September 2011 Featured Athlete

Multisport Mastery is pleased to announce the September 2011 featured athlete(s):

Steve & Jamey Cox of Iowa 

What got you both started in triathlon? 

In December 2007, we were laying in bed on a Sunday afternoon watching the Ironman World Championships on T.V.  Steve made the "life altering" mistake of saying I can do that.  So the next day Jamey signed us up for a triathlon training class taught by the Triathlon Racers of Iowa at the local YMCA.  We spent the first hour in the classroom and the second hour in the pool.  At the time Steve couldn't swim 25 yards.  Although Jamey thought she could swim she quickly learned that she had a lot of work to do and had to learn the correct way to swim.  Needless to say the first night of class damn near killed both of us.  But we kept returning and slowly started to improve. We've had great role models in the sport that have become good friends, they are both a resource and a source of inspiration.

How do you feel both pursuing the same sport makes you each a better athlete? 

We think that being involved in the same sport gives us an appreciation for what the other person is going though. At the Drake Half Marathon earlier this season we pushed each other into PR's especially down the stretch and that continued throughout our triathlon season. We both feed off of each others successes, and we have each other to share our frustrations with when a race doesn't go as well as we had hoped.  Being able to share these experiences gives us a bond that others may not get to share.

What were some of the challenges of training for Ironman together? 

We are not sure that our challenges of training for an Ironman are much different than any other athlete but they are times two. Two times the expense, two times the hours, two times the preparation, two times the logistics, etc.  As older triathletes, our kids are grown so being away from home for so many hours, and days isn't as problematic. We also have a very understanding Lhasa Apso.

What were some of the highlights of training for Ironman together?

The entire experience of training for Ironman has been phenomenal.  We started training for IMWI specifically in November of 2010 but doing an Ironman race has been on our radar since watching two of our teammates finish at Louisville in 2009. With no long course experience prior to Steelhead in 2010 we knew it would take us a bit longer to get ready.  We have gone through the majority of the IM training together and we knew we could count on each other to push the other one.  Not all couples have the opportunities we have had, one partner may or may not be able to pursue the same sport or may not wish to.  We are very fortunate in that we have caught the triathlon bug and love training together.  Some of our biggest highlights have been finishing our first 70.3 at Steelhead, Jamey receiving her finish medal at Kansas 70.3 in June from Chrissie Wellington was a huge thrill and without a doubt our greatest moment was finishing Ironman Wisconsin on September 11th.  After finishing Jamey was able to place Steve's medal around his neck and grabbed each other in a very tearful embrace.  Steve's catcher said that we "almost made him cry."

How did working with a coach help you along the way for Ironman? 

Working with Coach Liz assured us of Ironman success - period.  It is enough of a struggle with working full time and training without having to muddle through endless training plans or unknown coaches.  For two years Liz, has successfully prepared us to reach PR's and milestone after milestone.  Her experience with the course at Madison was a very valuable resource in our training.  Her knowledge of athletes and training is second only to her experience in the sport.  She puts us on the path to success because she speaks from experience. We know that when we have questions on any level that Liz is there to answer them. If we need changes she rearranges our schedules and if we have uncertainties she reasons us through them. Coach Liz is that delicate balance of stern when we deserve it, complimentary when we earn it, and compassionate when we most need it. She takes coaching seriously and it shows in her dedication to her athletes.

Steve and Jamey are a wonderful example of how a couple can grow together as athletes, share a passion for a sport and accomplish many amazing things along the way.  Looking forward to an exciting 2012 season!