The name Scott Tinley is synonymous
with the sport of triathlon. A two-time Ironman world champion and one of the
pioneers of the sport from its humble beginnings, Scott has certainly lived an
interesting life. From “globetrotting” as a professional triathlete to forming
his own signature clothing brand, “ST” is now a writer and a university
lecturer in San Diego.
A highly articulate individual, Scott
was different from many of his fellow professional triathletes in that he had several
outside interests and sideline projects. One of those sidelines was writing,
which was evident early on. His popular column “Tinley Talks” in Triathlete
Magazine reached cult status among readers, often being the first-read article
in the publication. An author of several books, his 2003 “Racing
the Sunset” is a one-of-a-kind study into the
problems and challenges professional sports people face upon retirement.
Scott graciously agreed to answer some
questions relating to his retirement from professional sports and what he is up
to today.
Nature Gym: Scott, having been a
member of triathlon's Big Four and being part of the milestone event of Hawaii
1989, what are your thoughts on Matt Fitzgerald's book “Iron War”?
Scott
Tinley: I didn’t read it and don’t have immediate plans to. I admire Matt for
trying to elevate the state of journalism in the sport but for me, it’s a tired
story. These guys are good friends but like a good song on the radio or work-a-day
jeans, things just wear out. It was an amazing race and any one of us would’ve
loved to have been in the mix.
NG: With all the attention of that
race rightly given to the duel between Mark Allen and Dave Scott, not much is
known about the race for places three through ten. What are your recollections
of that day?
ST:
I don’t recall much of that race at all other than the conditions were excellent
with little wind and overcast skies. Plus there was a plethora of vehicles and
aircraft around these two guys way up front.
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| Scott Tinley: 1985 Hawaii Ironman Champion |
NG: You have quite an eclectic
background not just as a pro triathlete, but as a paramedic, author and now
college professor. Looking back, what were the catalysts to you following these
differing paths at different times of your life?
ST:
The same for each path: looking for something new and interesting, hard but rewarding,
and all about fending off the ravages of age by gracefully surrendering the
things of youth. Plus, I get bored easily.
NG: How did the "Tinley
Talks" column come in to being in the Triathlete Magazine of the 1980s?
Did you ever suffer from the dreaded "writer's block" and how did you
come up with a different subject to write about each month?
ST:
The publisher and editor in 1985 asked me to write a Q & A and I agreed so long
as I could be “glip” and brutally honest, even if it made both myself and the
subject appear controversial. I never had a hard time finding a subject to write
about because I was writing about life disguised as an inconsequential game called
triathlon.
NG: Many pro triathletes past and
present seem to be totally focused on the sport/training/racing, yet you had
several "sidelines." Talk about your juggling of these projects with
your athletic career. Did you ever find that there were not enough hours in a
day?
ST:
I needed and wanted to work on the side and don’t regret those decisions. A career
as professional athlete often requires an athlete to diversify their interests
and ways of earning their compensation. That approach is not for all athletes
but it was for me.
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| A man of many talents. |
NG: The early 1990s brought about
the "Ironman World Series," which encouraged professionals to race a
few Ironman events per season for a final points tally. Being a past winner of
that title how did this impact on your career? Would you find that this blunted
your performance in Hawaii?
ST:
That series essentially ended any possibility of great performances in my career.
It also put me in a very deep physiological hole that took over five years
after I retired to dig out of. Competing in more than one long distance
triathlon per year is not something that I recommend, let alone 5 or 6. It’s
odd that the IWS has been lost to history. It was just too much to ask of any
athlete.
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| In the transition area: one of "ST's" eclectic set of offices over the years. |
NG: You wrote a great book
"Racing the Sunset," which goes into detail about retired
professional sportsman and the problems they face. Talk about the transition
phase you went through from the early nineties where the sport was changing to
when you retired from the pro ranks.
ST:
That book and the research I’ve done on the topic since 1999 began as a way of
understanding what I was feeling and remains a significant focus in my academic
career. As the sport changed and I changed, we went in different directions.
What remains is that fandom still fails to fully understand the athlete
retirement paradigm across all sports. But it’s entered the public discourse of
late with a rash of pro athlete suicides, sadly. Perhaps more research will
reveal the details of this emotional trauma.
NG: I once read a quote by a pro
triathlete saying that he "travelled like a millionaire while pursuing a
blue-collar sport." Can you relate to that phrase? How did you manage the
incessant travel of a pro triathlete?
ST:
I always felt blessed to be able to travel the world on the backs of my athletic
pursuits. I was rich in experience. There is nothing “blue collar” about
triathlon expect the level of prize money offered in the Ironman before 1986.
But, as the cliché goes, it was good work, if you can get it.
NG: Many retired athletes go on to
become coaches yet you have followed a different path as a speaker and
academic. Tell us about your current activities. Do you still have much contact
with any of your fellow pros from back in the day?
ST:
I tried to coach a bit but it didn’t thrill me. I love to read and study and ask
questions and to teach; always have even well before I went into pro sports.
Gaining my Ph.D. was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done; a real act of
patience and perseverance. I enjoy hearing from the “Old Guard” and wish that
we could get together more often. There are just so many great people in the
sport and they will always remain a part of my life.
NG: Describe a "typical
day-in-the-life" of Scott Tinley be in 2012 as. Are you still active
athletically?
ST:
I try to surf almost every morning before prepping for class. I’m on campus at
least 3 days per week, usually teaching in the afternoon. Then I hit the “gym”
for my executive workout. This includes 20 minutes of cardio, 20 minutes of
weights, 20 minutes in the pool and then a beer (or two) in the Jacuzzi. For me now, it’s all about basic health. I
don’t want to compete at anything.
Non-school
days, I’m usually buried in books with the chance for an afternoon bike ride.
Summers I travel or work on the beach as a lifeguard.
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| Relaxing in his present day office |
NG: Do you still follow triathlon
closely? What are thoughts of the state of the sport today?
ST:
I don’t follow the sport that closely but I do like how so many opportunities
have arisen for athletes of all levels and interests.
Certainly
the sport is very healthy. Who’d a thunk it?
