Meet Victoria Triathlete Chris Siver
Victoria triathlete Chris Siver is not only known for his great smile but also his boundless heart for the local athletic community. His journey of strength, courage and determination has taken him to the top of the podium as well as a shining example to other athletes in triathlon. We are excited to share the journey of Victoria triathlete Chris Siver.
Your journey in triathlon and involvement in community athletics has made an impact on athletes of all levels but as well as non-athletes. Tell us a little about how your triathlon journey began and where it has taken you today?
I was a 30 year-old, fat, smoker. I was generally unhappy with myself and knew I need to make a change. I quit smoking and I changed my diet (I stopped being a vegan and ate a pot-roast). I took up running and over the course of a year lost about 80 pounds. I had always been interested in triathlon. I am from Penticton and knew how amazing the Ironman there was.
I had been a bit of a mountain biker in my early 20s and a swimmer as a kid, so after I did my first half-marathon in 2002, I put it all together and I started swimming with the UVic Tri-Club. My first race was the 2003 Panorama Sprint. While my training did take a dip when I was in law school, I really have not stopped since then. I cannot stop as that fat smoker is still inside my head and I am desperately afraid of letting him out.
This sport can be difficult because there is always someone else out there to whom you can compare yourself unfavourably. I can fall victim to that type of thinking from time to time but for the most part I am pretty happy being the best version of me that I can be at any particular time.
Now, I am working on constant improvement for myself and giving back. I coach cycle groups with TriStars and individuals with RFM Endurance and I proudly represent Flo Cycling on the Flo Factory Racing Team.
Maintaining a balanced life between work, training and everything else is a challenge unto itself! With your brilliant achievements and commitments, how do you both balance this lifestyle?
I am not certain I do manage balance but it is very hard for me to judge properly. The one thing I am certain of is the fact that I am extraordinarily privileged to be able to train and compete at this intensity level.
I have a loving and supportive spouse. I own my own business and my partner believes my work ethic in sport is a reflection of the work ethic I give to my clients. I am a professional and am largely able to schedule myself for my own needs. I also likely do not make as much money as others in my field at my level of experience because I deliberately prioritize my training in my life. I fully understand how lucky I am to be able to do this sport the way I do. I also understand that I purposely work to make this happen.
Every athlete is a nerd when it comes to training. What is your favorite gear to train with during your swim, bike, run, or rest & nutrition?
The one tool I keep coming back to again and again is my heart rate monitor. In the past few years, I have really gone down the scientific rabbit holes of our sport: Power-based training. Polarized heart rate training. TSS. ATL, CTL, VO2 Max, FTP, blah, blah and blah. I cannot imagine doing a workout without a heart rate monitor and even have a hard time seeing the point of doing a workout without one. The heart rate is the most important metric of improvement over time cannot be measured.
I recently bought the Garmin 945 which has the ability to do wrist-based heart rate during the swim. I love it. I hope very much to get in the pool soon and really put it to the test.
What words of advice would you give athletes who are new on their triathlon or athletic adventure?
I have the same advice I have always given. If you are thinking about doing it, do it. When you do your first triathlon, you will say to yourself: “why didn’t I do this earlier?” So, do it early. The community is so supportive. We all know the race is just against ourselves. There are no competitive jealousies; everyone pitches in to help each other be the best they can be. Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of something so positive?
How can our readers follow your adventures in training and triathlon?
I try to just use instagram for the triathlon stuff. @chrissiver6572 @rfm_endurance and sometimes I appear @flocycling
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