2011 USAT Female Triathlete of the Year Christine Anderson already has a number of top podium finishes under her racing belt.
After coming back from a career-ending injury in 2011, this Boulder resident not only earned top honors from the USA Triathlon Federation, but she also moved up to professional status for this year’s 2012 racing season.
Christine finished third in her Pro racing debut at the Leadman 125, competing under the Timex Multisport Racing Team. While her finish – under seemingly very tough race conditions – was impressive to say the least, Christine still thinks that there’s room for improvement.
Read on to find out how this Colorado-loving triathlete is determined to push herself to her limits while enjoying her busy lifestyle at the same time.
Quick Stats
Name: Christine Anderson
Age: 30
Hometown & Current: St. Charles, IL & Boulder, CO
Professional & Educational background: undergrad fresh-soph Arizona State, junior-senior University of Illinois, Bachelors degree in economics.
I am a Customer Lifecycle Manager for W.W. Grainger. I manage all Government contracts in the Western region. I work cross functionally to build customer programs staying within Grainger’s operational, legal and financial guidelines responding to large bids.
Sports participated in: Swam competitively since age 7 through freshman year in college at ASU. Also played soccer, volleyball, track (high jump), ballet, and gymnastics.
Years in current sport: 6
Racing Team: Timex Multisport Team
Sponsors/Affiliations: Timex, Quintana Roo, Zoot Sports, Shimano, Challenge Tires, Lululemon, Champion System clothing, PowerBar, Nathan hydration, Native Eyewear, Rudy Project Helmets, Headsweats, Zorrel
The Long Run
What are some of the biggest highlights in your racing career?
I was awarded female triathlete of the year in 2011 by USA Triathlon federation. This is a great honor, but I hold this accomplishment dear to my heart because of the struggles I had to overcome to race in the 2011 season. My plan was to race as a professional last year, but an unfortunate basketball injury shattered my foot. Doctors told me I would never run again due to the severity of the injury. I had surgery inserting 4 screws and 1 pin to reset the bones. I raced all season with the screws in my foot. Training and racing were extremely painful, but my competitive drive and love for the sport kept me going. My ability to race successfully (even as an amateur) throughout 2011 is something I am very proud of.
What are your long-term goals? What do you want to achieve as an athlete?
I train and race because I love being outside, it fulfills my competitive drive and I meet the most inspiring people through triathlon. If it ever stops being fun I will take a step back and re-evaluate my desire to compete. With that being said I am stepping up my game and racing triathlons as a professional this year. I competed in my first pro race on March 31st at Leadman 125 placing 3rd. I’m happy with this placement but know there is much room for improvement. I would love to take a triathlon win as a pro in 2012.
Why Colorado? What makes Colorado so special for endurance athletes? What makes Colorado special to YOU?
I came to Boulder over Memorial day weekend in 2009 for a training camp put on by teammate, Will Kelsey and simply fell in love. Riding and skiing in the mountains is unbelievable. Training and living at altitude contributes to my success, but the training partners and coaches in Boulder cannot be beat. It’s truly an amazing place to live, I often take in the scenery and can’t believe how lucky I am to live here.
Middle Distance
Take us through a “day in the life,” what type of training regimen do you follow?
I work full time for Grainger but they allow me to work remotely. This allows some flexibility in my schedule and eliminates commuting time. My days differ depending on where I am in my training plan, but I usually get in 3 workouts per day; 1 before work, 1 at lunch, and 1 in the evening after work. Workouts consist of the obvious swimming, biking and running as well as yoga, plyometrics, and strength training.
What are one or two things you currently do in your training that are keys to your success?
This winter I have been focusing on my run. Due to my foot injury I fell far behind on run training. From December through March I have been running 5-7 days/week slowly building volume with high frequency and no intensity. I am prone to training injury’s including shin splints, stress fractures, and SI joint displacement. Building up volume gradually is intended to reduce my risk of overtraining injuries greatly as I build in speed work into my routine.
Do you follow any specific nutrition plans? What are your favorite recovery meals, drinks, etc.?
I intentionally avoid following a nutrition plan. I have lost too much weight in the past following strict nutrition plans which lead to fatigue and poor race performance. I was raised eating extremely healthy, therefore I enjoy eating nutritious foods. I burn so many calories on a daily basis I really eat whatever I want to keep up with my metabolism. My favorite recovery drink is good old fashioned chocolate milk.
Do you have any recommended resources to share (books, seminars, websites, coaches)?
I’ve been working with Triathlon coach Curt Chesney since July, 2011. He is a former pro cyclist which is my weakest of the 3 disciplines. I see him as a valuable asset. He schedules intense workouts and high volume training but does NOT allow me to overtrain.
What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
My biggest challenge is time management. I am quite talented at packing in 25-30 hours of training, 40 hours of work plus spending time with my boyfriend and friends every week. Although I am always running 10 minutes late and can never find enough time in the day to complete everything I have planned.
What are your favorite races in Colorado?
My favorite race in CO is the Boulder 70.3 triathlon. The swim is in the Boulder Reservoir, the ride is surprisingly flat North of Boulder, and the run is around the reservoir. I live and train in Boulder so racing locally is always a treat because of the familiar faces in both the competitors and the spectators.
Where do you like to train in Colorado?
Training in Colorado is unbelievable compared to my former home in Chicago. I can ride or run out my door on some of the roads and trails around. My favorite ride is from Boulder to Estes Park. My favorite run is up Magnolia road.
Sprints
Favorite running shoe: Zoot
Favorite post-run/race beverage: Chocolate Milk
Favorite post-run/race meal: Caprese Salad
Role models: My dad, I grew up watching my dad race in triathlons while juggling his own business and a family with three kids to support. He has taught me so many life lessons from priorities to modesty.
Day job: Customer Lifecycle Manager for W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Solo runner, running partner or team/group? I usually run on my own due to scheduling. Occasionally I run with my boyfriend or other friends and teammates when time allows.
Podium
Have you experienced a breakthrough, and if so, what led to it?
I haven’t found any breakthroughs, I’ve found the best results are driven by hard work every day over a long period of time.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
This sounds de-motivational but it is true and something that has always kept me grounded. When I first started excelling at swimming and winning races my dad told me, “There will always be someone better than you.” I certainly aspire to be the best that I can be at whatever I’m doing but in all honesty there always will be someone that has an advantage over me.
Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by? That you train by?
If you don’t try, you’ll never know what you could have achieved.
What keeps you motivated? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I have never struggled with motivation. Training has become such a part of my daily life I have trouble when I’m unable to exercise such as on business trips.