I am amazed at what triathlon has become. I started the sport in 1998 and did my first Ironman in 2001. There was a group of triathletes on long island racing Ironman back then, but it was still a relatively unknown sport. People would ask what a triathlon was, and many didn’t even know what Ironman entailed! Fast forward to 2018 and triathlon has become a mainstream sport! Back in 2002 we had 11 athletes from long island heading to compete at the World Championship in Kona, HI. There are still athletes of that caliber in the sport here on Long Island, but it has morphed to a sport that “normal” people could do too! I am constantly amazed at the commitment and hard work that “regular” people put into their training… I’m talking about those people who weren’t necessarily “athletes” before. Those who didn’t train and race for most of their lives like I have. Those who will never place in their age groups, but still seek to challenge themselves. I have come to find these people to be more impressive than someone like myself, who came into the sport as a collegiate athlete and had success right away. It’s amazing to see the different athletes coming across the finish line at triathlons from sprint to Ironman. It’s inspiring the way these people regularly challenge themselves. Everyone has their own reason for doing triathlon and the group of athletes that I coach is a perfect example of that. I certainly have stud age groupers in the mix, but I coach a wide variety of athletes and the diversity of the athletes really keeps me on my toes and keeps the coaching so interesting and challenging!
In 2016 I entered the Ironman world again after deciding to end my Pro career. After a 6-year hiatus I decided to race IMFL to qualify for Kona. I did it, winning my age group. Then 2017 came and I found myself cancelling my ticket to Kona due to a year plagued by injury. Now it’s 2018…a new year and I am back! Training hard for Ironman Maryland in the quest for yet another Kona slot. I’ve never NOT won my age group to get a slot to the big show and that pressure and expectation is always in the back of my mind. Winning my age group and going to Kona…that’s what fuels me. What fuels you?
The training this year has been so much fun. Not only do I have an incredible group of athletes out there motivating me and each other, but I have old friends to train with. Nadine Pat, as everyone knows, is an incredible athlete and we have been competing in this sport since our 20’s! Training with her and coaching her has been a gift for me. We will be racing together for the first time (other than in Kona twice before). An accident that Nadine sustained in Quassy ended her quest for Ironman lake placid. We discussed it and decided that Ironman Maryland made the most sense. So, we are both racing IMMD and we are both looking to get one of 2 slots to get back to Kona in our age group! Nadine has come a long way over the years and is no doubt as strong has she has ever been, and it has been a true pleasure to coach her. To watch how far she has come has been a real treat for me.
So, this brings me back to my prior stated goal: continue my streak of winning my age group to qualify for Kona. I am in the unique position of coaching an old friend to compete with me, against me, in the quest for a slot to the big show. What does a coach do? I'll tell you what I plan to do: I will coach Nadine to beat me in Ironman Maryland. I will train hard as well, by her side and do what I have been doing for 21 years...race Ironman like I know how to. We will race together that day, each giving it our all and if I win? Well then, my streak of winning my age group remains...if Nadine wins? Well, my streak ends, but I win too! Will there be other strong women out there competing for those 2 slots as well? Sure, but Im putting my money on Nadine and myself. Ironman will be a special day for both of us this year for sure.
Bob Spina is another stud athlete who decided to come back to Ironman this year and he has brought his fantastic energy and positive vibes to many of the IFE training sessions! Bob races for Jose Lopez and LITC but comes to some of our workouts. We have a history of training together and racing Kona together. The man is an incredible athlete, a true talent and has a gift of motivation like I have never seen before. We all feel lucky to have him when he can join us, and it makes this year even more special.
I also have Mike Monastero of Babylon Bike Shop to thank. Mike has been a friend for the past 15 years and he was also my coach. I raced my fastest races with Mike: 2nd place at the World Championships in my 20’s, my PR race in Austria where I raced in the 9:30’s, something I never thought I would do and countless other races. He is always someone that I can bounce things off of and he always goes out of his way to help me. I recently felt like I was going too slow for the wattage I was putting out. I told Mike and we did a short ride together where he was able to see my position on the bike. A few days later he asked me to come in to the shop so he could change a few things that he thought could help me and of course it did. I ended up going 1.5-2 mph faster at the same wattage with his changes! I send all my athletes to Mike because he is just SO good at what he does!
Iron Fit Endurance has had an incredible spring so far! We have some big races to come but here are some great shots and results so far:
ABOVE: Nadine at the 50K and Gordon 1st place Age Group at Carl Hart Duathlon and undefeated so for this season
ABOVE: Dean Bruno during a very tough Boston marathon and Barbara McCoy at Quassy checking off another state in her quest for a tri in every state!
ABOVE: Laura Giardino finishing another run at the top of her AG and Erin Miller in her first tri of the season down in Maryland
ABOVE: Mike Scanlon on his way to a strong Tri By The Bay and Kristin Ryan who won her division!
ABOVE: Jeffrey Reynolds putting out a PR performance at Eagleman 70.3!
Yup, that's Jose Hernandez! Local hero and fan favorite on his way to a stellar Quassy!
Scott Janicola (A.K.A. OCDAR) CRUSHING it at Quassy 70.3 on his way to a 6th place finish in his AG and Mike "TOOLBOX" Mancini and his dog Bella at the finish of a smoking fast Quassy Olympic!
Nadine, after crushing the swim at Quassy...no doubt she would have been on the podium, but a bike crash ended her day...
Also, Sal and Darlene Scilingo! Both are training for IMMT. Sal just finished Quassy 70.3 in fantastic fashion and Darlene, who suffered a broken wrist the week prior was there to support. Darlene has been working SO hard on her trainer, running and swimming with her water proof cast! Just amazing!
ABOVE: A family affair: Sal, Joann (Sal's sister) and Dale (Darlene's mom and Sal's mother-in-law). These two will be competing in Ironman Atlantic City 70.3! They both did the swim and Dale went on to attempt the very challenging bike course at Quassy as well! They are hard working, inspiring ladies! Also, me on my way to a 2nd place Quassy Olympic.
ABOVE: Dean and Joanne his super supportive girlfriend and great athlete in her own right, coming across the line at Quassy 70.3. Next up: a fantastic finish for Dean in IMLP!
Gordon in yet another win at the North Fork Tri and Tania Wickes on her way to a 5th overall and 1st AG finish at the Mighty Montauk!
Katelyn Hughes at the finish of her first half ironman in Quassy! Oh, and she just had a hip replacement 17 months ago!! She will be competing in IMMT this summer! Also Maureen Lundquist coming across the line at Quassy Olympic with her two boys. Maureen will be doing Ironman Chattanooga this fall!
Also, Leah Jantzen at Quassy 70.3. Leah had a crash and a mechanical on the bike, but being a competitor decided to not give up finishing with a fast run!
Congratulations to everyone!!
Happy Training and racing!
Dee