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Alabama gets a fairly bad rap for being lazy, fat and obese rednecks, but that is not necessarily true.  Sure we speak slower and with a pretty heavy drawl, but we’re far from being a bunch of necks from the sticks, in fact some of us (like me) are absolutely kick-ass (if you didn’t see the parentheses back there let me reiterate, “like me” in relation to the kick-ass part.  I’m also unbelievably handsome too).  For a state that gets picked on for being fat and lazy we’ve got folks here that have completed the Leadville 100, paraplegic athletes climbing Mount Everest, Race Across America, and the Xterra Championships.

Yeah, Alabama is a little bit of hell-yeah.

Mr. Xterra

The Xterra is one tough Triathlon and it would take someone of mental fortitude, super fitness and and gridiron manly toughness, like this guy:

Elevan Time Xterra Regional Champion, Casey Fannin…looking manly-ish.

Casey Fannin was deemed Mr. Xterra in 2010 and continues to just lay down the hammer in any race he enters.  Sponsored by Cahaba Cycles, Two-time Xterra World Champion and two-time Xterra Double finisher, Casey and his wife Andrea smash the myth of the typical obese Alabamian.  So what does it take to accomplish a Triathlon such as the Xterra? According to Fannin it’s two things:

Waffles and beer.

Interview with Casey Fannin

Fannin barreling down Oak Mountain’s famous “Blood Rock”

Hi Casey, let’s get the burning question out of the way that everyone in Birmingham wants to know… Does your wife, Andrea, pronounce her name “Ohn-Drea” or “And-drea?”

It’s definitely Ohn-Drea…but she will quickly correct anyone on the pronunciation.

Casey’s better half, Andrea is also a very talented athlete

You do something called “Xterra” that sounds like some sort of thing all the hip kiddies do on a skateboard at the local park. What is it exactly?

Xterra is a World Wide Brand of Off-Road Triathlon, that involves Swim/Bike/Run as any Triathlon, but all in an off road Setting. So you Swim, Mountain Bike, and then Trail Run. A totally awesome way to have fun, stay fit, and drink beer.

 Apparently you’ve won one or two of these Xterra thingies, what’s it take to win one?

It is just something I truly enjoy and I love the sport. Having a love for something that you enjoy makes you successful at what ever it might be….at least that’s my take on it, and of course a little training at times doesn’t hurt!

I hear to win a race like the Xterra you need to carb-o-load on pasta the night before and then on the day of the race you eat a big ol’ plate of waffles and maple syrup. This is what you do, right?

My main carbs come from beer…waffles are a stand by carb!

XTerra has some biking in it I’m guessing – what do you use? like a Mongoose or a Diamondback?

AS for my equipment, right now I’m riding the 2012 Cannondale Scalpel 1, which is a dual suspension trail rocket.  Cahaba Cycles has been my bike shop of choice for well over a decade and some change, they have always kept me on the best machines for racing Xterra, as well as any other cycling needs.

I bet you have to go fast to win some of this stuff…I’m sure you do some training here and there but we all know it’s the gear and components that make you go so much faster. What’s the one thing you need on your bike that does give you that winning edge?

There’s no one thing. You need support from a talented staff of people around you, and the proper machine to do it on. You need a great mechanic to keep things running smoothly, and I’ve always had that at Cahaba Cycles and their staff.

As you know, I’m getting ready to do the Tour Divide in June. If you were revving up to do such a ride, what would be your plan of action to take on such a feat?

OK, Scott you’re a nut. Nobody rides their bike that far without a screw loose. I would have NO Idea on how to train for something of that distance. My rides are short and sweet, I did do the Off Road Assault on Mitchell Mountain (ORAMM) last month. that was only 64 miles of mountain biking, something that is way too short for you. I’ll just say that I’ll come to you with that question when I lose all my marbles. : )

Speaking of the TourDivide, I see that you’re not doing it in 2013…is this because you’re too scared? 

See previous answer. You have lost it! If they had a swim before the ride I might show up!

I did a google search for your name and all it shows is “Casey Fannin wins again!” Lots of people are wanting to know, how are you altering all these web pages to say these things 

I have been very blessed to have had such good fortune racing Xterra. I’ve trained hard and have had fun doing the sport. There are so many wonderful people in and around the Xterra family that it keeps me coming back to do it again and again. We are blessed to have many talanted athletes here in our community, and I get a chance to train with them on a consistent basis, that really is the key for me. I just try to train with the best, and that goes a long way in helping me be successful at racing Xterra.

This little “hobby” you have of winning these Xterra races – how do you fit in all the training and time while being a dad, husband and still be employed?

I have to give credit where credit is due, and that would be my beautiful wife. She loves the sport also, and that helps when it comes to making excuses to train, or going to do a race. She knows I’m compassionate about Xterra, and she allows me the freedom to pursue it. She races as well and is very talented and successful in the Xterra Series also. It’s part of who we are, and part of our life, so we make it work.

Casey and family

Like I said before it’s a combination of those around you that make you successful. I’ve been very blessed to have the best of our community around me, and that has helped me achieve some great goals along the way.

And many more XTERRA Wins

Thank you Casey for taking the time to answer some questions.  I hope you claim many more Xterra wins in your athletic career!