Voice of the Athlete: Terri Buryanov

We had the opportunity to interview Terri Buryanov, a triathlete on her journey to Ironman 70.3 New Zealand in 2021. What makes her tick? Learn about the tricks she uses to keep her mind focused and body ready for competition. Let’s listen to the voice of the athlete: Terri Buryanov.

Journey as a Triathlete

Question 1: How did you first become interested in triathlons?

Voice of the Athlete: I just sort of fell into it. I did one sprint triathlon two years ago and swore I would never do another one. I just wanted to ride my bike, so I figured I would work towards becoming a somewhat decent cyclist. That was until I received a spammy email from Ironman, announcing they would be hosting the inaugural 70.3 race in Traverse City, MI in August 2019. I figured if I was ever going to do one, then that would be the one to do. My grandpa lived there, and by the time the race happened, he would be 95 years old. I would love for him to come watch me. So, the day I received that email, I set a reminder to sign up on the day registration opened. Luckily, I did. It sold out within three hours!! I called my grandpa to tell him I was coming there to race. He asked, "Is this something you think you could get Top 10 in?" I replied, “Grandpa, I’m going to get on the podium for you.”

He ended up passing away in March. I lost motivation to train for the race, but I figured I would still do it just for fun. That was until I attempted a relay race with a few ladies, the Kokopelli bike relay race, and due to some unfortunate circumstances, we DNF’d. I came home with a desire to prove I'm better than that. I took on a coach just two months out from my 70.3. He helped me get strong enough to get on the podium and qualify for the World Championship in Taupo. I began to realize I have some potential in triathlon. The love for it sort of appeared, and now I consider myself a triathlete rather than a cyclist.

Question 2: What do you enjoy the most, biking, swimming, or running?

Voice of the Athlete: Cycling is my first love and that started me on the road to becoming a triathlete. I began cycling 2.5 years ago. It just came into my life at a time I needed something new and exciting. I can go ride my bike for hours, and my mind will be clear. I can focus on just pedaling for hours. My thoughts will only be interrupted by my surroundings, like when I look up and realize how beautiful the desert is and how lucky I am to live here. Cycling really is the best therapy.

Question 3: Which event is the most challenging?

Voice of the Athlete: Swimming is the most challenging for me. I didn’t learn how to swim properly until June 2019, just two months before my first 70.3. It’s not like running and cycling, where you only have to learn a couple of things about form, and then you're good to go out and train hard. With swimming, I constantly have to be thinking about my form, all the details of what I’m supposed to do with my hands, arms, elbows, shoulders, rotation, breathing, kicking, tight core, etc. There is just so much to remember. When I stop thinking and just swim, then I will finally be really fast.

Question 4: Do you keep training logs?

Voice of the Athlete: I use Strava and Garmin Connect.

Question 5: Do you incorporate mental training into your routine? If yes, what skills do you practice and how do they help you?

Voice of the Athlete: "I really love what a human body is capable of doing. That is, if the mind isn't in the way."

I think all training is mental, but I don't necessarily focus on it. When training feels hard, or I have a millisecond of a thought that I don't want to push hard, I remember two things.

1. If David Goggins could run on broken legs during his third hell week for Navy Seals training, then what's my excuse? During the run, his coach was calling him a pussy and telling him he could heal after he finished. If someone can run on broken legs, then I can definitely run on just tired legs.

2. I also hate being told I could do better when it comes to training because training is the easy part. You know exactly what you have to do. You have to go and push yourself as hard as you can possibly push yourself. Your plan is written out for you, so there is no thinking involved. Just go out and get it done! Do you feel like you're going to die? Ok! Maybe you trained hard enough. I don't like the feeling of finishing and having the thought that I could have done better. It does still happen.

Learn more about grit: https://www.MaximumComposure.com

Question 6: Did you ever experience anxiety during training, and how do you push past it?

Voice of the Athlete: I experienced anxiety in the first triathlon I did. I was a terrible swimmer and still decided to do a triathlon. That was probably my first mistake. I started getting very anxious in the water. I flipped over on my back, took deep breaths, and realized I could doggy paddle if I had to. Winning a race isn't more important than staying alive. In those moments, I just forced myself to focus on breathing, not thinking about possible Loch Ness Monsters coming to eat me. And sure enough, I finally finished the swim. I passed everyone when I got on the bike.

Question 7: Have you ever experienced or seen someone have paralyzing fear during an event or during training?

Voice of the Athlete: A friend of mine went swimming with me out at the lake. We didn't even make it to the first buoy before she started having a panic attack. We were out in the middle of the water. I reminded her we have our wetsuits. Let's just bob around and catch our breaths for a moment. I decided to start talking to her about an issue I had in life. I asked her for advice until she forgot she was panicking. And then we swam back into shore casually. Sometimes all you need is a little distraction to get out of your own way.

Question 8: How do you train to prevent overuse injuries, illness, and fatigue?

Voice of the Athlete: I know the difference between good and bad pain. I will push myself through the pain and fatigue training causes. If something doesn't feel like normal pain, if I feel a sharp ping somewhere (no matter how minor), I stop what I'm doing and focus on recovery before it becomes an issue. I think we all learn that the hard way, at least once in life. Luckily, I learned during the off-season. I was able to spend the entire winter on recovery.

Dry needling and PEMF chairs are my go-to treatments. They help keep my body feeling healthy. I try to be good about foam rolling.

Question 9: What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever received?

Voice of the Athlete: My big brother was sitting on the couch one day when I came home from my first basketball practice. I was in 7th grade and on the traveling team. It was my first hard workout ever in my life. And I will never forget that day of jumping drills and suicides. I crashed on the living room floor almost dead and said, "I feel like I'm going to die."

My brother said, "If you don't feel like you're going to die, then you didn't work hard enough."

That was almost 35 years ago, and those words still bounce around in my head on tough training days.

Question 10: What advice would you give your 12-year-old self?

Voice of the Athlete: Coincidentally, I was 12 when I received that advice from my brother. If I could tell myself something else, it would be to GO PLANT-BASED! The health and training benefits are just too incredible for me to ignore. The only regret I have is not having this knowledge so many years ago.

Question 11: Who are your role models both in and out of sport?

Voice of the Athlete: I guess I get influenced by everyone I meet. Sometimes it's inspiration, sometimes motivation, and sometimes it's what not to do. I don't specifically look up to anyone, though.

Question 12: Do you have a favorite quote?

Voice of the Athlete: Nope. Quotes offer the same motivation as New Year's Resolutions. I know what I need to do, so I just do it. I don't need a quote or a resolution to tell me how to live my life. If I had to pick one, it would probably be "Do or do not. There is no try." -Yoda

Takeaway #1: Do you feel like you're going to die? Ok! Maybe you trained hard enough.

Takeaway #2: Nutrition also plays the biggest role in my recovery, lack of illness and fatigue, and probably accounts for 70% of my results.

Takeaway #3: Winning a triathlon isn't more important than staying alive. Doggy paddle if you have to.

Thank you, Terri Buryanov, for being the Voice of the Athlete and giving us a glimpse into the mindset of a triathlete. Follow Terri @imterribee.

Next, visit: https://mentalaccelerator.com/resource/voice-of-the-athlete/voice-of-the-athlete-gaillaume-hermile