Will Lyons, Teva Games Super Racer

Will Lyons, a 24-year-old from Asheville, N.C., went to the 2009 Teva Mountain Games wanting to experience everything he could. And he did. Lyons competed in the Steep Creek Championship, Kayak Freestyle, Vail Pass Half marathon, X-Country Bike race, DockDogs Speed Retrieve, and he participated in a fly-fishing casting clinic. That’s six events in four days!

Gear Junkie: What did you do to prepare for six events at the Teva Games?

Will Lyons: I didn’t do anything to prepare actually. I went out West kayaking for four weeks before the games. Basically the only training I had was hiking around with my kayak.

GJ: What was your favorite event?

Honestly, my favorite event was the half marathon because I’d never run more than probably a mile in my entire life. It was something totally new to me that I never pictured myself doing, and I made it through it and had a good time.

GJ: What was the best gear you used while at the games?

I did pretty much every event in the Teva B1 shoes because they were the only shoes I brought. They’ve held up really well and they’ve got awesome soles on them. I also paddled a Liquid Logic Jefe in the creek race and used a Giant Anthem for the mountain bike race. Both were pretty sweet.

GJ: What was the worst gear you used while at the games?

The worst gear I probably used. . . probably the dog I used for the speed retrieve.

GJ: What did you do between events to physically recover?

I didn’t really have a whole lot of time to recover between events. It was pretty hectic. I was trying to stay on the water. That was the main thing. I also ate oatmeal in the morning and spaghetti at night, and then went to the bar at night and lost it all. Maybe the worst gear was the Red Bull vodka!

GJ: What gave you the idea to compete in six events at the Games?

I thought the best way to experience the Games was to compete in as many events as I could. Then you see what it’s all about. I’ve been to the Games before but never as a competitor, and I thought it would be a great challenge and a lot of fun.

GJ: Would you do it again?

Yeah, definitely. This year my goal was to just finish as much as I could, but it would be fun to go back and try to actually compete to see how I can improve. I’m definitely not a super athlete or anything. I love to kayak and when I’m not kayaking I’m on my mountain bike. I would encourage other people to get out there and push themselves and do something they’re not used to

—Interview by Ryan Dionne