From The Editor
THE MODERN (TRIATHLON) FAMILY
By Jayme Ramson
Growing up in Poland, Ohio, as part of a very active family, my brothers and I played just about every sport (and invented some of our own). Though we never “played” triathlon, most of our favorite memories involve swimming in the backyard pool, biking around the neighborhood and having running races in the yard.
Today, too many kids miss out on that lifestyle. Playtime consists of video games or parking in front of the TV for hours. Fortunately, for the Hola family, featured on the cover of this issue, and many other multisport families, playtime still involves getting outside.
When searching for a family of triathletes spanning three generations to feature in this issue, we knew it would be a challenge. Triathlon is a relatively young sport. With a 1974 birth date, the sport hasn’t even hit the big 4-0 yet.
Then we heard about the Hola family. Starting in 1984, this family has been involved in training, racing, coaching and supporting each other in multisport.
Tim and Nikki Hola believe in exposing their 5-year-old twin boys, Connor and Spencer, to various activities to see what sticks, similar to what Tim’s parents, Ken and Fran, did for him and his sister Christine, also a triathlete. The day of our photo shoot in Chatfield State Park near Denver, Colo., the boys were cruising around on their new bikes and eager to go catch a glimpse of their favorite reservoir-dwelling carp, “Frank the Fish.”
For this family, multisport is more about being together and setting a positive lifestyle example for the younger generation. Read about the Holas on page 34.
Also in this issue, we recognize our athletes of the year those who were ranked near the top of their age groups. Turn to page 84 to read more.
Jayme Ramson is the editor-in-chief of USA Triathlon Magazine. Contact her at
jayme.ramson@usatriathlon.org.
MAILBAG
Something to say about USA Triathlon Magazine? Email letters to the editor to
communications@usatriathlon.org with “mailbag” in the subject line. Be sure to include your name. Letters may be edited for length and grammar.
LOOKING FORWARD TO NEW ZEALAND
USAT,
I am an active duty Naval Officer currently serving nine months in Kandahar, Afghanistan AND a long-time (and proud) member of USAT. [Recently] I was able to connect with a great friend of mine — Lt Col Spence Cocanour — an Air Force Officer and also a long-time (and proud) member of USAT. We both raced Age Group Nationals this past year in Burlington, Vt., and both of us will be headed to Auckland, New Zealand [in 2012] to race ITU Worlds.
Spence is attached to the 21 Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron and I am attached to NAVCENT Forward Headquarters Detachment in Afghanistan. We were both jazzed to be able to catch up in such a place and spent the majority of our visit talking multisport and about racing once we get back home, mid-2012.
As well, I think I can speak for Spence and say that USAT, with all you do and the enthusiasm you bring to multisport, has kept me focused and motivated to keep hitting it hard when trying to run even through dust that brings the visibility down to 150 feet.
Thanks again for the support!
CDR Gary Keith
IN APPRECIATION OF THE LOWDOWN
Hello Mr. Matlow,
I just wanted to send a quick thank you for the insight and no-nonsense approach to various obstacles you provide the readers of USA Triathlon Magazine. Having just caught “the bug” about seven months ago, your articles have changed my approach to the sport. I grew up playing team sports like most kids do and I needed an outlet to release my drive to compete as I got older. Like most newbies, I was extremely anxious as to how I would do and what to expect. Your articles really added a perspective that I had not thought about and it helped tremendously; the feelings I experienced were normal! Needless to say, once I completed my first race, I was hooked! The sport has encouraged me to make several positive lifestyle changes, and I can’t wait for the upcoming season. Thank you for using your position as a practical voice for the masses. It really matters to those of us still getting our feet wet and it encourages us to stick with it!
Sincerely,
Galen Williams II (Atascocita, Texas)
16 USA TRIATHLON SPRING 2012
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