Triathletes, Drivers Both Win at IndyCar Triathlon Challenge - Triathlon Week

Robert G. · 06-15-2003, 08:28 PM

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 12, 2003) - Racecar drivers may not be ready for the Olympics, but they are definitely athletes.

That was the conclusion reached Wednesday at the IndyCar Triathlon Challenge at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo.

IndyCar Series drivers Buddy Rice and Vitor Meira and Pro Infiniti Series driver Aire Luyendyk Jr. took the challenge by working out for a day with members of the USA Triathlon resident team at the training center.

The drivers were in town for the Honda Indy 225 Indy Racing League (IRL) Series race and the Pikes Peak 100 IRL Infinity Pro Series race, both at Pikes Peak International Raceway this weekend.

The day started with swimming at the OTC pool and was followed by strength and agility training in the weight room. Finally, there was running in Colorado Springs' Monument Valley Park.

Although Colorado Springs' altitude of 6,035 feet was a concern, the drivers did not seem to be overly affected.

"This definitely can't hurt (race preparation)," Rice said. "Our heart rate is up to 180-190 beats in this altitude, so it's definitely going to help."

Swimming in the OTC's 50-meter pool was probably the biggest challenge for the drivers, but USA Triathlon swim coach Mike Doane was impressed, saying that they did better than the average person off the street.

"I coach team swimming and these guys jumped right in and did a good job," Doane said. "When they first walked in here, they said 'man, that's a long way down there.' But they jumped right into it."

The drivers got a chance to watch their swim form thanks to the OTC's underwater camera.

"The best part of the day was seeing myself swim on the video monitor," Luyendyk said. "I think it's a great tool they use to help their athletes perform."

After the swim, it was on to the weight room where U.S. Olympic Committee strength and conditioning coaches took the drivers through typical drills and workouts that the triathlon team does.

"This is a breath of fresh air. We don't normally get to meet athletes who don't work out at the Olympic Training Center," said U.S. elite triathlete Susie Gallucci. "It's neat to have a different group of people come in and see their motivation and transfer it into our workouts."

Rice left after lunch to fulfill sponsor obligations. But Meira and Luyendyk stayed for the six-mile run through Monument Valley Park. Neither driver had much trouble keeping up with the pace, as both have competed in running races before.

"I was impressed, not really intimidated," Meira said. "Each sport has its own training requirements. I don't train for this sport; I train for racing. But man, are they in good shape."

So are racecar drivers really athletes?

"I absolutely see these guys as athletes," said national select team coach John Crawley. "I think what these guys get into is very similar to what we see in bobsledders and lugers in kind of that reckless abandonment for speed.

"But in order to be able to achieve that kind of speed, they have to be in very good physical condition."

Source: USA Triathlon