Jersey Shore Triathlon Club Member Series- Howard Gallin

 

Howard Gallin is impressive, and one of the more likeable triathletes you will ever come across.  He’s refreshingly not overboard, works hard and is a dedicated family man and husband with two little ones at home.  He is also an Ironman.

 

So when Howard gets a chance to come out and play with us, he is simply a pleasure to be around.  He is a contributing member of The Jersey Shore Triathlon Club on our member forum, and brings a much needed sense of balance and ground wire to our tri community. 

 

Not everybody sends our survey back, and that is easily understandable.  But I expected Howard to.  And once again, he delivered for the club.

 

 

JSTC:  Well good afternoon Mr. Gallin!   I hope you feeling chipper and brought your “A” game today.  I will give you a few easy ones to let you settle in, as I heard Bob Witanek still has not recovered from the opening rock questions.  Where were you born and what’s home today?

HG:  I was born in Staten Island, NY and now live in Beachwood, NJ

JSTC:  Traveling The Big Blue Highway….Official N.Y. Giant small arms territory

 

JSTC:  What does the support crew consist of?

HG:  Cristen my wife and my five year old son Jack and almost two year old son Casey.

 

JSTC:  What do you do for a living?

HG: I’m a personal trainer at Centra State Fitness and Wellness Center, and part time Fitness trainer at the Ocean County YMCA

JSTC:  I hear good things about Centra State Fitness…Dr. Gerry territory.  Doesn’t get any better.  You’re in the right place.

 

JSTC:  Why did you get into triathlon?

HG: I ran cross county and track, and saw the Ironman on TV, and wanted to do it one day.  I like to challenge myself.

JSTC:  A path many a man/woman has taken

 

JSTC:  You are known on the inside of the club as “Duck”.  How did you get that nickname?

HG:  My high school track team said I ran like a duck, and they named me Howard the Duck after the movie, and it stayed with me through college and still today.

 

 

JSTC:  How does the JSTC fit into your swim-bike-run world?

HG: I have met some great people that have really helped with my bike training, esp. hills,  including some brick workouts, and the long rides for Ironman training.  I have yet to attend a swim, but am planning on it for next summer.

JSTC:  Dude…I mean Duck…I would love to swim with you.  Rendezvous River Avenue Beach May 15th 2009 6am.  Booties are optional… 

 

JSTC:  What is your favorite race in the can so far and why?

HG: The Ironman Lake Placid, because it has been my dream to finish one since running track in high school, and the all day rain and hills made it an extra special challenge.  Also the whole town embraces all the triathletes, and even stood out in the pouring rain to cheer everyone on.

 

JSTC:  Howard.  I want thank you for wearing our club jersey for your Ironman.   Not just because I am one of the founders of the JSTC,  But because I know how inspiring a photo like the one on the left can be to someone.   You look thrilled, and you should have been.  Ironman is a difficult race to train for and then execute.  And in a race that takes a lot of mental preparation in the 24 hours leading up to the start, you set aside our club jersey before going to bed and said I want that on for my finish photo.

 

 

Means a lot to my cohort Kathy Penna, myself, and most of all…The JSTC club members.  Very cool.

 

JSTC:  Now…lets go back to what I do best…Causing trouble!

 

 JSTC:  You’re in the JSTC tour bus with a deck of cards.   What game you calling, and who’s ass do you want to kick?

HG:  WAR,  Joe D

JSTC:  LOL…I love that answer Howard.  And I love the game.  Perfect.  Duck is on a roll!

 

JSTC:  You win the lottery and can travel anywhere to do a triathlon….where are you going? 

HG: Either the Hawaii Ironman, or New Zealand Ironman

JSTC:  You know…I was doing the math the other day on the Kona lottery.  For the money they rake in at IM through lottery entries, you should at least get a return receipt.  Don’t you think?  I mean..just to know if they didn’t read it, they at least had it in their hand.

 

JSTC:  What bike you riding?

HG:  Cannondale Muli-Sport 2000

JSTC:  Good bike.  You don’t see many around.

 

JSTC:  What wetsuit?

HG:  Quintana Roo

 

JSTC:  What running shoes do you wear?

HG:  Aasics Gel nimbus

 

 

JSTC:  What is your favorite all time band?

HG:  Ozzy Osborne

JSTC:  Well….I sure didn’t see that one coming.  Hey…Did you throw mud on me at PNC?  That was a hell of a day for a festival. 

 

JSTC:  What is your favorite all time movie?

I can’t decide on just one:  It’s between Rock 1, Rudy, and American Flyers

JSTC:  Interesting.  I liked American Flyers as well.  They don’t make ‘em like they used to.  Classic America

 

JSTC:  What was the last book you read?

HG:  Positively False by Floyd Landis

JSTC:  Let me guess…he’s a victim in a sport with 0 credibility because of cheating. 

 

 

JSTC:  You’re the captain of a JSTC tri relay team where style, determination, and  personality count...Not time.  Who is swimming, biking, and running for you?

 

HG:  Will for swimming, Chris Fotache biking, and I’m running.

JSTC:  Can’t wait to interview Chris-Rt.  I have 3 pages of material just from the this photo.       

 

JSTC:  Give me a song that get you pumped on the way to a race

HG:  Ironman,

JSTC:  Classic song…had to wait through the whole movie to hear the guitar riff

HG:  Two others songs I like besides Ironman are Running down a dream, and the Eye of the Tiger

JSTC:  A little Tom Petty never hurt anyone.  Guitar solo on that baby live is something to see.

 

JSTC:  What’s in your water bottle on race day?

HG:  Gatorade

JSTC:  Plenty of that around…

 

JSTC:  Did you ever put a little extra air in your tires on race morning thinking “I’m going for broke today?” 

 HG:  I always max it to the top, but never go over the limit.

JSTC:  Howard…we have to talk!  Road conditions often come into play…

 

 

JSTC:  Talk to me about IMLP 2008. I know the weather was rainy and cold. 

HG:  During the LPIM, I was not actually cold, until getting off the bike. I was asking for a plasitc bag in the changing tent before going on the run and there was none to be found. A member from the Sandy Hookers noticed me in my JSTRI club shirt and searched for a bag under the tables and found one remaining. I didn't see any other runners in the race with bags on, and some runners said they were going to jump me for it. So that kept me nice and warm on the run, because I did feel that I was starting to shiver after stopping bike riding

 

JSTC:  You know Duck…In this Lake Placid IM photo, you look pretty damn good with a bag on!  You can expect to hear from the tri fashion police on those shorts though…

.

JSTC:  What back yard sport can you defeat Slavinski in?

HG:  volleyball

JSTC:  It’s on!  He can run…but he can’t jump. 

 

JSTC:  What is your favorite board game?

HG:  Axis and Allies

JSTC:  I’ll save our readers a google   http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/aa/welcome

 

 

JSTC:  What was your favorite cereal as a kid?

HG:  Cookie Crisp

JSTC:  Terrible product.  Imagine the company think tank drumming up that name then making the ingredients up.  You are truly an American boy Howard.

 

JSTC:  You can only take one vitamin as you prepare for Ironman….what is it?

HG:  Centrum Performance Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplement

JSTC:  Please tell me you did not reach for the bottle and read it first…

 

 

JSTC:  How big was the box lunch you packed for your first sprint triathlon?

HG:  I packed nothing for my first sprint, but maybe a water bottle.

 

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?

HG:  My wife Cristen

JSTC:  Good answer.  I feel like I’ve just been straight armed.

 

JSTC:  Who was your favorite sports hero growing up as a kid?

HG:  Bill Rodgers

JSTC:  NY NY…Mr. Rodgers inspired a lot of people..

 

JSTC:  Simpsons or Family Guy?

HG:  The Simpsons    

 

JSTC:  Seinfeld or 11 pm news?

HG:  11 pm news

JSTC:  How can you sleep?                           

 

JSTC:  Windows or Mac?

HG:  Windows

 

JSTC:  How many iPods have been lost or broken over your career?

HG:  I don’t use any

JSTC:  Howard…I bet you are a great father!  In fact..I know you are just by that answer.

 

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?

HG:  Lamborghini

JSTC:  I’m giving you extra points only if you did not have to look up the spelling…

 

JSTC:  What bottled water you drinking?

HG:  Deer Park

JSTC:  Not tap..bottled!

 

JSTC:  Give me an inspiration source?

HG   Dave Scott was who inspired me growing up.

 

 

JSTC:  You are not feeling it on race morning and need something legal...what are you reaching for?

HG:  Water does it all

JSTC:  Hydration should not be under estimated in race performance factors.

 

 

JSTC:  What are you eating for dinner the night before a race?

HG:  Pasta with Pesto Sauce

 

 

JSTC:  Who writes the best race reports in the club?

HG:  Chris Fotache

 

JSTC:  How do you eat an oreo cookie?

Drunk it and eat it in two bites

JSTC:  Congratulations Howard…You are our first dunker!

 

JSTC:  What is essential in your transition bag outside of the standard appliances of triathlon racing?

HG:  Dry clothes for after the race

 

JSTC:  Ever heard of Brielle Cyclery?

HG:  Never (LOL), got my bike and wet suit, etc there

 

 JSTC:  Will you be mountain biking this winter?

HG:  Yes,  I plan on racing the 24 hour Alamuchy mountain bike race in the summer of 2009

JSTC:  I hope to see you there.  Great race.

 

JSTC:  Be honest…Aren’t you sick and tired of Joe D. and Dave Slavinski?

HG:  That’s why I’m kicking JD’s ass in cards they win too much.

JSTC:  LOL...!!!!.  Make sure you wear the dark glasses and JSTC visor for the camera.

 

JSTC:    Who has the best nickname in the club?

HG:  What’s better the duck?

JSTC:  (I did write an answer to this…then smartly edited it out).

 

JSTC:  I had the privilege of cycling 100 miles with you this past summer during your IM training, and I know you love to go long no matter.  Who do you see more…The Clarksburg General Store cashier or your mother-in-law?

HG: In the summer it was the Clarksburg General Store, but it has now changed to the Mother in-law.

 

JSTC:  What’s in store for 2009?

HG:  Plans for next year are the 24 hour mountain bike race, and a marathon prob. the Jersey Shore, and hopefully an off road triathlon, and short adventure race.

                           

JSTC:   You get the last word:

 

HG:  I think the club is great, it’s funny because I talked to my wife about possible making up a club for this area since the Sandy Hookers are to far away, and then I saw you created one.  Keep up the great work!