Mark White
Claremont, CA
 TC: Where were you born and where did you grow up?
Mark: Los Angeles, CA; same. Also Santa Monica and Hollywood. Graduated from Hollywood H.S.
TC: How and why did you want to become a triathlete?
Mark: I began H.S. as a runner and at Humboldt State Univ. Rode bikes with a CAT 1/2 rider and started kicking his butt back in 1986. Didn't like cycling then. In 1995 met a duathlete (Bruce Funk) who talked me into trying swimming and putting it all together. Bonelli was my first (Isn't everybody's?). Came out of the water and felt like I would die. Hired a Polish swim coach and got much faster. I was hooked.
TC: What started you on the tri- kick?
Mark: See above.
TC: How many triathlons have you competed in?
Mark: Too many to remember. Bonelli x 10, Alcatraz, Ironhorse, Mike & Robs 1/2 x 2, Wildflower 1/2 x 5, Police & Fire Olympics x 4, Vineman Full.
TC: What were your feelings going into that first Triathlon?
Mark: Nervous. I had only just been able to swim 500 yards without stopping.
TC: What event is your strongest? Your weakest? And your favorite?
Mark: Hard to say as I had numerous knee problems/surgeries (7 total) so that interrupted and derailed my training. My best performances came in the sprint and Olympic distances. 2:04 for Olympic consistently back in 1996-1999. Usually completed a sprint with a 17:00 5K. As a runner I ran 15:32 and 30:53 for 5k and 10k. 2:36 marathon. Only did one full Ironman in 11:36. Nutrition problems. Felt I was capable of a 10 hour race as I had done several 1/2 ironman's in the sub 4:40 range. I would say I liked the olympic distance because the racing was fast and intense. You suffer more because of the pace and I always trained hard so I knew that I could suffer more than anyone else. If they beat me then they were going to hurt. A favorite workout was bringing my bike trainer to the track. After warmup I would ride the trainer for 10 minutes at 150-160 HR, get off bike and change to shoes - begin immediately a mile repeat in 5:35. Back on the bike w/o rest. Do this 6 times.
TC: What are you goals in the sport of triathlon?
Mark: Back then I wanted to turn Pro. At Alcatraz I beat many Pros. Came in 33rd out of 800 total racers - with a sprained ankle! I only needed a couple more races in the top 5% to qualify at that time to race with the Pros. I was training like Mike Pigg, whom I knew from college when he was in high school. He trained with us as he was a local kid at the time. I communicated with him and received lots of advice. At the next Wildflower I did fairly well but tore my cartilage in my left knee, again. Therefore my run sucked (about a 1:29). Finish time was a 5:01. Very good time but not up where I wanted to be. The next surgery ended my hopes of ever running fast again. Since then I haven't been able to run very much. I've done two mini tri's since then. Bonelli 2005? and LA Tri in 2004? Both times I won my AG. They just didn't catch me on the run. Good thing it was only 5k.
TC: How has your health/fitness changed through triathlon
Mark: See above. Became stronger overall though.
TC: Before you were a triathlete, you did something else that filled the time that you now put into training. What was it?
Mark: I was a runner in high school. Mile/2 mile. 4:36/10:36. Went to Humboldt State and ran 5k through the marathon. Oh, ran 2 marathons in high school: 3:08, then 2:59 (Santa Monica Marathon and then Mission Bay Marathon). TC: What kind of jobs have you held and which was your least favorite? Mark: Forest Fire Fighter for the Dept. of Forestry, Park Aide in the CA State Park system, Police Officer (Pasadena PD) - worked undercover narcotics - retired due to injury will on duty. High School biology teacher and now Assistant Principal at a high school. I liked them all at the time so I can't say I don't like any of them. I also bagged groceries, painted houses and worked for the City of LA mowing grass medians.
TC: What would be your best guilt free dinner?
Mark: Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy with corn. My mom used to make that for me. To this day I cannot eat fried chicken because it's all crap compared to mom's!
TC: What gets you pumped up on race day?
Mark: Knowing I trained very hard and knowing in my head that I'm ready to put the hurt on some people. It's a psychological thing.
TC: What is your favorite activity on non-training rest days?
Mark: Watching TV, baking cookies and eating them with my son.
TC: What is your favorite way to relax and recharge just before the race?
Mark: Same. Although I try and skip the cookies before a big race.
TC: Favorite Athlete?
Mark: Which sport? Ironman: Jurgen Zack because he walked the marathon at the Big One instead of quitting! Running: Emil Zatopek (Czechoslovakia) because he won the 5,000/10,000/Marathon in the 1952 Olympics. He was a stud. Cycling: Eddy Merckx. All around best cyclist who dominated many different races. Boxing: Ali - always will be the greatest (I have his autograph). 400m hurdles: Edwin Moses - Black Athlete - 122 straight victories; 2 gold medals, WR, majored in Physics and Industrial Engineering at Morehouse College with a 4.0 GPA - what a role model! TC: Favorite Food? Mark: Chocolate chip cookies - homemade!
TC: Favorite Book?
Mark: Catcher in the Rye
TC: Favorite Quote/Philosophy?
Mark:"You wouldn't have to get ready, if you stay ready!"
Also: I'm training for La Ruta de los Conquistadores in Costa Rica in November this year. I am so far 2 years cancer free from my prostate cancer and I also turn 50 this year. This is a goal race to complete since it is considered the hardest mountain bike race in the world. Roberto Heres did it in 2008 and he said after day one that it was one of the hardest things he has ever done. It is a 4 day stage race from the Pacific side to the caribbean side of Costa Rica. Day one you climb 14,500 feet over 68 miles. Here is a link to the area of my web site where I talk about the race: http://web.mac.com/mgdwhite/iWeb/Site/La%20Ruta%20.html
|
