Tell me about your triathlon history & how you got started in the sport...
As a kid I took turns trying all of the sports that youngsters in the US were commonly exposed to, but unfortunately to the dismay of my parents, nothing stuck. At the end of the day I was a tall, extremely skinny kid who wore “awkward” like a big bold name tag across his chest. Cycling had its first impact on me in the summer of 2004, where I found myself lying on the side of a road trying to figure out how I ended up there. I was delirious and the mid-August heat was well into the 90’s. Prying my bike from underneath me, I stumbled to the side of the road and after vomiting a number of times I tried to gather my thoughts as best as I could. Lying there, halfway between some random New Jersey road and a grass dugout, I listed what I knew as fact: I was in one piece, I was bleeding from somewhere, It wasn’t my head, it was hotter than hell, and it was mile 79 of a century ride I idiotically had joined just 1 month after buying an old road bike. Before this I had only competed in Mock Trial Team debates so my athletic background was as deep as a few months in Rec. soccer when I was 11. The rest of the day was a blur, I remember getting picked up by an organizer’s car, and driven back with the rest of the “overachievers.” I woke up some 30 hours later, signed onto the Internet, and with 2 weeks of time to prep and no swim background, registered myself for a local Triathlon in Greenwood Lake, NJ . I was hooked.

Looking ahead, what athletic goals have you set for yourself in 2008 ...
In order of priority it would be as follows:
1. Stay healthy all season and don’t get injured
2. Sub 10:45 at Ironman Lake Placid.
3. Age group podium at the Mooseman Triathlon
4. Defending 1st Place Age group at the NJ half Marathon (Hopefully a new PR!)
5. Learn to wake up at 5am for some of those longer bike rides!


What is your favorite thing about competing in triathlons?
Being able to see just how far you can really push yourself. At the end of the day you may be surprised at what your body can do.

What gets you motivated for a big race, or hard training session?
Sometimes what you don’t think about is the best motivator for a long day’s training session. You can really get lost in a long run or ride with friends… it’s a pretty amazing form of therapy.

What's your favorite meal to eat before and after a big race?
Before a race, it’s usually cereal or a bagel and a few Gatorade Chocolate Shakes… Wendy’s and a good beer for after.

What other hobbies do you enjoy?
I’ve been falling back into really enjoying outdoor climbing again.

What is the best piece of advice you have for other triathletes?
Take care of yourselves. You only get one body, so be sure to treat it well. Remember training is not just how many miles or hours you logged that week, but also how much time you’ve invested to recovering from the work. Consistency and recovery will make you faster than a piece of equipment you can buy.