Ironman Lake Tahoe athlete profile: Truckee’s Jeff Schloss
TRUCKEE, Calif. — The 2015 Ironman Lake Tahoe triathlon is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20, when more than 2,500 athletes will attempt to conquer the demanding feat.
It begins with a 2.4-mile swim at Kings Beach in Lake Tahoe, followed by a 112-mile bike trip with a two-loop circuit traveling from Kings Beach, Truckee and over Brockway Summit, before finishing at Squaw Valley.
Athletes then must complete a 26.2-mile marathon run through Squaw Valley and up to Tahoe, before eventually looping back to Squaw for the finish.
As we count down the weeks leading up to this year’s biggest adventure race, the Sierra Sun is publishing a series of Q-and-A interviews with local athletes who are registered to compete.
This week, we feature Jeff Schloss of Truckee.
Name: Jeff Schloss
Residence: Truckee
Age: 57
Q: What is the most challenging athletic event you’ve competed in to date?
A: “Probably the most challenging athletic event I have done to date was the Coeur d’Alene Ironman in Idaho that I did in 2013. I had a good swim and bike but I really suffered on the run. I can remember saying to myself as I slogged through the marathon, ‘I will never do another one of these Ironman races!’ Of course, here I am signed up for Lake Tahoe Ironman.”
Q: How do you anticipate the 2015 Ironman Lake Tahoe comparing to that?
A: I think the Lake Tahoe Ironman course is harder than the Coeur d’Alene course, but I feel better prepared for this one, so hopefully it will go better.”
Q: How many Ironmans have you raced?
A: “Lake Tahoe will be my third Iron-distance race. I did Vineman in 2012 and Coeur d’Alene in 2013; 2014 I was ready for Lake Tahoe but we all know what happened then.”
Q: What inspired you to sign up for the 2015 Ironman Lake Tahoe?
A: “I am excited for the Lake Tahoe Ironman because I think it is a fantastic course and should suit me well because I live at altitude and I like to climb on the bike.”
Q: What are your emotions entering Ironman Lake Tahoe. Are you nervous, excited, both?
A: “My emotions going into the race are mostly excitement to actually (hopefully) get to race it this year and of course a little nervousness because I know how darn hard it is to do an Ironman.”
Q: What is your favorite portion of a triathlon — swim, bike or run — and why?
A: “My favorite part of the Ironman is the swim because I was a competitive swimmer as a kid, so I feel I can do well in the swim portion.”
Q: How is your training going? Do you feel like you’ll be prepared for the challenge on race day?
A: “My training is going well and I am happy to be injury free. But I never feel like I am training enough. I think that is just the nature of trying to train for such a long, hard event.”
Q: Do you have any specific goals in mind as far as a certain time. Or is reaching the finish line the only goal?
A: “My dream goal for the race is to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Kona. I know this is really, really hard, but it’s fun to have a real challenge to shoot for. My next main goal is to finish in under 11:45 and to feel decent on the run.”
Q: Who among your friends and family will be on hand to root you on?
A: “I am lucky to be a local at this race and so will have lots of friends and family supporting me on race day. My wife, Emily, will be out there all day long, which is above and beyond the call of duty, and many of the athletes I coach at Sugar Bowl Academy will be out there too. It is so great to have so much support!”
Q: How do you plan to celebrate your finish?
A: “I hope to celebrate the finish by crossing the finish line and feel good enough to not have to go to the medical tent!”
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