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Xtri Chats With Big Matty Reed
By Betsy Delcour
3/27/2009 |
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Matt Reed is a New Zealander-turned-American who regularly tears up the field on the ITU circuit, and in 2008 won a spot representing his new country in the Beijing Olympics. We saw that he's signed up for next week's IM California 70.3, and wanted to know if this is the beginning of a trend for Matt or not! Read on to find out his plans for the future, his new bike, and his favorite things about living in the States...
Hi Matt, and thanks for chatting with us! I see you’re signed up for IM 70.3 California – is this the first half iron race you’ll ever have done? What inspired you to sign up for this event?
IM 70.3 is not my first, I have done a handful of different half’s all around the world. Gerardmer France, and One in Nice, Wildflower and St. Croix. I haven’t raced one for 5 or so years. I feel I am ready to step up to a longer distance. I would like to prove my all round strengths and show I am capable of racing longer. We have been working on some specifics to better my ability at this distance but the overall program is to tackle the Short Course scene still. I do like to train longer, swimming, biking and running, and probably do more than what is even needed for the 70.3 distance. I do this sport because I love to train and race. This distance is just something my coach and I wanted to throw into my mix for some fun.
You also recently won the Miami International Triathlon, with Andy Potts and Chris Lieto coming in second and third, respectively. At what point of the race did you know you’d defended your title from ’08?
I knew I had a good chance on the bike. I have been loving riding my Matty Reed Fuji D-6 and felt that I could break the race apart in that section. Once I saw Andy back a ways at the end of the bike I knew I could run relaxed for the win. He ran very well but I was in control. Lieto is an amazing athlete. I love racing with him. All three of us are dads so we are racing for college money for our kids so it gets tough!
In Miami, you debuted the new Matty Reed Signature D-6 by Fuji. Tell us about it!
It is amazing, better than I ever imagined it would be. Being the first cutting edge TT bike they have created I was a little worried especially having my name on it. I am so proud to be racing on this bike it is so fast I just can’t wait to show the world how fast. Fuji really has it together as a company and they make great bikes. Matty Reed will be riding Fuji for the rest of my career.
You also just landed a new sponsor that is growing its pro team by leaps and bounds: K-Swiss. What attracted you to this team?
It was that fact, a great team. Technology is cutting edge. They are always looking to improve, like myself. Chris Lieto has been a long time friend of mine and really think we (the team) can do great things for the sport and for K-swiss.
Living in Boulder, there’s no shortage of outstanding athletes to train with. Do you have any favorite training partners? Favorite running trails or bike routes?
The majority of my training is done alone with the exception of running, my friend and retired triathlete Jake Timm. He has really helped my running. He caters to my needs and when I win, he wins. I like to bike on my own with the exception of a few roadie rides. Swimming is with a group at Flatirons Athletic Club. My swim has really picked up with the help from Dave Scott and his sister Jane Scott. Jane is my main swim coach and she runs my swimming program with my coach. Mark Van Akron has been a positive influence on me getting faster in the pool this year. I love climbing and running hills, no particular hill is a favorite, I love them all.
Since your US citizenship finally came through in 2007, and your subsequent membership on the US Olympic team in 2008, have you had any backlash from your former Kiwi countrymen? How many races have there been where you’ve competed against your brother, Shane?
I really don’t think New Zealand cared too much. I get the odd “traitor” yelled at me but it's all in good fun. I have lost count, we used to race a lot together and always tried to beat each other. Shane has Red hair and was a little angrier than me so some times would get the best of me. Not anymore. I would take him down whenever I wanted now. :)
Seeing other ITU athletes/Olympians – Craig Alexander, Andy Potts, Sam McGlone – make the transition from short course to long course racing, do you plan on following this trend? Or do you prefer to just dabble in some 70.3’s and stay focused on the short/fast events?
In due time at the moment I just love seeing how fast I can get. I definitely want to represent USA at London Olympics and feel I need to redeem myself for an Average at best result at Beijing last year. I definitely will toe the line in Hawaii one day and it could be as close as 2013. For now I will dabble in 70.3 and enjoy my speed.
You were also in Kona last year fulfilling sponsorship obligations. Was this your first time there for the Ironman? How did this event compare to other world championships you’ve been to? Is Kona a possibility in your future?
Yes I will be racing there for sure. I have watched Hawaii 3 times (My wife has raced there 7 times) and I have to be honest it scares me a bit to see the pain everyone goes through. It is a huge event and really is the pinnacle of triathlon.
On your site, you also mention your efforts to go green. Can you tell us about your endeavors for the environment? Were you at all influenced by Chris Lieto in this area? :)
Yes Chris was a big influence in this department. Don’t compare me to him cause he is so Green. His blood is green. I am just trying to change my way of living to better the environmet. The major thing I want to do is put solar panels on my house once I can afford them. Boulder has so much sun they will be great here. Also compost and recycle so we can try to have no waste. We have done our house with hot water on demand, as much green materials as we could. Plus my Fuji D-6 bike is green too.
Tell us something non-tri-related about yourself! What are your favorite/least favorite things about living in the States? What are your favorite indulgences?
I love that my kids will be able to grow up and be what they want to be. I love the choices. I miss my New Zealand lollies (candies) and I do miss my extended family. America is the land of opportunity and I feel honored to have the chance to create my life. No one hands you anything in life, you have to go out and get it. I am enjoying my kids and my wife and my life in the USA and couldn’t think of a greater country to race for. I love basketball! It is my favorite sport to watch and play when I am not training. I also love to landscape and since my wife Kelly has NO green thumb in her at all, good thing I do.
That’s about it really. I am a triathlete born and raced. So really that is a majority of what defines me as an athlete. I didn’t come from college or one sport. I am a 3 sport triathlete from the gun. I am happy that my life is complete with my family now. But I am still a very proud man of where I am from and what I have done and what I dream to achieve.
BIG MATTY REED- OUT.
Thanks Matt! Hope you have a great season!
For more on Matt Reed, check out his website at MattyReed.com.
Photos
1. Coffee with the kids after a run session
2. Matt and the Miami skyline (courtesy of Shayne Murphy)
3. Solo shot (courtesy of Timothy Carlson)
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