kona, our Golden Retriever had passed the day before, and I was really on fumes emotionally. But this day was entirely about Donna, we started off and she had a big grin. We rolled through the half way point in one hour and 33 minutes; it was then she leaned back and asked if could go under 3 hours! So any of my excuses went out the window and it was game on. You simply can't tell a woman that's dying that you're hurting. Besides, she would do the same if the roles had been reversed. So we ran faster. Her grin grew larger. I downed a Coke and she even took a gel for good measure. She was in the game and committed and I just tried to not let her down.
We crossed the line in 2:59 and change. She smiled and smiled and smiled. I did too. We did it.
A few months later on a Monday in January we ran together again. It was just warm enough to be out for her and we did a familiar loop among pastures and farm fields. We both were quiet, with just the hum of the stroller tires and the tapping of my feet. That was the last day Donna ran on this earth. She passed that Friday and she did so as an amazing human and aspiring, and inspiring, endurance athlete. It was an honor to be the legs for her those few months. I even used our time to run Boston in 2015 with my wife so that day in Harrisburg with Donna had some lasting effects!
ST : So, you won Duathlon World's, placed high at Powerman. Why not turn it into a career?
JB : A "career" is a funny word. If you mean full-time, revenue producing, sponsorship-obtaining career well...I don't know that I'm entirely cut in that mold. During those years I worked as much as I could, trained as much as I could, and I had some amazing friends help me in my pursuits. Those were amazing people that just wanted to see me do my thing at the highest level I could get to and they didn't want anything in return. I have always said that running and cycling give me joy; it's something I have always loved to do and making the switch to a possibly more stressful setup wouldn't necessarily be a good thing. I've ridden $250 bikes and $10k bikes and you still have to pedal both! Plus, I have a hard time actually resting and doing nothing. If all I did was train, race, sleep, and eat I think I would go bonkers.
I admit I'm not a self promoter. I really enjoyed owning the shoe stores and promoting the team and our vision...when it comes to me I'd rather just let my legs do the talking and stay humble. I've had some great days and some epic fails along the way!
ST : Until recently you owned a couple of running shoe stores. What's that industry like?
JB : I did create a running shoe store back in 2008. Talk about a learning experience! The running shoe industry changed quite a bit in the 10 years I owned the stores. We started with 6 shoes on the wall and a hope that our town would support our mission. While a lot of fads came and went through those 10 years what sustained us was that we accepted and appreciated every customer that walked in. While we were runners it was the non runners that supported the store. For every pair of awesome, technology laden kicks we would sell we pushed 10 pair of Brooks Dyads out the door. Those are what fit the feet that came in! We always said that the shoes we carried were tools in the toolbox; we just had to sort through it and make sure the shoe was the proper tool for the wearer. So I think in our case it was important to have our vendors not forget the "normal" people that came in the door that wanted great functioning shoes that they could chase the grandkids in and wear with jeans. I loved talking running as much as the next guy but we knew that our most profitable customer was the 60 year-old woman. SHE would bring in her whole family for shoes if we accepted, inspired, and encouraged her. A store elsewhere might have a totally different customer come in; all that matters is that they know who that is!
So the industry isn't easy and I see a lot of things being tossed against the wall to see what sticks. Lots of special color ways, limited edition stuff, and new models in the lines that seem redundant. But it's a different climate in retail now and you can buy things at your kitchen table in your pj's and mail it back free if you don't like it. There's a battle of convenience vs. culture. It's the same product being sold but in two vastly different ways. But in my heart I still think a properly run brick and mortar store can survive if they have a culture people want to be a part of. I just hope the vendors see it that way.
I don't miss the retail grind. I have had to grieve leaving that store because it was a huge part of me for 10 years. I miss leading the staff that willingly worked there, I miss the banter with customers, I miss the problem-solving part of my job. I don't miss the financial talk or partnerships. So I'm off doing a lot of random fun stuff and we'll see where that goes!
ST : As we are here talking you're actually getting text messages from people about needing new shoes. Is that normal? Did it bother you that people could just get a hold of you whenever they wanted?
JB : I'm a server. I want to help people and I thrive when I get the chance. I hope that the way I ran my business showed that. I guess it's a compliment that people still reach out; I think they value the relationship as much as anything. I enjoy helping and serving but have also learned it's important to have a "gate" for people to access me. I tend to work extremely hard at helping others. That's admirable, I guess, but there is only one Josh!
Jan and I did learn that there is a cost to serving everyone and it's very important to keep what's most important as the primary thing. Keeping our relationship healthy and our family going has been the priority. My family gets the best of me now not just what's left after a day of running the stores. Thank goodness I have Jan as she understands my personality and what lights me up but also keeps me in line so I don't self destruct!
ST: You just recently qualified for Kona at Lake Placid and yet again you have people talking about that swim and those transitions. Help us understand what in the world is going on.
JB : I did qualify! It's pretty cool as Jan and I went in 2013 but this time we get to take the boys along. They are old enough to remember it and we are all looking forward to it. I believe it's my 5th or 6th time qualifying but my second time that I took a slot. After the roller coaster year I've had I'm happy, even if my swim is painfully slow and my transitions are glacier like! Plus Lake Placid was only my third race of the year total and my longest swim before it was 15 minutes so there's that! I just did my thing and I slid into a slot. I think that at 41 I'm thankful that I can still do this, even if the competitive fire isn't quite as intense as it once was.
Here's the thing with transitions; because of my swim I get to see a part of the race the fast guys don't. There's people snapping pictures with their families out of the water, people are walking, and I'm right there in it with them! It's pretty cool to see that side of it. Now of course I wouldn't be fast even if I had the joint to myself...that transition is my chance to recharge and get things right. Plus the volunteers in the tent are so nice. I mean, who wants to spend their Sunday afternoon seeing what they see?! So I make sure to talk to them, thank them, and since I'm a former shoe guy I can't help but look at their shoes. But when it gets down to it I almost think that if I took 5 minutes off my transition I'd go more than 5 minutes slower out on the course. But that's just me, other guys might argue that point forever and have data points and charts and all of that. I just know my body and how it works and I can usually get away with it with these longer races.
ST : I'm looking forward to following your race at Kona on the tracker. Are there any races coming up before that where our readers can witness your "glacier-like" swims and transitions first hand?
JB : Between now and then I'll dabble in something I'm sure. Definitely Savageman as I need to keep my streak of conquering the wall going. I think there's 3 or 4 of us left that have done it every year and I'm pretty committed to always going back. I just love that race and I try to get everyone to do it, at least once. It just has a great feel to it and to me it's a very honest race. You either have it or you don't! As for other races I really doubt I'll want to take the time. August and September are back to school time for our boys and Jan so our household routine changes pretty drastically and that always takes a few weeks to get into a good groove. So Savageman and just crush some runs and rides in south central Pennsylvania to get ready. Of course there's all my wood splitting to get ready for winter and for swim training, haha!
ST : And finally, switching gears towards the future, with the sale of the shoe stores, do you have any ideas on what industry you'd like to land in next?
JB : You know, I have learned so much about myself in this transition from small business owner to whatever is next. I have applied to a position in the cycling industry and didn't get it. I've applied for manual labor in a town near me and didn't get that. I've heard "no" from what seemed like slam dunk jobs. So I've taken what I have available right now and I've spent the last few months turning wrenches and restoring/repairing Jeeps. So I'm not real picky about the industry I guess. I'm pretty versatile as a Josh of All Trades. As long as I am making a difference I'm extremely happy! Shoes were the widget that got me in front of people where I could encourage and inspire them but I could easily see myself in another realm doing the same thing. I loved getting alongside of the customers and staff and leading them by being a servant. My faith isn't rocked through this process, I know it will work out. It's just like my transitions in triathlon. It takes longer than some think it should! I'm just working on my endurance in a different way.
There's another thing that keeps bubbling up in my mind and that's a book. I'd really like to give that a try and help the endurance athlete maintain healthy relationships while they pursue their dreams and goals. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive but if you read the signs and shirts and listen to the conversations at an Ironman you will see they have become that way. You can do both but it takes a lot of work. So maybe I'll go down that road and see what happens with that!
ST : Josh, thank you again for taking the time and good luck at Kona!
JB : Thanks for all the great questions and the chance to share my story. I appreciate it more than you know!