Today I had the privilege to interview possibly the worlds best Ultimate / Extreme Athlete, Shanna Armstrong. Currently involved in one of the most challenging races -  RAAM, Shanna has an absolutely amazing track record.

She has entered more than 100 triathlons, won the 2003 and 2005 Ultraman World Championship and is the current world record holder. 

She is actively involved in and spokesperson for a great charity - The Boys and Girls Club of America.

Let's find out more about Shanna, bicycling and her passions....

 

101bike.com: How are you?

Shanna: I am doing great and feeling good. I am enjoying the training for RAAM

101bike.com: So, what's going on? 

 

Shanna: Lots of running, biking, and swimming.  I just don’t have the heart to give it all up.

    

 

101bike.com: Tell me how and why did you get involved in endurance sports? 

 

Shanna: I like other weirdo's like me. The travel and the people are great. 

    

101bike.com: I read you are preparing for the RAAM 2006. What is RAAM? Tell me a little bit about the RAAM.

 

Shanna: RAAM stands for the Race Across America...it is a bike race that goes non-stop from California to New Jersey.  I will be doing the old traditional category and trying to go on 1.5 hours of sleep a day. There will be more time off the bike but the plan is 1.5 hours of sleep time.  RAAM becomes a survivor show with lots of drama after you out 8 people together with little sleep for 10+ days.  Last year I did it as a co-ed team and I have nick-named that race "The Jerry Springer Show."  We could have made millions of the drama we had last year.

 

101bike.com:  And how do you prepare for such an event?

 

Shanna: It consumes your life.  I am doing lot's of miles on the bike but I am not overtraining.  I have not even done a double century yet and am not sure I will do many before RAAM.  The hard part about RAAM is all the preparation of getting the crew together and organizing it along with raising $25,000 to do it right.  You train, work, beg, and take all your spare time doing things for RAAM.

 

101bike.com:  Tell me more about your bike. What kind is it? How much is it geared towards you? What specifics does it have?

 

Shanna: I now own a Colnago C50 and love it!!!! The bike is really geared for me and my needs.  I do have some aero bars on it but I am not really low and I am set up more for comfortable long rides.  I also have an Extreme C that is geared for the mountains.  Both of them have compact crank sets and are built piece by piece by my bike mechanic Kevin Skeen in Ohio. When he set me up on a bike I instantly got faster. The most important thing in long distance is your fit.  If something is the slightest bit off you can really tell after two days....I have been there and done that.

 

 

 

101bike.com: How much do you like the cycling in all these events?

 

Shanna: I love the cycling but I am not sure I have a favorite event.  I am just an average girl that can go forever in any of the three sports.  I just never stop! 

 

101bike.com:  Why do you like it? What specific characteristics does it have? 

 

Shanna: I love cycling since it is easy on your joints and you can use it for social time.  I know that some people like to get out and hammer all the time but I love the long slow rides with friends.  It is my social life...my vacation is a hellweek (camp) where you meet people and suffer together.

 
101bike.com: Does a tri-bike differ from a regular road bike?
 
Shanna: Yes!!!!  They are much different.  I would not even consider trying to do RAAM on a tri bike.  If you look at the RAAM route it is all climbing and a road bike is what you need.  I tried doing ultra-racing on my tri bike and it was just too hard...a road bike is good for all kinds of racing.
 
101bike.com:  Has your preference for bikes and the changed over the years? How have you changed your biking habits/materials over the years to come to the perfect bike?   
 
Shanna: Yes I was stuck on a tri bike always riding in the same position and now I ride a road bike most of the time an use the tri bike at sprints. It is nice to change it up. In the beginning I lost power but I now can ride either bike and be strong.
    
101bike.com:  Where are there you think still is room for improvement on the bicycle?
 
Shanna: Yes, with ultra-racing I do not do much speed work. I also never use my computrainer or do any drills. I have tons of room to improve and plan to after this year of ultraracing.  It will be time to get some speed in the legs. 
 
 

 
101bike.com: I noticed that Tri-atletes have different handlebars? What kind do you prefer and why?
 
Shanna: I like them both but I prefer the road bike set up for long races since I have aero bars on it.  I can ride aero but when I climb a hill I still have my gears where I need them.  If  I am doing a flat fast course like Hawaii ironman I use the tri bike and stay aero all of the time. It is not good to use a tri bike on a very hilly course.

 

101bike.com:  What do you see happening in the sport? What has to be improved?

 

Shanna: I see it getting faster with all the new nutrition and research.  I think that some race directors have gotten to where they forget who makes a race...the age groupers are the ones that support an event and they should be treated like royalty.  I am an age grouper and I pay for all of my racing currently.  It is disappointing to show up at a race and find that a race director has cut corners and has run out of ice for all the little guys that are still racing.

 

101bike.com:  How important is equipment for you? Does equipment give you the edge?

 

Shanna: You have to have good equipment to do long distance stuff as much as I do.  I used to have an aluminum bike and Shimano 105 components but they just don't work like the other stuff.  I could feel every bump on the road and my bike was always making noises.  I do splurge on better stuff and I don't think it has made me any faster but I am not going insane all the time with a bruised butt and shifting problems.  It gives me the edge since I race well when I am happy.  I love both of my Colnago's

 

101bike.com:  What are you currently testing? 

 

Shanna: I do own a computrainer, power cranks, great polar heart rate monitor,  Altitude training tent, and all the other stuff  you can buy.  I think that all of it helps but most of all it is the training that makes me successful.....I put in the miles.

  

101bike.com:  On you website I read you are very active in supporting the  the Boys and Girls club of America? Why this charity, tell me a little bit more about the Boys and Girls club. 

 

Shanna: I chose the boys and girls club since this is where I feel like I could do the most good. I want to inspire young children to a healthy lifestyle and hopefully I can starting at the Boys and Girls club.  My life changed the minute I did a triathlon.  Since I wanted to do more triathlons I excelled in all areas of my life.  I have a great business, house, and seem to be able to do what I want to do.  I have done enough racing and want it to be more meaningful and if I know that every mile I do is raising money for the Boys and Girls |Club then when I am having a down I can focus on the kids and what I am doing to help them.

 

101bike.com:  What are you ambitions, both personal and from an athletic point of view? 

 

Shanna: Athletic---swiss gigathlon 2007, breaking the Ultraman record, running badwater and doing the Furnace 508 in the same year, and possibly returning to RAAM again in the future.  Personal-  keep in close contact with my family, Raise money and inspire kids and the Boy and Girls club, and keep my clients happy so I can always have some money in my pocket.

 

101bike.com:  Who would you like 101bike.com to interview next?

 

Shanna: Mike Trevino

  

101bike.com:  Anything else you would like to add?
 
Shanna: Follow your heart...this is what I have done and look what I have accomplished.  Live life like there is no tomorrow and treat others the way you want to be treated. Enjoy yourself!
 

Thanks for the interview Shanna!!!!

All the very very best !!!