Hello Gators, We started the main part of our season with a bang last weekend with participants in five events and lots of PR’s, first time finishes, podium finishes, and 100% success with all that crossed the starting line also making it to the finish line. Great job, Gators! To our Tri-Moms (and all of our Lady Gators)… Whether you are using the opportunity to hang out with the family, do something special for yourself, or get in some training, have a wonderful Mother’s Day! This week's news topics include...Accomplishments… Lots of success in North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania!!!Who’s Next?… The Big Apple and big hills!!!About a Gator... Beaches and Christmas trees!!!Recommended… Fast feet and what to eat!!!Mark Your Calendars… Steelman French Creek is fast approaching… Be there!!! Happy Birthday!... Best wishes to Steph Bieloski who celebrated a birthday this past Monday, May 4! Accomplishments: Success in five events!...White Lake Spring Triathlon (White Lake, NC): Mark Donovan completed his first triathlon and at the same time his first half Ironman distance event. Sounds like he was sun burned, sore, and very tired at the end… But also ready to take on another event soon… FIRST TIME TRIATHLETE!!... Mark, congrats on becoming a triathlete!Nanticoke River Swim (Bivalve, MD): Nabil Radouane completed this 3 mile cold water, heavy current swim and defended his 2014 age group win with another great finish… PODIUM!!... Way to go, Nabil!Broad Street Run (Philadelphia): The following Gators successfully completed this 10 mile run down Broad St…Kerri Brannen: Has completed more than 10 Broad Street Runs plus got a high five from Mayor Nutter this time!Jim Foster: Close to a PR just missing by 2 minutes!Jeannine KellyMaureen Pinkerton: Completed her 8th Broad St. Run and was only 3 seconds off of a PR. Also participated with a group that raised over $25K for charity!Steph Stranick: Overcame a recently sprained ankle to complete the race!Heather Tracey: Had a great race… Top 3% age group, top 4% female, top 10% overall!Devilman Triathlon/Duathlon (Cumberland County, NJ): Lots of great results by the 12 Gators that participated (and special thanks to Ken Beauchamp and Tree Foster for taking lots of great photos)!Half-Lite Triathlon (0.8 mi swim/40.3 mi bike/8.8 mi run):Vince Bellino: Top 50% overall and top 50% bike.Bill Cooney: Set a race PR and also finished in top 40% in age group.Dave Marine: #2 overall swim, top 40% overall, top 50% male, top 40% T1, and top 30% bike.Tim Pfluger: #15 overall finisher, #13 overall male, #2 age group… PODIUM!!, #6 overall run, top 35% swim, top 20% T1, top 35% bike, and top 10% T2.Byron Solvason: Set a race PR by almost 30 minutes, top 30% overall, top 35% male, top 35% age group, top 45% T1, top 15% bike, and top 35% run.Jon Wesler: Top 45% overall, top 50% male, top 35% swim, top 30% T1, and top 25% bike.Sprint Triathlon (0.4 mi swim/20.5 mi bike/4 mi run):JD Landis: Top 45% swim (despite some goggle issues) and top 50% bike.Don Mack: #8 overall, #1 age group… PODIUM!!, top 10% male, top 25% swim, top 10% T1, bike, T2, and run.Tiff Pfluger: FIRST TIME TRIATHLETE!!... Top 45% female and top 35% overall run.Don Schlichtman: #15 overall, #2 age group, top 20% male, top 15% swim, top 25% T1, top 20% bike, top 20% T2, and top 15% run.Half-Lite Duathlon (2 mi run/40.3 mi bike/8.8 mi run): Michelle Leonard… PR by 10 minutes, Top 5 overall female… PODIUM!!... and top 50% T2.Sprint Duathlon (2 mi run/20.5 mi bike/8.8 mi run): Kelly Beauchamp… Despite a bum arm that had Kelly switch from the triathlon to the duathlon, Kelly had a good race including… Top 5 overall female… PODIUM!!... #2 age group, top 50% overall, top 30% T1, top 50% bike, top 15% T2.Frog Bridge 5K (aka "Hangover Run"): Chris Reiter finished in 2nd place overall and 1st overall male... PODIUM!!... in this race (despite sub-optimum pre-race prep)... Great job, Chris! Who’s Next?: This Saturday, May 9 we have a Gator participating in a stadium Spartan race and a bunch of Gators participating in the (non-competitive) Quad County Metric cycling event. Best wishes to all for a safe and successful event!Spartan Citi Field Sprint (New York, NY): While the Mets are visiting Philadelphia for the weekend, their stadium will be converted to an adventure race course. Jay Sherman will be taking on his 2nd Spartan event of the season.Quad County Metric (Green Lane, PA): The following Gators will be participating with most opting for the most challenging 76 mile route that includes an 8 mile “ICU”… Intense Climbing Unit!... Vince Bellino, Adrienne Foster, Michelle Leonard, Don Mack, Tiff Pfluger, Tim Pfluger, Chris Reiter, Byron Solvason, and Steph Stranick. About A Gator: The athlete covered in this week’s profile enjoys “Blue Hens” and Christmas trees and has an interesting favorite athlete. He also has beaten a battle with cancer. Learn about J.D. Landis in this edition of “About A Gator”! Recommended: This week’s recommendations include a couple of podcasts…Nutrition Podcast: This Endurance Planet podcast includes an interview with two nutritionists. One of the interviewees is Bob Seebohar who coined the term “metabolic efficiency” and is a favorite of our head coach, Danny. The interview covers lots of discussion on the use of carbs in training and races as well as “fat adaptation” and balanced meals. Some great tips!... http://www.enduranceplanet.com/bob-seebohar-and-dina-griffin-metabolic-efficiency-not-just-low-carb-for-optimal-sports-performance-what-the-research-really-says/Gwen Jorgensen interview: Great interview from the “Real Starky” podcast with America’s top triathlete, Gwen Jorgensen, who is the current reigning ITU world champion at the Olympic distance (the usual disclaimer… explicit content, but not as bad as usual). Gwen is currently dominating most races she enters and is also preparing for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Learn more about her background and training methods… http://therealstarky.libsyn.com/ Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events:Gators Training Camp: We’re considering hosting a series of local training events over Memorial Day weekend that could start as early as the evening of Friday, May 22 and conclude on Monday, May 25… Stay tuned for more details coming soon!Sunday, June 14: Steelman French Creek… We’re currently seeking race participants and volunteers for this event which will benefit both our club and the Spring Valley YMCA’s fundraising campaign. If you are not planning to race, but can assist with the event, please contact Jon Wesler. Go Gators! Don M