Meet this month's Athlete Spotlight -- April Ancira! April is coached by Coach Mark and has been instrumental in helping this summers Paragon Pro Project. April's help has given Paragon Training the opportunity to give back to the triathlon community. When the Paragon Pro Project went to Silver City, New Mexico the people there welcomed us with open arms. The pool manager asked the athletes to talk to the summer league swim team and lifeguards about how they got started with triathlon, goals and other questions. Because of April, we have hopefully been able to inspire some future triathletes. Check out the Q & A with April!
Age: 43
Occupation: VP of Ancira Auto Group
How long have you been swimming, cycling, running, and/or doing triathlons?
In 2010 after I had my son, I bought a bike and I had not ridden one since I was 10. I had bought a bike to get back in shape but I didn't know how to get the water bottle out of the cage when I was thirsty or clip and unclip so I hired someone to teach me how to drink water and ride at the same time. :) I was pushed to try a TRI 3 months later. THE WURST TRI. I placed 2nd in my division but having gotten back in shape I thought I had no need to do any races and 1 was plenty. However, after a while I missed looking forward to a goal. So I trained for a half marathon. After I swore I was done with any distance races, I signed up for a full marathon. Many had said I should go for an ironman race and I thought that was for crazy people. In 2015 I completed my first half and in 2016 my first full at IMTX. I swore I was one and done. 13 Full Ironman's and 3 half IMs later I swear I am retired from the Ironman distance. However, only moments later I signed up for a 100 mile run of which I am training now. The brazes bend 100 in December on a course I completed a 50 miler 2 years ago. I have tied a fundraising component to it. $100k for 100 miles for San Antonio Sports. I want to encourage others to get outside, be active, enjoy our parks, and bring attention to a wonderful non-profit San Antonio sports.
What aspects of training and/or racing do you enjoy most?
My 2nd best of the 3 disciplines is Running... OH I LOVE RUNNNING!! The animals, the sky, the trees, solitude, listening to podcast, audiobooks, music. The simplicity of lacing up wherever you are and going out on an adventure. I am not fast by any means, it is just the experience of running outside I enjoy. My best sport was always swimming and I was bad and didn't like cycling. Not your traditional triathlete likes and dislikes.
What has been your favorite training or racing event, and why?
Ironman Kona was everything I had hoped for. I went about doing 12 Ironman races in short order to qualify and when I got there with Mark Saroni as my coach it did not disappoint. I had been trained to the level I could enjoy the entire experience. I loved the swim, I even loved the bike, and when the sun went down on the run I was able to pick up the pace. I was never in jeopardy of a DNF at anytime. I spent the swim looking straight to the bottom of the ocean floor just admiring the beauty of the swim, AND chasing down a girl who kept pulling on my leg and hitting me in the head and then passed me. I was determined to catch her. I don't know what I would have done if I did but boy nevertheless I think I was 5 min faster than I would have been because of it. As much as I don't get along on the bike I spent the whole time on the ride looking at the ocean thinking... "I am riding my bike in Hawaii on a gorgeous day and it just doesn't get better." Even the difficult turn at HAWI I was patient as I plowed into a massive headwind and then had a ball as I turned around and went the fastest I had ever gone with an incredible tailwind. On the run under the gorgeous stars I caught up to my friend and we were laughing and singing the whole way back... Until I decided to pick up the pace. EVERY PRO WAS THERE, MY family was there, and I think one the best parts was when Mark came up to me on the run and said I crushed the bike (relatively speaking obviously.) Was Kona worth all those races and years put into it. YES!!! YES IT WAS!!
What is your favorite post-workout or race meal?
Easy, Cheeseburger! Every time.
What is one recent accomplishment you are proud of?
Toss UP: Ironman World Championships & Buying our 13th Dealership
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be able to donate larger sums of money to make bigger impacts in the community. So I need to grow our dealerships to do that.
What is something no one knows about you?
I am a pilot, I sang the national anthem "horribly," at a missions game, I do stand up comedy.
Why do you race/train?
It's simply my me time with nature & a good book or music. I oddly need a race to train for to keep me dedicated to that time outside. If I am not training for something I do not schedule the time to do it. A race is my motivation to continue to spend that time outside on my own being active. Others seem to also understand and not infringe on that time if you tell them you have a race. It is also fun to see what you are capable of and moving the bar.
Comments