Barbara Feinstein

Grew up in Baldwin, Long Island

College – SUNY Albany; BA in Communications, Minor in Psychology

Married to Jonathan for 18 years.

Work – I worked at NY Life Insurance Co. for 10 years until our kids became a higher priority than making money.

-          Currently - Full time Mom (and yes, that is work!) to Brad (13 years old) and Melissa (10 years old)

Volunteer

–         I am the Secretary for the Executive Board of my daughter’s elementary school PTA

–         I am a very active member of the Central Jersey Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), usually recruiting and organizing all of the volunteers for major fundraising events.

o        I have been a Vice Chairwoman for 3 years for the JDRF Annual Gala (this year will be my 4^th year)

o        I have been the Volunteer Chairwoman for the Monmouth County JDRF annual Walk to Cure Diabetes for 4 years

Hobbies

o        I make beaded and wire jewelry and am learning how to make fine silver jewelry

o        I love to bake and decorate cakes (but I’m not as good as Dawn)

o        Photography – mostly people, but also nature

o        Working out – it is my stress reliever and I truly enjoy a good hard workout!

Triathlons

-          I was a competitive runner in High School and College and a pool lifeguard. I biked for fun. I did some running races starting in 2003, including the NJ and Philly Marathons in 2004. Jonathan first started doing Triathlons – I did not have enough confidence in my bike skills and was unsure about swimming in open water, but he convinced me to give it a try and I’ve been hooked ever since. I wanted to use my Mountain Bike, but Jonathan knew that wouldn’t do, so I got a Cannondale and thought that would be good enough forever (now I know better).

-          I have been competing in triathlons since 2005, starting with sprints and then Olympic distance. I am signed up for Eagleman 70.3 in June 2010.

Tri Club

-          Jonathan and I never thought we’d find people like us, but through JSTC, I have become friends with many amazing people who are just like us (in one way or another). I’ve gotten to know their families and truly enjoy spending time with club members outside of racing.

-          The JSTC helped me overcome my difficulties with swimming in open water and assisted me in becoming a better biker. I don’t often get to tri club workouts, but when I do, it feels more like a family gathering than a group workout. At races, the comraderie is overwhelming. Socializing with other club members helps ease pre-race jitters and cheering for each other, no matter what level of competitor you are, is a given.