Today’s spotlight is on Viking Scott Darling. To say Scott has a lot going on would be an understatement, but he’s about to turn PRO. Well, he’s going to retire so he will have more time to train – same thing, right?
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM?
WHEN DID YOU JOIN VALHALLA + VALKYRIE RACE TEAM?
Wow! Such a hard question right off that bat! I think it was 2017. It was whatever year we had the very memorable Nimblewear kit. But like most things triathlon I’d have to ask Steve Hardy to be sure.
WHEN DID YOU START TRIATHLON?
My first triathlon was the 2015 Galveston Tri, which was supposed to be an Olympic but got shortened by weather. I’m still not sure I’ve ever completed an Olympic distance.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIATHLON JOURNEY:
I was not much of an athlete growing up. Certainly not a biker or a swimmer and I only ran if I had stolen something. My daughter wanted me to run the 2014 Woodlands Turkey Trot with her, so I started training a bit so as not embarrass her. A friend suggested we start tri in 2015 to get some “variety.” I’m a planner by nature so it wasn’t long before I was setting new objectives. And by November that year I completed Oilman. I thought it was insane that someone would voluntarily do 2X that distance, but my personal motto is “Aim at nothing and you’ll be sure to hit it.” So, in 2017, I signed up for IMTX after watching Matt Hanson cross the finish line. He made it look pretty easy and I’m pretty gullible. My wife said I promised her it was a “one and done” thing. That was four IM’s and ten 70.3’s ago. She thinks I lied. I think I was hooked.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RACE?
Probably the 2022 IMWC the year it was in St George just because it is so damn hard. I qualified in a fluke coming in 4th in my AG in IMTX the year before. But my most fun race was the Michigan 70.3, which was also my fastest. And when I say “fun” I mean in a triathlon sense, as in “man, that was brutal and every muscle in my body hurts – how fun was that!”
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THIS SPORT?
I won a free bike for signing up for the 2020/1 IMTX. That was pretty cool ‘cause it’s so hard to win free stuff these days. Though I guess my biggest accomplishment is still setting the goal to train for and complete my first IM distance.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
I’ve had a fairly demanding job during my tri career so far. And family time is pretty important too. I’m certainly not unique. Getting acceptable results from work and tri while keeping things happy at home is a challenge for all of us.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE POST RACE FOOD?
No one particular meal as long as its salty – an idea of what I want usually pops into my head at about mile 6 and won’t leave until I get it.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
Zina and I will be celebrating 35 years married in June. We raised four great kids who are all grown and on their own now. My son Caden and my SIL Josh joined me for IMTX last year and we’ll be doing IM Cozumel this year.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL LIFE.
Believe it or not I worked for ExxonMobil my entire professional life, most recently as the CFO for our Low Carbon Solutions business. I know, I AM your father’s Oldsmobile. I’ll be retiring from a 35-year career in Energy Finance on April Fool’s Day. I’m looking forward to “day training” during a long retirement.
WHAT IS SOMETHING NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS/KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I attended 10 different schools on 3 different continents (K – Grad School)
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS TEAM?
I debated a while whether I should join Valhalla because I thought everyone would be such a “hard body” athlete and therefore a bit elitest. I love that that is far from the truth. The acceptance and encouragement we get from the fastest to the slowest, from the first members to the newest, and from the youngest to the oldest is what sets our team apart.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?
I’m currently reading “Die with Zero” by Bill Perkins. My son said it was the most expensive present he ever gave me.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Judging by my credit card bill it’s probably Gringo’s. As some may know, their jumbo margaritas are my favorite race prep.
WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?
My Dad was a gold medal Olympian from the 1956 USA basketball team. But that’s not why I admire him. He was a great father that led and taught by example, not words. I learned most of what I know about being a human being from him and my mom.
WHAT EXCITING PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEXT YEAR?
Retirement is a big step that has been 35 years in the works. I plan to train more consistently (and less in the dark). I want to get involved with local non-profits as a volunteer or board member and I’d like to teach financial literacy to underserved people. And we have our first grandbaby due in March!
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
Done right triathlon re-invigorates the soul and body. This team make it fun too!
