KT DeSantis: Leadwoman and Silver Medalist at the 24 hour Championship

2012-10-24

KT grinding it out in the 24 hour Championship

 

 

Earlier in the year we had the privilege of meeting KT & Marc DeSantis. They are both very strong and enthusiastic endurance athletes excelling in both ultra distance biking and running. This year KT placed 2nd in the USA 24 hour Mountain Biking National Championships, as well as finishing the grueling Leadwoman Series involving most of the Leadville Race Series events. To put it mildly, she had a fantastic year, and used Vi Fuel as part of her fueling strategy to do it!

Co-Founder Alan Smith caught up with her as her season wound down, and her training experienced an ever-so-brief pause, to ask a few questions about her exciting year:



HOW DID YOU GET INTO ENDURANCE SPORTS?

I have found that my body is better suited for longer distances. When I go out for a training ride/run, it takes me about 30-45 minutes just to warm up and I feel that I get stronger the longer I'm out there.



WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COMPETE FOR LEADWOMAN?

I became interested in Leadwoman 2 years ago at the inaugural Leadville 24 HR MTB Race after meeting multi-Leadman, Mark Wallace. He explained what it took to earn the title and the seed was planted. Also, running 100 miles was something that I didn't think I could do and I wanted to prove myself wrong. I love a good challenge.


HOW DID YOU TRAIN FOR THE RACE?

My training kick started in April with an annual Women's MTB trip to Moab. These women are not casual riders and they kick my butt into shape every year. After that I basically raced to train. For the first half of the year I concentrated on miles in the saddle. In early June, I competed and placed 3rd in the Dirty Kanza, a 200 mile gravel grinder in Emporia, KS. Until then I hadn't been running much more than a few miles per week. Starting mid June, I raced a few triathlons and 5Ks for speed work and ran longer runs during the week until the Leadville Trail Marathon. From there, the Leadville Series started and each race seemed to prepare you for the next event - Little bit of recovery, little bit of training, race and repeat.


WHAT WAS YOUR FUELING AND HYDRATION STRATEGY?

Besides my mantra, "Eat before you are hungry, Drink before you are thirsty," I enjoy real foods such as chicken, rolled up turkey and cheese, breakfast burritos and/or PB&J. I like to alternate the real foods with Vi Fuel and chews. In addition, I have found 2 electrolyte capsules an hour and a few sips of an electrolyte beverage every 15 minutes to be very effective.



WHAT SEPARATES VI FUEL FROM OTHERS?

Other gels are too thick, leave a funny residue in my mouth and are hard to get down. Vi is smooth and tastes good. It is easily ingested and seems to digest without irritating my stomach. When I fuel with Vi at timed intervals, I get a steady flow of energy instead of the roller coaster burst and lull that other gels cause.


HOW DID LEADVILLE /LEADWOMAN HELP YOU PREPARE?

All the Leadville races are mentally challenging as well as physical. They helped me build my physical endurance and mental tenacity over a period of 3-4 months. I couldn't help but be in top shape for the US National 24 Hour MTB Championships.


WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST MEMORY OF THIS RACE SEASON?

Crossing the finish line of the Leadville 100 Run with my husband, Marc and our crew. It was such an emotional moment - I couldn't stop crying. I think because it represented a culmination of a summer of awesome racing and the fact that we had just conquered one of our greatest fears. I am more proud of that race than any other.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR?

It's a little early to say, but I think I'd like to do Leadwoman again with improvement on times and add the Silver Rush 50 mile run which takes place the day after the 50 mile bike. They call that the Silver Queen/King. There's something alluring about Leadville and the races up there. They are well organized, the people treat you like family and its easy to keep going back. I would also like to do the Breck Epic. It's a very grueling MTB stage race that takes place over 6 days. 24 hour MTB Nationals will take place in NM next year on a very fun course, so I will most likely do that.

Big thanks to KT for sitting down with us! And rest assured, this isn’t the last we’ve heard from her!

 


DeSantis took silver in the 24 hour National Championship!

 

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