Mac Brown tore up the amateur ranks of triathlon in 2007 by posting amateur wins at St. Croix 70.3, Oceanside 70.3 and Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene.  Fueled by this deep taste of success, Mac shed his amateur status and accepted his pro card for 2008.  Now the new “poster boy” for the Zoot Zenith wetsuit talks about his training, race experience and racing among the top pros in the world.

You've just recently been diagnosed with a broken pelvis that evidently had been present for the last 5 months.  How are you rehabbing and will you be able to race again in 2008?

At the moment I am still consulting with some sports physicians and surgeons to see what would be the best way for me to recover. I am on crutches for 2 weeks and hopefully (if there is no surgery) some non-impact type of activities like aqua-jogging, paddle boarding, and swimming.
 
Of all the races you've competed in (win or lose) which singular race are you most proud of and why?

My 4th place amateur finish at Kona last year was definitely the culmination of a hard year of training. I was very satisfied with that performance and felt I owed that race to a lot of people that supported me throughout the year. However, my race at Placid really was a different sort of victory. I finished a brutal race that I honestly did not think I could finish at mile 16. I dug deeper than I ever have in my life and still crossed the finish line. Unfortunately I am paying the price for it at the moment. I still have a lot to learn.
 
If there was one change you could make in the sport, from any vantage point, what would it be and why? 

As an athlete, I would like to find a way to raise money for charity while still being able to compete at a high level and pay my bills. I think there should be a way to help others without going in to the hole financially while chasing your dreams. I am working on this right now.

As an "average" pro swimmer, what are the 2 or 3 key areas you are working on to improve your swim splits?

Right now Roch has me working on front quadrant swimming and not dropping my elbows when I pull water. He only gives me two things to work on at a time because if he bombarded me with a hundred things I need to change (and there really are) it would freak me out. He has really improved my swimming this year and it is only going to get better.
 
What do you attribute your quick success to and what were the key areas you focused on to gain quick traction?

I would say three things; working with a coach, a very strong work ethic and surrounding myself with very supportive people. I am up early in the morning and step out the door with a specific task to complete thanks to a coach who understands my goals. There is no wasted time and my fiance supports my decision to live a very mundane and financially depleting life! Without her there is no way I would have accomplished anything in this sport. My sponsors are also some of my best friends here in San Diego and support me through this journey.
 
For your Kona races what was your nutrition and hydration plan and what products did you use?

I really did not have too much of a plan because you never know what the day will bring. I just judge the conditions as the day progresses and know whether I need to drink more or take more sodium depending on the heat and humidity. I use all the SportsQuest Direct products across the board when I race.
 
If you could go back to any race in your career and do it all over again, what race would it be and why?

I really do not have any regrets in the sport so far. I had an awful race in Lake Placid last month, but that result allowed me to take time off and let my body heal. I learned more from that race than any other sporting adventure I have ever taken on. I know the next time I compete I will go in 100% healthy.

Through your observations at races and your coaching, what are the biggest mistakes you see age groupers make?

Age groupers tend to train too much in a short amount of time. They listen too much to other athletes and read too much about what other athletes are doing. Every person is different and has different time commitments in their lives. A training program may be right for one athlete, but not another. A coach's role is HUGE is the development of an age grouper.

What was the most embarrassing moment in your career?

I would say running in to the woods about 4 times at Lake Placid to use "the facilities" and then even jumping in a river to do the same. At one point I had to borrow an entire jug of water from an aid station and wash myself off. I want to take this time to apologize to the kids working the aid station on the run about half way down River Rd at IM Lake Placid. Sorry you had to see that.

What has been the single most impactful concept or piece of coaching you've benefitted from being coached by Roch Frey?

More is not necessarily better in terms of mileage and hours. Also, I need to listen to my body. Wow . . . imagine that.

Mac Brown
Born: November 21, 1977
Age: 30
First Triathlon: Sandman Triathlon, Virginia Beach, VA
Turned Pro: 2008
Family: Mom and Dad holding down the fort in Virginia Beach, 1 sister that lives in Australia, 1 beautiful fiancé
Lives: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA

Career at a glance

• Banamex Ironman Cancun 70.3 - September 2006 -- 1st Place Overall Amateur
• Ford Ironman California 70.3 - March 2007 -- 1st Place Overall Amateur
• St. Croix Ironman 70.3 - May 2007 -- 1st Place Overall Amateur
• Ford Ironman USA Coeur d'Alene - June 2007 -- 1st Place Overall Amateur
• Ford IM World Championship - October 2007 -- 4th Place Overall Amateur; 2nd Place M25-29; 35th Place Overall

Web: www.macbrownracing.com

Thanks, Mac!  Congratulations on an incredible effort at Ford Ironman Lake Placid and we wish you all the best in a speedy recovery and quick return to the circuit!

Interview by Max Wunderle

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