Age: 39
Favorite Food: Lasagna or roasted red bell pepper sandwich with balsamic vinegar
Preferred Race Distance: I love the speed and intensity of Olympic distance. But nothing compares with feeling of completing an Ironman.

Is every day rigorously planned for you?
Yes. I train 6 days a week with each day having a theme of either speed or overdistance in one of the disciplines.

Have you considered getting a pro card?
No. I love age group status.

Do you ever have days when you don’t want to train?
Yes.

How do you work through them?
I have three coping mechanisms: 1) Don’t train 2) Slow down considerably to a very easy pace, forget about mileage or the clock and just exercisely easily at a low heart rate. I find this to be very refreshing mentally and physicially 3) Go to a new location, someplace you have never trained before. The new surroundings can really energize you.

What do your wife and children think about your love for triathlon?
(Answered by my wife Marilyn) A friend of Dave’s once told me that I was the reason he is such a good triathlete - I tell him he has one hour to do his 25 mile bike ride and then I start my stop watch. This isn’t true, but Dave has always been really good about making the most of his training time. We all enjoy triathlon, in fact, we have all completed triathlons ourselves. Triathlon has become a family hobbie. We like to make family vacations out of Dave’s races and Dave will often run while one of our kids bikes next to him. We are all really proud of him. (Dave’s Answer) I am sure the training takes its toll on those family members who don’t love triathlon quite like I do.

How do you mentally maintain consistency year after year?
Quite honestly, I do not struggle in this regard. I so enjoy endurance sports that I cannot imagine my life without it. Also, in the off-season I eliminate intensity almost completely and focus on slow, aerobic training at a low heart/respiration rate. I cannot overestimate how fundamental this training block is for me both physically and mentally.

What is your strongest tri discipline?
If the bike course is steep and hilly, it is cycling. Otherwise, running.

What is your most memorable race and why?
Ironman Lake Placid 2001
Because it was such an intensely romantic vacation. The race course itself is the most beautiful Ironman venue I have ever attended. And apart from the 9+ hours on the race course, I spent an entire week alone with my wife.

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