NAME: Kevin O'Connor

AGE: 36

TOWN: Corcoran, MN

OCCUPATION: Business Owner

ATHLETIC BACKGROUND: Triathlons for 18 years

MOST NOTABLE RESULTS: 9:13:48 Hawaii Ironman PR; 53:17 40km TT PR; 32 Amateur Triathlon Victories.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR TRAINING?? Personal Goals. I train to see what I can accomplish when racing.

HOW DO YOU FIT TRAINING INTO YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE?? I have to sacrafice something. As I learned from Tim DeBooms late father; There are three things in life, Family, Work, and your Hobby. Pick two to do well. You can't do all three well. This year I took a little from both the business and my family to put towards my hobby, triathlon.

WHAT ARE YOUR 3 - YEAR GOALS IN TRIATHLON?? Try to get the balance back. I can't race at the level I did before kids and the business. I look forward to getting a better balance and helping the athletes I know reach their potential.

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU OFFER TO A NEWBIE TRIATHLETE?? Keep your sense of balance in life outside of triathlon. Many first time triathletes go hog wild their first year and either get injured or burned out. Make triathlon a part of a sustainable lifestyle and it will bring years of memories.

AS A RETAILER, WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PURCHASE CONSIDERATION WHEN IT COMES TO THE BIKE?? Fit. Work with a shop you believe in. Price, color, frame material, components, model year, etc. don't make a difference if the shop you are working with can't get you on the correct bike for you and get that bike fit properly for you. It isn't magic or even science to get you fit correctly but rather experience.

HOW CAN PEOPLE CONTACT YOU?? Kevin@gearwestbike.com or 952-473-0093