Interview With Andrea Fisher

SBR - First of all, thanks for taking time out from your schedule to answer a few questions for us, we'll keep it short. I know we speak for all SwimBikeRunStLouis readers when we say that we are pleased you have decided to return to Halfmax. It says a lot about both the quality of the event and about you.

Andrea - "Thanks, I'm really looking forward to it. I had so much fun at last year's event that I can't wait to start on Sunday!"

SBR - It looks like you've got a troupe of www.austintriathletes.org/ coming up for the race as well. Have they been doing their hill repeat workouts?

Andrea - "Yep, I managed to talk a TON of our Texas Iron Athletes (www.texasiron.net) into the race. I told them there was a beer truck and bar-b-que at the finish line last year and they were all drooling over the image. We already do a bunch of hill repeats in our workouts so they will be good and ready for the course."

SBR - You took some extended time away from the sport. I wonder if you could elaborate on what led to that decision and how you spent those days?

Andrea - "I needed a break after last year, both mentally and physically. I started 4 IM races last year (I did not do Hawaii by choice) and I hadn't taken a good long break in a few years. I needed to be normal and just have some fun, but actually we had a very busy winter. Jamie, my husband, and I took on a corporate marathon team for the Freescale Marathon and we had our hands full with work. So it was good timing for me in terms of my training break. I worked a lot but I had the time for it."

SBR - So how is your overall health and conditioning these days?

Andrea - "I'm healthy, but not quite as "fit" as I was last year at this time. That's ok cause my overall goal is Hawaii in October (I took my spot for this year and will be going to Kona) and I'm looking at the big picture. Every race is a bit more of a fitness boost for the eventual end of the season."

SBR - Some readers may not be aware that your significant other is an accomplished triathlete himself, Jamie Cleveland. It would seem to us that at the professional level, trying to maintain a relationship with someone outside of triathlon would very challenging, given the demands of the sport and lifestyle. You must feel blessed.

Andrea - "I must be insane I think, but I love him. We work together a lot (with our coaching business) and we see each other all day long. Most couples would have been divorced by this point, but I think it really shows how much we get along, respect each other, and for that matter just click. I am blessed for sure, but I still think I'm insane too."

SBR - It should be very interesting to see the offspring of some intriguing triathlon bloodlines eventually grow up and race, if they take up the sport of their parents. Do you allow yourself much thought about raising your own children some day? I can't begin to imagine the potential athletes he, she, or they could become.

Andrea - "We do plan to have children soon, but we would never pressure them into professional sports. If they want to do a sport and are good at it then so be it. I'll be there to support them, but I've seen what parental pressure can do to a child if they are pushed too much. I would like my children to be well rounded and happy and if that means they do sports, then so be it. If they don't then I'll still love them too."

SBR - Many of our readers didn't come to triathlon by way of a swimming background. You are simply one of the best swimmers in the sport. Could you break it down a little and suggest just a few keys to efficient swim form for them?

Andrea - "Long strokes, reach and roll. NEVER swim flat. You need to keep the body rolling throughout the swim. Make sure you get your technique down first before you log the mileage, otherwise you'll just teach yourself bad form."

SBR - You have the Xterra World Championship on your 2005 race schedule. Is that a change of pace for you, or have you been to the Maui swim start before?

Andrea - "Uhm….it's still only a thought at this point. I doubt I'll start, and if I do I expect to be the last female pro finisher. It would be for giggles more then anything."

SBR - I want to be sure and give your coaching program a plug, Texas Iron Multisport Training. Could you tell us a little about how that's going? http://www.texasiron.net/

Andrea- "It's going great!! We love our team, our athletes and we have so much fun. I think you'll get a good view of that at the race this weekend. We are very supportive of each other and we will be the first ones to cheer on the rest of the field. Our group is growing each month and you will see some of our top stars at Kona this year! I can't wait for them to rock out there!"

SBR - Thanks again for giving us a bit of your time and all the best to you and Jamie.