Who Am I - My Bio

Name:  Ryan Ignatz
Nickname: None Yet
Date of Birth:  9/25/78
Hometown:  I was originally born in Arcadia, CA but grew up in Estes Park, CO.  I know reside in Boulder, CO
Occupation:  I manage a premier triathlon store called Colorado Multisport in Boulder, CO. I am one of the main bike fitters and face of the store.
Last School Attended:  Masters of Science in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology at Univ of Colorado at Boulder
College Sport:  I was a part of the 9 time Collegiate National Championship triathlon team.
Role model/Inspiration/Favorite athlete:  All my friends who love to go out and work hard while enjoying every second of it. 
Chief Ambition:  As far as racing, I’d like to race a few years and actually put some time into my training now that I’m finished with school.  I’d like to be one of the next big up and comers in XTERRA specifically, and feel confident it will happen.  I’d also like to shoot for being the American National Champ and even podium at the World Championships in about 3 years.
Current Sponsors: BMC Bicycles, 2XU Clothing/Wetsuits, Maxxis Tires, Rudy Project Sunglasses/Helmets, Colorado Multisport, Tri Massage
Hobbies and favorite things outside of XTERRA:  I like hanging out with my friends and doing nothing.  I enjoy sitting at coffee shops and people watching or meeting new people.
# Years Racing XTERRA:  I’ve been competing in XTERRA races since 2003, but more full time since 2004.  Best XTERRA finish:  My first big Xterra Nationals I placed 11th (2003) which was great for not really training for it.
2008 XTERRA Racing Goal:  I’d like to be one of the top 3 Americans and place top 5 at every race.  I’d also like to finish every race (no mechanicals or crashes like my whole 2005 season).
Race Strength:  Definetly not the swim.  Ned and myself have similar racing strategies.  My biking skills are fairly strong and my running can be on if I am not injured and am running at least a few miles a week.  However, my biggest strength is in the transitions (too bad that doesn't add up to 15 minutes). I really like the XTERRA format since the bike and run are the dominant portions of the events.
Pre race rituals:  Drink some beers the night before and relive some good stories.  Otherwise, it’s always different.  I just show up and hope to finish.
Favorite XTERRA venue: So far I’d have to say Richmond is the best one, but Milwaukee is definitely up there (the town is better).
Dreaded XTERRA venue: That’s easy, Keystone, so I’m glad Ogden has replaced it.
Top 3-8 racing accomplishments: 2002 USAT All American, 6th at Collegiate Nationals (2002).  14th at 2002 Pro National Champs.  11th/6th/6th at XTERRA National Champs (2003/2006/2007).  2002/2004 South West Regional Collegiate Champion (Runner up in 2003), 14th/20th/9th/16th at XTERRA World Champs (2004/2005/2006/2007)
All-time worst XTERRA racing moment: Where to start. When training partner and friendly rival, Jimmy Archer, passed me at Keystone in 2004 on the newly changed run course on the really steep uphill that I was expecting to go down like the previous years.  What a hard day. Or maybe it was when Jimmy again pulled away from me at the beginning of the bike in Richmond (2005) when my chain broke when I was feeling awesome.
All-time best XTERRA racing moment:  Pretty much having the fastest transitions at every race (I really need to put out a video) and how awesome I felt at the Moab Xterra in 2004 (too bad I don’t feel like that at the big races)
My favorite aspect of XTERRA:  I really like that the bike means so much in terms of outcome and that the courses are so much fun.  I also enjoy the people who run them.  They fact that everything is so much more laid back than USAT stuff (like having their own rule system)
Open Forum:  Overall, I really am looking forward to another XTERRA season and seeing all the fun people.  I’m also excited to hear that the pro field is much bigger and even deeper this year.

BACK TO TOP