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| MEET YOUR COACHES.
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CRAIG SHECKLER head coach triathlon, duathlon, cycling, running
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“During the summer of 1992, in a small convenience store near the University of Pennsylvania where I was a student, I picked up an issue of Triathlete Magazine. And I’ve been hooked on multisport ever since. I was drawn to the individual nature of the competition, the goal-oriented focus of the preparation, the variety and difficulty of the training, and eventually to the physical and mental challenge of long and ultra distance racing. I set out on an exploration of personal limits. I became a student of the sport, absorbing all the information I could gather, all the while testing methodologies with my own training and racing. Years of advising fellow experienced athletes as well as easing new triathletes into the sport led me to discover a passion for teaching and a talent for coaching. Now, after all these years in endurance sports, I’m thrilled to be able to share knowledge and experience with the athletes I work with as a full-time professional coach.” Read some more candid info from Craig’s team bio for his sponsor, TriSports.com.
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ERICA FLICKINGER-SHECKLER head swim coach swimming, triathlon
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“I grew up as a swimmer for the powerhouse Parkland High School team in Allentown, PA. I discovered triathlon when I returned to the area after time spent living in Massachusetts and Michigan, and met my then-future-husband Craig. At the time, I was head coach of the Central Catholic High School swim team while working full-time as a graphic designer. I fell in love with the multisport lifestyle when I realized the feeling of freedom I got from open water swimming, became reacquainted with the thrill of riding a bike, and found joy in the rugged beauty of trail running. I now apply my extensive swim experience – as a competitive pool swimmer, long distance open water swimmer, and swim team coach – to coaching triathletes. Swimming for the majority of triathletes is the most challenging discipline and therefore presents a large obstacle to great performance. My goal is to help our clients improve their abilities and swim fitness while finding a comfort level in the water, so that their swim becomes one of their strengths. When this happens, it is so very rewarding.” Read some more candid info from Erica’s team bio for her sponsor, TriSports.com.
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MIKE MARSTELLER triathlon, duathlon, cycling, running, strength conditioning
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"I was always active growing up, playing basketball and soccer. It wasn't until my freshman year of college that I actually started to run. Ten minutes progressed to ten miles fairly quickly and I mostly ran to feel better about myself. Then one day someone told me I should try a triathlon. Luckily my good friend, Tim Reinhart, raced bikes and he let me borrow his GT road bike! The first year or two were a lot of trial and error, but after that I started to learn what kind of training works for me. At that point I fell in love with the planning, hard working, and relationship building lifestyle that I continue to enjoy today. The most important part to multisport training and racing is figuring out how to guide your training so that it is the best for YOU. And that is what I love to do."
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CHRISTY ROSSOWSKI marketing assistant, swimming
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"I’ve always been a competitive and goal-oriented person. Although I enjoyed participating in a multitude of sports growing up (swimming, softball, tennis, basketball, soccer), the one sport which sparked my passion was swimming. I swam competitively from 8 years of age through my freshman year of college. As a freshman, I had a great season with best times and was made captain, but unfortunately my shoulders were too injured to continue my swimming career the next year. Even though I was injured I couldn’t get away from the sport. I started helping out the team, and by the end of the next season I was made an official assistant coach. I worked specifically with the distance swimmers. Coaching became a new challenge, and I love it. Figuring out what each swimmer needs is like solving a puzzle: it takes time, but once you figure out all the individual pieces they need, their swims start to come together.
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| Craig, Erica, Mike and Christy enjoy leading by example and “walking the walk” as coaches by maintaining their own full race schedules, often competing in many of the same events as their athletes. When not competing, they spend many weekends jumping from race to race, spectating and volunteering, and supporting their clients. | |
