Q&A with NYC Triathlon Champion Amy Bevilacqua
Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 08:55AM 
We had a chance to catch up with TT Endurance Club Elite Team Member Amy Bevilacqua regarding her win at the Aquaphor NYC Triathlon this past weekend.
TT – Congrats on your recent win at the NYC Triathlon. That’s your first professional win, correct?
Amy – Yep – I’m still a little in disbelief but it’s starting to set in now.
TT – Rumor has it you walked into McDonalds at 4 in the morning before the race in just your bathing suit and aero helmet to grab coffee – is that true?
Amy - (laughing) Yeah – I biked from my hotel to the transition on race morning and it was so hot out I decided not to bother with shorts or anything and just had my swimsuit on. I stopped to grab coffee and walked in with my bike and aero helmet still on – I didn’t want to leave my bike outside since it might get stolen.
TT – Too funny! You must have gotten some comments in that outfit and at that hour?
Amy – Someone asked if I was going to London and I said not today. He then asked me if I thought he could pull off the same outfit and said have a good night.
TT – Speaking of London, you overtook Liz Blatchford to win the race – she was a favorite to represent the UK team at the Olympics this year but was overlooked. That’s some pretty tough competition!
Amy – I knew I was having a good race when I wasn’t loosing any ground to her on the run, when I was able to pass her around 72nd St. – that’s when it sunk in that I might actually win.
TT – Tell us a little more about your race…
Amy – The swim was typical for me – I think I was 10th out of 11 pros out of the water, but with the current was only about 3 minutes back from the leaders (according to my kids). My bike felt good - I was able to catch up to the lead pack even though I held back a little – I think that helped my run. I was first into T2, but Liz passed me in transition. I was able to hang with her and then pass her around 72nd St. Then the motorcycle with the camera was with me and I knew I had to go fast! I passed my family again near the top of the park and they yelled “Mommy – your winning!”
TT – It must have been a great feeling seeing your family out on the course.
Amy – Yep and they are getting into triathlons too! Joe (9) has done a few kids races and Emily (5) is doing her first race this coming weekend.
TT – It’s great that you and your kids share a common interest – if they have your triathlon genes people better watch out! You have 4 kids total, right?
Amy – Yes, 9, 7, 5 and 3.
TT – It must be hard fitting in time to train with 4 kids... How do you manage?
Amy – I do a lot of my bike training indoors. I can usually squeeze in a good hour on the trainer. In fact, before St. Anthony’s I only rode outdoors twice (editor note- Amy had the second fastest pro bike split at St. Anthony’s). I think training indoors really helps my biking.
TT – Did you do any sports growing up?
Amy - I competed in gymnastics until freshman year of high school, then ran track and cross-country through college (Williams). After college I worked in the city for a few years, went on a trip to Club Med and kinda decided to run off to the circus. I taught Trapeze for a few years, then was in a small circus in Japan . In 2000 I came back to the US, got married and dabbled in triathlons (though not at the pro level). I then had my first baby in 2003 and only got back into racing triathlons about 3 years ago after my last baby was born.
TT – Wow – that’s a pretty interesting background! What’s next on your race schedule?
Amy – I’m planning to spend some time with the kids in July and August so not too much racing. I’m doing the Green Mountain Stage Race then my first ½ - 70.3 Poconos in September. Given my weaker swim I need to really work on my swimming to be able to compete at the highest level at the Olympic distance (and even at the half distance) but at least in a half I can make up a little more time on the bike. That’s why NYC is a good race for me - it’s tide assisted so you don’t need to be that strong a swimmer.
TT – Thanks for taking the time to chat today! Looking forward to seeing you at TT!
Amy – Thank you!
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