I met Derek Kite while having breakfast in a Geneva, Switzerland hotel the morning before this past summer's Geneva ITU race. I had never heard of him, but he had some big goals: qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials, maybe the Olympics. Intrigued, I asked him what he had done and what he hoped to do in Geneva. Turns out this was his first year of triathlon. The next day I watched Derek struggle through the swim, miss the pack, and pedal 40k on the bike alone. Big goals, I thought, but he has a long way to go.
On January 18th of this year Derek took 6th at a cutthroat points race in La Paz, Argentina. With little money in his pocket and a dream anchored in his mind, the man has worked himself into an international triathlon force in less than one year. I asked him some questions this week to see what it's all been like.
Triathlon Informer: What was your athletic background before starting triathlon?
Derek Kite: I ran early school years through college years and post college professionally. All different events ranging from the 1500 to the 10k and specializing in the 3000m steeplechase, where I competed in the US Olympic Trials in 1996 and 2000. PR's include 13:53 5k, 29 flat 10k, 23:16 8k, 4:06 mile, 3:52 1500, 8:05 3k, 8:36 steeplechase.
TI: When did you start tris and what got you into the sport?
DK: I began training in late January 2003 (it hasn't even been a year yet), and did my first race as an age-grouper on April 13th in Los Angeles (Bonelli Park). My second and third were on April 26th and 27th in Alabama and Las Vegas, respectively. Received my pro card the next day and went to Clermont ITU the following weekend (May 4th) to run my first race as a pro.
My body had taken enough punishment from steeplechasing for ten years. I decided with my ocean lifeguarding experience that the triathlon would be the next step in life. I probably should have changed over 10 years ago, since I was a runner stuck in a triathlete's body and mindset. Besides, when I surf a lot, my upper body gets too big for running, and I won't give up surfing!
TI: What are your immediate and long-term goals?
DK:
Immediate: get enough points to qualify for Trials in Honolulu.
Long-term: my ultimate goal since the age of 8 has always been the Olympics;
make a good career out of triathloning in both ITU and non-drafting circuits.
TI: How's life on the ITU circuit?
DK: This was quite an eye-opening experience. I thought I knew how to swim until I did my first ITU race.
TI: How hard is the competition right now?
DK: Very difficult because people are jockeying for crucial points. I thought I would go down to La Paz last weekend and be at least top 3. I had no idea how many talented triathletes in the top 125 ranks would show up. Not to mention the extreme heat and humidity. I know top 3 was quite a goal, but I have to think big knowing that I have 3 months before the Trials.
TI: Why ITU and not half-ironman or ironman? And why drafting over non-drafting?
DK: Simply the olympics, at least for now. There is no doubt that the ironman is in my future.
TI: Biggest complaints as an ITU competitor aiming for the Olympics?
DK: Jumping into the abyss. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I should have begun two years ago. In the U.S., there seems to be a thought that only swimmers can be good ITU'ers. However, if we could only look at other countries and who's leading the ranks and winning medals, it's obvious who wins. Runners who have been taught to swim fast. Simon Whitfield, Tim Don, Greg Bennett, Ivan Rana, Bevan Docherty. These guys can run fast and they have learned to put themselves in a position to win by a stronger swim. No one is searching out those strong runners in the U.S., only strong swimmers. This equation seems to work for the women but not as much for the men.
TI: Hardest things about all the travel would be...?
DK: Money, taking time off from my training for travel, and most of all mental and physical rest.
TI: What races will you be doing this year? "A" races are...? What's your plan for making trials and where do you hope to qualify for the Olympics?
DK: With the exception of Lifetime Fitness in July, I am not looking beyond the Olympics right now. My focus has to be Trials. La Paz went very well, but I still need about 450 to 500 points. I will be competing in Honduras, Mexico, the Pan Am Mexico Regionals, and possibly Japan World Cup in order to make the top 125 cut by April 11th. It should be obvious to people now that I have what it takes to compete at the World Cup level. I am ranked 16th American and 203 in the world, but have beaten many guys in the top 125. Being a newbie, I have to perform solidly in all three races, if possible, so I am not sure in which Trials I hope to qualify. First, I have to qualify for the Trials!
TI: Any specific training to prepare for trials?
DK: SWIM, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM, SWIM. Right now I am swimming over 40,000 a week and intend to increase that within the next few weeks.
TI: Other interests in your life?
DK: Surfing. watching football - I grew up in Nebraska, where football is a way of life. Teaching the Bible to others.
TI: Important people/training partners/coaches/loved ones?
DK: My wife/manager, my parents my sponsors as of yet. No coaches for the triathlon, but important past running coaches have been Joe Vigil (Alamosa, CO), Darrell Price (Lubbock Christian University), Mike Smith (Camarillo High School), Scott Beck (Middle School Running Coach, Nebraska), and Bill Duley (Agoura High School). Training partners - Bryan Dameworth (1989 Kinney National Cross Country Champion and best friend), Allan St. Pierre (former pro biker in Canada), Howard Jacobs (former pro triathlete), several pro bikers in the greater LA area, Pepperdine University Masters and Women's Swim Teams.
TI: How do you support yourself while training?
DK: As mentioned above, my wife and parents - and the $750 dollars I got in Chile (that, not to mention, did not cover the price of one of our two tickets to Chile). My wife goes on every trip with me.
TI: How'd you get your swim so fast in such a short span of time?
DK: Like Dory sings in "Finding Nemo," I just kept swimming. I don't sweat "sweat" any more, I sweat chlorine. I've actually had a long background in ocean lifeguarding and surfing, so I just needed to work on my technique, strength and endurance for a while.
TI:
I can't believe you just quoted "Finding Nemo." Nobody quotes "Finding Nemo."
What are your thoughts on the USA's qualifying procedures for Athens?
Fair, unfair, confusing, ...?
DK: Yes. Especially the confusing part. I think they are still more confused than I am. USAT still has yet to decide if the Honolulu race will be a World Cup and/or if they will allow all foreigners or only those foreigners who are also ranked in the top 125. I like the points system, it needs to be there. The Americans ranked in the top 125 are there for a reason. I wouldn't want to see someone come off the street and be able to go to the Olympics without experience. I would like to see more than 12 American men in the Trials, though. Let me throw out a number...maybe..umm...16...what do you think? I have already proven that I can beat one of the top 10 Americans - twice. It may not look like I have much experience, but I have just as much experience in racing in general than any of these other triathletes out there. If I can prove my worth in the next few months, then I deserve a shot.
Don't let my smile mislead you...I am more intense than anyone out there.