When one sport just isn't enough
2005-12-11
Fabien Brogard Cipriani
Fabien Brogard Cipriani cut his teeth on grueling adventure races that combined kayaking, cycling, waterfall climbing and more. Now, the 27-year-old account manager from France has cut back to a mere 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride and 21 km run as a triathlete. He will again compete in the Honu Half Ironman Triathlon in June 2006 in hopes of qualifying for the Ironman World Championship in October. Cipriani answers a few questions about his multi-sport obsession.
What motivates you as a multi-sports competitor?
Sometimes I wonder if it's just the desire to be different and to prove myself. Maybe when I started it was a lack of self-confidence. But now that I'm in shape I basically don't want to go back. I'm really self-conscious and I want to stay healthy and fit. If I find a few races I like to compete in, it gives me a good excuse to keep training.
Of course, the most fun part of all this is to participate in races. The atmosphere is unique and the adrenaline you get from the public is an amazing thing. The spectators cheering often help you to boost your mental and push yourself harder. It's also really inspiring to see that there are some people in their late 60s and 70s or with a prosthetic leg - doing it. I always tell myself that I have a lot of good years ahead of me as a racer.
How did you get started in adventure racing?
It was in 2001. I met a guy named Nori Nakamura who is a close friend of mine now. He did a race called Eco Challenge one of those crazy, five-day, non-stop adventure races in some lost part of the world. He just really made a strong impression on me.
I was in Japan and had stopped doing sports for some time. I thought, "this is great, I would love to get into that and combine sports with nature." He (Nakamura) helped me out and advised me on what equipment to get (for adventure racing) and how to train. In no time, I had caught the virus of multi-sports racing.
How and why did you switch to triathlons?
I "switched" after my boss asked me: "Why don't we do this (2005 Honu) Half Ironman Race?" I didn't have a road bike at the time but was keen on trying something new. So I contacted Cannondale (http://jp.cannondale.com) where I had some connections. I told them I was planning to compete in several major triathlons and they agreed to sponsor me.
I can't say that I'm specialized in one specific sport but since feel I am doing "OK" in all of them (swimming, Bike cycling and running). I guess I can compete well in such type of race. As opposed to Adventure races, triathlon requires less equipment (to carry to the events) and is therefore less expensive. Your training is also more focused since you have just 3 sports to train forsince you only have to train for three sports.
Adventure races also often require one female team member. I found that to be a major problem since it is often difficult to find one "crazy" crazy enough to do it. I do not have this issue with triathlons.
Fabien Brogard Cipriani
How would you compare adventure racing with triathlon competitions?
It's difficult to say. They are after all very distinctive. Adventure racing is more of a team sport. When you do a team sport you can only go as fast as the slowest (team) member, but in a triathlon it's all on you. In that aspect, adventure racing is probably more demanding: When your teammate gets tired and slows you down it is your job to support him or her mentally or even physically by carrying his/her gear. It can be frustrating and create some tensions but when it is your turn to be exhausted, you're glad to get this same support from your teammates. In triathlons, you are basically alone. If you're fast, no one is there to slow you down. If you're slow, you may miss your teammate's support along the course but you certainly don't miss the frustration of slowing them down.
I think triathlons are more about competing with yourself, whereas adventure races are about competing with nature. In expedition races, you have to be smart, study the course, know your body, the power of nature, and how it's going to affect your body and your mentality on the long run.
Map-reading skills are essential to make sure you're going the right way and save energy. This gets harder after 10 hours of racing when the fatigue increases and your concentration diminishes. To be an expert triathlon runner doesn't necessarily mean you will do well in an adventure race. You can run as fast as you want but if you go in the wrong direction or if your teammates can't keep up with you, it will not be much help.
Is competing in Japan different than other places?
I do not have much experience in overseas races but my impression is that competitions outside of Japan may be more intense. More people are intent on winning. In Japan, I feel that a lot of people do it just for the pleasure.
What was your toughest competition?
My first (adventure) race in 2001 was the toughest. I should have thought twice before getting myself into it. The Izu Adventure Race is a 30-hours non-stop race including sports like mountain running, kayaking, cycling, river trekking, orienteering, swimming and snorkeling. It was brutal and I had no idea what was waiting for me. But I learned a lot. I realized how small I was compared to nature. At that time, I was young and I thought I was strong. I trained a little bit and thought I would do fine but that race really smacked me in the face.
It was the toughest because I was not ready. When you do a race you have to train for the same sports that will be in that race. I trained for river kayaking but the race was sea kayaking. To my surprise, I actually got seasick. At that time, I promised myself I'd never do another adventure race again. I quickly changed my mind.
What is your training like now?
For my last race I trained about 10 hours a week. For my next race in Hawaii, I will have to hit about 14 hours a week. For a triathlon, you basically have to alternate between swimming, biking and running on each day. My harder training is usually on the weekends when I combine one or two sports together and practice transitioning between them. I usually take two days of rest per week for my body to recharge and spend time with my girlfriend - unless she trains with me, which sometimes happens. Training takes a big part of the schedule but it brings me a lot of balance and serenity in my life. Healthy in body, Healthy in mind we say, right?
What lessons have these sports taught you?
The races and the competitors taught me a lot about life and people's differences in general. It made me discover myself and my own limits (both physical and mental). I now associate sports more and more with business which helps me to be a better team player and stay optimistic.
Many people often doubt they can complete such races but I have learned that with a bit of inspiration, determination and training, you can achieve almost anything you want as long as you put your mind and heart to it.
More about adventure racing in Japan and Fabien Brogard Cipriani's earlier exploits can be found on his Web site: http://www.speedlink.jellycan.com. Learn more about the Honu Half Ironman Triathlon at: http://www.honuhalfironman.com and visit Cannondale Bicycle Corp. on http://jp.cannondale.com.
