Interview with Terry Butts
By: The Webmaster
December 18, 2002

1. Tell us a little bit about your athletic background - do you have a favorite leg in the triathlon?

I was in every sport I could play growing up and was also a competitive swimmer in Arizona.   I don't know that I have a favorite leg because I try to enjoy the whole thing.  I mean the reason I do this is to have fun and when I stop having fun then it's time to throw in the towel.

2. How did you come to move to the Lafayette area?

 My wife was retiring from the Marines and Body Masters in Rayne called and asked if I'd be interested in working for them.  So, we came to visit and really enjoyed the place and people and decided to give it a whirl.

3. Are you a long distance Iron Man sort, or do you prefer sprint tri's?

I do all distances but specialize in the 1/2 IM and Full IM.  My PR's are 4:02 and 9:36.

4. Are you a pro triathlete, or is it former pro?  What does it mean, exactly, to be a pro?  Is it passing a test, meeting a certain performance standard, paying to register as one, etc?  Are there ethical guidelines as well?

I am currently racing as a pro.  There is requirement for you to turn pro.  You must be top 10 overall at a USAT sanctioned race, with at least 200 or more racers, for a minimum of 3 races.  Also, if you are in
the top ten your time must be within 10% of the overall winners time.  Being a pro allows for several things: it lets you sign up for a race at any time even if it's full.  You can get home stays at races (so you don't have to get a hotel)  also, you are eligible for the prize money...  Yeah!  The bad news is it's 10 times as hard to qualify for the Hawaii IM.  Oh yeah, your yearly dues are $80 instead of 20 or 30 - that is also a down fall.

5. Does being a pro have anything to do with being a coach and offering professional services, or are they two totally separate issues?

Being a pro is completely separate from coaching.  I started out with Troy Jacobson at Triathlon Academy when they first started and was Troy's right hand man if you will.  We had several tests and requirements to complete in order to be a certified coach with him.  He was actually the first guy to have other coaches under him so it was a very good experience for me.  I traveled the country teaching triathlon clinics and swim clinics and after a few years decided to branch off on my own and have never looked back.  I have several athletes from beginners to Pro's as well as athletes in Mexico, Canada, and Japan.  With that said, I don't think there is anything like watching a race live or via internet and seeing your athlete setting a PR and then hearing the phone ring when they finish just to tell you thanks.   I mean one can only race so many times a year but being a coach allows me to cross that finish line a lot more times.

6. Are you now or were you ever at a level where you would compete neck-and-neck with the big names of the sport - DeBoom, Reid, guys like that?  Is that a goal?

I currently race against the big guys and my training partner is Natascha Badmann who by the way will be here this May and June to train in Lafayette with me.  I am also friends with Peter Kotland (ultraman world record holder) and Chris "Macca" McCormack and train with both of these studs.

7. Do you have a favorite road race and/or triathlon?

I have been all over and have even raced in Hawaii twice, but my favorite race is the Great Floridian Triathlon in Clermont, Fl.  It is put on for the age grouper and not catered to the Pro like Hawaii is so that is why I like it so much.

8. What are your impressions of the Lafayette area to this point?  Your impressions of the running/triathlete community and scene?

I really like the area and the running/triathlete community have helped me a lot.  I look forward to working and serving the community in the future.

9. As a pro, are you competing against other 30-34 age-group athletes or are your results at a given race broken out separately?

You are racing in a separate category and would not be eligible for any age group award.  You however, can be beaten by an age grouper and that has happened a lot in several races over the years.  Gulf Coast Triathlon and Blackwater come to mind.  Pros went off course and the age grouper ended up winning.

10. What is the status of the multisport retail store you are planning to open?

We are shooting for a February 1st, 2003 opening date.  We are also trying to have a 5k/1mile fun walk for the grand opening that morning so keep your eyes open.  It looks like it will be located in a house right by UL-Lafayette at 720 E. University and Wilson.  We will be the ONLY Running specialty store in Acadiana.  Our main focus will be to get everyone in the right shoe.  The shoe line looks like this as of now: Brooks, New Balance, Asics, Mizuno (working on Saucony) with apparel from all as well as TYR, Seal Masks, Zoot, and much more.  We will also have sport specific gift baskets and jewelry for triathletes, cyclists, and runners.  We are also currently looking to have a massage therapist on the premises so if anyone is looking please contact us for more information.

11. Share with us your vision of the future of running and multisport in the area.  Is it in your plan to be a positive influence, and if so how?

I want to help the sport continue to grow in a positive direction and the only way to do this is through knowledge of good consistent training and helping our community in much more than just racing and training.  I am talking about doing things for charity and for the underprivileged.  I once road my bike solo to Washington, D.C. from Beaufort, SC (612 miles in 4 1/2 days) to raise money for cancer research.

12. Anything else we should know?

I can only do this because of the support of my family.  My wife (Ana) and I have two boys Zakary (11) and Cameron (15 months).  We also have 4 dogs.