Gary E. Smith is one of the quiet veterans of the Jersey Shore Triathlon Club. A devoted husband and father, Gary is very stealthy…And a consistent podium contender in the ever more competitive 50-59 AG category.
Now right smack in the middle of the new 40’s, Gary is aiming for Ironman Canada 2009 and another shot at where he has been before: Kona
JSTC: Welcome Mr. Gary E, Smith. As a fellow baby boomer, I’m a big fan of your triathlon racing. Where were you born and what’s home today?
GS: Born: Bronx NY (some say it was the Bronx Zoo)
Home Today: Fair Haven (after stops in Colts Neck, Denver Co., and San Jose Ca.
JSTC: What does the E. Smith support crew consist of?
GS: Wife-Pat-Did her first Tri this year (Danskin) after watching me compete in tri’s for over 25 years;
Son -Ryan senior at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo Ca. Hockey stud and Army ROTC leader.
Son-Adam sophomore at Southern Cal (USC) Volleyball and Hockey stud.
GS: Both sons do one or two tri’s with me each year.
JSTC: God blessed you Gary. Very cool.
JSTC: What do you do for a living?
GS: President & CEO of an Insurance Broker
JSTC: How did you get into triathlon?
GS: In 1985 I had been a competitive runner (since 1977 NYC Marathon) and then a competitive Cyclist. I saw the IM on TV (when Moss collapsed at the finish) and wanted to “try” it. I’ve been hooked ever since.
JSTC: I give you one of the greatest moments in ABC Wide World of Sports, and the moment that launched Ironman into orbit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRB1p89k7_I
JSTC: How does the JSTC fit into your swim-bike-run world?
GS: Very well. It is one of the first websites I look at every morning.
JSTC: What is your favorite race in the can so far and why?
GS: 1992 IM Hawaii. Because of everything you have heard.
“Months of commitment; Hours of determination;
years of satisfaction”
JSTC: You win the lottery and can travel anywhere to do a triathlon….where are you going?
GS: The Lunar triathlon…I always wanted to go “to the moon Alice”
JSTC: What bike you riding?
GS: Kestrel, Kestrel and Kestrel.
1)Kestrel airfoil KM40 for races;
2)Kestrel EMS 500 backup (loaner to my sons) bike;
3) Kestrel KM 40 on the Computrainer
JSTC: Does the Kestral AirFoil help on a cross wind? It has a very unique design that eliminates the seat post and opens up the frame.
GS: I think it does help in a cross wind. But it does make the frame very light.
Of course Kathy and Clarence at Brielle Cyclery have it set up to go very fast!
JSTC: What wetsuit?
GS: QR- Loyal to them ever since Danny Empfield invented the “speedsuit”
JSTC: What running shoes do you wear?
GS: Nike Skylon, Asics Gel Nimbus 10; Newton Gravity
JSTC: What figure in life has inspired you?
GS: 2 former bosses; and
Sports wise- Running- my good friend Tom Fleming – 2 time winner of NYC Marathon. Pushed me to train better, harder and LONGER.
JSTC: Give me three songs that get you pumped on the way to a race
1) Bob Seeger- Against the Wind
2) John Tesh- The Ironman CD he did for the IM broadcasts
3) Van “the man” Morrison- Bright side of the road
JSTC: What is your favorite all time band?
GS: Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
I convinced them to play in my back yard for my 50th Birthday Party. (Something they hadn’t done in many years).
JSTC: Never miss them at Bar A’s annual Sports Radio 66 The Fan Day. I still remember when Bruce walked out for the encore at a 1977 Count Basie Theatre concert.
JSTC: What is your favorite all time movie?
GS: Wizard of OZ. I just can’t resist the “Lollypop Guild”
JSTC: When TV was great. Loved those flying monkeys and apple throwing trees.
JSTC: What was the last book you read?
GS: Younger next year by Crowley and Lodge
And
Chocolates on the pillow aren’t enough by Jonathan Tisch
JSTC: You the captain of a JSTC tri relay team where style, determination, and personality count...Not time. Who is swimming, biking, and running for you?
GS: Swimming-Rowdy Gaines
Bike: Lance;
Run: Tom Fleming
JSTC: What’s in your water bottle on race day?
GS: Accelerade- either fruit punch or lemonade
JSTC: Did you ever put a little extra air in your tires on race morning thinking “I’m going for broke today?”
GS: At IM Kona one year I put 150psi. And No problem!
JSTC: What back yard sport can you defeat Slavinski in?
GS: How big is his backyard?
JSTC: Dude..you come up with a plan and I’ll rent The Meadowlands to see him go down.
JSTC: You’re in the JSTC tour bus with a deck of cards. What game you calling, and whose ass do you want to kick?
GS: If it ain’t 5 card stud, I’m not in
JSTC: What was your favorite cereal as a kid?
GS: Sugar Pops
JSTC: Interesting choice. Truly a sleeper, but quite a following as it were. I caught on them to later in life. http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/4542/
JSTC: You can only take one vitamin as you prepare for Ironman….what is it?
GS: Multi with iron(get it?)
JSTC: How big was the box lunch you packed for your first sprint triathlon?
GS: My first tri was 1985 USTS Baltimore-Olympic(then called international). I brought 2 bananas and stuck them in my bike jersey. With one mile to go on the bike a guy I was passing asked “when you planning on eating those?”
JSTC: You are on a easy pace 100 mile through classic New England with anyone in the world…A chance to talk for 7 hours. Who is it?
GS: Abe Lincoln ( I wonder what his helmet would look like)
JSTC: Who was your favorite sports hero growing up as a kid?
GS: Mario Andretti
JSTC: Oh Gary…You were a ABC Wide World of Sports kid! I was an AJ Foyt fan. That’s when Indy car racing was great. The Trenton 200 and winner Al Unser in The Johnny Lightning Special just another great moment in NJ history.
JSTC: Simpsons or Family Guy?
GS: OUCH
JSTC: Seinfeld or 11 pm news?
GS: Seinfeld and then the 10 pm news.
JSTC: Windows or Mac?
GS: Both
JSTC: How many iPods have been lost or broken over your career?
GS: Too many if you count my kids
JSTC: You somehow figure out a way to cram your bike and gear into this dream vehicle for a ride up to Timberman. What is it?
GS: F 16
JSTC: Good answer
JSTC: What bottled water you drinking?
GS: Fruit 2O any flavor
JSTC: You are not feeling it on race morning and need something legal...what are you reaching for?
GS: Accelrade Gel Chocolate w/caffeine
JSTC: What are you eating for dinner the night before a race?
GS: Late afternoon it’s a small amount of pasta and/or a cream cheese and jelly sandwich. Yogurt with protein powder
JSTC: Who writes the best race reports in the club?
GS: You do!
JSTC: How do you eat an Oreo cookie?
GS: First of all it would be Hydrox and I put the whole thing in my mouth.
JSTC: Hydrox??? No No No. That was like the other side…I was never allowed to play with those kids. Imagine a food company today naming their cookie after hydrogenated oil? Think that would fly?
JSTC: What is essential in your transition bag outside of the standard appliances of triathlon racing?
GS: ALWAYS have a roll of TP
JSTC: I told you folks Gary was a veteran!
JSTC: Ever heard of Brielle Cyclery?
GS: Oh yes
JSTC: Will you be mountain biking this winter?
GS: A little. I like to ride my tri bike outside unless there is ice on the road. And I ride the computrainer inside for hours at a time .
JSTC: Be honest…Aren’t you sick and tired of Joe D. and Dave Slavinski?
GS: NO- two great stories!
JSTC: Who has the best nickname in the club?
GS: Me.
JSTC: Tell our audience about the good old days of Ironman qualifiers in these parts. Seaside, Wilkes Barre and early Eagleman.
GS: Of the three I have only done Wilkes Barre. A tough course. Much easier to qualify in those days. Could even do it at an international (Olympic) distance race.
JSTC: What exactly is the Kona “Energy Lab”?
GS: The answer depends on your physical and emotional state at this point of the IM Hawaii marathon. You turn off the Queen K highway and go down a hill watching other runners come out. You are either “energized” by the “natural energy lab” or you die coming out with about 6 miles to go.
I had stopped at the porta potty and the bottom of the hill and my HR monitor strap/transmitter fell in! Yup one big PLOP! I kept a positive attitude about it and had a great final 6 miles(proving anyone can turn a sh*$#y situation into a silver lining).
JSTC: Ever race Kona on one of those nasty windy days where you are literally leaning into the wind to stay on the bike?
GS: It’s ALWAYS that way. You fight the head/side winds up to the turn around in Hawi.
You go downhill sometimes at a max of 18mph.
JSTC: My research shows high income 45-59 year olds have always had dreams of fast machines. I can’t thank you enough Gary for responding to my survey and giving me this opportunity to provide a platform that will carry on the true heritage and roots of our ironman generation for many years.
JSTC: Tell our viewers what happened in this Bush cover of Speed Racer during the black and white flashback 1:08 into the video. It was a life changer for me… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6IgYDu3hl4&feature=related
GS: I have NO idea! I think maybe it was his father? Or maybe President Nixon’s secretary had something to do with it.
JSTC: I am truly crushed. Hydrox…And now this. Somehow I will continue on... And maybe ask for a birth certificate next time you beat me at NJ State.
JSTC: Before IronMan there was Gigantor. Can you still remember the intro tune? http://www.gigantor.org/
GS: Of course! GIGANTOR, GIGANNNNNNTOR! Hey cool name for a race!
JSTC: Who was the better triathlete- Johnny Quest or his sidekick Hadgi?
GS: Hadgi, he could do it all.
JSTC: Lost in Space: A classic. Dr. Smith however…never trusted him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_h3PBmvKzw&feature=related
GS: I never trusted him either.
JSTC: Gilligan’s Island……Who was hotter: Ginger or Mary Ann?
GS: Ahh, the age old question. Mary Ann by FAR!
JSTC: I’m with you Gary. Before that chick on Dukes of Hazzards, there was Mary Ann.
JSTC: How many times have you seen Bruce?
GS: In concert- too many to count
Running by his homes in Rumson and Colts Neck 3 times
At the gym-once
JSTC: Tell us what radio stations you grew up with on AM? FM?
GS: 77 WABC- Cousin Bruuuuuuucie
WMCA The Good Guys
JSTC: Jonathon Schwartz or Allison Steele?
GS: Allison Steele always had the best voice in radio
JSTC: Do you remember watching Dr J. in a Nets uniform?
GS: With the red,white and blue ball?
I have a photo of Dr. J and Larry Bird with each of them squeezing each others throats!
JSTC: Willis Reed or Clyde?
GS: Clyde the “glide” was the best.
JSTC: Puma…Now that’s what I’m talking about!
JSTC: Mickey or Willie?
GS: Are we talking drinking or baseball?
JSTC: All time USC great?
GS: OJ Simpson(when he was at USC, not now) I met him once, nice guy(it seemed)
JSTC: Many would answer the same. Program really has been something. For some reason (of course there was a Rose Bowl), Sam “The Bam” Cunningham was my USC hero.
JSTC: Beatles or Stones?
GS: Stones. I once worked with a guy whose brother was Bill Wyman (real last name was Perks) , one time bass player with the Stones. Lots of backstage parties!
JSTC: They don’t make back stage parties like that anymore.
JSTC: Did you really believe Beatle Paul McCartney was dead during those years?
GS: I bet his ex wife did.
JSTC: LOL!
JSTC: Ever play Revolution #9 backwards?
GS: Oh yes. I was in 2 really bad bands.
1) Concord Grape- so named as my Mother always had a bottle of Manishevitz Concord Grape wine in the FRIDGE!
2) Mass Confusion – and it was.
JSTC: You get the last word. Thanks for visiting Gary.
GS: Is this going to be in Sports Illustrated or the Wall Street Journal?