Posted: February 23, 2005

Multisport: Twenty Questions with Jamie Stephenson

In January at the Ottawa Sports Awards, Jamie Stephenson was named "Triathlete of the Year". The Runner's Web caught up with Jamie recently to do this interview.

1. Profile:
Name: Jamie Stephenson
Address: Ottawa, ON
Occupation: Web Developer
Company: The Ag Dealer
Age: 31
Born in: (City) Ottawa
Sport(s): Triathlon Sponsor(s): none
Event(s): Olympic Distance Triathlon

Five Favourites:
i) Movie - I'll watch just about any movie! I love movies
ii) Food: Home-made pizza
iii) Book: Well - just read Robert Kennedy Jr.'s "Crimes Against Nature"
iv) TV Show: I rarely watch TV
v) Drink: OJ and Perrier

2. Runner's Web (RW): How and when did you get started in the sport of triathlon?

Jamie Stephenson (JS): In high school I joined the cycling club. The teacher/coach was a triathlete herself and she encouraged us to get involved. A few of my buddies and I decided to check it out. After trying one I was hooked!

3. (RW): Describe your background in sports as a child and in school.

(JS): I played everything! My parents were active and encouraged us into various sports (hockey, soccer, running, skiing, among others). But mostly the activities we did were non-competitive. Our weekends often consisted of family ski outings in the winter or family bike rides in the summer. Even at the cottage our days were filled with activity - between swim breaks we played capture the flag, windsurfed or waterskied. During high school I played on any team I could. Though I didn't really excel at any one sport, I was voted most athletic among my graduating class.

4. (RW): How much time do spend on your sport in a week, training and competing?

(JS): In 2004 my lowest volume was 10 hours of training in one week. My highest was 31 hours in one week. Most weeks in the spring are 18-20 hours/week and slightly less during competition weeks.

5. (RW): What is the farthest you have traveled for a race?

(JS): I went to Hungary for the World University Championships in 2000.

6. (RW): What do you consider your best performance and why - i) all-time, and ii) in the past year?

(JS): i) all-time:
Although I am still looking for the "perfect race", there are races that stand out in my mind as above average. One is Junior Nationals in 1993 in which I had a very good swim and bike and managed to build up a sizable lead on the rest of the field heading into the run. My goal for the race was to pick up a spot on the Junior National Team. I figured I had an outside chance at doing so. I shocked even myself to win the race by a matter of minutes.
ii) in the past year?
I look back on 2004 and see some good races but none that stand out as great. In every race I can pick many things that went very well but I also pick out elements that should have gone better. I think my best performance might have been the Boston ITU points race. In this race I got off the bike with the lead pack and ran well for half the run but slipped a little at the end of the race. Overall I think the race went very well but I would have liked to have finished a little stronger.

7. (RW): Who is your favourite training partner?

(JS): I am blessed to have the opportunity to train with a lot of talented and motivated athletes! Its too hard to single out just one! Certainly I owe a lot to the Ottawa Lions / Phil Marsh and Co. for helping to improve my run over the last couple years. This year I started swimming with the Carleton varsity team and that was great as well.

8. (RW): What is your opinion of drafting in the triathlon?

(JS): I think drafting is the best thing to happen to triathlon. Not only does it make the race more interesting for spectators, but it makes it a lot more exciting to be part of. Of all the races I have done, I count the draft-legal ones among the most fun. There's a common misconception that because athletes are swimming and cycling in packs, it is somehow easier. This couldn't be further from the truth - athletes, while drafting, are constantly attacking. In a pack, you are always on the red line, and sometimes you have to dig deep just to stay with it.

I also feel that legalized drafting makes racing fairer for everyone. A draft marshal cannot be everywhere at once. Even athletes with the best intentions are sometimes forced into the draft zone during crowded races - I think this is unavoidable. Truthfully, it is very hard to create an environment that is totally non-drafting. By allowing drafting, everyone is playing on a level field.

9. Which event do you think is harder to race - and why: i) 10K or marathon, ii) Olympic distance triathlon or Ironman?

(JS): i) 10K or marathon,
I've never done a marathon, so I can't compare!

ii) Olympic distance triathlon or Ironman?
That's a very tough question! Both are challenging in different ways. In a draft legal Olympic race, there is less that you can control. For the most part, the pace is dictated by the pack. If you are not careful, it is very easy to make a small mistake which can take you out of contention. Even worse, you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time and fall victim to someone else's mistake. There is a lot more uncertainty in Olympic distance events which makes them both challenging and exciting.

On the other hand, it is my impression that you want to execute a race plan under the utmost control in an Ironman. Things never quite go exactly according to plan, but for the most part, I think IM athletes tend to stick to a predetermined plan. It seems to me the challenge in IM (aside from the insane distance covered!) is being good at constantly self-evaluating and when things do go bad, coming up with a way to get back to the game plan.

I'm going to take the middle of the fence here. Anyone that can race either distance well has my respect! For that matter, anyone who participates in any form of triathlon deserves respect I think.

10. (RW): What percentage of athletes do you think take drugs -

(JS): I'd hope it's none, but I am aware that it isn't. I don't know anyone who has intentionally taken drugs to enhance performance. I feel quite strongly that there is no place for drugs in sport. Quite honestly, I also question the "need" for some of the legal supplements that are available on the market.

11. (RW): Have you done an Ironman? If so where and when and how did it go?

(JS): My first (and only so far) was Lake Placid Ironman USA 2003. It went well for my first attempt at the distance. Mother Nature threw a tough day at us but I was generally happy with my performance under the conditions. I was hoping to clock a faster time but I did the best I could and it wasn't the type of day on which athletes were recording best times.

12.(RW): How much would you estimate you spend on your sport in an average year?

(JS): I hate to admit that I spend a few thousand per year - if you include everything from buying energy bars and gels, to paying race entry fees and travelling for events. Although triathlon is a sport that can be done on the cheap, I haven't always gone this route.

13. How do you balance your sport with
i) your work,
ii) your family/relationships?

(JS): i) your work,
My work hours are somewhat flexible so I am able to get out at lunchtime on occasion for a run or swim. Otherwise, I schedule workouts for early morning or after work. People often ask how swimmers manage to get up for 6am workout. It never gets easy! But there is something great about looking at your watch at 8:00am and knowing that you've already done a workout.

ii) your family/relationships?
I have been blessed with a family and a partner who are all very supportive. It definitely helps to be dating someone who is very athletic in her own right! We try and plan races and training together whenever possible.

14. (RW): If you were not able to do your primary sport what other sport/activity would you do?

(JS): Cross-country skiing in the winter. Water sports like windsurfing and waterskiing for the summer. I might even try golf one day.

15. (RW): What are the primary competitions you have planned for 2005?

(JS): Some of the bigger races I have planned for this season are:
- New York ITU Points Race in June
- Caledon ITU Points Race in July
- Canadian Nationals in Kelowna in August
- Boston ITU Points Race in Boston in September

16. (RW): Do you purchase sport related items online? If so, where?

(JS):I try to make my purchases locally, to support the Ottawa triathlon community (and in some cases, friends of mine!).

17. (RW): What are you personal bests (PBs) for:
i) 5K
ii) 10K
iii) Olympic distance triathlon
iv) Other distances?

(JS): i) 5K - 16:20
ii) 10K - 33:35
iii) Olympic distance triathlon - I did the Boston course in 1 hour 47 minutes, but the run on that one may have been a tad short!
iv) Other distances?
Half Ironman: 4:10
Ironman: 10:13

18. (RW): Who has had the greatest influence on your sporting career?

(JS): My parents have always encouraged me and supported my athletic goals. I think they must think I am crazy sometimes but they never say it. By encouraging me at an early age, they instilled the importance of an active lifestyle. From there, they've always been supportive - often footing the bill in the early days.

19. (RW): Who do you think are the top athletes (male and female) in the sport of triathlon?

(JS):To me, the most impressive accomplishment is when an athlete demonstrates longevity. Some of the athletes I really admire are Michellie Jones, Simon Lessing, Miles Stewart, Chris McCormack, Hamish Carter

20. (RW): Describe your strengths and weaknesses in each of the three disciplines, swim, bike run.

(JS): I come from some form of a swim background so in terms of triathlon, I consider myself to be a stronger swimmer. I tend to struggle at times in the bike portion of the race. I am currently running with the Ottawa Lions in hopes of bringing up my speed in the last leg of the race.

(RW):Any other comments you would like to make?

(JS):I feel honoured to be recognized in this way with the Ottawa Sports Award. I really admire and look up to previous winners in this category, and I am flattered to be among them.

Thanks for the interview!