teamTBB's Kona Girls
October 4th 2010

teamTBB athlete Erika Csomor is the current Powerman Zofigen  champion. She has worn this crown for 7years in a row. Now that is a pretty remarkable statistic. Another remarkable statistic Erika lays claim to is being co-owner of the most nail-biting finish line finale in the history of triathlon to date. She crossed the line neck and neck with Yvonne Van Vlerken in IM St Poltein, Austria and Yvonne snatched the win by mere fractions of a second.

Erika has been on the triathlon circuit for a while now. Turning pro in 1998, she was forth in IM World Championships 2008 and she earned her slot for Kona this year in IM France.

But what do we really know about this Hungarian superwoman? And how are her final days of preparation going?

10minutes & 10 questions with Erika

ED: Life before triathlon for Erika Csomor was…
EC: The right question would be there is any life before or after triathlon? ;-) I was doing no serious sport before and I got hooked up immediately with triathlon.

ED: If you weren’t doing triathlons, what would you be doing?
EC: Cross country skiing or just plain running, I guess.

ED: Are you married? Do you have a partner and if you do, how do you balance being a pro triathlete?
EC: Well, once I had a cat I found during training….but otherwise I am flying solo now, having all the world and freedom for myself. This makes me very independent and strong for my own, but not too happy.
The Prince is late; I suppose he cannot follow my speed moving around :)

ED: A reoccurring thought/image that gets you out of bed each morning is…
EC: The mornings indeed not my favourite part of the day, I just focus one of pleasure or challenge ahead of me on the day and rolling out off bed.

ED: You had a historic race this year in Austria 70.3, it was an unbelievable finish that you where just piped in. Is it harder to accept 2nd place when a race is so closely fought to the line?
EC: No, it was fun even with my 2nd place. I knew I had a good day and I was happy for that. In my mind I won it too. I loved this 2nd place more than a clear win.

ED: What and where was your most favourite race swim, bike and run this year and why?
EC: I had some nice races in my homeland (Hungary) where I actually could enjoy the race and still win.

ED: Superstitions, rituals, lucky charms, special food, do any of these apply to you in race week?
EC: Here in Kona have my food feast is with all those sweet mangos, papayas etc….No lucky charms or anything.

ED: Mental toughness, confidence, belief, your biggest non-physical strength is and why?
EC: I still do not have that much confidence at all. My non-physical strength is the magic carried in my blood, but I do not know much about it either, it is just come around sometimes, why it is magic :)

ED: Life after triathlon, what and where does Erika see herself?
EC: I do not see that future yet. I guess my future will still be including some triathlon, coaching and doing it as a hobby but I would like to have a family, dogs and cats, the whole package.

ED: Kona. It’s just around the corner. This will be your fifth trip to the Big Show...how are you feeling and what expectations do you have of yourself?
EC: I do not have big expectations on myself luckily, so I can race free and happy. I just want a smart and strong performance and to enjoy the day.