John Peirz

Athlete of the Month Profile

1. Where are you originally from? I grew up in Brookfield, CT and after living in a few different places post college I ended up settling back in Brookfield.
2. What do you do, career wise? I work for PepsiCo in Somers. Been with them for 12 years. I currently work to develop iPad applications and selling systems used by our field/selling organizations.
3. How did you get involved in endurance sport/triathlons? My wife had run 4 marathons and done multiple triathlons when we started dating. I remember thinking how crazy running a marathon sounded as I was probably 40 pounds heavier back then! I did my first triathlon on our 1 year anniversary in '09 and remember running our of T2 with my bike helmet on!
4. What do you consider your strength in triathlon? Running - probably because it was the first "endurance" sport I got introduced to. Doubt it will ever be swimming!
5. Are you strict with your nutrition? What's your favorite "cheat" food? When "in-season" I am very careful with what I eat, pretty much eating the same thing every day. Egg whites and a bagel, spinach salad, and then some sort of chicken for dinner. With having the 2013 season cut a little short, I would say I have eased up a little. I love ice cream/frozen yogurt. Peach Wave is about 2 minutes from our house in Brookfield.
6. What was your biggest accomplishment in 2013? PRing in every distance race I entered this season. From 5K to 13.1, from sprint to 70.3 to full IM. Probably most proud of IM Mont Temblant. The day went as good as I could have expected until the run and then I had to dig really deep to get to the end. Ended up with a torn calf muscle and a new PR!
7. What are your big goals for 2014? So I haven't completely figured out what my race calendar will look like but I would like to continue to build on this year and take the next step. Would love to finish top 10 in my age group at some 70.3s and whichever full IM I end up at with the goal being Kona one day in the future.
8. What's your favorite movie(s)? Top Gun, Shawshank Redemption, Gladiator, Swingers
9. Tell us about one of your best training day(s) ever? So I think one of the training sessions I learned the most about myself was a 2hr run @ 7min pace. It was really coming down and chilly so I opted to do it on the treadmill. I know a lot of people struggle to run on the treadmill in general and I really learned a lot about myself that morning. When you don't have a lot to take your mind off the task at hand, you have to really keep at it to not just hop off. I remember finishing that and thinking no run could be more taxing mentally.
10. Light beer, IPA or porter? So growing up with parents who owned a bar I really do not drink all that much. That being said, I'm good with a Sam Adams Seasonal.
11. Name some huge events/races/goals that you want to do at some point in your life? Would love to qualify for Kona one day. Also want to run Boston with a sub 3hr qualifying time! Other than those two events, I think from a Triathlon perspective - Escape from Alcatraz, IMLP, Wildflower, St. Croix. Running - would love to run the major marathons (Boston, Chicago, London, Berlin, Tokyo) having already done NY.
12. What is you current race bike? Cervelo P2. Hed 6 on the front, 9 on the rear. Adamo saddle. Quarg PM crank.
13. If you could train with anyone for one day, who and why? So my favorite runner is Meb Keflezighi as he always flies under the radar yet always performs under pressure (unlike Ryan Hall). However, if I had to pick one person today it's probably Javier Gomez. He is a speed demon on the ITU circuit, won his first race at 70.3s this year, and won Xterra Worlds last year. I think one day I may look to Xterra racing and would love to talk with him about not only his training/racing in ITU and now longer distances but also in the woods!
14. What's your favorite meal? Breaded chicken cutlets, rice and peas. Loved it as a kid and still love it today.
15. Is there anything else we should know about you? So I have been married for 5 years now to my wonderful wife Kerri and we have a 3 year old son Jack! Her already loves being outside and ran his first race up at Mont Tremblant so I am looking forward to seeing him out there soon. Also, I came from no real athletic background. I didn't play any sports in high school or college (unless intramural flag football counts) and never ran and swam competitively at any level, ever. I think the combination of hard work, consistent training, and great coaching can take people to levels they never thought possible. If you would have told me 5 years ago that I would have run 3 marathons, 3 IMs and countless other road races and triathlons I would have said you were crazy! Now, I cannot see myself without the "endurance athlete" association, it's become a huge part of who I am.

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