Lance? ? Ironman? ? ? Could It Be? ? ?

In the past he has always basically said no to going back into triathlon. This interview seems pretty cut and dry that he will.

Are you going back to triathlon? Should we look for you at Kona?
I trained at Kona before the Tour Down Under. I was there. I’d like to go back and try some Ironman events. Not just Kona.

Can you compete at that level? Have you run the numbers?
Not the numbers, but I know how fast I can ride. I know how fast they ride. The big question is, how quick can I run? I’d have to run as fast as I’ve ever run a marathon.  

Do you try to come off the bike with a big lead?
I don’t know that that’s necessary. I think the recipe would be to ride conservatively and really plan on running. You could ride your off and get 10 minutes—but you’ll lose 20 or 30 in the run.

So instead, you conserve energy and come off the bike feeling better than everyone else.
That’s the idea, anyway. It works when we’re talking about it now, but then you get there and it all changes. That’s why I need to do a couple. I need to do some half-Ironman events—get my swimming back. I don’t know that I can win. Some of these guys go quick.

It doesn’t seem like you need to win to age gracefully.
I want to stay fit and have a great lifestyle. I don’t necessarily need to win the Tour, win the Ironman, or run 2:20 in a marathon. It’s also about what we do at the foundation and with the team. People look at that and think, Man, look at any other retired cyclist; they’re damn sure not out there doing that.

Are you going back to triathlon? Should we look for you at Kona?
I trained at Kona before the Tour Down Under. I was there. I’d like to go back and try some Ironman events. Not just Kona.

Can you compete at that level? Have you run the numbers?
Not the numbers, but I know how fast I can ride. I know how fast they ride. The big question is, how quick can I run? I’d have to run as fast as I’ve ever run a marathon.  

Do you try to come off the bike with a big lead?
I don’t know that that’s necessary. I think the recipe would be to ride conservatively and really plan on running. You could ride your off and get 10 minutes—but you’ll lose 20 or 30 in the run.

So instead, you conserve energy and come off the bike feeling better than everyone else.
That’s the idea, anyway. It works when we’re talking about it now, but then you get there and it all changes. That’s why I need to do a couple. I need to do some half-Ironman events—get my swimming back. I don’t know that I can win. Some of these guys go quick.

It doesn’t seem like you need to win to age gracefully.
I want to stay fit and have a great lifestyle. I don’t necessarily need to win the Tour, win the Ironman, or run 2:20 in a marathon. It’s also about what we do at the foundation and with the team. People look at that and think, Man, look at any other retired cyclist; they’re damn sure not out there doing that.

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