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| July 2007 Athlete Profile- John 'Baker' Morris |
Eric says: Baker is the number one sandbagger. He’s racing in his third IMLP at the end of the month and I bet he sets a pr there.
Athlete Of The Month Profile
- Name John Morris; Baker
- How long have you been training for and racing in triathlons? I have been around the sport for a long time, having gone to college with Hodska, but didn’t actually get into the racing until recently. I was always the non-committal guy that would do some of the long training with the athletes, but never enter a race, aside from some duathlons and regular running races. I visited Lake Placid during the 2002 IM to watch and train with Eric, as usual. I asked him during dinner one night to train me for a fall marathon so that I could focus on a “big” goal. I should have been more suspicious when he asked for my credit card the next week, because I soon realized that he entered me for the 2003 LP Ironman. It was time to learn how to swim.
- What is your favorite aspect of the sport? Overall it would be the positive energy that people bring to it. No matter how much ego an individual carries, this sport has a very humbling quality to it that tends to put athletes of all abilities on the same level. People seem to just be more positive and understanding when they can appreciate the similar journey and sacrifices that go into training and racing.
- What do you consider your biggest athletic achievement? Although it was my slowest time posted, I’d have to go with Lake Placid IM 2003. I was very content to have raced my first triathlon and at the Ironman distance was a cool way to start.
- What are your big goals? Hmmnn,…Keep knocking time off my IM, get down to the 11 hour area. Run the marathon that I’m capable of. Actually run the marathon in the IM, rather than the typical death march.
- What’s your favorite meal? I’m a simple guy. Fire roasted, brick-oven, thin-crusted pizza. Preferably with grilled chicken, black olives, roasted red peppers and fresh mozz. All washed down with some quality brews.
- What’s your favorite movie? A little corny, but I’d have to say “The Great Escape”. I have seen it so many times since I was a little kid and they used to show the 4:30 afternoon feature. It has a huge cast and every time I watch it I think that Steve McQueen will make it over the barbed-wire and escape the Germans (I’m a little slow that way). Modern classics like “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Usual Suspects” are brilliant, but I’m really just a sucker for the real masterpieces like “Old School” and “Dodgeball”
- Any other hobbies? I do a little video work from time to time, but I’m still getting the hang of it.
- Where is the best place you have visited? A smoky little pub on the coast of Ireland one rainy Saturday afternoon. Nobody was in any hurry and the Guinness pints were the perfect compliment to the lazy day.
- If you could visit one place this year, where would it be? Tough question. Spin the globe and close your eyes. There are so many places for different reasons. Perhaps I’d even like to start with some of the hidden beaches I keep hearing about in Hawaii.
- What’s your favorite workout? Vermont ride.
- Who’s your inspiration? Big Rocks- Have you seen this guy? He’s like 90 something years old and has the fitness of a 60 year old boy. Seriously, Jim brings a level headed quality to the sport and when juggling family, work, fitness and other interests, he seems to balance that pie-chart in a fairly to himself and his family. Even if he doesn’t always listen to his coach, it is clear that fitness is a priority in his lifestyle.
- If you could train with one person for a day, who would it be? My tennis game could use a little work, so I wouldn’t mind spending the day with Maria Sharapova. Strictly for the enlightening conversation, of course.
- What three things would you bring with you if you were to be dropped on a deserted Island (not counting family)? Food, fresh water and a boat.
- Any other words of wisdom? “If you can dodge a wrench….”
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