The Sean Bechtel Interview.
When Nat showed up in Tucson he hardly knew Sean Bechtel, and an hour later they were sharing a bed for the first of two weeks of their training session. There haven’t been many hours that they’ve spent apart. After 2 months training together the longest separation was 2h (2x 1h massage with Mona).2 weeks later they upped that time to just over 3h (after Seans swim start until the start of Nat’s run) at Oceanside.
I have also learned that when Nat was out on a date last week he locked the keys in the car so that he had an excuse to call Sean so that there was excuse him (and his AAA card) to come over.
If you have never met Sean Bechtel, here are some background facts:
-Sean Bechtel can kill two stones with one bird
-When Sean Bechtel was denied an egg McMuffin at McDonald’s because it was 10:35, he round house kicked the the store so hard it became a Wendy’s
-Sean Bechtel can sneeze with his eyes open
-If you have $5 and Sean Bechtel has $5, Sean Bechtel has more money than you
-Sean Bechtel can eat just one Lay’s potato chip
-When Sean Bechtel falls in water, he doesn’t get wet, the Water gets Sean Bechtel swimming fast
-Sean Bechtel’s organ donation card includes his beard
Anyhow it looks like Sean will be heading back to Canada in the next week, and it could be as much as two, two and a half weeks before Nat joins him there at the C3 World Headquarters.
to help Nat endure this, I’ve interviewed Sean and posted the transcripts here:
Nat Bikes: Hello Sean, welcome to Nat Bikes, thanks for allowing me to use the phrase you trademarked T.I.T.
(triathlete in training), can you tell me the origins of this acronym?
Sean Bechtel: Um, Thanks. Riding with Nat [Faulkner] I frequently heard him complaining J.I.T.s [Junior In Training], and realized that Triathlon is missing such a term. Now it’s really taken off, and grown to include anyone in a tri-top and aero bars.
(triathlete in training), can you tell me the origins of this acronym?Sean Bechtel: Um, Thanks. Riding with Nat [Faulkner] I frequently heard him complaining J.I.T.s [Junior In Training], and realized that Triathlon is missing such a term. Now it’s really taken off, and grown to include anyone in a tri-top and aero bars.
NB: I understand that you are the most senior athlete of the C3online.com triathlon team. What exactly is this organization all about?
SB: C3 is a not-for-profit triathlon organization which provides leading edge coaching, and health services. The Elite team which I am a part of provides support for training and racing opportunities, so that athletes have the ideal opportunities for achieving their goals.
NB: Where do you see your relationship with the club progressing?
SB: I have been with the Club 8 years. During the past few season I have begun helping out with coaching, and I suspect that I will be taking a larger role in the organizational side of training camps. Generally helping people swim bike and run to the full extent of their abilities.
NB: Can you tell me what your favorite bicycle and bike shop?
SB: That one is easy! My favorite bike is the Specialized Transition, serviced by Gears in Mississauga, though here in Clermont I go to Epic Cycles.
NB: I understand that you’ve been living fairly, uh, intimately with Nat Faulkner, for the record, are there any rumors that you would like to put to bed about your relationship?
SB: I didn’t know that any rumors existed, what are you trying to start here?
NB: Do you have a favorite Nat story that you would like to share?
SB:
NB: Finally, as a very fast swimmer who frequently laps, and frustrates more novice swimmers, any tips on getting through the water quicker?
SB: Try to get someone to video tape you swimming. A weekly session with a digital camera (they all shoot video now). This will allow you to see, and understand your errors and see where you need to go.
SB: Try to get someone to video tape you swimming. A weekly session with a digital camera (they all shoot video now). This will allow you to see, and understand your errors and see where you need to go.NB: Nat can sometimes act without thinking, has he ever really embarrassed you, or made you want to take him swimming in alligator infested waters and drop him?
SB: There are actually two incidents where Nat made me feel uncomfortable, and both involved the Green Goblin speedo. When he first got it we were in a hotel room and he sat on the bed wearing only that for 10 minutes until I was uncomfortable. The second was when he cut a mohawk and wanted me to photograph his calisthenic routine [ed. because Sean is such a great guy, he has forwarded us one of the photos from this shoot].
Looks like the Nat story got censored
When Justin and I stayed at the Hackler’s on the weekend, we spent an evening telling Nat stories.
I guess maybe we’ll see you in 3 weeks?
I think my baby bump is going to explode soon…
Comment by Kelly - the sister-in-law — April 23, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
Dear Editorial Staff at Natbikes:
I found your article on Sean Bechtel both interesting and informative, conforming to a degree of journalism seldom matched elsewhere. However, the article failed to address some of the major issues of our time. I know it is pointless to search elsewhere for the answers. I write desperate for your reply.
Do Triathletes in Training always come in pairs?
What exactly is a triathlete doing when it is said that he/she is “on a bull”?
If I have $5.00 and Sean Bechtel has $4.99 does he still have more money than me?
Why are Triathletes in Training so closely associated with the word “useless”?
I eagerly anticipate your reply
Nort O’Fori V
Comment by Nort O'Fori V — April 27, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-Bicycle-Carbon-Fiber_W0QQitemZ150242899223QQihZ005QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
thought you might enjoy this.
Comment by Fred — May 5, 2008 @ 12:06 am
hey nat, where are those pics of the rocks and water taken?
Comment by mel — May 5, 2008 @ 5:19 pm