Where it all started

Welcome back to Two Tri Guys!  In this post, I thought I would give you a peek into how we got into the sport of triathlon! 

Long ago, much longer than he would like to believe, my dad started this journey in high school.  He was a soccer player, turned runner in his junior year and quickly became one of the best cross country athletes in CT.  After high school, he continued his running career at the University of Hartford and hasn’t stopped since.

He competed for local running clubs and had many lunch runs with the guys at work.  One day during a lunch run, his friend John challenged him to enter a triathlon. If you know my dad, then you know that he never turns down a challenge. That was the beginning of our triathlon journey- it started when I was 3.  

Dad would train before work.  Dad would train after work. My mom, my sister and I would follow him in the car with the headlights on so he could safely do his evening runs.  We would go searching for him hours into his long runs when thunderstorms popped up. On cooler days, I would sit for long periods of time watching the chain go around while he was on the trainer in the living room.  I was completely enamored by the wheels. When it was quiet, I was often found spinning them and then waiting until they stopped. Then I would spin again. There was something about that bike.

Fast forward a few years and many triathlons later, Dad stumbled upon the Mount Washington Hill Climb. Yes, that Mt. Washington. Yes, people ride their bikes to the top.  Yes, Dad wanted to do it… so, he did. Twice. My mom, my sister and I waited at the top. The crowds of people cheering as he pedaled up the final 22% incline through the wind and fog.  The cow bells ringing, riders grimacing… “I need to do this!” I thought to myself. On July 12, 2013, I set a goal to be the second youngest kid to climb Mt. Washington by bike! The next day, Dad and I started training together.  We trained all year and on July 13, 2014 I conquered the Rock Pile with my dad by my side. For the next four years, we would race bikes competitively and cycling became my passion. I was fortunate to join the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program (CCAP) and race some big races such USAC Nationals for a few years. I love it. I podiumed in the USAC National Road Race, won the Nicole Reinheart stage race, and was the Connecticut and New England Champion for a few years. During this time my dad put his attention into bike racing as well, became a USAC Coach, coached for CCAP and became a Cat 3 cyclist.

Enter Fall, 2018.  High School – my mom insisted that I join a high school sport. Begrudgingly, I joined the cross country team after the third week of practice, having not run a step in years.  I enjoyed it and went on to compete at Nationals in Las Vegas. That winter, I wondered what I could do if I combined my run and bike with a bit of swimming? Why not! We found a junior draft legal triathlon in Richmond, VA in May 2019 and the rest is history. After coming out of the water in 66/75th position (during which I did the backstroke just to catch my breath), I completed the bike with the fastest split of the day to move into 19th place and I finished the race in 10th place; good enough for an invitation to USA Triathlon’s Junior Nationals race in Ohio.

All of this triathlon hype reignited my dad’s spark for the sport.  We spent the rest of the summer battling up hills, doing speed workouts and swimming, swimming swimming (clearly based on the Richmond performance I needed to work on the swim).  We entered many local tri’s and finished the season at Junior Nationals where I claimed 4th place. After that race, we made a promise to train together for the 2020 season and try to qualify for the 2021 Age Group World Championship race in our respective categories.

It has been nothing short of a whirlwind ever since.  I started training with an amazing coach (Coach Wes) and team (Balanced Art Multisport). Now, Dad and I do almost every workout together. I have been invited to a number of elite camps, trained at the olympic training center and most recently was invited to represent the USA in the North American Championship race in Sarasota, Florida (which was abruptly cancelled by one annoying virus!!!)  Dad has been with me every step of the way. Our training continues at home and so does our competitive banter and constant back and forth antics! We look forward to sharing our journey with you. Two Tri Guys are on a mission!