America's Biggest Eaters: Tim 'Eater X' Janus

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Tim "Eater X" Janus has always made a spectacle of the spectacle.

His appearances at Nathan's Famous July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Championship have included riding onto the stage with just the handlebars of a bicycle and assuming the persona of a fictional field hockey player named Helen Haggerty (2006); carrying a sign declaring that Harry Potter character Hermione dies (2007) - (which led to the prohibition of signs at the event); and the generous use of face paint.

"I paint my face to feel more involved in the competition. It's fun," said Janus, who wants the mask to have the look of a gladiator.

Janus has finished near the top at Nathan's since his start in competitive eating. Last year he placed fourth with 53 hot dogs and buns; in 2008 he placed third with 42.

"I think I'll do fine. I really love that contest," Janus said about this year's Nathan's event. This week he is trying to get motivated for the event. But at this stage of his career, he has eaten so many hot dogs and buns, that he is just trying to stay focused.

The 32-year-old from New York, who works as a pizza waiter, was named IFOCE Rookie of the Year in 2004 and he hasn't slowed down.

During a down time in his previous job as a stock trader and looking for an inexpensive day off, Janus settled on entering a corn beef and cabbage eating contest held on St. Patrick's Day 2004 in New York City. He said he went in thinking that he would eat steadily for 12 minutes, little did he realize that the more experienced competitors took eating to another level.

In the difficult food eating contest Janus said he finished well as an amateur, even close to some of the pros. He has since gone on to conquer many other food events, holding records in tiramisu, tamales and cannoli eating contests.

"I've been competing for a little over six years," he said in an e-mail interview. "I know that I'm more than halfway finished, but I don't know when that halfway point occurred."

For Nathan's his game plan includes eating quickly, though that may sound obvious. To win he will have to top eaters that have shattered records in recent years.

"My goal is to eat in such a way that I feel like I'm eating quickly. I've eaten hot dogs enough times to know if I'm eating well, and I'm always hoping to push myself to the point of feeling like I'm doing that. "

Janus writes that a good showing at the competition involves finding a rhythm and pace. And practice is important, but so is visualizing the process of consuming hot dogs and buns.

"There's a rhythm to eating hot dogs well. Your hands are working. Your jaw is working. Your throat is working. And hopefully they're all working together," said Janus.

"Sometimes I'll cook up some hot dogs and put everything to the test. And sometimes I'll just close my eyes and pretend to eat hot dogs – moving my arms, pretending to dunk, and pretending to swallow until I'm satisfied that my muscles know exactly what to do."

Leading up to the event Janus will try to stay zeroed in on the contest. "I try to think why I'm here. I try not to quit ... to stay focused."

Janus describes Nathan's as the best event in the competitive eating circuit. "Very simply, it's the best event we have. I've done well there some years, and I've been disappointed other years. But I'm always very grateful to have been a part of it."

As for his future in the sport, he said that he is looking for his best moment. "Right now, I want a better best moment."

More. This year's event is filled with all the drama and excitement of a world-class fight:
• Joey Chestnut is going for his fourth consecutive title.
• Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti is trying to get to the top.
• Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas seeks to remain the top woman.
• Bob "Notorious B.O.B." Shoudt is looking to eat his age in hot dogs and buns.
• What surpise does "Eater X" Tim Janus has in store for the crowd.