When Tyler Butterfield got off the bike in fourth position during the 2013 Ironman World Championship, practically everyone who knew him was thrilled for the gregarious Bermudian. Very few people expected him to be so close to the front of Ironman Hawaii. Three hours later he crossed the line in seventh. Butterfield has dedicated his entire 2014 season to improving his result on the Big Island.
In an interview with Aaron Hersh from Triathlon Competitor.com, here’s three reasons he may do it
He didn’t time trial a marathon three weeks before the race.
Three weeks before the 2013 Ironman World Championship, Butterfield undertook a test workout that may have sapped some of his strength on race day. He time-trialed the full marathon course, running 2:40 by himself. “Everyone said I was silly,” said Butterfield. “So this year I just did 20 a little faster rather than the 26,” completing the 20 miles in just under two hours. Saving himself from the physical beating of a full marathon just weeks before Ironman Hawaii may leave more energy for the miles that really count.
Lots of people may blow on the bike.
More people will be tempted to go hard on the bike, Butterfield thinks. “There’s a lot of good guys that will be in the back pack and a lot of good guys in the front,” says Butterfield.
With Jan Frodeno and Andrew Starykowicz up front out of the swim and Sebastian Kienle and Victor Del Corral coming from behind, the rest of the athletes may feel pressured to ride beyond their capabilities. And over-ambitious racing often ends the same way in Hawaii. Butterfield believes he has the patience and experience to avoid that trap.
He conducted two of his own wind tunnel tests since last year.
The majority of wind tunnel testing conducted on pro triathletes is paid for by a sponsor. While athletes can get significant improvements from these tests, they are often not completely free to try any product. Financing a test can get a company status as a “favored nation.” Twice this year, Butterfield ponied up his money to travel to the San Diego Low Speed Wind Tunnel and test his equipment and position. The results were dramatic. “In the wind tunnel, theoretically I’m supposed to be 15 minutes quicker,” he said. “Of course that number isn’t exactly real. I was hoping the get four minutes out of that.”
