Athletes
Alissa Marks
Hometown: Hillsboro, OH
Current Residence: Unfortunately, not New York
Focus Events: Ironman Lake Placid
Bike Name: Barnaby
Proudest Accomplishment: First half ironman in 2011!
About Me: I first got into the craziness of endurance events when I was suckered into signing up for a half marathon in 2009...you know who you are. Somehow during training I decided that wasn't a big enough challenge and changed to the full. Since then I've been hooked (or maybe it was when I realized that during training I didn't feel guilty about eating two dinners). Aside from this, you'll most likely find me eating something with cheese, watching baseball or soccer, enjoying a nice hefeweizen, or busy with (and loving) my new job at the American Cancer Society!
Alli Levy
Hometown: Hartsdale, NY
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Half IM TDB
Bike Name: Charlie
Proudest accomplishment: Ironman Coeur D'Alene 2010!
About Me: Who am I? For starters, I love the NY Yankees and NY Giants. Sports has always been a huge part of my life. I work hard in everything I do - training, races, and in my every day work- advertising, which brings out my creative side. I always have a ton of energy which is why I originally I started these crazy endurance events in 2006. I am always determined to accomplish my goals to the best of my ability. Failing is not an option. I joined Tri2B because other than wanting to be "cool" I wanted to be a part of a "team." I love the idea of having a "family" wherever I am. Tri2B is just that - My Training Family. We train hard but yet we play hard too! Tri2B has shown me so much support and gave me so much motivation never to give up in allowing me to succeed my personal goals! To another amazing season with my "family"....
Angela Dumadag
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Current Residence: Lower East Side, New York, NY
Focus Events: Ironman Lake Placid
Bike Name: Haven't named her yet
Proudest Accomplishment: Completing my first marathon, and completing my second marathon w/my brothers and sister in IHO my mom.
About Me: A 4-time marathoner since 2006 and triathlete since 2008, I'm what you call a "back of the pack-er". Raising money for cancer research, training, and volunteering have kept me busy (and sane) since I moved back to NYC from South Jersey in 2005 (well, my boyfriend and my cat too). Training and racing are the ultimate metaphors for life, I don't know when I've felt closer to heaven or hell then on a long training run, or during each of my 4 marathons. It's cathartic and addicting and reminds me that training (and life) is all about progress, not perfection! That said, I am proud of my PRs and do get competitive with myself (if no one else!)
Ashley Robison
Hometown: Orange County, CA
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Ironman Mont Tremblanc
Bike Name: Gus-Gus
Proudest Accomplishment: Completing 3 marathons in one year (NYC, Rome, San Francisco)
About Me: I love change and I consider myself a nomad. I have lived in Mexico, Argentina, Spain, and Italy. I joined Team in Training in 2009 in honor of my sister, Holly, and her battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (she is in remission, yay!). Even though I’m a terribly poor swimmer and not a huge fan of cycling in general, Tri2B sounded like quite the adventure. Most days, you can find me playing soccer, reading, studying languages, or planning my move to Brazil in 2014 for the World Cup. I currently work at a Hedge Fund in the Investor Relations department and I am constantly reminded of how little I know about money. I love living in New York City and can’t wait to see where the next few years take me!
Bernie Childs
Hometown: New Rochelle, NY
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Ironman NYC
Bike Name: Silver
Proudest Accomplishment: Completing Ford Ironman Louisville
About Me: I grew up playing a number of different sports but have spent most of my time playing basketball, lacrosse and rugby. In 2008, I was challenged by a friend to join Team in Training and compete in the Gulf Coast Half-Ironman. Along with Gulf Coast, I completed two other triathlons in 2008. Needless to say, I was bitten by the ‘Tri bug’ and joined up with Tri2B. I am drawn to triathlons because they are physically challenging and because there are no places to hide like there may be in team sports. When I am not preparing for events, you can probably find me out-and-about with family and/or friends horsing around, playing hoops or raising a glass. I am a work in-progress.....
Billy Childs
Hometown: New Rochelle, NY
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: TBD
Bike Name: Red
Proudest Accomplishment: Finishing graduate school
About Me: Last year I joined Team in Training and completed my first Olympic-distance triathlon. I loved the whole experience of training and I especially enjoyed the energy on race day. My individual “performance” wasn’t pretty, but I had a blast. This year I’m pumped to take on tougher races and challenging myself to get better each time out. Who knows? I may even attempt my first marathon.
When I am not working or training I live a pretty slow-paced lifestyle. Any excuse to get together with friends is a good one, and I try not to say no to any road trip or adventure that comes my way. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, but I’m working on it.
Brooke Dieneman
Hometown: Huntington, NY
Current Residence: Brooklyn, NY
Focus Events: Half IM TBD
Bike Name: Diego
Proudest Accomplishment: Ironman Lake Placid 2010
About Me:
After completing 5 marathons, 4 half ironman and 1 ironman I still come across the question “Why do I do it?” It is a question that stumps me. Is it the feeling of accomplishment? Is it the competition? Or maybe my inner motivation that drives me? Possibly all three, but the answer that keeps coming to mind is stubbornness. I am too stubborn to accept that my current pr time in running or triathlons is the best I am capable of. And for that reason I am back to train for another Ironman. Most importantly I am back to train with Tri2B! The friendships I have made through this club might actually be the real answer to the above question. I can not imagine enduring the sweat, pain and tears without the amazing friends I have made throughout these adventures
Carolyn Hall
Hometown: New York, NY
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Half IM TBD
Christina Klapper
Hometown: Sterling Heights, MI
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Ironman Mont-Tremblant
Bike Name: Grandpa
Proudest Accomplishment: Completing my first marathon and loving every minute (good and bad) of it.
About Me: My original goal was to run a marathon by the time I turned 30. After completing my first marathon in 2007, I fell in love with endurance sports and haven’t looked back since! No one would have ever imagined that, instead, I would be training to race in an Ironman to celebrate my 30th year! Besides being an addict to endurance sports, I’m an arts and music junkie with a travel wish list miles long. To support my sport/art/travel addictions, I work in the non-profit world in marketing. Now if I could just figure out how not to pay so much rent…
Colleen Dummeyer
Hometown: Merrick, NY
Current Residence: Astoria, NY
Focus Events: Half IM TBD
Bike Name: Stevie
Proudest Accomplishment: Completing the Disney Marathon
About Me: Despite never running more than 3 miles, I first got involved with endurance sports in 2007 when I signed up to run the Disney Marathon with Team in Training. I quickly became addicted- mostly because it justified my love for rice and other carbs, and have run 4 half marathons and countless 5 & 10k's since. I was hit by the tri bug last August when I completed my first (and only) sprint triathlon. Knowing I wanted to continue with the sport, I joined Tri2B this season and I am now training to complete my first half ironman. When not drowning in the pool, falling off the bike, or running, you can find me playing on my club soccer or softball team, cheering on my beloved NY Yankees, or bursting into an Irish jig at the local pub. In my 'spare time', I work 9-5 for a major market research company.
Gerald Horton
Hometown: Born in Trinidad W.I.
Current Residence: Bronx, NY
Focus Events: SunTrust National Marathon, Half IM TBD
Bike Name: Shadow
Proudest accomplishment: Finishing my first marathon in 2003
About Me: I’m a network technician for the fifth largest library system in the nation by day. But at night and during the weekend I’m a husband, father, runner, biker, swimmer, and ministry leader. In other words, a very happy guy.
Janelle Dandeneau
Hometown: Ramsey, NJ
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Ironman Lake Placid
Bike Name: Snooki
Proudest Accomplishment: Finishing my first triathlon/half Ironman, Rev3, in the same amount of time it took Andy Potts to finish Ironman Coeur d'Alene
About Me: Dare me. Challenge me. Tell me it’s impossible. I will prove you wrong! From my first half-marathon in Alaska in June 2009, exceeding the expectations of those around me has been a continuing inspiration for my training. I signed up for the half marathon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to cure the unemployment blues and help those in need at the same time. I ended up loving it so much, I signed up for a full soon after crossing that finish line. Since then I have completed 3 marathons and 2 half Ironmans. Then I swore I wasn't crazy enough to sign up for an Ironman, yet low and behold here I am training for Ironman Arizona. Even more than the thrill of a challenge, I love the feeling of camaraderie that comes with being part of a team and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting great people and making great friends along the way. Other than training, I am always looking for an adventure. I love travelling, going to concerts, stuffing my face with food, and being out on the town in NYC. I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and I currently work in fashion industry.
Janette Roush
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Ironman NYC
Bike Name: Syzlyn 2
Proudest Accomplishment: Ironman CDA in 2010!
About Me: I have the best job in the world - working on Broadway shows like Memphis, Rock of Ages and the upcoming Book of Mormon, Sister Act and Wonderland. Tri2B has absolutely expanded my idea of what I'm capable of accomplishing and I'm always excited for the next challenge
Kara Grenier
Hometown: Holyoke, MA
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Half Ironman and a Spring Marathon
Bike Name: Lex (as in Lex Luthor)
Proudest Accomplishment: Moving to NYC...and staying.
About Me: I started running to raise money for LLS after my Aunt passed away from a rare blood cancer. I hate cancer and lost other family members to it, so I kept on running and running and raising money. This year I decided to buy a bike and now feel the need to utilize it in a Tri! I also love to golf, ski and coach others to run distance events. If I am not at work or training, I am most likely out to dinner in NYC enjoying good food and a (big) glass of red wine!
Kelly Randall
Current Residence: New York, NY
Hometown: Plainville, MA
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Spring marathon TBD, Rev 3 Maine and a Fall Marathon TBD
Bike Name: Kermie
Proudest Accomplishment: Completing Ironman Florida 2008 and having a blast during Ironman Lake Placid in 2011!
About Me: I have been a runner all of my adult life... but also earned the title "Triathlete" in 2008. What a way to earn it too, signing up for an Ironman before ever doing any tri-distance! I keep coming back year after year because of the people. I have made amazing friends who I love spending time with, and who I know I can count on for anything. In my "other" life I am a Tax Director for a large media company, as well as an Assistant Coach with the American Cancer Society. I have also recently started cooking as an attempt to be a bit healthier and save a bit of money...yet I still LOVE a fun night out with friends, food, and wine!
Lesley Cyrus
Hometown: Born in Jamaica W.I., grew up in Uniondale NY
Current Residence: Astoria, Queens
Focus Events: Boston Marathon, a 70.3 TBD, and Ironman Mont Tremblanc
Bike Name: Nikita
Proudest Accomplishment: Finishing Ironman Lake Placid, actually finishing and kicking a** in all of my events this past year. It was a great season of racing.
About Me: I’ve just completed my 10th marathon and it feels great. (Well it didn’t feel great while I was running it, but you get the idea.) My non running friends think I’m crazy. My Tri2B family thinks it's normal. I have had such an amazing time with Tri2B that I couldn't imagine training with anyone else. Going from a solo athlete to a team member has been the best decision I have ever made. Last year was amazing and such a blast. I can't wait to tackle 2012. I'm looking forward to crossing the finish line of yet another Ironman. I'm ready for the torture, pain, suffering, and loads of fun.
Marion Vincent
Hometown: Grenoble, France
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Ironman NYC
Bike Name: Frankie (short for Frankenstein)
Proudest Accomplishment: Completing my first half-Ironman
About Me: Born and raised in the French Alps, I have somehow made it here through a lot of traveling and TONS of determination (some people will say stubborness, I like the D word better). I caught the marathon virus in '07 and have now completed 6 but I've found in triathlons a dose of challenge that matched what I was looking for. I also have to say the people I have met along this adventure have become part of the reason I have not yet ventured to another part of this world so I am clearly looking forward to suffering, whining, sweating and so much more with them the next year. When I don't train hard, I work hard for an international telco company as an Information & Knowledge Officer.
Michael Lee
Home Town: Lafayette Hill , Pennsylvania
Current residence: New York, NY
Bike Name: Storm Trooper
Focus Events: Half IM TBD
Proudest Accomplishment: NYC Triathlon and Getting engaged this past October to My beautiful Fiance
About Me : I have always loved playing sports. Team sports like Basketball and Baseball were a big part of my life growing up . Just two years ago I entered my first endurance event through Team in Training and completed the NYC Triathlon. I enjoyed the experience so much that last year I completed the Olympic Distance Triathlon in NYC for a second year in a row. This year its time to push my self and finish my first Half Ironman. I also love to Travel, Chocolate Chip Cookies and the Philadelphia Phillies. GO PHILS!!!!!
"Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile." Vince Lombardi
Ramon Bermo
Hometown: La Coruna, Spain
Current Residence: South Plainfield, NJ
Focus Events: Leadville 100
Bike Name: Bolt
Proudest Accomplishment:
- Becoming a father for first time on Dec 5, 2001
- Becoming a father for 2nd time on Nov 17, 2003
- 33 years in the athletic lifestyle and still freaking loving it!
About Me: hmmm... I am a busy person with lots of energy. I love life and I love challenges. Triathlons and running connect both ends and the result has been a long life of doing what I like to do while meeting some great people along the way. Fun and Enjoyable are always the exclamation points to everything I do.
Best thing in my life? seeing the smiles of Amanda and Elisa, my daughters.
Best personal athletic moment in my life? Mile 19.2 NYC Marathon 2007 being cheered by Amanda and Elisa. Best race? the 33 minutes it took to do 1 mile walk in my town, first race (and hopefully not last) with Amanda and Elisa
Sarah Emerson
Hometown: Chappaqua, NY
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Half IM TBD
Bike Name: Rubicon
Proudest Accomplishment: Qualifying for Boston… for now
About Me: Hmmm. I generally spend the majority of my time at work. I’ve worked at BlackRock for nearly 4 years, but have not yet mastered successfully explaining what I do in less than 15 minutes. When I’m not at work, I’m most likely running (and now apparently biking or swimming), convincing other people to run, taking pictures, or watching and/or talking about the Yankees. I love going to new places and I have a pet turtle. Oh and I’m brand new to biking and swimming, so I’m a tiny bit terrified about this whole triathlon thing… but mostly just really excited!
Steve Bystrom
Hometown: Westerville, OH
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Half IM TBD
Bike Name: Whoopie Pie
Proudest Accomplishment: I can juggle and I've never had a cavity.
About Me: I'm back and ready to exact my revenge on the Ironman course! After a minor setback during Ironman Louisville in 2009, I'm more motivated than ever to finish what I've started.
Zach Giampa
Hometown: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Current Residence: New York, NY
Focus Events: Ironman NYC
Bike Name: Roo
Proudest Accomplishment: TBD
About Me: My theory on triathlon, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." So Ramon, please don't kill me.