Friends and Family,
After a very long summer, I am finally only a few days out of my “A” race for this year. Its funny that I say for this year as August 1st, marked my 1 year anniversary into the sport of triathlon. Since that date, I have had the opportunity to compete, meet and socialize with an entire new group of people. This group unlike any other I have ever met sets physical goals outside the realm that most would ever consider. This group has dedication that outweighs the constant pressures put on by outside influences and the demands of everyday life. This group supports each other both in time of triumph and that of loss. The group I refer to is that of the triathlete, and more importantly, my friends here in Pittsburgh and across the U.S.
2008 & 2009 were very hard years for my family and I. It seemed that every day took more and more just to get out of bed and get moving. My mom and I were struggling just to make it to lunch some days and sometimes that struggle would last until the next morning. However, each morning we would try again. It was the help of some very good friends that kept me going and the thought that although what I was seeing and going through was hard, life could be harder, things could be worse and one day; one day it would get easier. On August 1st of last year, I entered the Baierl YMCA Sprint Triathlon not knowing what to expect, how to compete or having anyone racing with me. It was only a month earlier when I decided to sign up and my reason was simple. We needed something to look forward to, something to rally together on, and something with good energy that was a short term goal but both attainable and fun. With my mom in my corner I raced that morning in the last heat of the day, in 90 degrees, on a womens bike and with one goal, to cross that finish line. I did finish and when the dust cleared it was 2nd place in my age group where I would end up! What a day that was and what a love of this sport did that race, the people there and my mom create for me. Finally a win for us! Thank you mom, I couldn’t have done it without you!!
Little did I know, but that day would change my life forever. I met other triathletes and some of the most wonderful people who I am now proud to call friends. We decided to form a club based on the principles of creating a network and outlet for both tenured and newly interested multisport athletes to socialize, educate, help and support each other in a sport that had the ability to affect lives regardless of age, gender and ability. Not a team, not an elite group but a fun supportive collaborative bunch and so the Pittsburgh Triathlon Club was formed. I think there were 6 of us at that first meeting and we are now 96 strong! As the president, I am proud, honored and hope to be as involved with such a great entity for as long as I can be! (www.pittsburghtriathlonclub.com)
This Sunday, I will be competing in the inaugural Ironman Syracuse 70.3 race! What an incredible journey it has been from that first sprint triathlon to this race which consists of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.2 mile run. This race is also a 70.3 World Championship Qualifier which will be held this November in Clearwater Florida. The spots are limited and to qualify means finishing in the top 3 of my age group. Ultimately this is my goal, however I have literally run into some injuries that have forced me to change my expectations and concentrate on finishing rather than qualifying. 8 weeks ago I suffered a dislocated shoulder and swimming wasn’t an option. I have since rehabilitated my shoulder to about 70% and with a little luck I don’t foresee it being too much of a problem. As my shoulder started to get better I ran into another injury, this one more serious. After a 14 mile run I was stranded on my couch the next two days not being able to walk. Plantar fasciitis was the diagnosis and the only thing to cure it…rest. If you know me at all, you know this is not an option. Repeatedly I heard all the bad that could happen if I raced and all the bad that could come out of trying to push through it. I was told that my last 6 months of training were lost as racing was just not going to be possible.
Frustrated, scared and hurt I was looking for an answer. It wasn’t until I received a message from a tenured professional triathlete and friend, Chad Holderbaum, that I saw any chance of going forward. Chad has been doing triathlons for 9 years and he is headed to Kona for the Ironman World Championships this October. Chad is also the PTC’s VP and a major part of the club’s success, so you can imagine, when this guy says something, I listen. (even though I don’t let him know that…) Chad’s message; “ Heard through the grapevine you have foot issues. Let’s figure out what’s going on so we can get you to Syracuse.” Finally! An optimistic approach to my problem and yes, still a chance to compete! It will be 3 weeks on Sunday since I have ran outside. Pool running is where I could be found up until now and the words “don’t even test it” are still ringing in my head. The pain has subsided a great deal and although it is still there, it isn’t an eighth of what it was prior. Thank you Chad!!
Syracuse here I come! I am accompanied by 6 friends and their families who I know will be more support than I could ever imagine. We will travel to Syracuse tomorrow to start our assault on over 2500 athletes competing on Sunday. The group I am with is without a doubt, fast, well trained, determined and some of the best damn people I have the honor to compete and become friends with! I train with these guys repeatedly and there isn’t a time when one of us needs a push that the others aren’t there to get them going. 4 hour Saturday bike rides followed by 25 minute transition runs and Sundays high fiving each other as we counted the miles down running past each other. Please cheer me and this incredible crew on this Sunday, as we give all we’ve got through 70.3 miles of Syrcause New York!
New York will never be the same after the BLACK & GOLD of the Pittsburgh Triathlon Club conquer Ironman Syracuse 70.3!!!!!!!!
*A very special thanks to Chris Rotelli and his family who have secured a house for us all to stay in and who has coordinated our traveling, dinners and so much more! Thank you Chris, Julie and Family! (Especially my Enzo)*
A brief bio on the crew going up:
Chris Rotelli is lightening fast and an incredible hill climber. A Boston Marathon qualifier and Seated runner, he has his name on the “Wall” for completing the Savageman Triathlon and just recently qualified for Team USA Trials in Tuscaloosa AL after winning Pittsburgh!
Sean McBurney is my riding partner and an inaugural starting member of the PTC as well as our sponsorship chair. Sean was gracious enough to share his sponsorships and knowledge with me and other unknowns to get us started in this sport. His most recent accomplishment was a stellar 2nd place finish at the Morgantown Half Ironman in July!
James Wrubel a newbie to triathlons like myself has been an influential member of the PTC and recently completed Ironman Michigan 70.3 in an incredible 5:15!
Chris Nocera is also new to this sport but already tearing things up from Olympics to HIM. First place at the Damn tri and a stellar performance at Musselman Half Ironman!
Todd McIntyre is a tenured triathlete having competed across the globe, as well as in Kona! Todd just recently qualified for the World 70.3’s at Ironman Timberman 70.3 in New Hampshire.
Live updates and live race coverage can be found at www.ironmanlive.com. Go to athlete tracker and follow us through the entire race. Our bib numbers are as follows:
183 RYAN DIEHL
359 CHRISTOPHER ROTELLI
524 JAMES WRUBEL
587 CHRIS NOCERA
665 SEAN MCBURNEY
1879 TODD MCINTYRE
Thank you again for all of the love, support and understanding! Without friends and family I would be nowhere! I also want to give a huge thanks to my sponsors who have done everything from huge discounts to freebies and so much more. Bike Tek, Felt Bicycles, Fleet Feet Sports, Second Sole, Coach Chad and Coach Suzanne and of course, The world’s greatest triathlon club, THE PITTSBURGH TRIATHLON CLUB!
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