An interview with Henry Philpott, who will represent St. Paul's Youth in the 70.3k Gulf Coast Half Ironman Triathlon on May 13, 2017.

Q: When did you start competing in races through Mission in Motion?
A: I started competing in these races in 2013 when I was in 7th grade.

Q: What’s your favorite part about these athletic events?
A: My favorite part about the triathlon events is really the training leading up to the race and the atmosphere itself of the race. For me, running and biking especially give me this sense of freedom where I can almost relax and forget about everything and enjoy the day. To be able to complete a race with both of these activities is just amazing.

Q: How did you train for your upcoming Half Ironman?
A: I put together a weekly training schedule that consisted of 2 swim days, 2 run days, a brick workout day which consists of a bike workout directly into a run, a day of strength training at the gym, and finally a off day every Monday. It is about 9-12 hours a week of training since about January.

Q: What would you say to encourage someone at St. Paul’s to make a financial pledge toward a Triathlon race?
A: St. Paul's United Methodist Church is absolutely amazing. It has given me the wonderful opportunities of finding a new family within the youth group, allowing me to attend mission trips, introducing me to triathlons, and so much more. In other words the church has changed my life and I know the lives of many others who are on Team Mission in Motion. We raise money to help others experience this incredible church and help other youth such as myself participate in life-changing mission trips. 

Q: What are you excited to see happen because of the money raised through Mission in Motion?
A: I am very excited to see more people have the opportunity to attend these life-changing mission trips. My first mission trip completely changed my life in 6th grade. On that trip I developed my faith to a degree I had never experienced. That moment has helped form the person I am today. An experience like that is something that every teenager should have the opportunity to experience, and I am very excited to know that the money Team Mission in Motion raises will be used to help make this happen.

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The next Mission in Motion events are the Typhoon Texas Kids Tri on May 21 in Katy for ages 6 through 15 and the Silverlake Triathlon on May 28 in Pearland for age 10 through adult. To support Mission in Motion or to sign up to participate in a race, visit www.stpaulsyouthmissioninmotion.com