Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Fall 2018 | Page 9

SUBARU 360°
The Record-Breaking Rookie
The 2018 Subaru IRONMAN Mont-Tremblant represented
a watershed race for Cody Beals. To start, the triathlete
from Guelph, Ontario, was competing in his first-ever
IRONMAN. Another first: By the time he crossed the finish
line, he had won the race—becoming the first Canadian to
do so—and broke the outright course record. We caught up
with this amazing athlete recently and asked him how he
came to make such a big impact in his debut.
What first inspired you to become a triathlete?
swimming was my first competitive sport as a kid, but
remains my Achilles heel in triathlon. Becoming a world-
class triathlete involves a never-ending cycle of identifying
and improving your weaknesses, so my strongest discipline
tends to shift over time. I love the speed and technical focus
of cycling, but the purity of running also resonates deeply
with me.
Coming into the IRONMAN, did you imagine it would be
possible to win?
My parents are both lifelong endurance sports enthusiasts;
they instilled that passion in me from a young age. I was
shuffling along on cross-country skis almost as soon as I could
walk. I remember family road trips to Mont-Tremblant in
our Subaru Legacy full of skis and bikes. I never would’ve
imagined that I’d win an IRONMAN there one day! It wasn’t
until my late teens that I was introduced to triathlon—I was
captivated by the sport because it combined three disciplines
I already loved. I’m racing for the win every time I toe the start line, but
my goals aren’t strictly outcome-driven. I’m at my best in
competition when I’m focused on process-oriented goals,
such as my execution and mental state throughout the race,
as opposed to fixating on a finishing position. I’ve never felt
more confident in my fitness leading into a race, but I knew
it would take a dream day to best a world-class field.
Where do you train? My debut was the culmination of a multi-year plan. I
resisted pressure to step up to the IRONMAN distance for
several years and patiently stuck
to my own timeline and long-
term plan. I have tremendous
respect for the demands of the
IRONMAN and I was eager to
get it right on my first attempt,
not content to simply chalk it
up as a learning experience.
Despite my preparation, I
felt uncertainty and doubt as
race day approached. I felt
a roller coaster of emotions
throughout the race and finally
breaking the tape was one of
the most profound and surreal
experiences of my life. It wasn’t
until my post-race interview
that I learned I’d set a new
course record!
I live and train in my hometown of Guelph, Ontario. Unlike
many professional triathletes,
I tend to avoid training camps
in favour of training closer to
home. I’m fortunate to have a
strong triathlon community and
infrastructure right in Guelph,
including many other high-level
triathletes, swimmers, cyclists
and runners. Guelph has long
been a hotbed for endurance
sports and I’ve been thriving
there since returning in 2017.
Of the three disciplines,
which is your strongest?
And your weakest?
My cycling has been my strong
suit lately, but my running is
never far behind. Ironically,
Photo Korupt Vision
IRONMAN Mont Tremblant
What does setting a course record in your first IRONMAN
mean to you?
Photo Kevin MacKinnon
six star magazine 9