When training for a grueling triathlon, it is important to buddy up. Two Massapequa Park natives and longtime friends, Andrew Guidice and Eric Brody, shared their experience at the 27th annual Runner’s Edge Greater Long Island Running Club Tobay Triathlon and Tri-Relay at the Theordore Roosevelt Memorial Park on Saturday, Aug. 23.
“We’ve always wanted to try and complete a triathlon,” said Brody, 26, who is the co-founder of Qinetic, an online community for health and wellness. “Both Andrew and I have always been actively running, biking, and playing sports after work or on the weekends, but we had always wanted to see if we could complete a race of this magnitude.”
The triathlon was a longtime goal for Guidice, 26, an investment associate at Fiduciary Trust International as well.
“The Tobay Triathlon is something that not only tests you physically, but mentally, and Eric and I wanted to try and accomplish it,” said Guidice, who volunteered to swim and bike, while Brody ran in the event.
Participants arrived at 6:15 a.m. to check in and get in some last minute stretching. The course, which began with a 1/2 mile swim in Oyster Bay Harbor, was then followed by a 15 kilometer bike ride through Oyster Bay, Laurel Hollow and Cove Neck. The triathlon concluded with a 5 kilometer run through Mill Neck and Brookville, up to Plating Fields Arboretum and back to Roosevelt Park.
Both Brody and Guidice had trained for several months prior to the event.
“I trained by running a couple miles a day a few times a week, as well as training for a CMC (Civilian Military Combine) race in September,” said Brody, who incorporates physical fitness and healthy nutrition into his everyday lifestyle.
Now a Manhattan resident, Guidice trained for his part by biking ten miles to and from work several times a week, as well as getting in a swim before his day began.
“It was an amazing event,” said Guidice. “The atmosphere, the fellow racers, the spectators cheering us on, and even the weather, was perfect.”
“The energy from everyone there was incredible,” added Brody, who is looking forward to participating in the TOBAY Triathlon with Guidice again next year.
Thinking of participating next summer? Visit the Runner’s Edge Tobay Triathlon website for tips on training and preparation, volunteering options and free clinics with a trained coach to review the course before the big day.
