The 1984 Chicago Marathon, Honolulu Marathon, Austria Ironman, New Zealand Ironman . . . just a sampling of Neil's long list of race accomplishments.  Excited to have someone with Neil's background sign up for one of JackRabbit's beginning swim programs, we couldn't help but ask ourselves one question . . . why?

Neil moved to NYC from Hawaii in 2004. Wanting to meet like minded race enthusiasts he decided that joining a group training program was the best way to get started.  Unfortunately, shoulder surgery in 2005 delayed his action plan for most of that season. During his long period of convalescence he decided that the 2006 NYC Triathlon would be his return to competition.  Neil immediately went looking for a program to help with his training and meet local triathletes and landed in JackRabbit's Olympic Distance Tri program. It was a great experience for him but what he remembers most fondly are the folks he met and friends he made while training. Not one to rest on his laurels, Neil immediately signed up for our Marathon training program and went on to complete NYC's most famous race and his 11^th marathon!

Having been in New York two years and with his first full NYC race season under his belt, Neil feels good about his recovery from surgery, all the friends he's made and is already signed up for 2007 Lake Placid Ironman. He's recently joined the New York Flyers to help with his training and as might be expected is most looking forward to meeting and making new friends with the Flyers.

Even though he's accumulated quite a race resume Neil insists he's not at all competitive. "I really just love meeting and connecting with other athletes. There's a unique bond that develops when you train with someone and work toward the same goal and training programs are one of the best ways to find that, for me at least". Does he miss training in tropical Hawaii?  He sorely misses the weather of his home state but does give credit where credit is due and really appreciates the diversity of biking options New York offers. When asked about his favorite part of training and competing, Neil says without hesitation "The wonderful people in the community, friendships made and the shared commeradery".  When asked what keeps him coming back for more after all these years, his reply is the same. 

It sounds to us like Neil is one lucky guy!

Nicole is a graduating senior from Ridgefield High School in Ridgefield, Connecticut who just began interning with us here at JackRabbit. As part of her school's curriculum, Nicole had the option to spend the last 4 weeks of her senior year on an internship of her choice. As triathlons have come of interest to the ex-cross-country runner, Jack Rabbit seemed like the perfect place for her to come.

Nicole found out about Jack Rabbit from a website link while she was researching different triathlon training groups in her area. She clicked on the rabbit logo, and quickly decided that JackRabbit would be a great opportunity to do her senior internship. After several conversations and a game of phone tag with Doug Oldiges, Jack Rabbit's training program coordinator, Nicole was on her way.

Although the commute is somewhat lengthy, Nicole loves being in the city. She says that the city is her "connection to the rest of the world", coming from a small, suburban town in Connecticut.   

As Nicole will begin college in the fall, she is looking to learn more about the triathlon sport so that she can hopefully integrate it into her college and post-college lifestyle. The last two very stressful and work-focused years of high school have made Nicole realize the importance of maintaining a well-balanced lifestyle, between work, academics, athletics, fun, etc., in order to perform her best.

Nicole has always loved being active and has played on several different sports teams, including softball, basketball, volleyball, and cross country. After joining the cross country team in the fall of her sophomore year, Nicole won 10^th place in the junior varsity state race for Connecticut; she hopes that her internship can help her get back into running shape! Nicole also loves the outdoors and has been horseback riding for about 13 years.

From her internship with Jack Rabbit, Nicole hopes she can learn everything she needs to know about the triathlon sport, including training methods, nutrition, and the overall industry. She's extremely excited to meet triathletes and other like-minded people at Jack Rabbit, and she looks forward to using the information she gains here in the long-run!

Mark wrestled and played lacrosse in high school but that certainly didn't equip him for the unique demands that come with being a triathlete.

Mark began his journey toward the triathlon 5 years ago with his first duathlon.  A competent runner and cyclist, it was a good fit and a new challenge he felt up to.  However, the growing triathlon scene had become too big for him to ignore and last year decided to throw his proverbial hat into the ring.  Like so many new triathletes he had one serious reservation - the swim.  Sure, he wouldn't drown if you threw him in the pool but he couldn't tread water and had no previous swim instruction to speak of.  Playing to the male stereotype that didn't stop Mark from signing up for his first triathlon last summer, the Hammonton Lake Sprint Triathlon in Hammonton Lake New Jersey.

When recalling that first outing Mark's not sure if it was the murkiness of the water, the crowds or just plain lack of experience, but he suffered a major panic during the swim and did most it in the "this is really hard" stroke.  With the help and encouragement of his friend Rolando swimming next to him, he completed the swim in 2nd to last place.  He made up a lot of time on the bike and run but decided then and there to get some serious help with his swim.

A few weeks later when he showed up at JackRabbit's Swim Level I class and informed us that he couldn't tread water, we made sure to put him in one of the outside lanes so he'd have a wall to grab hold of should he have to stop mid lap.  Mark completed the class and repeated it one more time before moving up to Level II.  A year has passed since that first humbling experience and all of Mark's hard work is beginning to pay off.  He recently did a 200 meter time trial in 2:51 and completed the NYC Triathlon in a solid 2:39:37.

Mark credits the organized, group training with not only shaping him into a formidable swimmer but a better over-all athlete.  He's made friends in the classes, has gained some training partners and has learned some of his most valuable training tips from the other folks in his classes.  "I really like being in class and looking over to the next lane and seeing someone else working toward the same goal as myself, it's a real motivator for me" says Mark, "I like the sense of camaraderie that comes from the group workouts".  Now that he's completely immersed in the sport, like many of us he's juggling the long time commitments of training with his family and friends.  When asked how he manages, "I'm very flexible with my training, anytime works for me.  If my schedule allows several morning workouts then that's when I do it, if another week allows evening workouts then that's just as good.  I'm not restricted to being a 'morning' or 'evening' person, I can't be, there's not enough time for that".

He says his family and friends are completely supportive, especially his girlfriend Teresa who gets up with him at the crack of dawn every race day and is there to cheer him on.  Much to the chagrin of Teresa though, Mark has become quite a 'gearhead', obsessively buying all of the latest gadgetry available.  When asked about his special race day preparations Mark admits, "I have to have something new for each event, nothing in particular, could be shorts, a shirt, a hat, just so it's new".  Upon hearing this we decide that JackRabbit must become Mark's new best friend!  For Mark, the best part of competing and doing the events is seeing his family and friends out there supporting him.  It's interesting to hear Mark say that because, for so many it's a very solo experience but this is definitely not the case with Mark, for him it's more of a communal/group experience that is his greatest reward.

What's next for Mark?  This weekends NYC Marathon!  It's another first for him and he's excited and nervous.  Knowing he's going to have three different groups cheering for him at three different point along the race course, along with dedicated training is giving him the confidence that he can conquer this latest challenge.  Next season - he's already registered for his first Half-Ironman, Timberman in New Hampshire.