Scott Bay

Why do you race?
Because it is fun! I find it difficult to train hard without a goal in mind. Racing is it for me. Some people enjoy just training and how it makes them feel. Not me. I have to have that rush I get from being out on the course with my fellow triathlon brothers and sisters.

What kinds of races have you done throughout your life and now?
Lots of different ones and lots of different distances. I swim masters and I love the 100 fly. I also had a great time at the open water 5k this year. Bike racing is very cool too. I love criteriums because I have thrill issues. I have also done running races from the 5k to the marathon distance but my primary focus is on triathlons right now. I like the sprints the best but have done the 1/2 iron. Notice I said 'done' and not 'raced'.

Have you learned any life lessons while racing?
Yep. Most of 'em as a matter of fact...at least the important ones. I have been racing in some way or another for all but 6 years of my life. I learned preparing to be successful is a lot of what goes in to being successful, every effort and act is a statement of who you are and what you believe in, it is not about being the best but about being my best and that I am responsible for the communities in which I participate so I need to be a good steward as well as good member of those communities.

From an active lifestyle view, what do you see in your future?
Perpetual forward motion.

What would you tell someone new who is getting started with an active lifestyle?
Try everything...find what moves you.

2006 season “Are you really gonna race that thing?” That was what the guy behind me said at the start of my first race of the 2006 season. No it was not a triathlon but a Criterium (read: Bike race where crazy people and adrenaline junkies careen around a 1 mile circuit at 27+mph close enough together to be considered married in some states) Its like NASCAR only it’s a sport. Lots of close calls and lots of hair raising turns but I figured if I was going to get faster on the bike, this was how to do it. I raced a 1985 Trek 1200.

Fast forward a few months and many bike races later and tri season begins I am way faster on the bike so mission accomplished. I swam masters swimming over the winter too (I played water polo in college) so I was able to pick up the swim as well. Off season prep allowed me to enjoy a lot of fast times this year. But the best part of the whole thing was the new people I met.

Tri season 2006 was really good to me. I was never injured. I spend more quality time with my family and streamlined my training to get the most out of every mile. I loved racing the Buttar series but never for an instant thought I would be a top 5 overall. I got to race against some really talented athletes. Some of whom I have known for years and some I just met. All are great competitors and great promoters of the sport. Season tally:

Masters swimming:

2 Championship meets 3 Open water swimming events

Bike racing

8 Criteriums 2 Circuit races

Triathlon

10 races (all sprints)

When asked what I think about racing and maintaining the triathlon lifestyle it all comes down to one word…Better.  Not a shallow narcissistic better as in ‘I’m better than you’ but a more sophisticated and sublime better.  Let me explain…When I was younger.  I played sports mostly individual and always wanted to get better.  Mostly so I could win or impress the girls.  I wanted to be better than anyone I knew at one point and then I wanted to be better than the other swimmers on the team and then better than the other players on the waterpolo team and then….You get the idea.  There is a newer version of me that has emerged due in large part to triathlon.  Me version 7.0. Now it is better because of others.  I train and race because it helps me focus on what is really important.  It relaxes me and gives me energy at the same time.  It helps me be a better father, husband, teacher, coach and friend.  I still enjoy winning and placing but I do not feel the same about being passed on the course. I usually say ‘good job’ because I know they are giving their best hopefully, like me, to get ‘better’.  

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