Terenzo Bozzone and Ironman Texas 70.3

Terenzo Bozzone pulled off a win in the 2010 Ironman Texas 70.3. Can he do it again? Inside Triathlon senior editor Jennifer Purdie chatted with him about this year’s competition, Ironman New Zealand and what race day is like.

Triathlete.com: You won the Texas 70.3 last year. How are you feeling about the competition this year?

Bozzone: The competition in 70.3s worldwide is getting tougher every year and this year is no exception. The field lining up for the Texas 70.3 is world class, and to win you will have to be in top form.

Triathlete.com: How has training been going so far in 2011?

Bozzone: Training has been going well. I had Ironman New Zealand in March where I finished second to Cameron Brown. It was a cold, wet, hard day out there. The body has been recovering well since then in build up to my season of racing in America, so hopefully it will be ready to go for all the races to come in the next few months and can deliver some good results.

Triathlete.com: What races are on your schedule this year?

Bozzone: I just finished the Kemah Olympic distance where I finished second to Andrew Yoder. I have Galveston, New Orleans and St. Croix 70.3s lined up this next month, and also Eagleman 70.3. I like what the Rev3 guys are doing with the sport so I am going to compete in their races in Quassy and Portland. Hopefully I will have a bit of form to turn up on the start line in Vegas for the 70.3 worlds.

Triathlete.com: You came in second in Ironman New Zealand. How was it battling the rainy conditions?

Bozzone: It was tough. It was a very hard day at the office physically and mentally. Looking back I believe it’s those tough races that will put me in a good position to win at Kona one day.

Triathlete.com: How do you feel about racing in your home country?

Bozzone: Now with most of my races overseas, I just love being able to race on home soil in front of my family, friends and supporters here in NZ. There’s always something special racing at home and it gives me an extra boost on the course for sure.

Triathlete.com: What is race morning like for you? How early do you rise? What kind of nutrition do you take?

Bozzone: Well I guess it depends on a few things like start times, travel to the venue, etc. But I usually get up three hours before start time. I do like to get up early and get a good breakfast in me. I try to stay pretty calm and relaxed before the race, and by the time I’m warming up and preparing my gear at the race site, I try and start to focus on the race ahead.

Triathlete.com: In terms of nutrition during the race, what do you eat and how many calories do you take in?

Bozzone: I try and take in between 250 and 350 calories per hour during a half ironman, depending on temperatures and where I am in the race. Typically I would have a couple drink bottles of lemonade Clif Shot Electrolyte Drink, one strawberry Clif Shot Blok and six to eight strawberry Clif Shot Energy Gels—four on the bike and four on the run in a fuel belt flask diluted with water.

Triathlete.com: Anything else you’d like to add?

Bozzone: Without the help of many people, being where I am today would not have been possible. First, I want to thank all my friends, family and supporters around the world for gettingbehind me in my goals. I want to thank all my wonderful sponsors. I am happy to be associated with them as they give me confidence in that I have the best gear, equipment, nutrition, etc. to help me win. My sponsors are Felt, Kelloggs Nutri Grain, K Swiss, Biestmilch, Clif Bar, Plumbing World, Oakley, Aqua Sphere, SRAM, Profile Design, Zipp, Fuel Belt, Lazer, Triathlon Lab, Prologo and Sidi. You can follow me at twitter.com/terenzo1 or read more at Terenzo.com.
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