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Issue link: http://ranchandcoast.uberflip.com/i/1545996
Despite his laid-back attitude, the competitor in him is unyielding. "I'm just always so driven to be the best and to try my hardest, and to push myself to new limits, to see what I'm capable of, to be better," he says. "I've never been complacent a day in my life. Every day I'm getting better as a chef, as a husband, as an athlete — every single day. I love the process…I love pressure, [and] I love pain, I guess." Star's grueling training schedule is a testament to the latter. Training days when he's not at work run a back-breaking three to four hours and include the modes he'll face in Nice: cycling, running, and swimming. On some days, he'll train with the San Diego Track Club, and on others, he swims with a Masters club; "long run" days can go anywhere from 10 to 15 miles, and bike ride days can stretch several hours, immediately followed by high-intensity interval runs. Swims are usually in a pool but there are also occasional ocean swims. If it sounds hard, that's the point. "My whole life has been hard, so hard things are just what I'm used to," he continues. "So I guess in a way, cooking [is] that in the career version, and then the endurance sports also, I get to push myself. e training is hard, the racing is hard, but I just get so much out of that experience." Star's accomplishments beyond the kitchen are a source of pride for the Del Mar Country Club community, too — especially its owner, Madeleine Pickens. "Since I've met her, she's been almost like a mother figure to me," says Star. "She's been incredibly supportive, and she now sponsors my triathlon career, which is really cool. I have a custom Del Mar Country Club triathlon suit that I race in. Her support means the world to me, for sure, and the community around this is fantastic. We're a private club, so everybody's pretty invested." e Ironman 70.3 World Championship will be the first race that Star has traveled to since he began competing. To prepare, he'll head to France a week early to adjust to the nine-hour time change, and he's already doing heat training protocol. With such detailed preparation, as well as the confidence that comes with his recent win here, it warrants asking just how far he thinks he can go in the competition. Is he seeking a podium on this maiden experience? Ever unflappable, Star says, "I mean, that would be incredibly lofty, but as I'm researching historical performances and kind of comparing myself to it, I don't think a top ten is out of the question, and top five would be doable on a pretty spectacular day, and then a podium, you know, who knows? Maybe." PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RYAN STAR @ranchandcoast