Introduction Q & A

Name? Steve Polley

Place of Birth? Santa Barbara, CA

Age (optional)? 73

Type of Athlete? Triathlete

How did your journey into sport begin? 

I swam in HS all three years (San Marcos HS), was captain of our undefeated team my senior year in 1967; and I was also on the Santa Barbara Aquatic Club team those three years.  Then upon graduating HS, I solicited the assistance of our club swim coach to meet with the athletic administration at  Santa Barbara City College, and we received authorization to start the swim, and water polo programs in 1967.

In 1972, after Frank Shorter won the Munich Olympic marathon, the recreational running boom started in America, and I was caught up in that movement. 

In 1979 I competed in the Human Race Triathlon in Newport Beach, CA, and in 1980, I watched the first Ironman Triathlon race televised on ABC’s Wide World of Sports.  During the telecast I committed to myself that I was going to compete in this event the following year, which I did, finishing 90th of just under 400 entrants, and again in 1983, finishing 220th, with just under 1000 participants.   

Athlete Q & A

What do you think are your most favorite athletic accomplishments/moments? 

1. Winning my first USA Triathlon National Championship race, in 2019 - Draft Legal Sprint Duathlon, in Greenville, SC, where I surprised my girlfriend with a marriage proposal at the finish line, after she finished her event.  

2. My two Kona IM Championship races, noted above;

3. First World Multisport Championship podium finish, May 1, 2023, in Ibiza, Spain, finishing the Aquathlon (1000 meter swim in the Mediterranean, plus a 5K run), in 3rd place in the M70-74 division. 

    

What’s a great piece of advice you could share with others you’ve learned over the years from triathlon, could be something about life, yourself, or the sport (or all)? 

Never underestimate the capabilities God’s given us, as we work at integrating the body, mind, and spirit, into our challenges of life and sport.  As a Nationally certified Triathlon coach, my favorite quote is: “If you’re not modeling what you teach, you’re teaching something else.”

What is your secret to still going strong as the years go by, what’s your secret?

There really are no secrets, but very few engage in the following:

1. Set goals

2. Evaluate your sport strengths & weaknesses

3. Develop a consistent yearly training plan

4. Engage in HIIT (high intensity interval training) programs for all sports

5. Embrace FST (functional strength training) & stretching

6. Understand performance & lifestyle nutrition, including supplements

7. Manage rest & active recovery

    

What’s a usual training day in the life of Steve Polley?

MWF: swim 2500-3000 yards (warm up, including drills; main sets: distance sets of middle to longer sets, including 400-800 yards of pulling; :10-:15 second rest intervals; cool down: drills, pulling ,etc.); then either biking (1-2 hours), or running (:45-1:15 tempo pace), plus FST + Core/mobility + stretching/rolling.

Do you have any idols? If so, who and what makes them inspire you. 

I don’t have idols, but I’m inspired by those who have struggled through hard times, and called on their courage, to push through towards their goals; here are ones that come to mind:

• Paratriathletes: competing with missing limbs, & other challenges

• Louis Kruglov: coaching client who last year lost almost 80 lbs., and changed his life for the better…and ended the year doing three triathlons!

• Jackie Cohen: after having nine knee surgeries, on the same knee, she’s been a lifelong example of perseverance and grit

• Wolf Hillesheim: broke his neck in a triathlon a few years ago and is still competing, as he’s approaching 80!

What do you think is the best way to improve in the sport of triathlon? 

1. Embrace becoming educated in the sport; learning new concepts

2. Consider professional coaching: all the top athletes in any sport have coaches

3. Place yourself high on your calendar of priorities: schedule yourself daily

4. Hold yourself accountable to your goals, and develop a plan

5. Review the “no secret” list above.

    

What can’t you race and/or train without?

A positive mindset about what I’m getting ready to do.

Mystery Q & A

Out of the hundreds of triathlons you’ve done, what’s your most favorite? 

My most favorite races were the two World Championship Ironman races in Kona.  The most special race was in 2019, in Greenville, SC, after I won the National Championship in the Duathlon, and proposed to my girlfriend at the finish line.

Favorite quote?

Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

The best thing you’ve bought in the past year to help improve your health, fitness, and/or performance?

TriSlide: an anti-friction spray that allows wetsuits to go on and come off quickly.

Your biggest idea for a better life (in 1 or 2 sentences)?

Tap into the power of your creator, and get your mind, body and spirit synchronized.

Outro Questions

Where can our readers follow you on social media? (If any)?

Facebook.com/steve.polley.33

www.fastforwardtricoach.com

Do you also do coaching?

I’m a nationally certified coach through USA Triathlon, and create training plans for single sport and multisport clients of all ages and abilities.

Any last words of wisdom? 

We ultimately must own our own health, fitness and athletic goals, and state of life; then we can move forward towards real progress.

Thank you, Steve! 

Are you an athlete? Have an awesome story or accomplishment? Or just interested in just sharing your wisdom with the world?

Well, then we'd love to have you (or someone you want to nominate) be featured on our next installment of The Heart of An Athlete!

Please contact ethan@purecleanperformance.com to be featured!