Hello Gators, Tricomplishmentitis…Early warning sign: Tremendous urge to set very difficult goals. As this often occurs in December or January, it can easily be confused with NYRitis (New Year’s Resolution-itis), which develops at the same time of year. The main difference is that “Tricomplishmentitis” is not abandoned in the second or third week of January. If often can continue for many months and sometimes for multiple years or even a lifetime.Symptoms: Can include…Unusual urges to arise from bed at extreme hours, typically earlier on weekends and holidays than during the work/school week.Regular bouts of sometimes extreme, but sometimes not extreme, exercise.Feelings of significant fatigue on a daily basisInternal debate about the rationality of continuing along the chosen pathOccasional “proof-of-sanity” discussions with family members, friends, and co-workersResults:Achievement of the very difficult goalsDesire to do it againContagious: VeryCure: No known cureTreatment: Best known treatment is registration for a race (although this can sometimes be accompanied by acute feelings of anxiety, which quickly passes until you reach the starting line when it makes a temporary return). Besides that, practice regular recovery, get plenty of rest, eat healthy (most of the time), and repeat.Affected population: At least 70 Spring-Valley YMCA members are known to suffer from this affliction; many experienced it this past weekend. If you are reading this, you likely have it. Congratulations! This week's news topics include...Accomplishments… Gem of a result, down the shore, schooling the competition, Spartan return, another Lobster, and reaching new Hights!!Who’s Next?… Another Spartan, Marshing on, and Hitting the Beach in Delaware!!Do You Got Game?… We’re (still) looking for a few (or more) good runners and volunteers for the upcoming Spring-Valley Y Game Day 5K!! SPOILER ALERT… This item includes a discount code!... This event is less than 4 weeks away!!Recommended… So what’s going on inside your head??Mark Your Calendars… Eat, drink, and be merry!! Happy Birthday!: Best wishes to Steve Durante and Jay Nyman who are both celebrating their birthdays TODAY, Friday, September 18! Accomplishments: Sit back, relax, and enjoy the many recent accomplishments…Saturday, August 29:Tri the Wildwoods (Wildwood, NJ): Mike Aliprantis successfully completed this race that marked his first ocean swim event. Mike’s outstanding results include… Overall finish in the top 20% and age group finish in the top 40%, swim… overall top 40%/age group top 50%, bike… overall top 20%/age group top 40%, run… overall top 25%/age group top 40%... Way to go, Mike!Saturday, September 12:Spartan Tri-State New Jersey Super (Mountain Creek, NJ): Jay Sherman returned to action after being out most of the summer with an injury. Jay jumped right back in competing in the Elite division and finished in the top 33% overall. Welcome back, Jay!Lobsterman Olympic Triathlon (Freeport, ME): Steph Stranick completed this Olympic distance event that included her first ever salt water open water swim in Casco Bay. Steph celebrated as anyone would competing in this event… Lobster for breakfast, lunch, and dinner… If she’s red when you see her, it’s not because she forgot the sunscreen… Congrats on a great race, Steph!Diamondman Challenge Festival (Bear, DE): Setting a new club record with 28 participants that included six Gator Tots/Jr. Gators/Gatorlettes, there were amazing achievements galore, including all of the following; the result of this team effort was an additional 100 points towards our standing in Piranha’s Greater Atlantic Club Challenge where we stand in a strong 3rd place with only two events to go…Youth Events: Congrats to all of our up and coming Jr. Gators!Triathlon (100 yd swim, 2.4 mi bike, 0.4 mi run): All of the following completed their FIRST TRIATHLON: Outstanding efforts by all!Owen BellinoJoey MoffaNicholas MoffaZoey WeslerDuathlon (0.4 mi run, 2.4 mi bike, 0.4 mi run):Alexis Beauchamp finished 4th overall… PODIUM!!... and 2nd in her age group. Alexis’ other results included fastest bike, fastest T1, and top 45% T2. Great job, Alexis!Amanda Beauchamp finished 2nd overall… PODIUM!!... and 1st in her age group. Amanda’s other results included #2 bike, #3 T1, and #5 Run 1 and Run 2. Awesome race, Amanda!Sprint Events:Triathlon (0.5 mi swim, 19.5 mi bike, 3.3 mi run):Vince Bellino finished in the top 50% overall and also finished in the top 45% bike and run. Nice job, Vince!Kristin Kozera competing in her 2nd triathlon finished in the top 50% of her age group and in the top 50% of the swim. This was also a new PERSONAL TRIATHLON DISTANCE RECORD!!... for Kristin. Congrats, Kristin!Diane Lynch competing in her 2nd triathlon set a new PERSONAL TRIATHLON DISTANCE RECORD!! and despite the longer distance, Diane also set a SPRINT TRI PR!!Don Mack finished #15 overall and #3 age group… PODIUM!!... Don’s other accomplishments: #3 overall run, top 10% T1 and T2, top 15% bike, and top 40% swim.Maureen Pinkerton finished #3 age group… PODIUM!!... and also in the top 30% and top 45% overall. Maureen’s other accomplishments: top 45% run and swim and top 50% T1. Way to dominate the podium, Maureen!Don Schlichtmann finished #8 overall and #1 age group… PODIUM!!... Don’s other accomplishments: #6 overall bike, #8 overall run, #9 T1, top 15% T2, and top 35% swim. Top Gator finish, Don, nice work!Allison Wesler finished #3 age group… PODIUM!!... and top 20% females and top 40% overall. Allison’s other accomplishments: top 35% T1 and top 50% swim. Great race, Allison!Duathlon (2 mi run, 19.5 mi bike, 3.3 mi run):Kelly Beauchamp finished #3 female… PODIUM!!... #1 age group and top 30% overall. Kelly’s other accomplishments: #3 T1, #4 T2, top 20% bike, top 40% run 2, and top 45% run 1. Good job, Kelly!Ken Beauchamp finished #2 overall… PODIUM!!... and #1 age group. Ken’s other accomplishments included #2 bike, T1, and T2, #9 run 2, and #10 run 1. Way to show the young guys how to do it, Ken!70.3 (Half Ironman Distance) Events:Triathlon (1.2 mi swim, 56 mi bike, 13.1 mi run):Suzanne Angelaccio successfully worked her way through a flat tire at mile 22, but unfortunately had a second flat at mile 36 on the other tire and was not able to complete what would have been her first half. Despite this Suzanne did have an amazingly fast swim, which was a PERSONAL SWIM DISTANCE RECORD!!... and was having a great bike ride until the flats. Suzanne is now considering other half options and considering possibly participating in the Quakerman Half Tri on September 26. Great effort, Suzanne!Maribeth Baker achieved REDEMPTION! After having her Ironman Syracuse event cut short during the latter stages of her run due to a thunderstorm in late June, Maribeth came back and completed her FIRST HALF TRIATHLON!!... and also finished in the top 35% of all females and the top 40% of her age group. Maribeth’s other accomplishments: #20 swim (fastest Gator) and top 35% on both transitions. Great finish line photo, Maribeth!Trevor Bellino won his age group (19 & under).. PODIUM!!... and was the youngest finisher in the entire race! This was also Trevor’s FIRST HALF TRIATHLON!! Trevor’s other accomplishments: Top 30% overall, top 25% bike, top 30% T1 and T2, and top 40% run. Nice debut, Trevor!Jason Brannen completed his FIRST HALF TRIATHLON!!... and was in the top 20% overall and top 33% age group. Jason’s other accomplishments: top 15% run (fastest Gator), top 25% T1, top 30% bike, and top 35% T2. Congrats, Jason!Kerri Brannen completed her FIRST HALF TRIATHLON!!... Kerri was also in the top 40% in the swim. Kerri and Jason also should be recognized for being the first Gator couple to complete their first half distance triathlon on the same day. Way to go, Kerri!Mike Connelly also completed his FIRST HALF TRIATHLON!!... and finished 5th age group, missing the podium by about a minute. Mike was also in the top 20% overall. Mike’s other accomplishments: #12 T2, top 20% run, top 25% bike, top 40% swim, and top 45% T2. Great race, Mike!Mary Kain set a HALF DISTANCE PR!!... and also finished in the top 40% of all females. Looking relaxed as always, Mary, congrats!Tiff (aka “Tuff”) Pfluger set a HALF DISTANCE PR!!... and was also #3 in her age group… PODIUM!!... and in the top 40% overall and top 20% of all females. Tiff’s other accomplishments: top 30% run and top 45% T1. Nice job (again), Tiff!Chris Reiter completed his FIRST HALF TRIATHLON!!... and also finished #3 in his age group… PODIUM!!... and top 15% overall. Chris’ other accomplishments: #24 T2, top 15% T1, top 20% swim and bike (fastest Gator), and top 25% run. Wow, Chris, great start! Jon Wesler completed his second half distance event in less than a month and set a HALF DISTANCE PR!!... and also finished in the top 30% overall. Jon’s other accomplishments: top 20% swim and bike, top 25% T2, and top 30% T1. Congrats on the PR, Jon!Duathlon (3.3 mi run, 56 mi bike, 13.1 mi run):Michelle Leonard won the race!... PODIUM!! (to say the least). Michelle’s other accomplishments: #5 T1, #6 T2, top 30% bike, and top 40% run 2. Michelle, you are a champion!Tim Pfluger completed his FIRST DUATHLON and finished #3 overall… PODIUM!!... and 1st age group. Tim’s other accomplishments: #1 run 2 and T2, #4 run 1, #6 bike, and top 50% T1. Way to run, Tim!Byron Solvason completed his umpteenth half distance event and finished #6 overall and #1 age group… PODIUM!! Byron’s other accomplishments: #4 bike, #7 run 2, and #9 T2 (note: Byron’s splits for run 1 and T1 are not accurate… he likely finished high in both). Awesome result, Byron!Sunday, September 13:Hightstown Sprint Triathlon (Hightstown, NJ): Ruth Subach followed up her successful Valley Forge Marathon Swim event with a great result at this event. Ruth had a PERSONAL BEST!! ever bike split, which is saying a lot as Ruth has competed in a bunch of races!... Great job, Ruth!Patriot’s Sprint Triathlon (Williamsburg, VA): Maddie Matarazzo raced in her first collegiate event as part of the James Madison University Dukes triathlon team competing against athletes from prestigious universities such as the US Naval Academy, University of North Carolina, University of Virginia, and Georgetown. Maddie had an outstanding debut in this event that included 60+ collegiate women. Maddie’s results included a top 20 finish with a 12th overall swim, top 20 bike, and top 40% T1. Maddie says she had a lot of fun and is looking forward to another race or two this fall including JMU’s regional competition taking place at Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA) in October… Great start, Maddie! Who’s Next?: Four Gators in action in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Vermont this weekend…Saturday, September 19:Spartan Beast Vermont (Killington Ski Resort, VT): Jay Sherman continues his comeback from a lengthy injury in this very long event.Sunday, September 20:Marshman Sprint Triathlon (Downingtown, PA): Ken Beauchamp currently sits #2 in the Piranha overall individual male standings and looks to add more points for himself and for the team!First Responders Triathlon and Duathlon (Dewey Beach, DE):Duathlon: Kelly Beauchamp takes on another duathlon.Triathlon: Dave Marine is back in action for his first event since Ironman Lake Placid. Do You Got Game?: We are still seeking both runners and volunteers for the Sunday, October 11 Spring-Valley YMCA “Game Day 5K”…Volunteer opportunities: We are looking for help and the following link has all duties assigned for sign up. All volunteers receive a special shirt!... https://www.runtheday.com/registration/volunteer_signup/31500Race Registration Discount: Any Gator that registers can receive $5 off with the promotional code “gators”. Race registration link… https://www.runtheday.com/registration/select_race_type/31500 Recommended: Marathon Training Academy’s recent pair of podcasts that include an interview with Dr. Jeff Brown, author of the new book “The Runner’s Brain”. Dr. Brown is also part of the medical staff that serves the Boston Marathon. Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming events include…Friday, October 16, 6pm-10pm: Gator Night at the Philadelphia Food & Wine Festival (Valley Forge Casino). Tickets are a greatly reduced $20/person (normal price is $45). Contact Don Mack or Dave Marine for additional details. Commitment is needed by Friday, 9/25 and money is due by Wednesday, 9/30.Saturday, November 7, “The Barn” in Royersford: End of Year Club Party. More details will be coming soon, but if you can attend, please accept Mellissa’s Facebook invite!Sunday, October 11: CLUB EVENT – Spring-Valley YMCA Game Day 5KSunday, November 22: CLUB EVENT – Philadelphia Marathon and Half MarathonDecember (date TBD): Annual Member Meeting Go Gators! Don M