Heath Thurston, 32

Orem, UT

Winner of the 2010 Utah Half Distance Triathlon

Family: Wife Mahogani, daughters Kida (7), Scout (4)

• Wetsuit Worn: Vector Pro X2 Sleeveless by Xterra
• Bike Brand: Fezzari T5
• Type of Cycling Shoe: Louie Garneau, Tri HRS
• Type of Running Shoe: Saucony Kinvara
• Watch and bike computer used: Garmin 310 xt watch, Cateye Speedometer
• Had for breakfast the morning of race: oatmeal, banana.
• Ate for dinner the night before: McDonalds big mac combo meal. I was helping set up the course, so I needed and something quick.
• Triathlon Coach: self-coached.
• Training plan for the Utah Half: most of my training leading up to the Utah Half focused on the run. I also worked on my bike fit and aerodynamics on the bike which have really helped. Swam about once a week.
• Race Strategy: I planned to go hard on the swim to get an early lead, then push hard but conservative on the bike. Since there was a tailwind during the first part of the bike, that helped keep me “conservative”. I had hoped for wind on the second half of the bike so my improved aerodynamics would benefit me, and even though I had slowed up a bit, I was still able to get a decent split. Going into the run Spencer Woolsten and I were together, which was great as we could pace off each other for as long as possible. I knew BJ Christenson would be coming, and coming really fast, and thought I needed about 10 minutes to hold off his amazing speed. As I saw BJ leave T2 (the run course passed by transition again) it did not seem like I had enough lead. I just decided to settle into my pace (trying to keep a 6:30) and run as well as my body would let me run, and have no regrets when BJ caught me. As I headed into the last 3 miles of the run, and hadn’t been passed by BJ yet, I knew that I had a good chance to hold him off but he could certainly pass me just before the finish. I decided to run as hard as I could for the next two miles. With about 400m to the finish, I knew the win was mine. It was an awesome battle. BJ always give me a run for it.
• 2011 Races Planned: 70.3 Puerto Rico, Ironman St. George, REV3 Triathlon series, Ironman Canada.
• Advice to aspiring triathletes: Anyone can do it, it’s just like an obstacle course for big kids, right? Take your time and enjoy it, but work more on your weaker disciplines than your strong ones.