Ted Kucowski has his hands full as Sheila and Sue bestow him and son Brandon with top honors at the JSTC "Season One" dinner.

The race was the New Jersey State Triathlon. The date, July 22, 2007. Our club was in it's infancy, as original members from the March meeting were still getting to know each other. Our uniforms were fresh out of the box, and many members were doing their first race of the year. We had no history, no race stories as a whole, and still were looking for an identity as a club.

With the swim waves close to starting, there was quite a buzz at the beach. Lots of nervous energy and club members posing for pics and having fun. Then Ted entered the water with son Brandon in tow. The crowd roared, and in an instant, there was an overwhelming sense of pride if you were wearing the yellow and blue colors of The Jersey Shore Triathlon Club among the on deck swimmers. Ted, who had worked hard on his swimming with the club in the weeks leading up to the race, was picture perfect in his stroke as he began the race with everyone watching and cheering. No pressure!

Ted and Brandon exited the water to another roar from the crowd. Our club volunteers working hard out on the course at the water stops also shared the pride each time Ted and Brandon came by. At the finish, it was an out pouring of emotion as Ted's wife Jen greeted her boys with a thousand people cheering them on. The club soon joined in, and the party was on. Ted and Brandon later collected the CGI Racing "Hero" award. A special day in the Kucowski household indeed!

No single JSTC race performance in 2007 can match Ted and Brandon on that day. It was gutty, it was inspirational, and it was a day that we will always remember. A defining moment that impacted many...Not exactly what triathlon is about! All the more reason to call their race on that day, The Performance of the Year.

Maggie Freeman has been a fixture on the Jersey Shore athletic scene for over 15 years. Her career running race hardware could fill a house. Google her duathlon results, and it rains single digits, often top 3! Simply put, Maggie is a veteran who knows how to get it done.

In 2007, Maggie's AG triathlon results included SheRox Philadelphia (4th), DQ at Marlton (1), Jersey Genesis (1), and North East MD (1). Her year was highlighted by a 1st Overall in the 2007 Danskin at Sandy Hook, where she powered her way from 6th in the swim to 1st after the bike. Maggie then never looked back, breaking the tape in 59:27.

Well... she kind of looked back. For after her big finish, Maggie went out and found the last Danskin runner on the course and escorted her all the way home! She is a class act both on and off the race course, and no wonder this club loves her so. Congratulations Maggie on a fantastic 2007!

JSTC Master Sponsor, Miles Ahead Sports owner, and Hawaii Ironman Bruce Robinson presents Joe with the Triathlete of the Year Award!

Kona! J.D. joined the elite few in our area by earning his way to Ironman Hawaii with a 4:21 Eagleman. With Lake Placid in the middle, Joe had a busy 2007: Overall winner at the War at The Shore, 8th overall at the MidAtlantic Club Championship in North East MD, and workhorse on the winning JSTC Club Shore Relay team.

Nobody gets to Kona without dedication and focus. More importantly, no married athlete gets to Kona and be able to enjoy it without a understanding spouse and family. Joe's wife Liz is support crew, travel agent, bookkeeper, and loving wife. Joe would be the first to tell you she makes it all possible. A devoted father to daughter Emily and son Joey, when Dad is not working for American Airlines, he often can be found on the Spring Lake boardwalk talking it up at 6:30 pace, pulling the train down Casino Drive on his "e" Soloist, or conquering Allaire's Tiger Woods trail on his single speed mountain bike.

"Big Jim" is a natural. Gifted with self confidence, yet modest demeanor, when Jim is on the scene it is all good. First swim...Jim was there. First track workout...Jim was there. First Island Beach "train" ride...Jim was right there leading the way. When he wasn't racing or training, Jim was photographing and helping the club enjoy the day.

Our Manasquan Reservoir weekends...Jim again, often with delicious goodies and coffee. On the member forum, Jim is one of the top posters -with great ideas, thoughtful comments, and encouraging words.

Jim and wife Laura recently became grandparents!! When they are not swim-bike-running, they can often be found on the Barnegat Bay, with Jim navigating their sailboat with expert skill and keen insight.

Thank you Jim for sharing your gift with our club, and enhancing the enjoyment for us all.

In the first of a series to follow from the JSTC Season One celebration, today we highlight two of our most popular club members.

A.J. Perna weighed over 400 pounds just two years ago! He found the JSTC after gastric surgery to gain strength, focus on fitness, and use triathlon as a goal to stay the course. A.J. literally captured our "hearts" with his charisma and determination. As for triathlon, A.J. christened his career weighing in at 197 pounds for the 2007 Sandy Hooker series. He went on to do the N.J. State sprint triathlon, then leaped to Olympic distance at the North East, MD USAT Club Championship. He finished his first season strong at the Bassman International distance fall triathlon. A.J. is an inspiration to everyone here at the JSTC, and his racing aluminum hybrid bike is coveted and admired by many. An accomplished musician, children's song writer, and talented graphic artist, A.J. is supported by a loving wife Melissa, and a beautiful daughter in Vivian. Next up for AJ...his first Half Ironman this June: Eagleman!

Kathleen O'Brien is one of the original "Tri Chicks", our club secretary, and the official "go to" member when we need something done! Kiri, as she is known around the club, first appeared on our scene at a club meeting wanting to learn more about triathlon. Her first swim workout was highlighted by a brush with a dock piling! From there, she caught on quick. Her first race season included several Sandy Hooker's, highlighted by AG hardware at The War at The Shore! Kiri finished her race year at The Danskin, then led a Sandy Hook post-race beach party that included great food and great cheer under her yellow shag umbrellas! Her style is first class. Her smile, as evidenced above, is as big as her commitment to the JSTC. When not in the pool safely avoiding things that go bump in strong tides, Kiri works with a financial investment firm. Married to her husband Jay, Kiri is an expert skier, and without question the best dancer in the Club!

CGI Racing Names Jersey Shore Triathlon Club as official "Host Club" for 2008 NJ State Triathlon

On Sunday, July 27, 2008, the JSTC will again rock Mercer County Park, this time as the official host of Club Corner. CGI racing expects this race to sell out again...and it will! Sprint and Olympic distance races. The Club RV, Brielle Cyclery, and the barbecue grill will again be working hard to make this race our feature summer event. Circle the date, or better yet, reserve your spot now. This is a race you will not want to miss!! For info: http://www.cgiracing.com/

We remember a good friend of our community.
Truly an original and generous man, who is missed dearly by those he touched.

Jack Meyer
1953 -2007

Hard to believe...but one year ago today on January 4, 2007, we flipped the switch and The Jersey Shore Triathlon Club was born into the digital triathlon world.   Not much content on that first day.  You can still read our debut opening line by clicking "About The Club" on the menu bar above.

24 hours after powering on, we had our first member in Joe Donahue. Not the first time J.D. had been #1 in his life, and he'd be the first to tell you the best is yet to come for our club. When we get together as a group, that sentiment is echoed by every member in the room and under the tiki hut. It's what makes it exciting...what more could a club want then to have people eager to grow and help each other?  All good!

Our master sponsors, Brielle Cyclery and Miles Ahead Sports, continue to stay on top and bring in the best products to service the triathlon community. How fortunate we are to have the only area Newton dealer and the only area Cervelo dealer dealer right here with our club.  And their stores have many other fine products to choose from. Miles owner Bruce Robinson's staff is simply the best at athletic foot gear.  Brielle Cyclery manager Patrick Connelly is a wooley security blanket on our club winter mountain bike rides, and "Clarence" is a master mechanic second to none.

"Season One" brought us the "Tri Chicks", the "River Rats", "A.J.", "Brian's Hill", "smarks" and "tinaswim" transformed into "tinawoods" before our very eyes!   There was the "whistle", an RV, lipgloss, Kona Lager wagers, and "the piling". Seth and Kenny got their own show, and yellow shag tiki umbrellas are the new rage on "The Hook". Unless you are on the inside, what was just mentioned in the previous sentence doesn't make much sense. But for those who took the plunge ($10 U.S. back in the day!), they certainly got their monies worth and and few laughs to boot!

So one year old today! Congratulations to everyone in the club for making it great...and wanting to make it even better. The Jersey Shore Triathlon Club is indeed "special", and it is the membership that makes it so.

All good things...and here's to making great '08!

Want to join our club? We are both newbee certified friendly, and have veterans to train with the best of the best. Click here, and join us for "Season Two"!

Flashback 2007
"Big Jim" cleans up pretty good for a River Rat!		Kiri and the Tri-Chicks provide much of the energy that drives our club!
The only thing better than a JSTC athlete competing, is our JSTC volunteers making it all possible! Family and friends chipped in, as well as club members, to make 2007 very special indeed. Seemed like everyone pitched in at some point in training and at thew races. Thank you all for the time you give and added fun by sharing the day!

Barbara races, supports, and loves road trips! They threatened to "Village" it up, but the Danskin boys painted the Hook red instead! Kathy is the Michelangelo of body marking!	Always ready to help, Coach Tom seemed to be everywhere on race day. A Far Side Moment Trapped in the minors....A.J. dreams of parking 747's instead of Subaru's someday! Regina is "excellent" at coordinating her Treasure Island Triathlon		Mike is always there to lend a hand! Jerry's turn to head Brielle Cyclery support Jon protects the kids from the buoy anchor line, and takes one for the team!

FLASHBACK 2007
JSTC'S X-Man - Bob Horn

Pictured above hanging around the Allaire State Park mountain bike lot, Bob Horn brought a little different triathlon style to our club this past year: X-TERRA.

Bob raced many regional off road triathlon races in '07, and always finished near the top. In fact, he raced so well, he earned a ticket to the World X-TERRA championship in Maui, where you race against the best of the best on planet earth.

Bob went on to finish 139th at the World's...a fantastic effort, especially when you figure in the number of professionals entered in this race with huge sponsors and plenty of support.

Congratulations Bob on a great season, capped with a great day in Maui!

Webmaster Note: One feature of being a member of our club is the forum, a bulletin board where we coordinate group workouts, coach, mentor, have a little fun with the world and each other, and try not to take triathlon too serious all the time.

Perhaps the best feature in Forum is "Race Reports". Here, members share their fears, triumphs, thoughts and experiences on the race challenges they encounter without the fear of their surfing 8th grade English teacher scolding them for a misspelled word or improper comma! It also gives us the chance to get to know a fellow member in a rather personal way, as they express themselves through the written word.

Bob, (bhrun), wrote one of his classic "cool as a cucumber" reports for the Maui World Championship this past October. Click here to get an inside look at how one of the best athletes in the entire Jersey Shore approached the race of his life, then looked back on it.

Flashback 2007

Joanne Jaeger... Focused, and about to go further than she ever has before, in her first International distance race.
October 5, 2007

FLASHBACK 2007

Joe D. Wins "War at the Shore"

Long Branch, NJ: With a balanced attack, Joe Donahue scored over-all long course victory in the return of the Sandy Hooker Classic- War at the Shore, held at Pier Village on Labor Day weekend.


Tim Horn finished 2nd OA in the short course.	RD Doug Rice congrats Laura D. on first female overall in long course.	Gerry holds up AG hardware with steady hands and a big smile.

Flashback 2007

Maggie Freeman Wins "The Danskin"

Sandy Hook, NJ: In the last race of the national Danskin series, Maggie Freeman had the swim of her life to start the morning off. A powerful move on the bike led to the front of the pack. She then ran strong to the finish to claim over all winner in the 2007 Danskin. Congratulations Maggie!

More Danskin Moments....All Winners!!!!!!

2007 Flashback - North East, Maryland

Merry Christmas from the Jersey Shore Triathlon Club

Flashback 2007
Bassman Triathlon


Greg Smith	A.J. Perna	Kenny Pace

October 5, Bass River State Park

FLASHBACK 2007
Point Pleasant Foundation for Excellence

Ready...

Set...

Go!

Treasure Island Kids Tri
Maxsom Beach, Point Pleasant
September 23rd

Flashback 2007

"Tri Chicks" Post Race - Danskin
Sandy Hook State Park - September 14th

2007 Flashback
New Jersey State Triathlon

Ted Kucowski and son Brandon, bring the house down at sold out Mercer County Park
July 22, 2007

Flashback 2007

Andi Sawin's Incredible Swim Clinic
August 14, Freehold YMCA

Flashback 2007

Debut for the JSTC
at Sandy Hooker #1
June 29th

2007 Flashback!

First Club Ocean Swim

July 13th 6:30am!

Cross Training in the Woods!

Members of The Jersey Shore Triathlon Club pose for a photo before heading out into the trails of Allaire State Park. Come on out and enjoy the beauty of Monmouth County. Click MTB above for details.


	Get your bells on and join club member Brian Wilton's team at JSRC's Lake Como Jingle Bell 5K. Proceeds to benefit The Arthritis Foundation. Race day is Saturday December 8th, based at Bar A. Can't make the run but want to make a donation by joining Brian's Team?....CLICK HERE. Want to race?...Visit our friends at JSRC here http://www.jsrc.org/ for an application and join Team Wilton!

FIRST SNOW!

It's the JSTC Sunday mtb ride on December 2nd, 7:15am, and Brielle Cyclery manager, Patrick Connolly, had the honor of laying the first seasonal tracks in the snow down "Tobogan Run" at Allaire State Park. We ride every Tuesday at 3pm, Thursdays at 7/8am, and Sundays 7/8am. Great for beginners, couples, and those looking to meet new friends. Come on out and allow Patrick to show you around!

JSTC Romps at The Ark!

Reindeer Romp was a snowy fun morning, and a great party as always!

Carly, Donna, and special guest appearance by Jack Cheer at "The Ark"....the official OTB JSTC PTB!

1st Annual JSTC Dinner Bash

Come Celebrate "Season One" with...
Dinner...2007 Awards and Recognition...Dancing....Open Bar

January 18, 2008 at the Spring Lake Manor

6:30 - Cocktail Hour
7:30 - 10:30 Dinner Blowout

$75/pp - Deluxe Dinner Buffet
Beer/Wine/Soda
Cash Bar for Mixed Drinks

RSVP by Dec 15th in The Forum or info@jstriclub.org
Checks are to be made to: Jersey Shore Triathlon Club
(Please include the club member's name on the front of the check!)

Checks are to be sent to:
Jersey Shore Triathlon Club
P.O. Box 70
Brielle, NJ 08730

Plan on joining us, bring a friend or new member, and check back on the forum for more details!

Newton Shoes Now Available At Miles Ahead Sports

Sales associate Chris Stripto is all smiles now that Newton Running Shoes are available at Miles Ahead Sports! Previously available only online, owner Bruce Robinson and staff were handpicked by Newton to fit and distribute their unique patented fore strike shoe that has turned heads and heels at every major Ironman event this year.

Stop in and see what everybody is talking about! Miles Ahead Sports is located just north of the Manasquan Circle on Highway 35. http://www.milesaheadsports.com/

Take a Bow Bernadette!!!

Bernadette "Stealth" Taylor continues to roll on! Known for quietly preparing and racing strong in all three triathlon elements, she consistently shows up at the hardware booth to collect.

Bernadette wrapped up her season with a gutty 5:14 the World 70.3 Championship race in Florida on November 10th. Traveling and racing while battling a stubborn cold, Bernadette showed why she is one of our club favorites...smiling all the way to the finish line and not missing the party afterwards!

Her 2007 included:

Eagleman 4:57 and 7th AG
North East MD 2:17 1st AG
S.O.S Adventure 5:23 and 2nd AG

Congratulations Bernadette on a great 2007. You are styling!

Laura DeMeo
70.3 World Championship - 4:58:01

Club member and veteran triathlete, Laura DeMeo, goes sub 5 for the first time in her career at the Clearwater FL World 70.3 Championship. Congratulations Laura on a great race to cap off a terrific year that included Eagleman, Timberman and Lake Placid Ironman. YOU GO GIRL!

Susan Mark
2007 New York City Marathon
4:14:03

Sue looks like she's ready to go another 26.2!

Congratulations on a great race!

Jacqui Gordon
Ironman Florida
9:51:56

Pro triathlete, Mom, and club member Jacqui Gordon of Point Pleasant Beach goes sub 10 hours in perfect conditions at the 2007 Ironman Florida in Panama City. Congratulations Jacqui on a personal best and a perfect way to end the season!!! You earned it!

2007 Club group rides end where they began....just triathletes looking to have fun!

Full sunshine and rather blustery winds provided the setting as the JSTC rode up to Sea Bright, then back down to Bar A for great burgers, brews, and football. "Season One" road biking is a wrap! Thanks everyone for coming out. Still want to ride??? See you in the woods!

Joe Kona, Kathy, Jenn, Patrick, Rudy, and Coach Tom spent Sunday morning in the autumn woods enjoying the best of Allaire State Park. The trails are in great shape. Patrick, (aka Pony), leads the way, with every tool known to dirt stored in his Camelbak for emergency bike repair. Joe broke his chain today...looked to Pony...Yeah, he's got that! Thanks Dude!

The Jersey Shore Triathlon Club pose with 2nd place trophy in the club division. Warm hearts stole the show though, as CGI Racing provided a great stage for athletes and family to share the sport of triathlon.

Mike W. looks sharp in our "can't miss" club jersey at the recent Sandy Hooker series. If you ordered yours and have not picked it up yet, stop by Brielle Cyclery soon.

The Jersey Shore Triathlon Club is committed to helping newbies and veterans to work on their skills, race their best and enjoy the season. Not a member???? We'd love to have you come on board.

Newbies looked attentive as Coach Manzi explains how a triathlon transition should go at our June Tri Clinic held in Point Pleasant...

Club membership ($10) punches your ticket.... then hop on The Forum message center where cycling rides are put together for every level..nearly everyday. swim and run too! Want to get on board? Click here.

Jersey Shore Tri members Tom, Jim, m, Jenn, Reagan, A.J. and Big John take it easy for the camera before laying down a few 800's at the Point Pleasant H.S. Track facility just off Route 88. All paces are welcome. We do it every Wednesday 6pm. Come on out and feel the difference that a pace workout can do for you.

Congratulation's to The Jersey Shore Running Club for putting on a GREAT event. Beautiful weather, an abundance of volunteers, and Convention Hall Asbury Park set the stage for a truly memorable and fun day.

Team JS Tri Club took 1st place in the Club Division with a speedy 2:40:29. Joe Donahue was handed the baton at the start and set the bar for the rest of the day. John Jacobson and Tim Horn ran very strong in the middle. Chris Wilcox carried the baton home on the final leg and enjoyed the honor of representing the entire Jersey Shore Triathlon Club at the finish line.

Season One 2007 is off to a great start. Thanks to everyone who came by our booth to say hi and share the day. The warm support was icing on the cake. A great day....a great event. Congratulations again to the JSRC for putting on such a terrific event, and all the teams that competed to benefit The Special Olympics.

JSTC Holiday Happy

When: Friday, December 14th
Where: Bar A, Lake Como http://www.bar-a.com
Time: 5-8pm

FREE DRAFT BEER 6-7pm
BUFFET-MUSIC

Bring your spouse...bring a friend....bring a prospective member.
See you there!!!

The Jersey Shore Triathlon Club wishes you and your family a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Come join us for a 2-hour bike ride along The Jersey Shore, as we celebrate 2007. Lunch and beverage back at Bar A @ 1:00PM when we are done. Bring a friend or the family.

Get outside and enjoy the best of NJ's Fall weather!
The Jersey Shore Tri Club is now hitting the trails.

Come mountain bike with us every Tuesday at 3pm and 4pm at Allaire State Park. Every Thursday at 8am, and every Sunday beginning October 28th at 8am.

Meet at the Hospital Road parking lot. Beginner's and veteran's will find fellow riders to enjoy the great outdoors and have some fun. JSTC and Brielle Cyclery, (www.briellecyclery.com) provide trail guide and bike support...you just come, learn and have fun!