Alex McDonald sets his sights on life as a pro triathlete...

Thursday 27 December 2007 - 20:11:58

Alex McDonald was well down a path of a bright future as a doctor when he discovered he has an ability for triathlon. This has led him to a very different potential career path. In 2006, Alex emerged on the national scene, winning the amateur division of Ironman Wisconsin, and a high finish at the Ironman Championships in Kona. In 2007, he followed this up with the first place finish at Ironman USA Lake Placid, a notoriously challenging course, and came in first place of all amateur men at the 2007 World Championship in Kona, and 29th overall. Alex will likely postpone his medical career for a chance to become recognized as one of the elite American and international professional triathletes. We are very fortunate to have Alex share some of his thoughts on his past season, and on what the coming year will bring.

U1S: What was the most difficult aspect of the course in Kona? How does it compare to the Lake Placid course?
Alex: The weather conditions, namely the wind and heat. The course is actually relatively easy, especially compared to Ironman USA (Lake Placid). There are only a few hills, but Kona requires an extra dose of mental strength.

U1S: Did you have an idea you'd do that well?
Alex: I always have high goals for myself, but I did not expect to be the top amateur, or finish in the top 30.

U1S: You've mentioned you will go pro before pursuing your residency. Do you eventually expect to get back to medicine, and if so, what specialty are you thinking of?
Alex: I do plan to return to medicine, it has always been a passion of mine, and my education dovetails very well with the exercise physiology and sports world. I plan to eventually become a sports medicine doc specializing is high school and college age athletes.

U1S: What does your family or do your friends think of your success as a triathlete?
Alex: Let’s put it this way, I have heard my father in-law swear once in my life, and it was right after I finished in Kona this year…No seriously, they are all ecstatic and incredibly supportive, especially my wife.

U1S: How did your Dad's involvement with triathlons impact you growing up?
Alex: My dad ran many marathons and did several sprint triathlons and when I was younger I watch many of his races. I remember thinking at the time that it looked like fun, but never actually tried it until a few years ago.

U1S: What is your favorite discipline of the three?
Alex: It changes… I always seem to have one sport that I am really into. Right now, I would say that biking is probably my favorite, but that is because I really can’t ride outside much, if at all this time of year.

U1S: How does your offseason training differ from your in-season training?
Alex: In the off season I have lower training and volumes and lower training overall load. The workouts are often less structured and less focused on pace or power and more of just being active. It’s a great time to train with friends who may be slower or faster than you.

U1S: What kind of metric will you use in the spring to assess your progress and preparation over the winter?
Alex: I think racing is really the best way to see how your fitness is progressing. Testing is helpful, but in reality to have it be a true test I need to be racing. Call it pride or competitive spirit, I find that my best emerges when I have a number on.

U1S: With all the holiday parties and meals at this time of year, do you find it hard to stay on your nutrition plan?
Alex: Yes!! I have a weakness and that is pretty much any kind of food, especially free food! I have to remind myself to take smaller portions and go for the healthy options not the caloric dense and nutrient poor choices that surround us.

U1S: What will be your bigger/biggest races for 2008, if known? What would make 2008 a dream year for you?
Alex: I honestly don’t know exactly what my race schedule will be in ’08. My wife is beginning residency and we will be moving in May but won’t know where until March. So things are a little up in the air, although I’m pretty sure I will be racing Oceanside California 70.3 and Ironman Lake Placid…other than that I’m not sure. My goals for 2008 are high, but at the same time training and racing full time in the pro ranks is going to be tough. My dream for 2008 is to win an Ironman and finish in the top 10 at Kona, are these realistic…probably not, but I have always set the bar high for myself and there is no point in changing that now.

U1S: Did you ever imagine you would be going professional in triathlon when you started out?
Alex: Definitely not! I was on a path - high school, College, Med School, Residency… Triathlon came along and threw a wrench into my plan. I thought about racing pro and wanted to try it for a long time, but was unsure until I could not contain it any longer and I spoke to many of my advisors and surprisingly they encouraged me. Medicine is an amazing field, but I am only young once and I have the rest of my life to become a doctor.

U1S: What advice would you give to someone just starting in the sport?
Alex: Have fun!! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and know that it takes patience and persistence to improve in endurance sports. Great leaps are not made overnight.

U1S: Do you have training partners? What other kinds of support do you get to pursue your goals as a triathlete?
Alex: I have some friends who I train with occasionally, but my and their schedules rarely overlap and it’s tough to get together to train. I do about 95% of my training solo which can be lonely, but it’s just what I need to do to reach my goals. I receive tons of support from my wife, who at points during the summer can go for days without seeing me for any length of time. Also the Timex Multi-sport team has really been hugely supportive and really helped me take my training and racing to the next level this past year.

U1S: What is the Timex camp like?
Alex: Timex camp is really fun. It’s a great opportunity to do some training with amazing athletes and meet some really great people. It is also really educational, as a lot of our sponsors come by to describe their products and some of the design, testing and production that go into them. Lastly it is a great opportunity to bond over as a team and realize you are part of such a high profile team within the triathlon community.

U1S: How do you juggle being in medical school alongside the training demands?
Alex: Carefully… Honestly, it’s all about balance. I plan my race and training around my school schedule and vice versa. It often means getting up early and going to bed late, but always make sure not to overdo any aspect of my life. I think that my busy schedule forces me to be more organized and prepared for whatever comes my way.

U1S: How do you work around temporary setbacks due to illness or schedule?
Alex: It is difficult, but there are days where I just skip a workout due to unforeseen complications at the hospital, or the weather, or if I am just not feeling well. I always make sure to listen to by body and sometimes it is better to miss one workout, and rest for the next rather than struggle through and dig yourself more into a hole.

U1S: What is your impression of opportunities for triathlon in the Northeast?
Alex: I think it’s growing, as with triathlon in most parts of the country. Competitions and participants are increasing annually, from what I can tell, and it’s great for the sport. I see more and more TT bikes out on the roads everyday… well in the summer, at least!

U1S: What can the tri community do to improve races or racing in the Northeast?
Alex: Change the weather! It is really tough when weather limits our time in the saddle outside and in the open water. That being said, I think that a lot of people are doing really well in the sport given the limitations that we have.

U1S: Do you feel famous in VT (or anywhere else)?
Alex: Famous?!? No, I am surprised sometimes about who knows me, or knows of me and it is flattering, but I wouldn’t say I feel famous!

Thank you, Alex! You may not feel famous now, but I have a feeling you'll get a lot of attention among the pros! And in the meanwhile, med school will keep you busy!