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January 2006 Athlete Profile- Gus Ellison

Each month, we will be profiling an athlete here.   Our first selected athlete is Gus Ellison.  Gus is a very talented triathlete, but I chose him because of the passion and dedication that he gives to endurance training and racing over the last few years.  I have spent some time training with Gus, and noticed some very admirable things.  He can push himself quite hard, yet he’s never the type to show off what he’s capable of.  His ego is not caught up in each group ride or run.  He’s always in a cheerful mood and just seems to embrace his time while out on the bike or run.  He also naturally holds to my number one rule “No Whining”.  You’ll never hear Gus whine about the weather, the pace, that he’s tired, Baker ripping on him, …  and he’s also one tough mofo.  He had some lower lumbar pain going into IMF this past November, but raced optimistically and did a great time, only to find out a few weeks later that he has two ruptured discs!

I sent him an attachment with 12 of the below questions on it and Gus took the liberty to add on a few more.  I don’t think he understood the word “one” in question 11.  He added the last question although for future reference, this Athlete Profile will not be given to just those who I coach.  Anyone who checks out this web site and is deserving can be selected.

  1. Name:

Gus Ellison

  1. How long have you been training for and racing triathlons?

After running the New York City Marathon in 2000, I became very interested in triathlon and Ironman in particular. I completed Ironman Florida in 2001 as well as a half ironman and a sprint distance race. I have been addicted ever since.

  1. What is your favorite aspect of the sport?

- I love what triathlon represents, especially training and competing in the longer distance triathlons. Ironman to me represents excellence, commitment, and determination in all aspects of your life – mentally, physically, and philosophically.

- I also love the people in the sport and diversity of backgrounds. I consider anyone I have met through triathlon a friend – there is a camaraderie among triathletes that is very unique. I sat next to a guy on a business trip who was training for his first Ironman….instant friend.

  1. What do you consider your biggest athletic achievement?

My slowest and toughest race….Ironman Coeur d’Alene in 2002. With a heat wave that spiked from 75 degrees to 95+ degrees, I found myself walking from mile 8 for the rest of the marathon. I became nauseous at mile 20 and lay down on the pavement. I was raising money that year for the Scott Johnson Memorial Fund….my friend from college who died in the 9/11 attacks. Quitting was not an option.

  1. What are your big goals for this season?

My goal is actually not to do an Ironman this year and to resist signing up for one until 2007. I want to try some other races like Xterra, adventure racing, or the Survival of the Shawanagunks. (Maybe an ultramarathon???) I also want to focus on the 70.3 series and hit one of the “destination” events – Monaco, Baja, or Scandinavia. I am shooting to be at least top ten in my age group. And, if all the pieces fall into place, I have some unfinished business in Kona….might have to wait until 2007….

  1. What’s your favorite meal?

Sushi, especially a good spicy tuna roll (preferably ahi straight off the boat in Hawaii!).

  1. What’s your favorite movie?

Miracle, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Old School, and Baraka.

  1. Any other hobbies?

Horseback riding, photography, backpacking, travel.

  1. What’s your favorite band?

With 2000+ songs on the iPod, this is tough but U2 wins overall, especially for their live shows. My current favorite song is “Run” by Snow Patrol.

  1. What’s your favorite TV show?

Just got hooked on “Lost”. I watch it on my iPod while on the treadmill at the gym.

  1. If you could visit one place this year, where would it be?

Mt. Kilimanjaro….and New Zealand, Bora Bora, South Georgia Island, Capri / Amalfi Coast, French Alps (preferably during Le Tour), Whistler, St. John….the list is so long…..

  1. What’s your favorite workout?

I have a love-hate relationship with hill repeats (running or biking). They are such an adaptable workout to build strength, power, low cadence, high cadence, form, etc.

  1. Who’s your inspiration?

The people who were not meant to do an Ironman (or maybe they were….) The guy who competes at Kona with one arm and no prosthetic. (I mean seriously….even a strong athlete will have trouble handling a bike in that wind. One arm!!!) The girl with a prosthetic leg. The wheelchair racers. The guy who had a triple bypass surgery a year earlier. The 60 and 70 and 80 year old athletes. The recovering drug addict. The cancer survivor. The racers finishing an Ironman at midnight. The ALS patient who may not have long to live. The list is endless but these are the people who achieve the impossible.

  1. Any other words of wisdom?

I am full of sayings that I tend to keep to myself but to list just a few….Live like no tomorrow….Do what you love and the rest will fall into place….Go hard or go home!

  1. How long have you been working with Eric?

I have been working with EH since my first race in 2001. I got through my first sprint race without a coach but I needed professional guidance – from training to nutrition to gear selection to morale support. I met EH when he was giving a presentation at a meeting for a local triathlon group. I can not remember the topic…undoubtedly, stories and race tips that I have memorized by now. I do remember being impressed with his positive outlook on life, with his triathlon accomplishments, with his motivation, and with a balance in life and sport. Now, I can sit here four years later after achieving “the impossible” with five Ironman experiences. I can sit here four years later having learned more about life, about people, and about myself from this sport. I have learned that there is always more to learn. EH has given me accomplishments that I will have forever. 

 

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