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I have been actively participating in endurance sports for nearly 20 years. What started with playing hoops, soccer, baseball, kickball, hockey – well ,anything we could think of playing in our yard with friends, has led to a lifetime of athletic endeavors.
I found my first endurance sport as a highschool freshman. I thought cross-country was a great way to get in shape for my high school hockey season (and it was). Along the way, I quickly became passionate about running. I ran through high school and my freshman year in college. In college, I played hockey through my sophomore year before taking a break from competitive athletics. I did, however, continue to run during the final three years of college. Running has always been therapeutic for me.
Upon graduation from Hamilton College in 1998, I took to the streets of Cape Cod to train for my first marathon in October 1998, running 3:51:24. Even though I did not qualify for the Boston Marathon (3:10 is the open standard), I learned a lot during those 26.2 miles. I remember looking right at parents moments after I crossed the line and telling my parents that I would be back and qualify for Boston. One year later, in October 1999, I toed the line at the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon. I crossed the line 11th overall in 2:55:58. I had qualified for the Boston Marathon, a journey I would make 6 consecutive years from 2000-2005.
It was at my Law School Graduation Party in December 2005 that long time friends, Jay and his wife Jess, gave me Joe Friel’s Triathlon Training Bible with an inscription “Here’s to your next adventure.” They knew I needed a new goal and a new adventure. In May 2006, I started training for my first triathlon. What a journey! I competed in my first triathlon, the Randolph Sprint in July 2006 and the next morning signed up for 2007 Ironman USA in Lake Placid.
I was determined to reach the finish line and be called an Ironman by Mike Reilly (the voice of Ironman). I spent the next year training and learning everything I could about the ironman. I reached my goal on July 23, 2007 when I crossed the finish line on the same Olympic Oval that Eric Heiden won 5 Gold Skating Medals. I still fondly remember the final miles up the “IGA” hill, down and back on Mirror Lake Drive to the oval. I was beaming. That was just the start of a tremendous journey I am still enjoying.
I have continued to compete in triathlon and running endurance events. I am now a 3x Ironman with a personal best of 10:04:10 in 2008 at Ironman USA placing 58th overall out of 2340. I hold an Olympic Distance personal best of 2:13:16 (2008 Lake George, NY, Olympic) and a 70.3 Distance personal best of 4:41:28 (2009 Eagleman, Cambridge, Md.).
Fueled by my passion for multisports and a strong desire to share what I have learned during my journey, I began Team NRGY, L.L.C. in September 2008. In December 2008, I earned my USAT Level I Coaching Certification. I have coached many first timers to successfully complete a 5k, marathon, a sprint triathlon and Ironman. I have also coached Ironman age group champions who have qualified for Kona (Ironman World Championship).
My past experiences as a high school and collegiate athlete, summer sports counselor and professional coach has taught me about working with all types of athletes with different goals and personalities. One thing remains constant, each athlete has a personal goal deep within him/herself. I am passionate abour helping you reach that goal!I have enjoyed many highs and lows, easy times and yes, some tough times during my athletic career, but no matter the result, I always come back to experience another journey. I wish you happiness on your journey.
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