On Sunday Boulder resident Ryan Bolton will race Powerman Alabama, the first duathlon of his career. In 2000 Bolton was a member of the US Olympic triathlon team, finishing 25^th in Sydney. In 2001 he made the switch to long course racing with a win at St. Croix half ironman, a second place finish at Ironman Lake Placid (8:41:53), and a 30^th place finish at Ironman Hawaii (9:21:07). Bolton's major 2002 races include St. Croix, Ironman Lake Placid, and Ironman Hawaii. Below Bolton discusses his expectations for Powerman Alabama, his long term goals, and a possible return to short course racing.

Du Dot: What are your expectations for Powerman Alabama?
Bolton: This race is a feeler to see where my legs are so I can report back to the coach and see what I am missing. It is a fair distance. That is my first duathlon. I don't know where my fitness is.

Du Dot: Why haven't you done a duathlon before?
Bolton: Duathlon never really seemed like an option, because swimming has always been a strength. I picked up swimming when I was six years old and I have always been a swimmer.

Du Dot: What are your long term goals?
Bolton: Ironman Hawaii. Yeah totally. I have my mind set on that.

Du Dot: Do you miss not competing in short course races?
Bolton: When I see the results I do, but otherwise I don't that much. Right now I think I am happier and I think I am fitter training for the long course stuff. I don't miss World Cup racing so much. I miss the potential to go to the races. I like being home more, I like training more, and I like the camaraderie of long course athletes.

Du Dot: Are you referring to the camaraderie in Boulder or at the races?
Bolton: In Boulder and in general. I just click with those guys. Tim DeBoom is a good guy and he is willing to help me. Short distance is more cut throat. In an Olympic distance race you are constantly reacting to other people. In Ironman distance racing if you react to other people you are in trouble.

At the OTC [Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs] it is more centralized but it is more caddy too. That is personalities. It is not necessarily the distance. That is what made world cup racing fun, because it is aggressive. Ironman racing is more cognitive. You have to control yourself the entire time. You have to be patient.

Du Dot: Will you do short course, draft legal racing again?
Bolton: Not this year. I am confident that if I want to go back to the Olympics that I could garner enough points in a two year, or even one year period, to go back to the Olympic Trials.

I am considering it for 2004. The lure of the Ironman is incredible. Right now I am so enamored with the Ironman. I can't wait to get back there, and thinking about the Olympics seems trivial. The Ironman takes a major time investment. You have to invest a couple years. I am on the track. Last year my goal was to finish. This year my goal is to be competitive. Next year I will be there to win it. That is my three year plan.

Du Dot: Was the Olympic experience what you expected?
Bolton: The Olympics gave me what I expected. The goofy thing is that when you there your there you realize as an athlete that it is just another big race. It is a surreal experience. When you are 12 you think those guys are rock stars. You've got one objective - win. It just happens to be that is the Olympics.

Du Dot: Did you have post-Olympic expectations?
Bolton: I wasn't expecting anything. I had an old school philosophy. I was there for one reason - a medal. I wasn't going to try to get a McDonalds' commercial. I knew my next goal was Ironman. I had always wanted to do Ironman. I feel like I have more potential in Ironman. It was for me an easy transition.

Du Dot: Whom do you train with?
Bolton: I train mostly alone. Swimming I train with the masters groups. Running I do some with the CU [University of Colorado] guys and other runners in town based on what they are doing. I run with Alan Culpepper and Scott Larsen. They are great guys to train with because they train hard. I have been running with those guys since I was 16. I am closer to the running crowd then even the tri crowd. I do a lot of lone ranger training. I have my schedule and I am not willing to compromise. I don't mind training alone.

Bolton's major sponsors are Clif Bar, Saucony, Softride, and Oakley.