Meet ZA Tri Mentor Sarah True

Some athletes don’t need an introduction, and our newest Zwift Academy Tri Team mentor, Sarah True, is one of them. But while she may not need it, we’d still like to brag about how cool she is.

An American Triathlete whose early career focused on the ITU Series, Sarah represented the USA at the 2012 London Olympics, and again at Rio in 2016. Highlights over an incredible 12-year ITU Series career include 2007 ITU Aquathlon World Champion, a 2011 third-place finish in the World Championships Series standings, 2012 USA Triathlon’s Olympic/ITU Athlete of the Year, and a win at the 2014 ITU Stockholm.

In 2018, Sarah tested herself with IRONMAN race distances, racking up wins at IM 70.3 Augusta and Austin and finishing second in her first-ever IRONMAN at the European Championships in Frankfurt. Earning a spot at the startline of the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, Sarah finished in a stunning fourth place on her first trip to the Big Island.

Sarah has some great things planned over the next year. Let her tell you about all it.

What’s your race schedule for 2019 like?

I’ll start my season at Oceanside 70.3 in early April. My two big races for the year are IM Cairns and the IM World Championship in Kona. Other races are still to be determined.

What’s your biggest goal for 2019?

Be better than 2018!

From all your years of racing, what’s one of the best pieces of advice you received, and who did you receive it from?

Value consistency above all. In endurance sports, you’ll be rewarded if you stay healthy and put together years of uninterrupted training. I figured that one out on my own.

Who’s your biggest motivator pushing you through those hard training days?

I’m my biggest motivator. I know the only way I can achieve my goals is if I work hard.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement is to be able to race at a very high level in both ITU and IRONMAN distances. Not all athletes can transition from short-course racing to long-course well, and I’m proud that I have.

With her wealth of experience, we’re beyond thrilled to have her as a mentor to our Zwift Academy Triathletes.

What are you looking forward to most with the Zwift Academy Tri Team?

I absolutely love this sport, and I see the ZA Tri Team as a way to share my passion for triathlon with others. I also think we’re simply going to have a lot of fun together.

Why did the Zwift Academy Tri Team mentor role appeal to you?

Triathlons have given me an incredible amount over the years. I’ve benefited so much from the sport and guidance of others that being a mentor is a way for me to pass along what I’ve gained to others.

What do you think the Zwift Academy Tri team represents for the sport of triathlon?

There is nothing else like the ZA Tri Team in the sport of triathlon. Ultimately, I think that the team is an acknowledgment of how critical the amateur component of the sport is. Whether an amateur or pro, we cover the same distances, and it’s a very hard sport for all of us. Why shouldn’t the top amateurs in the world get the opportunity to experience the very best gear and treatment?

Any key pieces of advice you plan to impart to the 2019 Zwift Academy Tri Team?

This is the experience of a lifetime: enjoy it and make the most of the resources at your disposal. Don’t be shy to ask as many questions as you can!

Of course, we had to get in some questions about Zwift. We just couldn’t help ourselves.

What’s your favorite workout leading up to a big race?

I really like micro intervals. There’s something gratifying about repeating 20/40-second hard efforts with minimal rest to get the body rolling and the confidence high.

What’s your favorite world/route on Watopia?

The Volcano.

Which is your favorite: free-ride, structured workout, group workout, or Zwift Race?

I’m a free-rider all the way.

Anything you’d like to see added to Zwift?

An optional social break after each lap, like a café stop. Hang out with other Zwifters, recover a bit, chat, and then hit the road again.

If you could create a new Zwift Power Up, what would it be?

I would create the Coffee Power Up: same power, but lower perceived effort, just like a real cup of joe.

 

Applications for the 2019 Specialized Zwift Academy are now open. Entrants must be at or above Level 12 (cycling) and Level 3 (running) on Zwift.

Still have questions about the team and how to be selected? Head to our FAQ page.

To review the program rules, see our Terms & Conditions.

ZWIFT ACADEMY TRI TEAM RACE SERIES

During the application period, Zwift will be hosting a series of TT Cycling Races and 5K Running Races, giving you a chance to see how you stack up against the competition. Plus, you never know which pros might drop into your event. After all, many of the world’s top triathletes use Zwift to train and stay at the top of their game.

To learn more about the Zwift Academy Tri Race Series, visit our Event Series Page.